Rome
Luxury Travel to
Rome
You take a sip of your Negroni and sigh. Below you, on the famous Spanish Steps, you see tourists taking selfies on Europe’s widest and longest – and possibly most beautiful—staircase. At the top, the Trinita dei Monti church. At the foot of the staircase, the little red house where the poet Keats lived. Facing the Steps, a beautiful baroque fountain.
As the sun sets, the lights of Rome twinkle on little by little, making the skyline even more beautiful. How can that be? Perfection just got even better.
Tailor my trip5 things you don’t know
about Rome
Between studying Romulus and Remus in school and watching all the movies (Roman Holiday, La Dolce Vita, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Gladiator, and the amazing car chase in Spectre), you might feel you know all there is to know about Rome. Yet, the Eternal City has more than a few secrets. A few interesting things you might not know:
01
Michelangelo was an architect. Yes, we all know he was a painter and sculptor, but the great master also designed two of the buildings of the Capitoline Museum.
02
Rome is actually older than Italy. Much older, in fact. Mythology dates the founding of Rome around 753 B.C. while Italy was founded only in 1861.
03
A major tourist attraction in Rome is… a keyhole. The Aventine Keyhole located in Piazza dei Davalieri di Malta. You’ll be surprised.
04
Only 10% of ancient Rome has been excavated. The ancient city is 30 feet below street level—and the modern city has been built on top.
05
The Domus Aurea, a palace built by Nero to show the greatness of Rome had over 300 rooms and occupied 123 acres. Today, it can be visited only by virtual reality.
Rome travel guide
Where to stay in Rome?
When in Rome… with AAV, only the very best will do. We have carefully tested and selected the finest hotels where you will be pampered in meticulously beautiful surroundings.
Located at the top of the Spanish Steps, the Hotel Hassler Roma is minutes away from all the famous monuments. Try a Bellini cocktail at the Hassler Bar (Princess Diana said it was the best she had ever had), enjoy the breathtaking panoramas of the city from the terraces, or savor the amazing cuisine in the Michelin-starred restaurant Imàgo.
The Hotel de la Ville in Rome is another wonderful choice. The 18th century palazzo combines understated elegance with authentic Italian splendor. The rooms and suites are decorated with opulent textiles and objets d’art, several of which have panoramic views of the Eternal City.
The superb Hotel Eden’s rooms and suites offer Italian-inspired sophistication with that little extra touch. The Dolce Vita Suite, for example, has a
private dining area, with one of the most extraordinary views in Rome.
Intimate and cozy, the Hotel Vilòn is located among the ancient alleys of Rome. Choose between one of the seventeen rooms and suites sumptuously furnished, or a suite in the historic Palazzo Borghese. All with the impeccable service the Hotel Vilòn is known for.
The Saint Regis Rome has been welcoming celebrities and international travelers since 1894 with its magnificent collection of suites decorated in the Belle Époque style. Every evening in the Lumen bar, there is a ritual of sabering the champagne. Very chic, very fun.
Nestled between the Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, the Hotel de Russie is a true oasis, complete with secret garden, waterfall, one of best aperitivo experiences in Rome, de Russie Spa as well as sumptuous rooms and suites.
Tailor my tripBest luxury experiences in Rome
You’ll never say ‘basta’ to pasta
Linguine, cappelletti, twisted strozzapreti, plump ravioli… learn how to prepare several different shapes and sizes of traditional Italian pasta, using high quality local ingredients. After the end of the lesson, you will enjoy a meal which includes your own creation and take home a pack complete with recipe cards.
Learn to be a gladiator
Your kids will love to go to this school—the Rome Gladiator School—where they will learn to duel with historic weapons and fight in the “ring of death”, while wearing the traditional gladiator tunic and belt. They won’t even realize they are learning about ancient Roman history!
After hours
Love the Vatican but hate the crowds? AAV has you covered. We can arrange for a private tour of the Vatican—in the evening when everyone else has gone home. You will have the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, and the Sistine Chapel, all to yourself!
Roman Holiday
You will feel like Gregory Peck or Audrey Hepburn as you zip through the busy streets of Rome on a Vespa. AAV’s expert guide will show you the major sites, as well as a more intimate Rome which only the locals know. For the less adventurous, AAV will provide you with a chauffeur for your Vespa.
When is the best time to visit Rome?
Ancient Roman ruins, Renaissance palazzos, amazing ‘cucina’, fine wines…and beautiful sunshine most of the year. When is the best time to visit the City of Seven Hills?
Rome in winter:
Although often rainy in winter, Rome does not get cold, just a bit cooler, which makes winter a great time for tasting the more indulgent dishes in Roman cuisine. In December, the baroque square Piazza Navona turns into a huge Christmas market and you’ll find Christmas trees outside the Colosseum. In January and February, there are fewer tourists, so it will feel as if you have Rome all to yourself.
Rome in spring:
Mid-March through May is the high season in Rome. In spring, the city’s historic gardens bloom and Rome becomes a colorful urban oasis. Head to the gardens of the Villa Borghese or the rose garden near Circus Maximus. Easter Mass in the Vatican is a rare treat. In May, tennis lovers will love seeing the Italian Open.
Rome in summer:
Hot, sunny—Rome in summer is gelato weather, and the country’s capital has many to choose from. The evenings are especially pleasant, with slow aperitivo in pop-up bars along the river or one of the city’s many rooftops, and long dinners on an outdoor patio. You will enjoy the many open-air concerts, especially the Téatro dell’Opera di Roma’s summer season in the Circus Maximus.
Rome in autumn:
According to Rick Steves, guidebook author and travel TV host, September, October and early November are the best months for visiting Rome. The weather is warm—but not too warm—and the crowds become smaller as the season progresses. In October, art lovers will enjoy Rome Art Week and film buffs, the Rome Film Festival. On top of all the classic monuments and palazzos to see!
Travel tips about
Rome
High end travel to Rome includes luxury accommodations, dining in Michelin-starred restaurants as well as tasting the more traditional trattoria cuisine, and visiting the monuments and museums the Eternal City is known for. The true luxury, however, is experiencing the centuries of art and history of this beautiful city with an insider, someone for whom Rome is home and who can show you sides of the city most tourists never see.
Here are a few ideas to keep in mind as you prepare for your once-in-a-lifetime experience:
01
Rome can ‘do’ modern
In fact, they do it very well, as a visit to MAXXI will prove. The National Museum of 21st Century Art is a masterpiece itself. You will enjoy wandering through this labyrinthine space and, of course, the five floors of artwork.
02
Foodie heaven
The vendors at the Mercato di Campagna Amica del Circo Massimo sell goods made or grown within 100 km, so you will see truly local produce and taste truly regional salami, prosciutto, and olives. Delizioso!
03
Art ‘in-situ’
The private residence of one of the Renaissance’s richest men, the Villa Farnesina is covered in elaborate frescoes on the walls and ceilings, some of them by Raphael, beautiful examples of Renaissance art. There are rarely any crowds, so a wonderful place to slow down and really savor the atmosphere.
04
Behind the scenes
Or, rather, under the scenes. The Vicus Caprarius museum is an intricate maze of an old Roman apartment complex dating back to the 1st century A.D. Located beneath the Trevi district, it is a rare glimpse into the daily life of ancient Roman times.
05
Middle of the road
Less formal than a ristorante, more formal than an osteria, the trattoria is a fixture in Rome. Think small terraces, simple yet traditional cuisine. The Trastevere district has some lovely places for you to try.
Plan
your trip
If you wish to schedule a time to speak about the trip you have in mind, please click on the “Tailor my trip” button and fill in our form. We will get back to you very shortly after reception of your request.