Rome

One of the greatest cities in the world demands great attention.

Must sees are: the Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and the Vatican Museum, the Forum, the Colosseum, Trajan's Column, the Trevi Fountain, the Victor Emmanuel II monument, and the Spanish Steps.
Also worth seeing are the Piazza Navona, the great public park Galleria & Villa Borghese, the Priorato di Malta (Aventine Keyhole) and the neighbourhood of Trastevere.
It would also be interesting to visit the Via Appia (or Appian Way), the great ancient road leading out of the city.

Restaurants:
A great restaurant recommended by Jonathan Myles-Lea (architectural painter) called La Campana, Vicolo della Campana 18 (also noted as the oldest restaurant in Rome). He particularly recommended the fried artichoke as the "best ever". (It is a 7 minute walk from the Pantheon.)

A great view, and good food and drinks at Terrazza Les Étoiles in the Atlante Star Hotel, Via dei Bastioni, 1, Rome

Accommodations:

In 2025, I stayed at the Hotel Villa San Pio, Via Santa Melania 19 in the Aventine district. Such a quiet stay away from central Rome yet near a metro stop (Piramide). Good restaurants nearby and not touristy. Also, a 10 minute walk to Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus) metro station, Line B (blue). (€200 per night. I booked well in advance.)

Spectacular Apartments, Rome (recommended by Sam of Australia, whom I met in Ypres)

From a Youtube video, an interesting hotel is a converted convent is the quieter Trastevere neighbourhood of Rome. Donna Camilla Savelli Luxury Hotel which has a cloister garden and exquisite chapel inside. Approximately $630 per night. 

Recommendations by contributors to Rick Steves' blog: 

For stays in the heart of Rome try Hotel Smeraldo, Via dei Chiavari 20, near the Pantheon, though one guest recommended ear plugs for the street noise. (€170)

Also recommended are Hotel Palazzo Navona, Largo della Sapienza 8 (€140); and Hotel Golden, Via Marche 84, a family run B&B (€120).

Also check out Hotel Lancelot, Via Capo D'Africa 47 (€120); and Hotel Raffello, Via Urbana 3 (€110).

Partial public transportation map with attractions indicated:

Metro, Tram and Regional Railway maps (source):

Metro map - simplified

Central Rome Metro & Trams

Rome Tram map

Individual Metro Line Stops

Line A

Line B

Line C

Rick Steves has a good video on the highlights and some tourist tips. He also has lots of audio walking tours of different areas of Rome (and many places throughout Europe). Just load the app on your phone or tablet and download. Play the audio through earbuds and walk away! The app even includes maps. Rick recommends Francesca Caruso as a private guide for anywhere in Rome.

Pantheon audio tour showing map

More information on touring Rome can be found here.