We began our first day in Rome by taking the Metro to the Coliseum. Skipping the lines, we viewed the Forum from the walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali, then climbed up to Campidoglio, where government offices are located, for a birds-eye view. Circling back, we walked to the front of Campidoglio to view the magnificent Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II.

Now mid-morning, it was on to the Spanish Steps, stopping along the way at the Trevi fountain . We continued walking north along the Via del Babuino in the direction of the Porto dei Poppolo. Our host told us about the Church of St. Maria dei Poppolo, which housed two Caravaggio paintings - The Crucifixion of St. Peter and The Conversion on the Way to Damascus, as well as several pieces by Raphael and Bernini. After touring the church we headed back south toward the Pantheon, stopping at the Piazza San Lorenzo for lunch. After lunch, we continued on to the Chiesa San Luigi di Francesi - a church that houses three more Carravaggio paintings - The Calling of St Matthew, The Inspiration of Saint Matthew, and The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew.

Every major city should have a water system like Rome's! Thanks to the Romans there are fountains with safe drinking water nearly everywhere around the city. We would have collapsed from dehydration if it hadn't been for the fountains.

We were now just around the corner from the Pantheon, a Roman era building that's been converted into a church . Being late afternoon it was time for a rest, so we headed over to the famous Piazza Navona. Unfortunately, like the other popular spots (Trevi, Spanish Steps, Coliseum, etc.), the Piazza Navone was crowded and a bit noisy. We took advantage of the opportunity to have our first gelato of our trip (two scoops, apricot & melon) and watch the accordion players and street performers.

Rested, we set off in search of a real Roman street market at Campo de Fiori. Unfortunately we were too late for the market, which closes at 4 pm. So we walked to Area Sacra to see the ruins of Largo di Torre Argentina. Located in the midst of a fairly commercial district in central Rome, these ruins were discovered during a construction project in the 1930s.

After a brief nap in a lovely little park (Piazza B. Cairoli), we crossed the Ponte Garabaldi to spend our evening in the trendy and bustling Trastevere neighborhood. Tucked into a crook in the Tiber River, Trastevere is known for its nightlife and is the place to go in Rome on a Saturday night. We made a quick stop at St. Cecilia's church at the eastern end of Trastevere, then - with light from the setting sun streaming onto Ponte Cestio and Ponte Palatino, we made our way to Piazza San Maria. We closed our first night in Rome watching the people sitting in cafes and strolling through the streets.