The afternoon sun gently illuminated the changing colors of the Tuscan valley as we sped through historical villages, rambling rivers and plump vineyards. Trains remain one of the easiest ways to travel within Italy and we were fortunate to experience the luxurious and fast Frecciarossa 1000 train from our departure in Milan.
The comfort of the Executive class cabin is really the way to go with only 10 passengers seated on soft champagne colored leather seats. The Trenitalia staff provided three different menus and our personal waiter attended to our every need for the easy trip to Rome’s Termini station.
I purchased an ItaliaPass through ItaliaRail, which gave me access to the new VIP Lounge at Roma Termini as well as a private Fast Track VIP Welcome service including personal assistant and dedicated porter as you walk off the train. The lounge is secluded away from the hustle of this major station and is a blissful retreat offering wines and food as you await your train departure. The lounge even has underground access for your car pickup, away from the crowds for arriving passengers. Perfect opportunity to hide from the paparazzi.
Rome has always been one of my favorite cities in the world, but I constantly find myself limited to only a few days enroute to another destination. I have found that the best way to truly experience Rome is to actually become Rome. I have seen the monuments, the tourist attractions, walked the Colosseum, marveled at the Pantheon, and had emotional journeys through the Vatican. I have always found that sitting at a cafe or wandering the side streets away from the throngs of tourists with their flag toting leaders and experiencing real life in Rome is the best way to soak it all in. The woman hanging freshly washed clothing outside her window ledge, the groups of Italian boys flirting with American girls, the overly animated conversations and the very public display of love and romance are all what make up this amazing city. It is more than just the remarkable history and the stunning architecture, it is the people who have truly mastered the art of living. Family, food, wine and great conversation.
I was met at the train stations VIP lounge by my driver, sent from my base in the city, the spectacular Palazzo Dama Hotel. The 19th century Palazzo is a remarkable addition to this eternal city. Constructed near the banks of the Tiber River and steps from Piazza del Popolo, the Palazzo, owned by the Malaspina family was recently turned into a five-star luxury 30 room and suite hotel. With an outdoor pool surrounded by lemon trees and intimate lounge as well as an exclusive subterranean nightclub, this property has quickly become one of the most exclusive addresses in the city.
I met with the hotel’s handsome and charming architect Antonio Girardi over drinks, he is also known for the ultra-popular D.O.M Hotel in Rome. Beyond the remarkable interior design are Girardi’s personal signatures including Venini glass fixtures, mid-century style furniture and an eccentric contemporary art collection.
We sat in the Palazzo’s stunning L’Autre Dame restaurant, which serves a healthy menu in a decadent white room surrounded by tall palms. Crystal chandeliers imported from the Plaza Hotel in New York added to the elegance. Feeling more like a private residence than a hotel, the Palazzo’s marble floors, Ralph Lauren curtains and art Nouveau doors welcome you while intoxicating you with Girardi’s love for using mirrors to create space.
I stayed in the beautiful and private Royal Suite featuring a large Terrace that overlooks the outdoor Garden and pool. The suite features high-ceilings, exquisite vintage design art sourced from collections throughout the world, glossy coffee table books and a collection of photographs by various renowned artists.
The surprise attraction in the Palazzo is the very exclusive underground Raspoutine nightclub. Girardi created a design from the 20’s with theatrical details and velvet upholstery. With a special wink to Russian nobility, the rich red lampshades accent the Soviet architectural domes. The resident DJ, Lorenzo Rumi attracts the most famous and stylish faces in the city every weekend.
Continuing his quest for health conscious food, Girardi and his wife Morgan Witkin recently opened Biolosophy; the first luxury Organic Eatery in Rome. A two-minute walk from Piazza Navona, Biolosophy offers the highest quality organic cuisine while you recline on the cozy white velvet couches.
Venturing out into the City is always one of the my favorite things to do in Rome, in particular having lunch at the remarkable Le Jardin de Russie at the iconic Hotel de Russie, between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo. We were entertained by the hotels lovely Fabiola Balduzzi along with the gregarious General Manager Martin Elsner. After a relaxing lunch in the garden I decided to splurge with a decadent spa treatment in the new Rocco Forte Spa, which was launched in January. The new Rocco Forte Rituals include a Facial Ritual, Back Ritual and Body Ritual.
