Lazio

The driver arrived at 5:40 AM, even though the scheduled departure time was 6:00 AM. The driver was very friendly, and the car was clean and tidy.

I initially thought Google would be enough to understand the history of the Colosseum, but after attentively listening to the guided tour and walking around for three hours, I was incredibly grateful for my husband's meticulous planning. Standing at the lowest level of the stage, looking around, was a completely different experience from simply standing outside taking photos. We felt like ancient gladiators, watching over 50,000 spectators; they must have felt as awestruck as I did. The guide also provided extremely detailed explanations of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which, despite being just ruins, felt like stepping into the luxurious life of the ancient Romans.

Works by Gina Lorenz Bernini, Caravaggio, and Tiziano Vecelli alone are worth the ticket price. Limited capacity means you must book tickets in advance, which is very convenient. The museum has well-organized information and you can find it using a QR code, making for a great experience. A must-see in your lifetime.

The highlights of the afternoon Vatican Museum tour, the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgment, were truly spectacular. I had researched the rest of Rome's itinerary, but I knew I needed to sign up for a tour of the Vatican Museums, and I'm glad I did (our guide, Giulio Moon, was excellent). The night tour was also a great experience, with the guide (Nero Jaeho Choi) passionately explaining Rome and Catholic history. It's hard to fully understand Rome in one visit, but I'll definitely be back.