I spent 6 incredible days in Rome. There are so many attractions and things to do that I could easily spend 10 days in the city. From archeological sites such as the Colosseum and Roman forum to incredible museums such as the Vatican museum. These attractions draw millions of visitors to the city and I think most of them were there during my visit (Note to self: try March or April next time). Then there’s Rome’s amazing cuisine and outdoor restaurant scene.

Before leaving on this adventure I booked a tour guide from ShowAround.com . Showaround connects travellers like me in search of unique travel experiences with locals who are ready to show them around their cities. Italy has licensed tour guides who have taken some classes at a Community College or some government sponsored education institute. But, Showaround guides are independent, ordinary citizens who love their city and want to meet foreigners and show you their favourite landmarks, restaurants and neighbourhoods for (eg.) $20/hour. In Rome, I selected Elisabetta from the long list of citizens willing to take me for a tour of Rome and arranged to meet at 11AM at the Spanish Steps. One thing that’s valuable for me is I can tap the guide’s knowledge of the local transit system — eg) where to buy metro, bus & train tickets.

The Spanish Steps

This giant sumptuous stone 138-step steep staircase fans out from Piazza di Spagna up to the Trinità dei Monti church. Though the steps are the undisputed centerpiece of the upscale Tridente part of Rome. At the base lies the Fontana della Barcaccia, a fountain featuring a half-shrunk stone ship sculpted by Pietro Bernini (father of the leading Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini).

After they were completed in 1725, the steps quickly gained a reputation for being a prime people-watching spot because they attracted a high concentration of artists and later photographers, who were themselves drawn to the attractive monument — it served as bait for wannabe models. The name derives from the Spanish embassy about 1/2 a block up the street.

The Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain has a history that predates the 1600s, and it’s the most well-known fountain in the world. “Trevi” is a mashup of the Italian words “tre,” meaning “three” and “vie,” meaning “roads,” because the fountain was constructed at the intersection of Rome’s then three most important thoroughfares. The 85-foot-tall, 65-foot-wide Trevi was renovated by one of Italy’s most famous sculptors, Bernini. It is his largest undertaking ever, and as such a monumental attraction to tourists and natives alike. People have been tossing coins in the fountain for centuries – the first and most well-known reason is based on local lore that states doing so will bring you back to Rome again, someday. The fountain takes in approximately 1,250,000 euros annually (about $1.5 million U.S. dollars) that is given to charity.