Start An Italy Visit In Rome

Start An Italy Visit In Rome For The Perfect Beginning

We found the perfect way to start an Italy visit in Rome.  From Rome we had a brief stop in Naples before we completed our visit to Italy with 5 weeks in Sicily.  

Booking a luxury hotel, we enjoyed a pampering stay.  But while it was tempting to never leave the St Regis Rome, each day we headed out and discovered a little more on this return visit to Rome.  We went back to some classic tourist sites.  And found new things to see and do in Rome.  We were so happy to be back in Italy again!

Heading To Rome

There were many options to fly from Toronto to Rome.  The flights with connections were a bit less expensive.  Connections to Europe from Toronto often meant a stop in Munich or Frankfurt, Germany.  This time we had an option to connect with a short hop to Montreal and then a direct fight into Rome.  In the winter that was a risky route for a snow-delayed connection.  But in early September this was a perfect connecting route.

The flight to Rome left Montreal about 7:30pm and we caught the colourful sunset as we took off.  Dinner was quickly served and we even managed to catch a little sleep.  When we awoke we enjoyed the view out the window as we flew over the Swiss Alps.

Landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport we were surprised when the plane stopped in mid-field.  We wondered if Air Canada had trouble getting gates.  But we soon saw a field of airplanes and learned that a major expansion of the airport closed most of the gates.

We were impressed with the quick customs process.  Our passports were scanned electronically and a quick personal check got us to baggage claim.  When I checked my Apple tag I was very happy to see both of our checked bags arrived in Rome.  And soon they showed up on the carousel.

When we left the baggage claim area we found the person holding the sign with our name on it.  We were past the point of looking for buses or trains from the airport.  And pre-ordering a pickup made arrival so much less stressful.  Even if it meant a long walk to the garage where the driver had to park!

We enjoyed the drive into the heart of Rome and were excited to start an Italy visit in Rome.

A Luxury Stay At The St Regis Grand Hotel In Rome

We chose to start our Italy visit with a luxury stay at the St Regis Rome.  Recent renovations at the St Regis Rome added modern touches to the classic elegance of the former Grand Hotel.  

Our upgraded suite provided us with a great pampering base in Rome.  Champagne and chocolate were the perfect welcome amenities.

We ate well at the hotel.  The daily breakfast we got with our Marriott Bonvoy status was plentiful and offered great variety.  Appertivo time in the Lumen Lounge was a good spot for a light snack. And one night we worked our way through a multi-course dinner.  

It was great to start an Italy visit in Rome with such a luxury stay at the St Regis Rome.

Traditions At St Regis Rome To Start An Italy Visit In Rome

The St Regis Rome offered many luxury rituals we did not want to miss.  At 7pm the champagne sabering was a classic St Regis treat.  We viewed this treat several times by different staff members and were always delighted with the show.

One day we enjoyed Afternoon Tea in the Lumen Lounge.  A large selection of teas were offered.  Two large trays of food provided sweet and savoury treats.  And of course we added some bubbly champagne.

Enjoying some luxury traditions was the perfect way to start an Italy visit in Rome.

Seeing Old And Finding New Favourites On This Visit To Rome

As we wandered around Rome it was easy to see the famous landmarks.  We explored the Colosseum on early visits to Rome.  So we only needed a quick view to spark memories.

When we walked back from exploring the Trastavere area, we visited the  Piazza del Campidoglio and found some amazing viewpoints over the ruins below the Palatine Hill.  There was much to see as we walked along.

One day we re-visited the Trevi Fountain. Even very early in the day this was a crowded spot to visit. But throwing a coin in the fountain was sure to bring us back to this great city.

In time there have been as many as 18 gates to enter Rome.  On this stay in Rome, we wandered and found Ponta Pia.  The Porta Pia in the ancient Aurelian Walls, was designed by Michelangelo for Pope Pius IV. And we even found part of the old wall.

Art and architecture drew us in as we wandered the streets of Rome.  Some taught us a little history.  And other pieces just piqued our interest.

Exploring the sights of Rome brought back fond memories and made new ones.  A great way to start an Italy visit in Rome.

On Hot Days In Rome We Found The Fountains

Even in early September it was very hot.  When we wandered in Rome at mid-day, the temperatures often approached 35°C (~88°F).  But the sound of trickling water had a cooling effect.  Even if it was illegal to get into the fountains to cool down!

Close to our hotel we walked around the Naiads (or Nymphs) fountains at Piazza de Republica.  In the other direction we found the Fontana Dell’ Acqua Felice.

A short walk away we were intrigued with the variety of the statues on Quattro Fontane.  And from there we wandered over to the Triton fountain.

When we start an Italy visit in Rome with the temperatures very high, we found many fountains to enjoy for a cooling experience. 

Across The River In Trastevere

One day wandering in Rome we headed across the Tiber River to the Trastavere area of Rome.  We strolled along the riverbank for a calm tranquil view. Meandering along the narrow streets, we took in all the sights.  

When we needed a break we found a small shop for coffee.  And later stopped in a local spot for lunch.

Start an Italy visit in Rome and don’t miss a trip to Trastevere across the Tiber River.

Everywhere We Walked We Found Another Church

On our first visit to Rome we visited St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum.  This set a very high bar for the churches in Rome.  But it was hard not to visit some local churches as we wandered in Rome.  

We barely stepped out of our hotel before we found the Chiasa di Santa Susanna, Chiesa Evangleica Metodista, Chiesa Santa Maria del Vittoria and the Basilca of Saint Mary of Angels.  But we did not go inside

When we visited the Trevi Fountain we enjoyed some quiet time inside the Chiesa di Santi Vincenzo e Anastasio at the Trevi Fountain.

One of our planned stops when we visited the Travestere area of Rome was at the Basilica Maria de Trastavere.  The inside and outside was an artistic delight.

Start an Italy visit in Rome and there will be lots of churches to visit.

Pizza And Gelato To Start An Italy Visit In Rome

We ate and drank well on our stay at the St Regis Rome. But when we wandered to start an Italy visit in Rome, we could not pass on some of our favourite local foods.  We were certainly not leaving without some traditional pizza.

The quest for the perfect gelato took us to several stops.  Dark chocolate (fondonte) gelato was easily found at every place we stopped.  But it took me several stops before I found the salted caramel gelato I craved.

Food was always a great reason to wander in Italy.

Heading By Train To Naples

From Rome we took a train to Naples and then surprisingly a train to Sicily.  Our hotel was located close to the train station so one day we went to check it out in advance of our departure.

We passed the long line of cabs waiting for arrivals and went into the vast Termini train station.  Signs provided the long list of arrivals and departures with an update in status.

Stores and food shops lined the corridors on two levels.  We considered buying an Italian SIM card for our phone at the airport.  But we finally picked up our TIM Tourist SIM card for one of our cell phones at the train station.

When it was time to leave Rome, we were delighted when the St Regis Rome used its courtesy car and took us to the train station.  

We Were Happy To Start An Italy Visit In Rome

We were headed to Sicily for 5 weeks and could have flown there directly.  But we were happy to start an Italy visit in Rome.  

Returning to this great city gave us a chance to re-discover old favourites and find some new things to see and do in Rome.  Our luxury stay at the St Regis Rome set a high bar for all the hotels that followed on this visit to Sicily and Malta in the Fall.

Did you start an Italy visit in Rome?  What was your favourite thing to see or do?

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