After spending a couple of hours strolling around Rome I understood the source of the magic of this city. It has little to do with the beautiful churches and the impressive ancient monuments, which as Susan Sontag describes have been photographed countless times.

What makes Rome so special is the eye with which the traveler wishes to see it. Only those who visit Rome willing to see past the hordes of tourists and the overpriced restaurants will get to feel the vibrant spirit of this metropolis. It's not an easy task, but it pays off to have patience and let the hidden sides of this city appear as unexplored spaces that the traveler is the first to contemplate and write about.

As days pass and the first impressions start to sink in, you will also understand that equally memorable are the encounters with people with whom you share your Rome experience. Whether it is an old man feeding you chestnuts or a father and his son at the Trevi fountain as in my case, you'll find that Rome is a meeting point for dreamers where you can recharge your batteries and continue your journey.

I came to the conclusion that the beauty of Rome lies in the eyes of the traveler.

Timeless places.

Colosseum selfie.

Roman Forum.

Veni, vidi, vici.

A conversation about Rome.

Altare della Patria.

New friends from Pakistan at the Trevi fountain.

Chestnut man.

In Rome there's always time for a conversation...

Ancient Rome.

Piazza Navona.

Rome skyline.

Pizza time!

Pantheon.