Curator’s statement
Call it the Eternal City or the city of love. Rome is a place for couples, friends, solo travel. Even in a large city, there is so much history and the people are so friendly. Plus, the wine and food will keep you coming back. Get good sleep, get up and put on some comfortable shoes. There will be a lot of walking involved.
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Where to stay
The St. Regis Rome
Blending a noble heritage with fearless, elegant interiors has transformed this grand dame into a supremely luxurious and artful residence.
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$100 food / beverage credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Shorthand for a sumptuous, aristocratic style, gourmet dining, exacting service and world-class art, all with panoramic views of the Eternal City.
Fora Perks
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$100 hotel / resort credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
J.K. Place Roma
Housed in Rome’s former school of architecture, J.K. Place Roma is a boutique hotel with an abundance of chic style and warm hospitality.
Fora Perks
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$100 food / beverage credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel de Russie, A Rocco Forte Hotel
An unabashedly luxe stay from Rocco Forte near the Spanish Steps, set apart by the service and sprawling gardens.
Fora Perks
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$100 hotel / resort credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Six Senses Rome
This Six Senses property, once a noble palazzo, is located right in Rome’s center, set back from Via del Corso, one of Rome’s main streets and is now a destination for tourists and locals alike.
Fora Perks
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$100 food / beverage credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Unlock perks by contacting Whitney to book your trip.
Day 1: Welcome to Rome
You're in Rome! Where better to start than the Colosseum, one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. Definitely purchase tickets ahead of time if you'd like to go inside, and go with a guide it you can. The lines will get very long.
Next, walk to explore the nearby ruins of the Roman Forum, which was the center of ancient Rome. You can easily spend a couple of hours here learning about the historic site.
From the Roman Forum, take a short walk to the nearby Palatine Hill. This hill offers stunning views of Rome and was the home of the Roman emperors.
If you have time, get away from dense crowds and go take a peek through the Aventine Keyhole for a perfectly framed view. Enjoy the gardens while you're there. You won't be disappointed.
For dinner, if you didn't get your fix of Colosseum views yet, go to the Palazzo Manfredi hotel and head up to Ristaurante Aroma, the rooftop serving modern Italian cuisine. For a more homey, warm hug of a Roman meal, go to La Carbonara.
You can't skip desert tonight. It's a rule on your first night in Italy to make a stop for gelato. If you haven't had a true Italian gelato, no, it's not the same as ice cream.
Day 2: Explore the city
Begin your day by visiting Vatican City, the smallest country in the world and the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. Visit the Vatican Museums to see some of the most famous works of art in the world, including the Sistine Chapel. Remember to be respectful and abide by the rules. Don't sneak photos inside the chapel and make sure to cover your shoulders for the short time you're inside.
Next, head to St. Peter's Basilica, which is one of the largest churches in the world and the burial site of St. Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.
Pass by Castel Sant'Angelo to admire the architecture. If you have time, visit inside.
Otherwise, take a tour of the Roman catacombs. You won't see anything gross, except maybe large spiders underground. But, especially on a hot day, it's nice to get out of the sun. Tours are done by language group and you can learn about this ancient burial place.
For a fancy dinner, go to Idylio by Apreda. For something traditional, go to Armando al Pantheon.
Day 3: The best of Rome
Start your day by visiting the Pantheon, which is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings in the world. This former temple is now a church and is famous for its stunning dome. Get there when it very first opens and it won't be difficult to get in quickly.
Go spend some time in Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. Take time to admire its fountains. This piazza is also lined with restaurants and cafes.
Visit the Spanish Steps. There is tons of high end shopping nearby too.
For dinner, go to michelin star Moma for a modern Italian meal with a focus on good wine. Other worthwhile restaurants nearby include La Tamerici, or order a classic dish at Rinaldi al Quirinale.
Finally, end your day by making a wish (that you'll return to Rome) by throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, one of the most famous fountains in the world. It will come true!
Let's talk about customizing this itinerary for you. Or, about other destinations.
Travel Advisor
Whitney Ellis
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For more travel tips, check out my guide, Spend More Than a Day in Sintra, Portugal.
This is part of our ongoing series on travel to Rome, and our longer series on travel to Italy.