Simply stated, Rome is one of the most beautiful cities in the entire world. To get a good sense of what the capital of Italy has to offer, you would need at least two weeks of solid sightseeing, and then you might start to understand and appreciate Rome's place in the world, both historically and in modern times.

You need not be reminded that Rome was once the center of all civilization. The old saying, All roads lead to Rome, was not a cliché, but a statement of fact during the heyday of the Roman Empire. Even after Rome's eventual fall, so much of what started there still impacts the world today. The art, architecture, and codes of law still resonate today, nearly 2000 years after the empire's fall.

Because you are working on a limited time budget, this guide will try and help you fit in all there is to see here in as short a time as possible. But you may have to be resigned to the fact that you will not get the chance to see it all. You will be awed by the sheer sanctity and enormity of Vatican City. You will be floored by the Renaissance masterpieces found in the city's museums and art galleries. You will be amazed by the colossal Colosseum. And you will be charmed by the seemingly seamless combination of the old and the new in Rome, The Eternal City.