…and it was fantastic! Lodgings depend upon your financial situation, of course, but I stayed in a small pension just a couple of blocks from the Termini (main subway station), which was very convenient.

There are many hotels, hostels and pensions in this area, but it’s a little bit seedy (watch out for pick-pockets, especially at night!). The key to this area is that it is just so central to everything (quick cab ride or long walk to the Colosseo, Vittoriano, and many of the ruins like the Forum).

Be sure to go to Piazza Navona in the evening, when all the artists and vendors are out in full force. Campo de Fiore is very close by, and has some fun nightclubs (the Drunken Ship is a hoot!)

There is a great deal to do and see — the Spanish Steps, the catacombs, and of course St. Peter’s and the Vatican… if you are into art, I would recommend Villa Borghese… it is incredible, and has many beautiful sculptures by the masters.

Make sure you get a good tour book (that has a good map— it’s really easy to get lost in Rome, because most maps don’t even list all the little streets, particularly in the Jewish ghetto area… but getting lost can bring you to the most interesting places, I think!). Steet vendors sell these kind of cheesy ‘collectors’ tour books with big glossy colour pictures, and they usually have really good map inserts — I would recommend picking one of these up.

I could go on and on… I am just beside myself with jealousy! :-)

Have a fabulous trip! Eat lots of pizza (it’s VERY different from what we have over here – especially in Chicago!), and drink lots of wine…