Downtown Ancient Rome: The Roman Forum (Foro Romano), Palatine Hill, temple of the Vestal Virgins, Roman Senate, and Triumphal Arches of Titus and Septimius Severus

Rome's Colosseo still ranks as the world's most famous sports arena, site of gladiator combat and the wholesale slaughter of wild beasts to amuse the public

The birthplace of palaces is the Palatine Hill above the Roman Forum

A few blocks from the Colosseum is the best place in Rome to see the layer-cake effect of its history in action: church piled atop church piled atop pagan temple

These museums atop Rome's Campidoglio connected by the Tabularium house iconic ancient statues (she-wolf, colossal statue of Constantine, Lo Spinario, Dying Gaul, etc.) and great art by Caravaggio, Titian, and Rubens

It's a shame that so many who stop to see the Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth) on the porch don't take the time to go inside the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin itself

The Fori Imperiali represent Rome's first major urban expansion of public areas beyond the Forum—most importantly the Forum of Caesar, Forum of Augustus, and Forum of Trajan

The world's first multi-level shopping mall gives unparalleled insight into the daily life of Ancient Rome

The Domus Aurea—Nero's personal pleasure palace across from the Colosseum—offers a rare glimpse into the privileged world of a Roman emperor

The Terme di Caracalla is vast ancient baths complex and spectacular setting for opera under the stars

The Capitoline Museums, a Michelangelo-designed piazza, and killer views atop Rome's Campidoglio

Mussolini's grand Via dei Fori Imperiali, central Rome's would-be grand Archaeological Park

This triumphal arch celebrates the battle that made Christianity the religion of Rome

A secret panorama over the Roman Forum from the back of the Capitoline Hill

Universally known as "The Wedding Cake" or "The Giant Typewriter," the Victory Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II at the very center of Rome is the hideously ugly monument you gotta love anyway

The Forum of Trajan's is home to Trajan's Column, a massive carved marble comic strip of the emperors accomplishments

The Forum of Caesar, part of the Imperial Fori in Rome

The Foro di Augusto was built by Augustus Caesar

The greatest racing arena in ancient Rome is now a grassy jogging oval and outdoor concert venue

A hidden Aventine rose garden overlooking the Circus Maximus

The sad story of the Santo Bambino at the Capitoline church

Fraternal twin temples and the world's first sewer on lovely little "Cow Forum" by the Mouth of Truth

Marcellus's Theater was the Colosseum 1.0, the original Roman amphitheater

Michelangelo's famous Moses statue on tomb of Pope Julius II—plus the chains that bound St. Peter—at the chruch of "St. Peter in Chains"

A classy hotel in a former monastery at the Forum's back door

A German-style beer hall restaurant

A great old-school wine bar

An abruzzese restaurant