Published 15th Feb. 2024
Written by Emily Rister
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Our Europe specialist, Emily, embodied la dolce vita on a recent research trip to Rome. While she was there, she ticked off all the things any trip to Rome should include: a visit to the legendary Colosseum; eating heaps of cacio e pepe; and plenty of rooftop terrace tipples. What’s more, her notebook came home teeming with top tips to make your trip that extra bit special. Read on to discover how to make the most of Italy’s infamous capital.
I spent four nights in Rome, which gave me plenty of time to see hotspots like the Colosseum and the Pantheon.
I went on a wonderful walking tour with our most popular local guide, Patrizia. She took us around all the famous spots: Trevi Fountain, which is the largest in the city; Piazza Navona, one of the city’s most famous squares; the legendary Colosseum; and the Pantheon, a former Roman temple. I also had a private cookery class which was exceptional – our chef took us to a local market and created the menu with us while we walked around. We then used the ingredients to make a range of classic Italian pastas, sides, starters and desserts. Bellissimo!
The rooftop bars and terraces hidden above street level are delightful. There are so many worth checking out, but one of my favourites was at the Palazzo Manfredi hotel. Their rooftop terrace looks out directly over the Colosseum – views in Rome don’t get much better than that!
Cacio e pepe – made from pecorino Romano cheese, pepper and pasta – was absolutely delicious. It’s a traditional Rome dish and is homemade everywhere you go, so every bite is delightfully fresh.
Despite being so tasty, I learnt that pasta isn’t the main course and is usually served as a starter. Eating it before the main protein-based dish is a tradition that’s been passed down through generations, so it’s an integral part of Italian dining culture (and something I can get on board with – I’ll take any excuse for eating more pasta!).
I’ve never picked my ingredients from a local market with a chef and cooked them together. Seeing where everything came from and handpicking the best products was super interesting, and it made eating the food even more rewarding.
Yes – how walkable everything is. The famous hotspots are close together in car-free zones, making it easy and enjoyable to explore on foot.
I definitely recommend exploring with a guide. They really know their stuff and bring the city’s ancient ruins to life with facts, stories and information that you wouldn’t find on Google.
Italy is a holiday hotspot (for good reason), so our help in navigating the crowds is invaluable. From snapping up hard-to-come-by Vatican tickets (at the quietest times of day) to organising an archaeologist to guide you around Pompeii, our consultants have the insider intel to make your trip unforgettable. Stuck on where to stay? Our vetted accommodation options range from family-run ‘trullis’ in Puglia to big-name hotels in Venice. So, whether you're an adventurous family or a couple on a romantic retreat, we can find the version of Italy to suit you.
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