My two hour Back Ritual combined a back exfoliation with herbal compress followed by a blissful massage using Lemon and Mandarin custom blended essential oils. The huge spa features a large salt water hydropool, six treatment rooms, a Finnish sauna and steam room. This is by far the best spa experience you can have in Rome.
I toured the newly remodeled Forte Suites (Picasso and Popolo Suite designed by Olga Polizzi) and fell in love with my favorite, the $14,000 nightly Nijinksy Suite featuring a massive terrace overlooking spectacular views of the neighboring Villa Borghese gardens. The biggest celebrities stay in these suites and during my visit I was fortunate to mingle with tennis icons Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
There are so many amazing experiences while visiting Rome and my new favorites for 2016 include;
BEST RESTAURANTS:
Lorenzo Lisi transformed this small family-run trattoria in an upscale restaurant with the finest seafood in Rome from Chef David Cianetti. Recently serving heads of state like President Obama and also Hillary Clinton and a multitude of celebrities, this restaurant is the highest profile hotspot in Rome.
Under the leadership of Pietro Panella and now his sons Simone and Francesco, Antica Pesa manages to stay above the fashions and trends, overcoming the physiological difficulties of nearly 100 years of operation. With a modern style that is respectful of tradition, to this day it remains a recognized landmark for Roman dining. Celebrities love this place, from Madonna to Robert DeNiro, it is a paparazzi magnet.
This contemporary Japanese restaurant from creator Rainer Becker, opened its doors earlier this year in the iconic Palazzo Fendi. Located on the top two floors of the Palazzo, the fourth floor restaurant space, inspired by the informal style of Izakaya dining, showcases modern Japanese cuisine that is famously authentic. The main kitchen, the sushi counter and the Robata Grill offer a variety of textures and tastes while the fifth floor bar & lounge, boasts an outside terrace with spectacular views of the city.
The Roscioli family has worked in the world of hospitality and gastronomy for four generations. It all started with the bakery on Via dei Chiavari. Then brothers Alessandro and Pierluigi transformed the family grocer into a refined, multi-functional gourmet bodega with a kitchen and wine cellar. This is one of Rome’s most popular dining experiences.
La Pergola at the Rome Cavalieri Hotel under the helm of Chef Heinz Beck is much more than just a famous menu, it is Rome’s only Three-Michelin star restaurant. A wine cellar with over 60,000 bottles, a water menu with 29 choices, olive oils and vintage balsamic vinegars from the best producers in Italy, and the finest ingredients to be sourced in the Mediterranean - all attests to the pursuit of culinary excellence. The panoramic views of the city and St. Peter’s are also to die for.
BEST VIP EXCURSIONS:
Italy’s Best is run by brothers Luca & Lorenzo Guerrieri, providing exclusive access and personalized experienced tours for VIP travelers. Among their many diverse offerings are several that I was excited about including:
PRIVATE TOUR OF THE VATICAN AFTER HOURS INCLUDING SECRET ROOMS
This one-of-a-kind, exclusive access allows the discerning traveler to explore some of the Museums’ intriguing areas that are not usually open to the public, allowing you to see a side of the Vatican that most never will. Skip the long lines and meet your private Vatican lecturer to enjoy Cappella Niccolina, The Room of Gold and Bramante’s Staircase. Additionally, enjoy a rare privilege: having the Sistine Chapel all to yourself– with no crowds!
A sumptuous gala dinner in one of the many impressive areas of the Vatican, catered to your specifications, with a view of St Peter’s Basilica that is usually reserved for the privileged inner circle of the Roman Catholic Church. This highly formal event, accommodates up to 250 people but can be customized for just two.
Beneath Rome lies yet another city… and this tour gives you a chance to explore it! The city’s layers and most fascinating hidden secrets will be yours to discover and you’ll see firsthand how fascinating spaces are literally concealed right beneath your feet! Visit the eerie Capuchin Crypt also known as the “Bone Chapel,” the ancient Roman Catacombs, and the San Clemente Basilica – the so-called “Lasagna Church,” where you’ll descend in layers from the 12th century to the 1st.
I can't wait to return to Rome for more discoveries next year. The future of Rome luxury tourism is promising with many new developments including; Rosewood Hotel on the Piazza Verdi, W Hotel in a former bank building, Dorchester Hotel Eden on the Piazza di Spagna, Le Meridien Visconti Hotel near the Vatican and Richard Branson is scouting new locations for a luxury Virgin Hotel in the city.
