We've seen the Roman Forum and we marvelled at the Colosseum- what next? To begin our third day we decided to take a trip beyond the Tiber to Trastevere, a charming medieval neighbourhood with a fiery temperament. A stroll around Trastevere, formerly working-class district, took us away from the crowds to the hidden corners of Rome.

Our second day started pretty much in the same way: me with  the map, my boyfriend with the camera taking pictures. First stop: the Colosseum. Bulit of concrete and stone, it was the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire and is considered one of the greatest works of arhitecture and engineering. Construction  began under the emperor Vespasian in 70 AD and was completed in 80 AD under his successor and heir Titus. The Colosseum could hold, it is estimated, between 50.000 and 80.000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles.

Once inside, it becomes apparent that the crumbling architectural wonder has retained its majesty. As I look up I notice that the large chunks of the upper levels are missing. According to a Spanish guide ( to whom I was listening stealthily) they were removed and reincarnated during the construction of the Vatican. I'm gripped by a sense of trepidation as the atmosphere takes me back to Roman times. Suddenly, I'm in a gladiator's shoes (well, loafers) imagining what it was like entering the arena to the deafening cheers of the 50.000 strong crowd.

Near the Colosseum we could find the Roman Forum which is a rectangular plaza surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings. Located in the small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, the teeming heart of ancient Rome is a sprawling ruin of arhitectural and intermittent archaeological excavations attracting 4.5 million sightseers yearly.

Another impressive buliding we went to visit was "Altare della Patria" also known as the National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II or " Il Vittoriano". It was built in honour of Victor Emmanuel the first king of a unified Italy. There we were able to take an elevator and indulge ourselves in one of the most spectacular view of Rome.

Wandering through damp alleys crowded with parked Vespas, I can't help, but think : Rome is magic! I stare, awe-struck at the magnigicent ancient relic that appeared before me and- just like that- Rome has me under its spell and I fall in love with it. As I watch the cars speeding the dichotomy between old and new enhances my affection for this city. History, like beauty, is omnipresent in Rome, providing a refreshing and eternal backdrop to the modern city.

And what about italians? There is something so charming about their culture and way of life that makes the organised chaos of the city just work. Italians love tourists and make time to welcome them. In fact, you will never feel unwanted in Rome!