ROME, ITALY

Rome may be the capital of Italy, but this historic city is more known for its food, culture, romance, architecture, and.. food! So much to see, eat, and explore, it’s hard to say how long to stay in this city of the Roman Empire, but I would say at least 3 days minimum. From the ancient sites to the new trendy areas of Rome, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone in this city that juxtaposes current day with 28 centuries ancient history known all across the world.

WHERE TO EAT:

fuocolento

If you’re looking for good, classic Roman fare, look no further than Fuocolento. A simple, no frills spot that serves up delicious, homemade Roman dishes with super friendly service, this is the place to go. Yes you’ll find American/European tourists dining here but only because the word is out of how good this place is. It is not a tourist trap! Order ‘til your heart’s desire and don’t forget to ask for wine recommendations.

osteria da fortunata

A popular spot by locals and tourists alike, the draw here is that the food is good and the pasta is freshly made by 2 friendly Italian women who sit in the front of one of the restaurant windows, rolling pasta while you dine or wait in line. The food was good, not amazing, and possibly not worth the wait if the line is wrapped around the block. The pasta ladies are cute but felt a little gimmicky at the end of the night. If you go, make sure you get the right address, as there are a few with the same name but the one on Pellegrino is the one you want.

ristorante grano

Located in a cute little area just a few blocks away from the Pantheon, this white washed corner restaurant is another great place for that home cooked Roman food-vibe. There’s a great local vibe here and the restaurant is charmingly simple.

gelateria giolitti

Famed for the being the oldest cafe and ice parlor in Rome, come here for a gelato experience. Gold gilded interiors and an old espresso machine as big as you, you’ll find yourself in a time warp at this classic Italian establishment. There will mostly likely always be a line so try to go closer to close (1 am) if you can wait, otherwise you’ll find yourself in a line out the door of tourists and locals trying to grab a scoop of the many interesting flavors of gelato here.

gelateria dei Gracchi

Named after the street where the original shop location is, Via dei Gracchi, Gracchi is a local favorite because of the fresh ingredients and interesting range of flavors they offer. From persimmon to ricotta-pear, toasted almond to fig, the flavors are artisanal and delicious. A no frills, no gimmicky spot. Hop inside, take a number at the ticket dispenser, and hopefully a short wait before you get your perfect gelato combo.

caffe greco

Off the main streets of the Spanish Steps and from the designer boutiques is Cafe Greco, the oldest coffee shop in Rome. With red velvet decor, oil paintings hanging from the walls and the wooden tables, everything feels authentic and charming here with all its history. The owner was Greek, and hence the simple name of the shop, Greco which is Greek in italian. Upon entering, you’ll find displays of beautifully decorated pastries and candies. Pull up to the standing coffee bar where well-dressed baristas will pour you a delicious cup of whatever you wish and enjoy the old time elegance.

WHERE TO GO:

monti

Find your way to the fountain that sits in Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, and you’ll find yourself in the bohemian, cool kids, neighborhood of Rome called Monti. As all cool areas once here were, this area was used to be a seedy district of Rome but now it’s streets are lined with cool boutiques and trendy cafes to explore. The cobblestone streets are charming and lined with vines and florals hanging off the walls, perfect for getting lost in the neighborhood. Basically tourist-free you’ll feel like a local here, especially by the Piazza della Madonna where locals and students gather to hang out and take in the day. Ironically it’s in close proximity to the Colosseum but it couldn’t feel more different.

pastificio guerra

This unassuming shop right off the Piazza Spagna and near the Spanish Steps serves up fresh pasta for take-away. A simple concept for traditional pasta. You’ll find shelves of freshly packaged dried pasta or go up to the front and pick out the freshly rolled pasta to your liking. They’re also known for their cheap lunch deals which serves their pasta of the day with sauce and water for 4 euros. I didn’t get a chance to eat there, but sounds like the perfect lunch on the go.

spanish steps

Comprised of a total of 135 steps, the Spanish Steps is another famed point of interest in Rome. On any given day you’ll find hundreds of people sitting on the steps, enjoying the warm weather and people watching. Located in the Piazza Spagna, which one of Rome’s most visited squares, you’ll find designer shops like Chanel and Gucci at the bottom of the Steps.

trevi fountain

As one of the most famous fountains in the world, the Trevi does not disappoint. Having made several cameos in movies including in The Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn, the fountain displays beauty and wonder. The long tradition here is to throw a coin into the fountain to ensure you’ll come back to Rome. What’s amazing is that an average of 3000 euros are thrown into the fountain every day and one year, there was an estimated $1.5 million of coins pulled during that year. The money goes to help Rome’s needy but it’s said that people often try to steal from the fountain. Try and go in the early mornings or in the wee hours to avoid the overwhelming crowds that make it hard to even see the fountain.

colosseum

Built back in 70-80 AD, the Colosseum is the world’s largest amphitheater to ever be built. With so much history and fascination with the gladiators, it is quite a spectacle to see. The lines can be as long as the day here, so it’s best to work with your hotel to find a personal travel guide to take you through the enormous structure.

vatican city

Home to the Pope and and the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican City is also its own country and the smallest country in the world. It is also home to some of the world’s most famous, revered, and holy sites such as the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. There’s nothing that compares to seeing these world-renowned art and sites in person, even after seeing them many times in photos and history books. Plan to spend a good half of the day here, and again, try and come with a personal tour guide or small group guide as it’s an added bonus to have someone walk you through all the different points and explain in detail all the history that lives here.

WHERE TO STAY:

HOTEL EDEN

Hotels can make or break a trip, and this hotel definitely made Rome that much better. A part of the Dorchester Collection, this modernly elegant hotel centrally located in Rome, made it hard to leave the property. The hotel is inviting yet subtly opulent in all its details like the gorgeous marble stone that can be found in the bathrooms, the Bottega Veneta toiletries, and the plush bedding, to name a few. The service is wonderful with a staff that is ready to meet your every request. The rooftop bar and restaurant, Il Giardino, is quite beautiful with its formal bar setup and open dining area with views of Rome. The service in the restaurant may be a little slow but the views and vibes are worth it. When in Rome!