This page contains links to Third Party websites. Clicking on the Third Party links within will transfer you to their websites and may result in commission paid to Gwen's Getaways. Gwen's Getaways does not warrant or guarantee the products, services, or information provided on their websites. Purchasing decisions should be made at the purchaser's discretion.
Rome
The Eternal City
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Why
The Why, When & How to visit...
Filled with history and culture dating back over 2,750 years, the capital of Italy is a special sight to see.
When
How
Rome's airport (FCO) is located in Fiumicino, about a 40 min drive SW of the city center. The city center is connected to the airport by train that runs every 15 minutes and takes about 30 minutes to reach Termini Station. Termini Station also provides access to other parts of Italy.
Rome doesn't gets that cold with average highs in the mid-50s F or higher throughout the year. July and August are hot with highs in the high 80s F. May may be the best month to visit with average highs in the mid-70s F and 5 days of rain.
Where
to stay...
1) Luxury - For a premium 5-star luxury hotel at a moderate price by luxury hotel standards, check out the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace scheduled to open March 2023. The hotel is located in the heart of Via Veneto in a neo-Renaissance style palace built in 1905 to host ambassadors. The hotel has that grand, luxury feel with spacious rooms, high ceilings, a rooftop terrace, indoor lounge, and restaurant.
Another newer luxury hotel is the first W Hotel in Italy, which opened in December 2021. The W Rome is located near the Spanish Steps in two adjacent 19th century palazzos. The hotel was that wow factor with electric luxury decor, a rooftop pool, courtyard, restaurant & bar, and fitness center. ​
​
2) Trendy - For a trendy, moderate priced, Instagramable option, there's Leon's Place. Leon's Place brings the pizzazz with its fun decor through the lobby, bar, and pink courtyard in a 19th century neo-classic building. Rooms are simple, moderate size with high ceilings. The hotel is located within walking distance of the Termini Station and main sights. The Hoxton Rome is another trendy option further north adjacent to the Borghese Park that opened in May 2021. It has that vintage inspired Hoxton decor complete with a restaurant, bar & terrace.
​
3) Traditional - Hotel Lord Byron provides an elegant, traditional option with a touch of 1940's glam. The hotel is very inviting with fireplaces, lacquered wood and marble throughout the hotel, including the bathrooms, providing an elevated feel. The hotel has a bar and restaurant and breakfast buffet.
A more contemporary option is the UNAHOTELS Trastevere Roma, which opened in Summer 2022. The hotel is located in the Trastevere neighborhood west of the river, a 30 min walk from the Roman Forum. The hotel and rooms are bright and airy throughout with simple, but elegant design features.
​
*Looking for an apartment stay? Click here to see what chic apartments Sonder has available.
What
Do
to...
1) Take in the Sights - The main historic sights of Rome include: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Alter of the Fatherland, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps, which are all within a 30 min walk of one another. There are Hop-on Hop-off Buses that go around to the main sights, including the Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museum containing the Sistine Chapel. Take your Roman experience one step further by learning to become a Gladiator here.
​
2) Take a Cooking Class - Immerse yourself in the Italian culture by taking a cooking class while in Rome. Options often include making some combination of pasta, pizza, and/or tiramisu. I narrowed down the option to a few based on ratings. This one is located in a cooking class space close to Termini Station with options for lunch or dinner. There's another one located in a restaurant near the Piazza Navona here and another in Trastevere here. There's also one located in the Rome countryside of Frascati, a 30 min train ride outside of the city center available for lunch and dinner, including wine tastings and a wine cave tour here.
​
3) Take a Day Trip - Rome is fairly centrally located in the country with Tuscany, Florence, and Naples all within a 90 min train ride from Termini Station. There are also full day tours that provide transportation, including this one to Tuscany with a 3-course lunch at a Tuscan farm in the vineyards. As well as this one to Capri to see the sights.
Eat
Pasta, pasta and more pasta, specifically carbonara and cacio e pepe with the occasional pizza too.
Drink
Italian wine. *If of legal drinking age to drink responsibly
Wear
Italian chic
Watch
Roman Holiday by
William Wyler
Listen
"On an Evening in Roma"
by Dean Martin
Gift
Click here for Gift ideas