Unfortunately, my visit to Rome was particularly shorter than I would have liked, but I did manage to see the major sites on my list. We started our first day at the Vatican and then ended up separating from the group at St. Peter's Basilica. Must see's included the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica itself, and Michelangelo's Pieta. When then headed towards the Pantheon, passing through a market along the river and stopping for lunch at a sidewalk cafe. For dinner our group had planned this ridiculously long 5 course meal. A few girls and I stayed for the first three courses and then decided to high-tail it to the Spanish Steps on recommendation from a friend. Knowing we had limited time in Rome, we decided it was better spent exploring the city rather than sitting in the basement of a restaurant waiting for the next course. There is a time and place for a relaxing Italian dinner, but my first visit to Rome was not it!
The next day we headed to the Coliseum only to find workers on strike, so our reservation would have to wait until after noon when the workers were expected to return. Instead we made a trip to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps area to see the designer shops and take in some Roman culture. Luckily when we headed back to the Coliseum we were able to enter and look around. Shortly thereafter it was time to head home.
