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The Morning - Start the day with a strong, aromatic espresso at Rome’s bustling 1940s coffee bar, La Casa del Caffè Tazza D’Oro, where you’ll be elbow-to-elbow with Roman locals all jostling for a position at the standing-only bar. Afterwards, head outside for a slow stroll around Rome’s beautiful city streets for the rest of the morning. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Rome or a seasoned local, Rome’s best landmarks can still manage to utterly captivate you. Our favourites include the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona in the Centro Storico district; the Piazza del Popolo, Spanish Steps and the sprawling Villa Borghese park in the Tridente district; the iconic Colosseum and the Roman Forum in Ancient Rome; and the breathtaking St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. If you’re feeling lazy, then jump on one of Rome’s sightseeing buses where you can see all of the best sights in only a few hours.
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Lunchtime - After an intense morning of sightseeing, take a break and indulge in some authentic homestyle Italian cuisine. For quintessential Roman cuisine, then head to the casual, rustic Da Armando al Pantheon which is close to the Pantheon. For a more casual lunchtime option, pop into one of Rome’s oldest wine bars, Cul de Sac, with a long, narrow and perennially packed dining space and an affordable menu of Italian tasting-plates. Expect delicious Italian cured meats, cheese and even some Middle Eastern-inspired dishes thrown in the mix. If you're not sure what you feel like, then head to the enormous trendy Gusto emporium which offers a multitude of casual, modern all-day dining spaces for pizza, Italian tasting plates, pasta, seafood and cheese. For authentic local pizza, join the queues at local pizza institution, Da Baffetto, for a slice of steaming slice of rich and goo-ey Margarita pizza.
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The Afternoon - The afternoon is the best time to hit Rome’s most fascinating galleries and museums. The Capitoline Museum hosts one of the best classical Roman collections from the 8th BC - 5th BC. Richard Meier’s new Ara Pacis museum is an interesting (if not controversial) new addition to Rome’s inner-city architectural scene and is definitely worth a look. The Galleria Borghese Museum hosts an impressive collection of works by Raphael, Rubens and Caravaggio and is hosted in Rome’s picturesque Borghese gardens. The Gagosian Gallery is one of our favourite cool independent art galleries. When you're ready for a gelato break, don’t miss San Crispin which boasts a dizzying selection of sensational fresh gelato. For sunset cocktails, the rooftop terrace of the Hotel Raphael boasts the best aerial views in Rome. Urbane 47 is also a cool wine bar for an aperitif and a light snack.
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The Evening - Which brings us to one of our favourite experiences in Rome - dining at Ristorante Roscioli. Part-delicatessen, part-bakery and part-casual restaurant, the Roscioli team have created a sumptuous casual Italian dining experience by sourcing the finest artisanal produce and fresh ingredients from all over Italy. Interiors are modern and the atmosphere is buzzing with a part-foodie, part-trendy crowd. Legendary Italian food critic Stefano Bonilli and his wife (the founders of Italy’s most respected restaurant guide) can be found dining here practically every day, which is a clear sign that the food must be really good. Let the Roscioli team take you on a tour of Italy’s finest cured meats, perfectly aged parmigiano and balsamic vinegars, freshly baked focaccia, divine pasta specials (which change regularly) - its all incredible here. Desserts are equally as good, along with their expertly curated wine list.
