We left the little car at the quite unattended Avis office at the airport outside Rome, and took a taxi in to the city, full of doubt. The taxi driver was *not* a conman, and quoted us the fare up front, to which he stuck, then proceeded to act as unpaid and most informative guide. By the time we reached the Duca d'Alba -- a trifle tricky, as a large truck had blocked the narrow road and our kind driver had to wait for ages, and even then had to negotiate a different route -- his fascinating input and everything we saw had assuaged our anxieties.
To see Rome in the middle of winter, like this, was incredible luck ! -- well, we thought so at the time; but most of Europe's climate now seems more unreliable than not ...  Our mate in Switzerland writes  of snowfalls of 40cm, in Spring ...
Rambling along the Tevere, we came across a dedication to Verdi, which were ecstatic to find ... And we visited the Villa Borghese which was, according to the season, chiuso per restauro; but we were allowed in to see many of the beautiful busts, and mosaic floors, and wondrous painted ceilings ...
In fact, once settled into our room and a quick ristretto thrown down, we sallied forth and were, instantly, in love with Rome.
The Piazza Navona was one of our favourite haunts; there we could buy *the most* delicious porchetta rolls -- and, close by, slab pizza that cannot be described properly. No need to spend tons of money at ristoranti !! [Ed.: alas and alack ! -- no more ...]
We spent time in the Foro Romano. You can spend *a lot* of time there without seeing it all, so you have to choose the most important parts. As to what these are, chissà ? -- it's all a matter of opinion ! Some would say, for instance, that nothing is more important that laying eyes on the current locals -- as CS did, and patted 'em as well -- see Gallery.  The Gallery will also show you that, although there were varying degrees of pollution visible, the weather was always superb.
But in the end, there was nothing to beat the Pantheon, which is CS' favourite building in the whole world,and always will be.

It's an everlasting summation of the wonders produced by that mighty Empire, the Romans, and of their glorious city.