Travel Review: Rome feels like a little bit of luxury

Over the years, we’ve stayed in Rome a few times in transit to other places. We have also visited there as part of cruises. These times were beautiful but hectic. Rushed interludes with minimal ability to wander and to get to know our way around. Rome is so rich with history, it feels like a little bit of luxury in every turn of the road. One such stay over, in September 2016, we were transmitting from a week in Cinque Terre to time in Crete. We had a flight booked for the next day and scheduled an overnight in Rome to enjoy the evening and give us a break in travel. Read this travel review: Rome to learn more!

On this trip, we had taken the train down from Cinque Terre (Trenitalia), and that trip came to an end at Termini. We walked out of the station and up the street to find our accommodation for the night. Via Agoda, we had booked Gioberti Art Hotel. After getting our suitcases stowed, we decided (along with our friends joining us on the trip) to take a walk to the Colosseum. A short walk away, it was a warm day, a bit muggy, and we were happy to stretch our legs after a few hours on the train.

On another, more prolonged visit in Rome, in September 2010, we stayed in central Rome for a few days to enjoy some restaurants and shopping after spending time on the Amalfi Coast. This really was an amazing experience! Highly recommend taking a bit of time to get to know some of these great cities if you enjoy travelling – a little bit of planning can make the experience so much sweeter!

In September 2023, we stopped briefly in Rome in transit from our stay in Tuscany to Santorini, Greece. This evening in Rome was beautiful: warm, hazy during a heat wave, we wandered the streets to find our dinner reservation and enjoy the atmosphere. It was a lovely, brief visit.

Recommendations

Eat:

We were spoiled for choice in Rome – there are great grocery stores with amazing pre-prepped food for picnics right up to your gourmand establishments. The Carrefour Express near the Spanish Steps was great to pop into before the start of a day of walking; and great to pick up a couple things for breakfast and snacks in the apartment. Every restaurant we sampled in the municipal area and surroundings were excellent! We tend to focus on fresh pasta and salads, so, hard to go wrong in Rome. A recent find – sublime pasta and heady wines – was found at Luciano Cucina Italiana – make a reservation!

Accommodation:

For our week stay we rented an apartment just off Via Condotti by the Spanish Steps. Although up four flights, it was an impressive one bedroom, with modern appliances and ample space. The view – of the rooftops and domes of Rome – was elegant and made for some great pics. In September 2023, we needed a convenient hotel right by the train station to catch our early morning flight. Yes Hotel fit the bill and was quiet, clean, and very well managed.

Activities:

There is the usual tourist sites to frequent – we have tried on all our visits to get to the Colosseum and wander the surroundings – it really makes you see and feel ancient times! The Pantheon is awe-inspiring to walk up to, and inside, a marvel.

If you haven’t been, a full day should go to the Vatican Museums, and splurge for a private guide. They bring the history to life and ensure your visit resonates. The gardens alone are beautiful, and the artwork inside is phenomenal. Walking around the city itself is a treat – get yourself a couple self-directed walking tours and enjoy!

Getting Around:

We are firm believers that a little research can bring rewards! The metro is easy to follow and can get you to and from the airport via the Leonardo Express. The local trains are somewhat cheaper, but, this is direct. Taxis are easy, and when in doubt, walk. Much of interest in the city is easily walkable if you give yourself the time to enjoy it.

In addition to this travel review: Rome, check out our other destinations in Italy for more sweet experiences! Enjoy!