Today’s post may as well be filed under Better Late; Than Never because I returned home from two nights in Rome a year ago and never managed to share my trip! But I finally am sharing photos from the beautiful streets of this ancient city as well as the highlights I soaked in during my brief 36 hours in the Eternal City.

36 Hours in Rome

Before returning to Rome in September of 2017, I hadn’t been since 2005 during a brief trip while I was studying abroad in Paris. Prior to that I had been to Rome in the mid-1990s. I have always loved Rome for its charming narrow streets and the food. Of course, the food. So when I was invited to go on a trip to Sicily that would have me flying through Rome, I decided to spend two nights revisiting the city.

This time I didn’t feel the need to go back and tour any of the famous sites. But instead, I set out to walk, wander, get lost and eat.

(Lots and lots of eating.)

Food highlights included the pizza and pasta at Emma, the gelato at Giolitti, a delicious Aperol Spritz at Bar Del Fico, the famed espresso at Sant’Eustachio il Caffè and the mouth-watering carbonara at Roscioli. (I will caveat that Roscioli was the absolute worst service experience I’ve ever had dining, however. They sat foreigners at the bar and would say “hurry, hurry. You must order now” and were unbelievably dismissive and cold. I was appalled so I want to caveat this if you decide to go. The food is fantastic but they need a reality check in their location being that they operate in a city that highly relies on tourism.)

Another highlight was visiting Hotel de Russie which is an absolute stunner.

I splurged on a too-expensive breakfast. But honestly, it was heavenly to dine on their buffet and soak up the gorgeous sunlight streaming into their courtyard. I’d recommend this spot for a pre-dinner cocktail over breakfast. But even if you don’t want to dine or drink go in to just bask in the glow of this place. It’s magnificent.

A few charming and popular streets I wandered included Via del Governo Vecchio, Via del Pellegrino, Via dei Banchi Vecchi and Via Giulia. But, my personal favorite? Via Margutta, which is tucked away just past the Spanish Steps. It’s famous from one of my all-time favorite movies: Roman Holiday. I also walked by the Spanish Steps, Colosseum (still so awe-inspiring no matter how many times you see it), the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain and Vatican City and popped in to marvel at The Pantheon.

As far as accommodations, I used Starwood points and stayed at Le Méridien Visconti Rome. Which I thought was a great central location and had nice, comfortable large rooms.

Have you been to Rome? It definitely had me dreaming of booking more time in Italy…maybe in 2019!?

p.s. my guide to Lisbon and my guide to Copenhagen.