On My Mind

Rome has been on my bucket list for ages (I have actually been there briefly when I went inter-railing years ago, but over ten years later having not been back, it got a well-deserved spot on my list), so when a work conference brought me to Italy’s capital for a few days at the end of January, I was determined to soak up every last ounce of history, culture, art and cuisine in just 48 hours.

Touching down on a crisp Monday morning, I could feel the energy surging through the streets as our taxi whisked us into the heart of the city. Scooters buzzed around us as locals chatted animatedly despite the winter chill.

We checked into the sleek yet cosy Rome Times Hotel, our home base for the perfect combination of modern comfort and old-world charm.

Armed with a map, camera, and very comfortable shoes, my work travel companions and I set out to dive into Rome’s labyrinth of cobblestone lanes and historic alleys. Just minutes from our hotel, we joined the crowds around the Trevi Fountain, jostling to get close to the crashing waves and stone ocean gods.

By lunchtime, my stomach was growling for Italy’s famed cuisine. We stumbled upon Il Chianti — Osteria Toscana, drawn in by the beautiful al fresco set-up and aromas of garlic, basil and olive oil. Tasting the creamiest carbonara of my life, I understood why people say to eat pasta in Rome or don’t eat it at all. I could practically hear the chef kissing his fingers from the kitchen, Italian-style. Bellies full, we set out to walk off the calories.

The afternoon flew by as we retraced the footsteps of Caesar and Michelangelo, absorbing millennia of history. The Colosseum’s towering columns and arches encircled us, echoes of the gladiator battles once hosted here. Meandering quiet side streets, we chanced upon gems like the temple façade hidden in Piazza di Pietra. No guided tour could replace wandering these monuments, knowing others had walked here centuries before.

By dinnertime, we had worked up more of an appetite. At Ristorante Taberna Patrizi e Plebei, we dined under magnificent ceiling frescoes while feasting on mouthwatering gorgonzola-stuffed ravioli. Just when I thought I couldn’t eat another bite, we stopped for what I declared was the best gelato in Rome at Gelato g Italiano. The salted caramel melted luxuriously on my tongue, the perfect sweet ending after a day of exploring.

The following day was business as usual, with client meetings and working from the hotel-come-office, though we did manage to squeeze in another delicious meal before heading back to the airport for our flight home.

Our Roman break flew by too quickly, and my friends and I agreed the city deserves much more than a mere 48 hours. But we managed to pack our short stay full of awe-inspiring history, incredible food, and lasting memories.

So if you find yourself in Rome for just a short stay, here are a few suggestions to make the most of a whirlwind 2-day trip:

Day 1:

Start your morning at the Trevi Fountain, then head to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Have lunch at an authentic trattoria like Il Chianti. In the afternoon, visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum, then wind through the alleyways of the Monti neighbourhood. End with dinner at Ristorante Taberna Patrizi e Plebei.

Day 2:

Begin at the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna, then see the Borghese Gallery and its Bernini sculptures. After, stroll through Villa Borghese gardens and have a picnic lunch. In the evening, cross the Tiber to Trastevere neighbourhood and dine at a local osteria before trying gelato at Gelateria Frigidarium.

Rome’s magic swept me away in just two short days. I know I’ll be back again someday — with an even longer Roman holiday itinerary! Have you visited the Eternal City? What were your highlights? Let me know in the comments!