Help me plan my trip to Rome

According to the Most Traveled People website, Italy is the most popular place in the world to visit…… which I’ve never visited.

As I finally enter Europe in a few days, I’ll like to tap the collective mind of the internet to help me plan my trip to Rome. There are some things I’ll see that are pretty obvious: the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Pantheon. I’d like to get the opinions of people who have been there before me to help me plan my time there.

Here is what I’m looking for from you:

1) What should I see in Rome? What are the out of the way places I should see and what should I take time to see at the popular spots? Where/what should I eat?

2) If you live in Rome let me know. I’d like to schedule a time to meet with people in Rome at a cafe or pub.