Rome

Rome

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Eternal Rome! In the heart of Italy, Rome has been shining for nearly 3,000 years through its art, architecture, culture, and place in history. The beauty of this sensitive, timeless and multifaceted city can be explored at the pace of its exceptional sites, which can be discovered with wonder at every street corner and are an integral part of its urban planning and unique atmosphere. Rome is definitely worth the trip. And you will remember it for a long time...

An open-air museum

Rome is an extremely large city, one of the largest in Europe (1,285 km²!).

But its center, which contains most of its historical treasures, can easily be explored on foot, strolling through the different neighborhoods surrounded by the Wall of Aurelian, a well-preserved fortified enclosure built between 271 and 275 by the emperor of the same name to protect the city from barbarian invasions.

Let's start at the beginning: the antique district.

It was here that Rome was founded in 753 BC, on the left bank of the Tiber, and developed between seven hills: Capitoline, Aventine, Palatine, Caelian, Esquiline, Viminal, and Quirinal. It is here that most of the legendary ruins are concentrated, which we never tire of contemplating and whose number and proximity allow us to imagine life at that time a little better.

Colosseum, Center of Rome, Italy

Here you will find two stars: the Colosseum, a huge elliptical amphitheater that hosted fights and nautical jousts, and the Roman Forum, the nerve center of ancient Roman life, with its ruins of temples, triumphal arches, porticoes, columns, basilicas, and more.

Enthusiasts will delight in the archaeological area of the Imperial Forums (built to relieve congestion in the Roman Forum), the Trajan's Markets (three floors of shops that served as a hub for the supply and distribution of goods), the Domus Aurea (a vast palace built by Nero), the Circus Maximus, and the Baths of Caracalla (a grandiose building that seems somewhat timeless...). Take the time to climb the Palatine Hill, preferably in the cool of the morning, to enjoy the magic of this place dotted with the remains of palaces and houses (including those of Augustus and Livia) and vegetation (notably the Farnese Gardens created in the 16th century for the cardinal of the same name).

Don't miss the magnificent Basilica of Saint Mary Major and Basilica of Saint John Lateran, founded in the 4th century and modified many times over the years. Special mention should be made of the Basilica of St. Clement and its upper and lower levels (at street level, the 12th-century basilica with its beautiful mosaic, and below ground, the 5th-century basilica decorated with frescoes and a 1st-century place of worship dedicated to the god Mithras). And then, of course, take a trip to the Capitol, the heart of Rome, with its splendid square designed by Michelangelo and its museums, which we will discuss later.

Head to the historic center (passing by Piazza Venezia and its imposing Vittorio Emanuele II monument, whose shape is reminiscent of a typewriter). Here, the urban landscape is much denser. There are a succession of lively little streets leading off in all directions, numerous fountains and squares where you can sit and watch the flow of people who, like you, have come to discover another important part of the city's history: the Renaissance.

It's true, the neighborhood is very touristy, but you can't leave Rome without seeing the elegant Piazza Navona and its Fountain of the Four Rivers, throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, or strolling through Piazza Campo de Fiori (especially on market days).

And what about the Pantheon, an architectural gem that has remained intact since its construction! Step through its bronze doors and let yourself be captivated by its spectacular interior, including the dome with a central oculus that lets in light. Then collect your thoughts in the charming square at its feet, Piazza della Rotonda, with its fountain topped by an obelisk. This part of the city is also a great place to wander around, just for the pleasure of it. If you have a little time, step inside one of the many churches (including Saint-Louis-des-Français, famous for its paintings by Caravaggio, or the Church of the Gesù, ultra-baroque both inside and out), admire the facades of the palaces, and look for the temples nestled among the houses. ... And push on to the small Ghetto district (also called Sant'Angelo), perfect for getting away from the hustle and bustle and immersing yourself in the daily life of the Romans.

North of the historic center, you will discover beautiful neighborhoods centered around the Piazza di Spagna and its monumental staircase leading to the Church of Trinità dei Monti (with a breathtaking view of all of Rome) and the Villa Borghese, a huge garden perfect for picnics or enjoying the fresh air. This part of the city is also famous for shopping on Via del Corso, which also boasts some beautiful Renaissance facades. In this neighborhood, be sure to stop by the splendid Sciarra Gallery, a private courtyard open to the public on weekdays and one of the rare examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Rome.

Now let's cross to the right bank of the Tiber, to the Vatican neighborhood.

Conceptually, this is a truly unique place, as it is an independent state, the smallest in the world, in the heart of Rome, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope. But what wouldn't we do to stand in awe before the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, painted by an incredible cast of artists: Perugino, Botticelli, Guirlandaio... And, of course, Michelangelo and his ceiling depicting Genesis (the creation of the world, of man, the flood...), including the famous image of God's finger touching Adam's. The grandiose St. Peter's Basilica and its dome 120 meters above the square of the same name and the “Chambers” (a series of reception rooms in the papal apartments, some of which were painted by Raphael) are also must-sees. This neighborhood is also home to the Castel Sant'Angelo, the former mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian, which was converted into a circular fortress and is just as emblematic of the city.

Let's finish with the charming Trastevere neighborhood, which is both picturesque and trendy. We love to get lost in its maze of charming cobbled streets with colorful facades lined with small bars, restaurants, and shops, enjoy its relaxed atmosphere, and stop at the pretty Romanesque Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere (the first church built in Rome) and its pleasant square. The Porta Portese flea market on Sundays is very nice, as is the climb up the Janiculum, another hill in Rome (some say the eighth), for its greenery and views.

There are also some very interesting places to visit outside the city walls. For example, the Via Appia Antica with its enormous ancient cobblestones and the ruins that line it, including several catacombs; the Eur district, an architectural testament to Mussolini's fascist regime; in Ostia Antica, the archaeological site of Rome's ancient port, now 5 km from the coast due to silting; or in Tivoli for its beautiful villas (d'Este and Hadriana).

