This is why I get too shy to ever write anything here!

Anyway...I think it's to my benefit that you seem to like old ruins lol!!

Good for you for getting on the plane, its hard to get the motivation, I know but you have to remember the amazing experiences you are undoubtedly going to have if you give yourself that little push!

I have been to Rome, once around 2010 and I was a little underwhelmed, to be honest. I can appreciate the architecture and culture for its historical importance and craftmanship and why it's such a popular destination but it's not really a style I enjoy looking at. I loved the piazzas and the vibe of eating at the street cafes, I love ice cream and coffee, but I find that Italy's tourist haunts in general a bit scammy and underhand with dual menus and pricing which annoys the hell out of me.

I much preferred the vibe of Venice which I found to be so beautiful, it was more serene and at night it was absolutely tranquil but with a really ghostly, slightly edgy feel to it. Venice is one of the only places I've been back to. Three times. Actually in my younger days with three different GF's/wife but we won't go into that lol ;-)

So. To understand the absolute importance of the Romans and their place in creating the most important architecture and feats of engineering, I'll leave you with this, from Monty Python...