One of the most popular places to hang out and people watch is Piazza Navona . Crowds of locals and tourists gather round to watch artists and performers do their thing around this multi-block open space. For myself, Piazza del Popolo is where I go to sit, soak up some sun and watch the world pass by while surrounded by four massive lion fountains that guard the space. Popolo is also known, by those who apparently know such things, as one of the piazzas where gay men and women congregate. Popolo makes a great starting spot for a day of sightseeing, equipped with gothic churches, ancient ruins and a fascinating Italian art museum.
Sightseeing is the major reason to vacation in Rome.
There is, of course, the necessary visit to the Vatican Museums , especially the Sistine Chapel . If you don't want to wait in line forever, get there early, take a walk through the Chapel first, and then go back to the Museums later. If, like me, you are into really ancient ruins, a stop by the Largo Argentina for a look at the four Republican temples is well worth it. This square block area is also home to an amazing number of cats that have overrun the sacred grounds and are now considered kind of sacred themselves. A morning at the Imperial Forum and the Colosseum is impressive, however, access to the latter, and whole sections of the former, is limited because of crumbling rock and restoration attempts.