Rome, where ancient history seamlessly blends with modern charm, was my birthday weekend getaway destination—a whirlwind of culture, cuisine, and captivating sights. Our home for the weekend was the Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá which offers a lavish tapestry of opulence, history, and unparalleled hospitality. Nestled on the banks of the Tiber River, this palatial retreat in the heart of the Eternal City, offers an exquisite blend of modern luxury and ancient allure.
Exploring Ancient Marvels
After a beautiful breakfast, our Roman adventure began with a short walk along the sun-kissed Tiber River to the majestic Castel Sant’Angelo. This fortress-turned-museum is a testament to Rome’s rich history, offering breathtaking views of the city. As we crossed the Ponte Sant’Angelo, the air buzzed with excitement.
Inside the castle, you can feel the corridors whispering tales of emperors and popes, and we marvelled at the collection of ancient weapons and armour. The rooftop terrace presents an unrivalled panorama, with the domes and spires of Rome stretching out before us.
We then went wandering the ancient Roman streets; we first came across the Piazza Navona, a stunning Baroque square lined with charming cafes. The piazza is surrounded by architectural gems, each telling a story of Rome’s rich history. The Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, with its imposing facade, is a masterpiece by Francesco Borromini. The church stands in harmony with the square, creating a perfect union of religious and artistic expression. Whilst the magnificent fountain of the Four Rivers by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, serves as a captivating overture. The fountain’s powerful figures symbolize the great rivers of the continents—Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio de la Plata—while an Egyptian obelisk crowns the masterpiece.
Our next stop, the Pantheon, left us in awe of its architectural genius. The oculus, an opening in the center of the dome, bathed the interior in a celestial glow. The grandeur of the Pantheon’s dome and the precision of its construction have left an indelible mark on our journey through time.
We finished off the day by having a beautiful meal at Acquaroof, a refined and glamorous rooftop restaurant on the top floor of The First Arte Hotel. It is Daniele Lippi, the Executive Chef of the Two Michelin Star Acquolina restaurant, who designs the predominantly fish-based Italian cuisine that the menu offers.
The meal commenced by sharing a selection of some beautifully creamy oysters. I then had Spaghetti Vongole, where the simplicity of fresh clams, garlic, and herbs converges into a harmonious medley. My partner had the Tagliolini pasta with lobster. As I also wanted a lobster fix in addition to my Vongole fix, we shared an impressive Lobster Catalana. We finished off the meal by sharing an Italian classic…Tiramisù.
Spiritual Heights and Giro d’Italia Fever
Day two brought us to the spiritual heart of Catholicism, St. Peter’s Basilica. We’re not religious, but it would have been rude not to visit the Vatican City, given it was down the road from our hotel. The sheer size and opulence of this holy site were overwhelming. Unfortunately, we couldn’t climb to the top of the dome as Mass was taking place, but seeing some of the intricate mosaics and Michelangelo’s breathtaking Pieta were humbling, to say the least. We considered joining the queue to visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel; however, entry is free on the last Sunday of the month…and the lines are long, and we didn’t fancy standing in the heat, so we decided to head back to the hotel to chill by the pool until it was time to view the finale of the Giro d’Italia.
My partner is a keen cyclist, but we weren’t aware of the Giro d’Italia finale taking place when we booked…but that would explain why hotel rates were quite high…although thanks to me being a travel agent, we got a fantastic price for the Villa Agrippina. The final leg started outside of the city, so we kept an eye on when they’d be arriving in the centre. As the leaders and peloton drew close, we walked down to the corner of the Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II where we could watch the riders coming down the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and coming over the bridge as they then cycled along the banks of the Tiber along the Lungotevere del Sangallo, Experiencing this event against the backdrop of the historic city added a unique layer to our Roman holiday. And I’d be lying if said I didn’t get a little emotional with it being Mark Cavandish’s final Giro and him winning the sprint stage.
We ended the day with a beautiful meal at Vanda restaurant. I would describe this place as more of a wine bar with great food than a restaurant with a great wine selection. The walls are adorned with an extensive collection of fine Italian wines. We actually spent more on our amazing bottle of Barolo than on our food.
A Roman Sunrise and Scooter Adventures
Rome’s magic reached its pinnacle on our final day as we embraced the city’s enchanting streets on electric scooters. The early morning light painted the cobblestone alleys in hues of gold as we set off towards the Trevi Fountain. I was hoping that at 5.30 am it wouldn’t be full of tourists… I was surprised to see that there were quite a few there, although still much less than the previous day when we visited in the afternoon.
The Spanish Steps, adorned with azaleas, welcomed us next. Of the handful of tourists at the steps, everyone was being very respectful of each other and our efforts to get up early in the hope no-one would be there, taking turns to have pictures on the steps or waiting to have a clear picture of the steps.
Our scooters then zipped through the ancient streets, carrying us to the iconic Colosseum and the Forum. These ancient wonders bathed in the morning sunlight, are a must to see.
Rome, with its timeless beauty, had cast its spell on us, and with its vast sights to see, as we boarded our flight home, I was already thinking of a return for another chapter of exploration and discovery of all the things we didn’t get to do on this trip.
