Just thinking of Rome is enough to make you want to pack a bag and head for the airport, because the Eternal City has a vibe like no other. An original way to discover the city is to blend its classical sights with countryside charm, touring the city and the Ostia Antica archaeological site and then the countryside of the Alban Hills. And as a bonus you can get to stay in Dolce Vita style either at the fabulous Sina Bernini Bristol or the chic Donna Laura Palace.
So, you’ve checked in – either in the Sina Bernini Bristol with its swanky rooftop views or the Donna Laura Palace by the Tiber river - and are ready to go! First stop, the Colosseum. Sure, you’ve seen it in pictures and in the movies, but nothing prepares you for standing in front of the greatest of all Rome’s landmarks. Stroll on to the Roman Forum where in olden days toga-clad senators used to gather and discuss affairs of state.
Feeling peckish? Stop for an espresso in the Caffè Sant’Eustachio for the best coffee in town and stroll to another of Rome’s best-loved landmarks, the Trevi Fountain, which is currently without water as it is under repair for the 2025 Holy Jubilee Year. Skip a formal lunch and opt for an ice cream at Giolitti which is a top favorite, then on to the Spanish Steps to take some selfies. For dinner the choice is between a plate of Carbonara or a Cacio e Pepe at a traditional trattoria like Il Falchetto or Roscioli.
The next morning take a train or a car up to the Castelli Romani’s charming hill towns. Start in Frascati, which is famous for its crisp white wines, and take a vineyard tour with a stop for a mid-morning snack of the local porchetta roast pork. In nearby Castel Gandolfo you can tour the Pope’s summer residence, then on to Grottaferrata and Villa Cavalletti, a country estate with vineyards and olive groves. After an alfresco lunch do an olive oil tasting in the Villino Rosso Museum, and a guided tour of the famous Tusculum Villas, built by aristocratic families in the 1800s and once part of the Grand Tour. For dinner the nearby Grazioli Art Bistrot hits all the right spots.
Spend your last morning in Ostia Antica, an ancient Roman harbor town just a short train ride from the city. You’ll be amazed by how well-preserved its ruins are. And the best part is that Ostia Antica is like Pompeii but without the crowds! Back in Rome it’s time for lunch in Trastevere, a quaint old district with cobbled lanes, ivy-clad buildings, and trattorias with tables spilling onto the streets.
Spend your last few hours picking up leather goods and artisan products around Campo de’ Fiori, or, if you’re staying in the Sina Bernini Bristol chill out on the rooftop terrace with its panoramic views, while those in the Donna Laura Palace will relax in its quieter vibe.
Back home and you’re still dreaming of your love affair with Rome’s history, food, and lifestyle? We’re guessing you’re already planning to return. Rome was not built in a day and there is still so much you’ve got to see. So, Arrivederci Roma!