Culture and nightlife

As you can see, Rome is a feast for the eyes in terms of architecture, art, and history. But the city also has a large number of museums that are well worth a visit and will allow you to discover other parts of the city.

We particularly recommend: the Borghese Gallery (ancient Roman art, sculptures and paintings by artists such as Caravaggio, Titian, Botticelli and Bernini), the National Roman Museum (comprising four buildings: the Baths of Diocletian, the Palazzo Massimo, the Palazzo Altemps, and the Balbi Crypt), the Villa Farnesina, the Villa Medici, the unique Capuchin Crypt (chapels decorated with thousands of bones), the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia (the largest in the world), the Capitoline Museums (including the sculpture of the Capitoline Wolf, the symbol of Rome), the Vatican Museums (Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman antiquities, paintings, etc.), the Centrale Montemartini (a former thermal power station exhibiting pieces from the Capitoline Museums, a guaranteed contrast!), the GNAM (Rome's National Gallery of Modern Art and its collection of paintings by Italian and foreign artists from the 19th and 20th centuries), the MAXXI (dedicated to all forms of contemporary art in an innovative building designed by architect Zaha Hadid), the MACRO (the MAXXI's little brother, a former industrial building hosting temporary exhibitions)... And any others that inspire you!

With children, you can plan to see the interactive show Welcome to Rome on the history of the city (on Corso Vittorio Emanuele), visit the MIAC (Italian Museum of Audiovisual and Cinema, in the heart of Cinecittà, Rome's legendary film studios), the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, the Botanical Gardens of Villa Corsini, the sanctuary of the cats that have made their home at the archaeological site of Torre Argentina, or even a gladiator combat reenactment at the School of Gladiators (near Via Appia Antica)...

Fancy an evening out? Strolling under the stars alongside ancient monuments and ruins is sure to be a unique and unforgettable experience. And the city has no shortage of bars, restaurants (check out Raisin to find those nearby), and clubs where you can enjoy a great evening and soak up the capital's vibrant nightlife. While Trastevere is a must-see in the evening, it's also an opportunity to discover other neighborhoods that are less touristy, more alternative, more “Roman,” and full of cool places to go out, have a drink, and see the Italian capital in a different light. For example, in the dynamic, young, and cosmopolitan neighborhoods of Pigneto and San Lorenzo, in the charming neighborhood of Garbatella, or in the neighborhoods of Testaccio and Ostiense, which are home to a number of clubs. Also, take a look at the programs of cultural events and theaters. The famous Teatro dell'Opera, for example, offers incredible open-air opera performances in the Caracalla Baths during the summer (guaranteed thrills!). There is also the Estate Romana festival, from mid-June to mid-October, during which several neighborhoods offer theater, concerts, dance, and open-air cinema every evening.

As good as Roman cuisine

Of course, Rome offers all the essentials of Italian (and other) cuisine.

However, Roman cuisine, like any local cuisine, has its own unique characteristics.

We love its simplicity: the recipes have few ingredients, but they are fresh, local, and high-quality, with cooking methods that bring out their natural flavors.

Cacio e pepe, for example, is a pasta dish made with pecorino romano (a salty sheep's cheese from the region) and black pepper, and that's it. Simple, but tasty!

Pecorino is also found combined with guanciale (beef cheek) in other pasta dishes such as carbonara (with egg), amatriciana (with tomatoes), and gricia (without egg or tomatoes).

In Rome, offal is cooked very well, as are all parts of the animal in general: trippa alla romana (tripe cooked in tomato sauce), coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew), abbacchio a scottadito (grilled lamb), saltimbocca alla romana (veal escalope, raw ham and sage), coratella (lamb offal), lesso alla picchiapò (beef cut into pieces and cooked in a pot with onions and tomatoes), uova in trippa (a sliced omelet in sauce, a dish that originated in poor traditions, when meat was too much of a luxury to be accessible to everyone)...

Try the excellent carciofi (artichokes), cooked alla romana (with garlic and mint) or alla giudia (according to a recipe from the Roman Jewish community), as well as fresh favas (broad beans) enjoyed with a piece of Pecorino Romano cheese (again, but it's so good!).

Feeling peckish? Share some supplì (fried rice balls), a pizza bianca (without tomato sauce) or a pinsa (a cross between pizza and focaccia, made with a mixture of flours). Delicious!

For something sweet, we recommend a maritozzo (a sweet bread roll filled with whipped cream), a gelato (ice cream) alla ricotta (romana, of course! with viscioles, sour cherries) or strawberries from Nemi in the Castelli Romani, a volcanic region 20 km southeast of Rome, which also produces some very good wines.

A quick espresso at the bar and you'll be just like a Roman!

If you have time, take a trip to the Mercato Testaccio (in the district of the same name in the south of the city, off the beaten track) to sample local products and dishes prepared on site. A real gastronomic journey!

Historic city, romantic city

There is a sensitivity in Rome that envelops, endures, and never dissipates.

It's a kind of romanticism that arises from everything you see around you in this very special city. The gentle rolling hills, the lush gardens, the majestic squares and fountains, the timeless charm of the countless traces of the past that coexist with the energy of the present...

And we tell ourselves that there is something mysterious and unique in this permanent combination of contrasts between the ancient and the modern, urbanism and nature, spirituality and culture, the powerful overall harmony and the chaos represented by each of its buildings destroyed by time... Which structures Rome in depth, breathes life into it and makes it so beautiful.

They say that Rome is eternal and that all roads lead there.

So lose yourself in the sweetness of Rome.

There is no doubt that it will make your heart beat faster.