Five times to Italy but only once to Rome

On our September 2012 trip to Umbria, we flew in and out of Rome.  We took the Leonardo Express train from the airport and had several hours to kill before boarding the train to Foligno.  We planned to check our luggage at the train station and get lunch.

The baggage check line was too long so we took off down the street pulling our carry-on rolling bags behind us.  We had Rick Steves' map of restaurants near the train station on our Kindle and within five or ten minutes found a spot we liked and sat down outside with some other tourists and had lunch.  
Target Ristorante via Torino, 33 00187 Rome 

Rome is full of American tourists.  They are everywhere.  Don't let this deter you, they aren't all Bermuda shorts and flip-flop wearing loud mouths.  Some are.

Roma Termini looking south from the Baths
of Diocletian

The train station is big and thick with friendly people wanting to help.  Don't be put off, just ignore them - unless you want to give them money.  If you hesitate and look puzzled trying to get your train ticket from the vending machine, a nice man will appear out of nowhere, show you how to do it and expect compensation.  It's a living.

Like any big airport or train station, Roma Termini is full of shops and restaurants.  Restrooms are on the lower level.  You'll need coins.  And there's a store downstairs where I bought some good Swiss shampoo.

I should tell you this right now, if you're buying coffee in a coffee bar or café, get in line and pay at the register, then take your receipt and go stand at the bar.   They'll sit the little cup right in front of you. It won't be "to go."

Our travel agenda is always simple.  We never try to do too much in one day, we are on vacation, after all.  The best thing is to tell yourself you're coming back.  You will be, won't you?