Visit Rome with Chic – a travel guide to the Eternal City
Ancient Romans used to call Rome the Eternal City, because they believed that the city would always remain standing, despite anything that happen in the rest of the world. And I couldn’t agree more with this statement. Rome is definitely my favorite city in the world. I feel like every single visit to the capital city of Italy feels different, because the Eternal City has so many beautiful things to offer.
As a big fan of the movie “Eat, Pray, Love” and a person who watched it a thousand times, I like to call Rome the city of “Dolce Far Niente”, which means pleasant idleness.
Rome is the third most visit city in Europe, and at this time of the year, it’s a perfect destination for a short weekend away either with your friends or a loved one.
Where to stay?
The first thing you should do, when planning a romantic trip to the Eternal City is to find a nice place to stay. Rome is full of beautiful boutique hotels, but one of our favourite is Rocco Forte Hotel De La Ville located two minutes from Piazza di Spagna in the city centre of Rome, close to Fontana Di Trevi, Piazza Barberini or Piazza Navona. The interior of the hotel is very chic and will make your visit as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.
Where to eat?
Visiting the motherland of pasta and the birthplace of one of the best cuisines in the world, there is no way, you would miss on eating some of the best Italian dishes. One of our favourite restaurant in Rome is Antica Pesa, which is a perfect spot for romantic dinners in the heart of Trastevere. The restaurant has been serving Romans for nearly 100 years now with the traditional Italian dishes.
What to see?
If I was to ask you, what comes to your mind when someone says Rome, what would you say? Let’s be honest, Rome is absolutely full of places “you have to see”, but our top three choices would be:
1. St Peter’s Basilica
This is probably one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen, and definitely one of the richest, largest and most spectacular in the entire Italy. The basilica was constructed in 1626 and has taken over 120 years to build. The interior of the Vatican’s pride is full of incredible works of art, such as Michelangelo’s Pieta or Bernini’s baldachin over the papal altar.
2. Colosseum
This is one of the iconic places Rome is known for. This ancient gladiator arena was inaugurated in AD 80 and could hold up to 50,000 people. The Colosseum was hosting different games that involved gladiators fighting with each other or wild animals. Now, the guided tour of the Colosseum’s main area, costs between €5 – 15.
3. Trastevere
This lively neighborhood in Rome is personally my favourite. The place can feel like a small traditional Italian town, where everyone is drinking espresso, chatting and laughing. This colorful area has a truly bohemian touch to it and we are sure you will definitely enjoy spending a day surrounded by the youthful energy of the neighbourhood.
Where to shop?
As fashion lovers, a city break in Rome couldn’t be complete for us without shopping time. Shopping in Rome can be defined in any possible way. You could either shop in the expensive Italian fashion houses or some wallet-friendly street brands. The choice is yours. Here, we’ve chosen our favourite shopping destinations in the Eternal City.
1. Piazza di Spagna
This is a place for all the luxury fashion lovers. If you love big designers brands – I can only say “welcome home”. Gucci, Fendi, Prada – you can find here anything you dream of and probably we don’t have to say anything else to encourage you. 😉
2. Via del Corso
This street is one of the most popular shopping places in Rome. Closer to Piazza Venezia, you can find lots of affordable shops selling literally anything you can ask for, here you can also find all the high-fashion brands.
3. Via del Gioverno Vecchio
This street is located very close to Piazza Navona (another beautiful square in Rome that you should definitely see). Via del Govern Vecchio is a real Eden for all everyone who loves vintage goodies. You can find some of the best vintage shops in Rome exactly here with the selection of beautiful leather jackets and stunning handbags.
What to wear?
When in Rome, dress like the Romans do. Italians are known for their sense of style, so looking Chic is a must in Italy’s glamorous capital city. A well-tailored, stylish, yet comfortable clothing paired with a beautiful bag and nice shoes, is definitely the perfect outfit for you to stroll around Rome.