2 Days in Rome

Day 1 – The heart of the capital

Morning: Exploring Rome’s Renaissance districts

After enjoying a fortifying espresso at Sant’Eustachio, take time to explore the Renaissance gems of Rome’s Regola and Parione districts. Your tour starts at Campo de' Fiori during the morning fruit and vegetable market, and then continues with a visit to the Oratorio del Gonfalone in Via Giulia. Piazza de' Ricci and Palazzo Farnese (the latter home to the French Embassy) are your next sights of interest, while on the opposite side of Corso Vittorio Emanuele, you’ll find Piazza Navona with its superb fountain by Bernini, the church of San Luigi dei Francesi boasting paintings by Caravaggio, and the Via del Governo Vecchio, which is lined with centuries-old antique shops.

Lunch: Imperial splendor at the Bulgari Hotel

A historic brand of jewelry founded in Rome in 1884 following the opening of a store on Via Sistina, Bulgari has enhanced the choice of accommodation in Rome with the ninth property opened by the Bulgari Hotel group. The Bulgari Hotel Roma, a One Michelin Key property, draws sophisticated inspiration from the grandeur of Rome’s imperial past and acts as a point of contact between past and present.

Attentive service reaches its highest level at Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, the hotel restaurant situated on its fifth floor overlooking the Mausoleum of Augustus. The cool, chic dining rooms welcome diners with sophisticated modern furnishings, artwork on the walls, and soft lounge music in the background, while 28-year-old Emilio di Cristo (the talented chef behind the Two Michelin Star Ristorante-Niko Romito at the Bulgari Resort Dubai), transforms Italian classic recipes into superb, delicious dishes full of rounded flavors. In addition to the excellent, light and intuitively creative cuisine, the dining experience here is enhanced by the restaurant’s large picture windows and outdoor terraces which boast magnificent views of the rooftops, squares, and archaeological sites of the Italian capital.

Afternoon: Exploring Rome’s centers of power

By starting your visit in front of the Baroque Palazzo della Consulta in Piazza del Quirinale (which offers magnificent views of Rome), you’ll be able to cross the Monti rione (district), known as the Suburra district in Ancient Rome, to reach the beautiful Fori Imperiali. Having explored the Palatine hill and Flavian’s theatre, you might like to visit some of the district’s other sights of interest, such as Trajan’s Market and the House of the Knights of Malta. Your tour could also include a visit to the Roman houses of the Celio, a stroll up the Grillo hill (immortalized in the Italian film Il Marchese del Grillo with Alberto Sordi) and a brief stop to admire the statue of Marcus Aurelius standing in the middle of Piazza del Campidoglio, the square designed by Michelangelo.

Aperitif time: Mixology and nightlife at The St. Regis Rome

For decades, One Michelin Key The St. Regis Rome has been one of Rome’s most popular venues for cocktails as well as a symbol of elegant and luxurious hospitality. The hotel is also one of the best in the city for its ability to offer a warm welcome to international visitors as well as locals accustomed to the glamour of London, Paris and New York.

Starting with the Lumen Bar, which is enlivened by DJ sets and food pop-ups in the sumptuous lobby, the St. Regis is still very much at the center of the cocktail scene, consolidating its position year after year as the place in which to socialize, eat, and stay in true comfort and style. In addition to private parties, launches, and one-off events that combine local and foreign food, wine, and music, this long-established hotel situated next to Diocletian’s Baths in Piazza della Repubblica is also often the hotel of choice for Heads of State and diplomatic delegations visiting the Italian capital.

Dinner: Orma, Rome’s new Michelin-Starred restaurant

Orma, one of Rome’s new Michelin-Starred restaurants, is run by the talented Roy Caceres. Described as a “reliable choice” by the Inspectors, this famous Colombian chef serves a successful combination of ingredients from Lazio and his native Colombia, as well as from elsewhere in Italy. The bold, original and attractively balanced combinations that feature on the menu at Orma are accompanied by service that is friendly, courteous, and highly attentive. The restaurant’s wine cellar is the perfect choice for a quick aperitif, while in summer, cocktails and bistro meals are served on the outdoor terrace.

Accommodation: Experience the dolce vita at the Hotel Eden, Dorchester Collection, a One Michelin Key hotel.

This hotel, situated halfway between Via Veneto and the Trinità dei Monti, has perfected its appeal and continues to maintain its position as one of Rome’s best hotels. Inextricably linked to the concept of the Italian dolce vita and boasting incomparable views of the city that extend from the Villa Medici to the dome of St Peter’s, this hotel on Via Ludovisi has been popular with the jet-set for at least seven decades. The superb guestrooms embellished with refined materials and high-tech amenities have hosted thousands of internationally renowned personalities over the years. The hotel is also home to La Terrazza, which is one of the most enjoyable and spectacular rooftop restaurants in the world thanks to its fine cuisine and the stunning views visible through its large picture windows. The hotel also organizes exclusive experiences that allow guests to discover some of Rome’s lesser-known sights and the many attractions of the Lazio region.

