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Rome is one of those cities that can feel almost too familiar before you arrive. The Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Vatican have been photographed so many times that it is easy to wonder what could possibly be left to discover. Quite a lot, actually. The secret to enjoying Rome is not avoiding its famous sights, but knowing when to see them, where to stay and when to turn down a quieter street and let the city reveal itself. For a first visit, I would absolutely see the major monuments. They are famous for a reason, and standing inside the Colosseum or beneath the dome of the Pantheon is very different from seeing them on a screen. But I would build the rest of the trip around Rome’s neighborhoods, small restaurants, historic palazzi, independent shops, intimate wine bars and quieter corners where daily Roman life continues largely undisturbed. The city becomes much more interesting when you stop treating it as an outdoor museum. Getting to Rome Getting to Rome from Miami is easy, with nonstop service from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) on ITA Airways, with flights taking about 10 hours. Current schedules include afternoon and evening departures, and I prefer an evening flight from Miami, which allows you to arrive in Rome the following morning and start exploring without losing an entire day to travel, assuming you can sleep for part of the flight. American Airlines also currently offers Miami-Rome service, so it is worth comparing schedules and fares when booking. Once you arrive at Fiumicino, getting into the city is straightforward. I used Uber, although the pickup location was not immediately obvious and required about a five-minute walk. Official taxis are an equally easy option, with a fixed fare between Fiumicino and destinations within Rome’s Aurelian Walls. I found that credit cards were accepted for transportation, making it unnecessary to carry much cash. You can also check with your hotel about arranging private transportation if you prefer a door-to-door option. Photo by Damir Korotaj, Unsplash