A must-see on many travelers' itineraries, the Trevi Fountain is situated amongst a high concentration ofhotels, shopping and nightlife. Finished in the mid-1700s, the Trevi is a powerful example of a baroque design with a distinctly mythological character. The god of the sea, Oceanus, emerges from the pool, flanked by

The epicenter of Roman Catholicism, St. Peter's Basilica is centered in Vatican City and open daily for free. (Though it's closed on Wednesday mornings for pope appearances.) Many visitors enjoy trekking to the top of the dome. For a fee of 6 euros (about $7.50), you can climb the 551

The Pantheon, a former Roman temple and now a present-day church, is known for its perfect proportions, which is amazing, seeing as it was raised in A.D. 120. While you're there, you can also pay your respects to Raphael, as well as Italian kings Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I,

The site of many bloody gladiatorial fights, the Colosseum, which was opened in 80 A.D., could then hold about 50,000 spectators. With a circumference of 573 yards and sitting on marshland, experts say the Colosseum is an engineering wonder… not to mention an animal- and human-rights atrocity.

You'll find one of Vatican City's most notorious attractions housed within these walls – the Sistine Chapel (and Michelangelo's famous frescos). A tour of the Vatican Museums grants access to various sections of the palaces, the Sistine Chapel included. But don't overlook the treasures housed within the museums themselves, including

Not as popular as the Colosseum (but located nearby), some say the Roman Forum is more interesting. The Roman Forum comprises much of the Ancient Rome's most important structures, from shrines to government houses to monuments. Although much of the complex is in ruins, you can see the remains and imagine the

If you're a fan of Caravaggio, you'll want to visit the San Luigi dei Francesi. Inside this church in Piazza Navona are three of the baroque artist's works, including the "The Calling of St. Matthew" (one of his most famous paintings), "Saint Matthew and the Angel" and "The Martyrdom of

This featured chapel from Dan Brown's "Angels & Demons" is now heavily trafficked by Robert Langdon wannabes. But baroque art fans might want to brave the crowds for a look at Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Cornaro Chapel, which features the Ecstasy of St. Teresa statue.

If you want a look at the real Rome, experts and travelers strongly recommend you visit Trastevere. Located south of Vatican City, this neighborhood is home to the Santa Maria in Trastevere, as well as numerous restaurants and neighborhood shops (it's often compared toNew York City's Greenwich Village orParis's Left Bank

Archaeology buffs might find the Basilica di San Clemente interesting as it's a veritable nesting doll of churches. It's a second century pagan temple, underneath a fourth-century church, which is underneath a 12th-century church. Enter the 12th-century church from the street level, take stairs down to the fourth-century one and

Perhaps one of the best known of Rome's public squares, the Piazza Navona dates back to the end of the 15th century. Today, it fills with modern people sipping coffees while watching street performers and artists. Cafes abound, and there are a number of shops too, although recent visitors said

To the west of the Tiber River (near another top attraction, Trastevere), Gianicolo Hill, or the Janiculum, is just waiting to be climbed. Although a hike, the site provides unobstructed, panoramic views of the Eternal City. Once at the top, visitors will be able to spot some of Rome's most famous

The Campo de' Fiori is worth visiting twice in a trip – once during the day for its bustling market, and again as the sun sets for its convivial nightlife. According to travel experts, the Campo de' Fiori looks much the same as it did in the early 1800s, except

Porta Portese is a Sunday morning market (about 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.) in Trastevere that travel experts say fashionistas won't want to miss. While vendors sell everything from books to antiques (and antique lookalikes), the market's main focus is clothes – both new and used.

Found at the Piazza di Spagna, the Spanish Steps (which get their name from the nearby Embassy of Spain among the Holy See) are another must-do for many travelers. Here, visitors can tread the same stairs that writers Balzac and Byron climbed for inspiration in the 19th century. The steps

A favorite among travelers to Rome, the Galleria Borghese is half-villa/half-museum, and it has some resplendent gardens too. Originally commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the 17th century to shelter his massive art collection, it's now considered one of the premier art galleries in the city. The villa's extravagant rooms,

The Musei Capitolini (Capitoline Museums) was the first public museum in the world, and it holds Rome's symbol, the bronze Capitoline Wolf. According to lore, the wolf nursed the half-wolf, half-god founders of the city, twins Romulus and Remus. Its namesake museum contains busts of Roman emperors, from Augustus to Caligula, statues,

The Ancient Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) has a history that dates back to 312 B.C. and includes the 71 B.C. execution of Spartacus' army, the burial of Caecilia Metella, and many a Roman military march. These days, it makes for a good walk with numerous monuments to stop and

For many visitors, this was the highlight of their trip to Rome. And what better souvenir to take home than a collection of Italian recipes and cooking techniques you can use when you return from vacation? During the five-hour class, you'll learn how to make authentic Italian dishes with a