Day 2 – Archaeology, art and cuisine

Morning: Trastevere or the Vatican Museums

After enjoying a good night’s sleep in the comfort of the Hotel Eden, you might like to get up early to explore Trastevere before the hordes arrive. Taking a stroll in the early morning through the narrow alleyways of this historic working-class district with its orange, ochre, and yellow hues brings an added sense of intimacy to the experience. You could start at Santa Maria in Trastevere and then make your way to the Villa Farnesina, adorned with frescoes by Raphael, while on the other side of Via della Lungara you’ll find Palazzo Corsini and the Botanic Gardens.

Another option is to head directly to the Vatican Museums. If you choose to do this, you’ll need to book your ticket well in advance and allow around 3-4 hours for your visit – it’s also possible to organize a private visit to the Sistine Chapel before or after the official opening hours.

Lunch: Interesting monuments and fine cuisine at Antico Arco

From the Vatican Museums to the Janiculum Hill, the panoramic road surrounded by greenery and flanked by elegant buildings (many of which house embassies) leads to a viewpoint that boasts majestic views extending from the Castelli Romani region to the Apennines. Once you get to the nearby Porta San Pancrazio you’ll arrive at Antico Arco, an elegant, modern restaurant where Chef/owner Fundim Gjepali serves an array of superb dishes. The menu includes classic recipes alongside more creative fare, all of which are beautifully presented and full of light and balanced flavors. Another attraction of this restaurant, which is impeccably run by Gjepali and his business partner Maurizio, is its location just a stone’s throw from the Villa Aurelia, the belvedere, and the Fontanone. The latter is a symbolic fountain from which the clear waters of the Paola spring flow from volcanic Lake Bracciano – a subject mentioned by many Italian writers and songwriters over the years.

Afternoon: The Coppedè district

For a marked change of atmosphere and a different type of architecture, this time dating back to the early 20th century, spend the afternoon exploring the Coppedè district. The few, yet significant, buildings designed by Gino Coppedè will impress the most discerning of visitors, with around 45 magical buildings in the area around Via Salaria (including the splendid Villa delle Fate) that evoke Ancient Rome in their cornices and mouldings, while the large arch leading into the district is reminiscent of a triumphal arch.

Aperitif: Squares and gardens

Thanks to Rome’s mild climate for much of the year and the architectural beauty of its historic center, the city offers its inhabitants plenty of opportunities to sit outdoors and enjoy an aperitif. Some of the locals’ favorite meeting points include Piazza delle Coppelle, Piazza Madonna dei Monti, Via dei Coronari, Piazza Farnese, and Piazza Trilussa. Also not to be missed is Piazza del Popolo, where the twin churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto (the Church of the Artists) and Santa Maria dei Miracoli were designed by Bernini in the 17th century. After admiring the religious architecture here, head over to the ever-popular internal garden of the Rocco Forte Hotel de Russie, a One Michelin Key hotel, where you can enjoy an aperitif surrounded by flowers, plants, and an attractive pastel-hued decor.

Dinner: Elegance and tradition at L’Arcangelo

To round off your two days in Rome in true gastronomic style, head to the trusted and timeless L’Arcangelo – a culinary institution in which Lazio’s most famous specialties take pride of place on the menu. This restaurant guarantees a warm welcome and excellent cuisine which has made it a firm favorite over the years with the city’s foodies. Situated in the Prati district, which was built by the Piedmontese after the Unification of Italy, the restaurant serves traditional recipes that have been reinterpreted by the talented host and chef Arcangelo Dandini, whose meticulous attention to detail and selection of the best ingredients provide the basis for his classic, balanced dishes that are always full of flavor.

Dandini is also very popular in Rome for the supplì (a croquette-style snack) served at Supplizio, a street-food-themed restaurant dedicated to this typical Roman recipe which, along with the Casa del Supplì and Bonci, is considered to serve some of the best supplì in Rome.

Notes

Fruit and vegetable market  - Piazza Campo de' Fiori
Botanic Gardens – Via della Lungara
Villa Aurelia – Largo di Porta San Pancrazio 1-2
Villa delle Fate – Piazza Mincio 3
Supplizio – Via dei Banchi Vecchi 143
Casa del Supplì – Piazza Dei Re di Roma 20
Bonci – Via Trionfale 30

Cover page: © Vladislav Zolotov/iStock