By Giovanna Dell’Orto
For The Associated Press

ROME — The light splashes liquid gold over marble columns in the Roman Forum and the faded facades of Baroque palaces in the distance. Nearby, a heated dialogue resonates in the hearty Roman accents that infuse everyday interactions with playful theatricality.

I am standing in the center of Rome, amid its absurd profusion of gorgeous monuments, historic sites, religious wonders — and everyday contemporary life.

A man on a scooter drops off dry cleaning next to a 1,900-year-old temple. A woman in extravagantly high heels heads to her office, housed in 17th-century Papal palaces.

This is why Rome, majestic and down-to-earth, has a hold on me like no other city. Every turn down a cobblestone street hides yet another magnificent piece of art and history that feels decadently ignored and singularly mine.

Trying to get in all the sights is virtually impossible — I didn’t make it even when I lived here a few years ago for six months. Now that I barely manage a weekend a year, I have developed my own walking itinerary of favorite spots. Here is my personal pick of what to see in Rome if you only have two days. Best of all, every site listed here is free, except for the Vatican Museums (about $20) and the Roman Forum, which includes the Colosseum.

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