Discovering the Local Heart Of Rome

Choose to stay in a design hotel in Rome and you will be impressed by the quality of service, standard of accommodation and the entire luxury experience. With many a design hotel in Rome to choose from, you will be spoilt for choice.

Exploring the City

A great way to explore this city is on foot, as you are bound to stumble upon places you never imagined you would, see parts of the city you could not reach by train or bus, and discover some hidden treasures that not every visitor finds. If you need a map and a good place to start, ask the staff at your design hotel. In Rome it is the classical icons, such as the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and St Peter’s Basilica that draw the tourists, but there is so much more to this incredible capital. You just need to dig deep, venture off the beaten track and loose yourself in the backstreets to experience the true heart of this vibrant and eclectic place.

If you are looking to soak up the local atmosphere, find some hidden shopping gems and get away from the busy spots, set out on foot and zigzag from piazza to piazza. This is the best way to find the local haunts, see the real Roman way of life and discover some stunning architecture that lies off the main tourist track. Hang out in the cafes, but remember to stand at the bar and enjoy your espresso rather than sitting down if you want to pay the going rate, as opposed to the tourist one! Venture into one of the osterie for a workman’s lunch and dine on just what the chef has decided to cook that day. Having no menu is always a good sign and you can guarantee that you will get at least two courses, if not three, of rustic and real local food, complemented with wine of the region too.

Food is such a big part of Italian life and in the capital things are no different. Everyone is passionate about food and society is held intricately together by celebrations of food and family, community and culture. Ice-cream shops are commonplace in the city and once you have tasted this Italian delight, you will realise why the country is so famous for it. Everyone from toddlers to great grandparents love ice cream and the gelaterie are packed from morning until late at night. If you want to taste the best, make sure you look for the ‘artiginale’ sign, which tells you the ice cream is handmade on the premises and is usually an indication of excellent quality.

Markets are another great way to touch the real heart of a place and Italian markets are among the most colourful and interesting in the world. Huge squares filled with stallholders selling all manner of local produce make for a fascinating display of colour, an intriguing range of smells, and an interesting insight into Roman gastronomy. Here you can sample cheeses and salamis, buy locally grown vegetables and dried porcini, and indulge in some typical Italian treats. A morning spent at the market is an overload for the senses but is a great experience and one that really should not be missed.

So, if you want to discover a more local side of this city, take a walk out from your design hotel in Rome and follow the sights, sounds, smells and tastes that tempt you from around every corner.

Looking for a great hotel in Rome? Roberta Stuart is the Travel Manager for Worldhotels, a company offering top class accommodation in a design hotel in Rome, as well as a selection of unique four and five star hotels around the world.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.