Going off on your own
Transportation options abound in Rome. When you take public transportation on your own in a foreign city, chances are you are going to have an interesting adventure. The No. 3 tram line begins at Stazione Trastevere, the "Greenwich Village" of Rome. The tram continues through an authentic working-class Roman neighborhood, Testaccio, and then moves on to the Circus Maximus and the mother of all stadiums, the Colosseum. Eventually the tram ends up at Villa Borghese, a public park known for its gardens, zoo, three museums and a boating lake.
Another inexpensive sightseeing option is the Batelli di Roma riverboat that starts down the Tiber River at Ponte Sant'Angelo and continues past Castel Sant'Angelo, St. Peter's Basilica and the small island Isola Tiberina. The evening dinner river cruise is a romantic way to see Rome at night.
Get to know the neighborhoods
Armed with a good city map, you can design your own customized tour and find guides at important sites if you wish. For the adventurous, a magical moment occurs daily just before dawn as the sun rises over the ancient ruins atop the Capitoline Hill. Take in the views including the Roman Forum below, and then descend to explore the ruins of this center of Roman government. The Trastevere neighborhood invites you to wander its maze of alleyways as you retreat into old-world Rome. Plan to come after siesta when the streets come alive, and begin at Piazza Santa Maria in Travestere. The Ghetto, home to Europe's oldest Jewish community, was established 2,000 years ago and features a synagogue with a dazzling collection of Jewish ceremonial items. At Piazza Navona, marvel at the exquisite Bernini fountain Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi representing the four major rivers of the continents. Then do not miss the Spanish Steps and the Fountain of Trevi, but be aware that after sightseeing here you will probably want to find less expensive restaurants outside of this upscale neighborhood.
Take an organized walking tour
After soaking in the sights and sounds of Rome and appreciating the city's timeless beauty, hire a guide to provide more in-depth perspectives. Book such walking tours from home, since your hotel may only book bus tours. Some limit groups to just a few people and offer guides who are professional architects, archaeologists or historians. Such tours are available in the Vatican, the Catacombs and the Appian Way, just to name a few. Your guide may lead you to the ruins of an ancient aqueduct or to an underground excavation that few tourists get to see.
