Words and Photography by Imogen Green
@explorerwondererwriter

THE BASICS

Country: Italy
Language: Italian
Currency: Euro
Transport - With what is called the ‘Rome city pass’ this one-stop shop allows tourists the opportunity to travel by metro, bus, trams and trams for free within a certain time frame.This was invaluable and we found each of the modes of transport to be reliable and very fast (unlike some of the London tubes).
Power: Type C, E, F – Europe

When writing up my recent trip to the capital of Italy, too many words come to the forefront of my mind to describe it. But one that stands out… timeless. Architecture such as the Coliseum and the Trevi Fountain has stood tall and overseen the birthplace of western civilization and modernisation since their early origins.

Its reputation for beloved pizza and pasta is only one point of this multifaceted city, in 2022 Rome stands as a cultural hub with so many corners to explore. And one trip is not nearly enough to discover what this eternal city offers.

WHERE TO STAY

While certain spots in the city will capture the grandeur and effervescence that the city is known for - this is of course reflected in the price. That being said, there are undiscovered spots that still offer a little Italian style for less.

Two other options which we got recommended but didn’t stay in were a beautiful B&B called Buonanotte Garibaldi and a group of central apartments called Casa Cau which are works of art in their own right.

Our stay was in the Municipio I, a great spot for peaceful evenings while not being too far from the centre.

Hotel Delgi Artisti

We stayed at the Hotel Delgi Artisti, a bijou base centred in an ideal spot to explore both the main and undiscovered sites. With only 35 rooms each one will offer an undisturbed snapshot into the city. The hotel sits amongst the relatively unknown Piazza Barberini, San Isidoro, and Villa Borghese.

Set amongst high walls, the moment you walk up the cobbled and albeit steep hill - a sudden sense of calmness sweeps over you. With only local residents’ apartments nearby, the location enables you to take a step back from the frenetic energy of the city.

The history of the building would soon explain this sense of calm - as the building is a converted convent. The rest of the convent is still in the surrounding buildings (but you would not know this otherwise).

Inside, the hotel is a perfect balance of calm, clean, and the Italian classics - white marble lines the edges and walls around the hotel, and accents of pink and yellow velvet soft furnishings add a cosiness at that time of day when frankly all you want to do is rest your feet.

The hotel also had another big selling point - the Terrazza (rooftop). The Terrazza offers views across all angles of the city, from the Victor Emmanuel II Monument to the Swiss Institute. It is also home to Miguel, the ingenious barmen who will offer you a new Italian spin on the mixology classics.

We began most mornings with the gentle sound of the local sisters beginning the day with a set of hymns before we headed down to breakfast - it was quite the way to wake up.

Breakfast at Hotel Delgi Artisti, still to the present day remains one of our favourites. Laid upon pristine white tablecloths, there were an insurmountable amount of Italian pastries and cereals freshly prepped for each morning.

WHERE TO EAT

This is a tricky question, to say the least, as we know the Italians are the superiore of all the foodies. However, there was more variety than I expected.

The standout was Mercato Testaccio, which is the indoor market for sampling the culinary leaders of the city in one place. Think, handmade pasta made to order and gelato made in the early hours - all in one place.

If restaurants are more to your preference, then Felice e Testaccio is a must-see.

Pianostrada is another great spot for artisan eats and creative takes on Italian classics such as the focaccia - we sat right by the kitchen and saw how everything was carefully made and prepared.

Coffee

While we were in the land of the morning espresso we were keen to sample some of the best spots for traditional Italian coffee and wanted to caffeinate (as much as possible) our way around the city.

La Casa del Caffè Tazza d'Oro, a must-stop if you are a coffee lover of any level.

Sant' Eustachio Il Caffè was packed to the rafters with locals as we arrived (always a good sign). The coffee from this cafe is a home-roasted speciality mixed with water from a local ancient aqueduct, giving it a renowned taste of the coffee. This place is worth the hype it has garnered.

Barnum Roma also came highly recommended and it was such a modern yet lively hub with exceptional specialty coffee. We also stopped by for brunch one day and the pancakes were absolutely delicious, fresh, and oh so fluffy.

Cocktails & Bars

Similarly to the copious amount of cafès, there are equal amounts of bars and specialty cocktail spots dotted about.

If wine is your choice, then a stop by Il Goccetto is a must-do. With endless red, white or sparkling to choose from, it is a true authentic spot in the city. We had ours outside in the warmth of the evening watching quite a few Italian versions of after-work ‘happy hour’.

Bar del Fico is a great stop-by for any cocktail or mocktail alike, dark interiors and a certified ‘popular’ spot in the city means it does get busy but provides great vibes (and people-watching!).

Baccano is another recommendation that is perfect for a quieter evening drink in a very warm yet luxe surrounding - we didn’t make it here, but have heard many rave reviews about this spot.