This year, Italy will once again be a hot-bed for tourism hosting visitors from around the world searching for that quintessential Italian experience. From the mountains of the north to the coastline of the south, the country has an undeniable aura which elevates the senses and transports the experiences to heights that few other countries can match. One of the not-to-miss Italian cities is the enriching city of Rome. With so much to see and do, it’s impossible to cover everything, but here is a few choice stops to quickly get you into the Italian spirit.

The Centro Storico (Historical Center) is the perfect start to your Roman experience. It is here that the many stories and history lessons you’ve amassed over the years about Rome practically come alive. One of the more universally recognizable sites in this area is the Colosseum. In 80 A.D. the then marble-faced grand structure first opened its doors inviting spectators to get their fill of executions, gladiator battles and ferocious animals literally fighting for their lives on the arena floor. At its height it could hold 50,000 spectators and would not only hold hand-to-hand (or paw) battles, but the floor could also be flooded to hold mock naval battles. Today, although the marble is gone and it’s a shell of its past glory, there is no doubt the elliptical structure is still on of the most mesmerizing sites in the world.

Just yards away from the Colosseum lies the Via Sacra (Sacred Road) which leads to the Roman Forum, the hub of early daily Roman life where business, religion and justice took place. Although the centuries have been better to some structures than others in this area, with a little imagination you’ll still get a sense of what life was like in the hey-day of the Roman Empire. Nearby is the Circus Maximus (Latin for “largest arena”), a once impressive structure which hosted hundreds of thousands of spectators to cheer on sporting events and chariot races held in the valley below.

Getting around Rome is relatively easy with a good map and a sense of adventure. Many of the notable sights are grouped close together, making Rome an ideal walking city. If you wish to quickly whisk yourself off from site to site then the subway (Metro) is a good bet. Traffic is quite heavy in Rome, but local buses, trams and taxis are other, albeit sometimes slow, transportation alternatives.

And not that you should need any good luck charm to revisit Rome, but just to be safe, make sure to stop by Trevi Fountain and a toss of a coin (over your shoulder) into the fountain securing that your future will hold another visit to the Eternal City.

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