Roaming in Roma

Oh how I had forgotten how wonderful Rome is – it’s been over 12 years since my last visit and it fortunately doesn’t seem to have changed, and it’s so lovely to be back. The cobbled streets, narrow alleyways and incredibly beautiful old buildings, tiny eclectic shops, café’s and incredible history all around you.

I arrived early from Singapore to a crisp, clear blue-sky morning and was met at Clarissa’s apartment by her mother, Patrizia. The location in the Campo Marzio neighbourhood is superb, near via Corso and the Italian Parliament, in a wonderful old building. I’m writing this blog at the dining table, looking out of the windows at the terracotta rooftops and shuttered windows all around, and on the hour the church bells are chiming. It could not be more authentic. We’ve had a lovely walk around and coffee in a pretty little café – it took a lot of willpower for me to refuse one of the delicious pastries on offer!

We visited an incredible little shop, Castroni, on the via Frattina, open since 1932. During the war years Umberto Castroni always had requests for exotic products, spices and colonial delicacies from the consulates and embassies of Rome, and to this day, there is always a family member serving in the Shop. The shelves are lined with bottles of wine and olive oils, home-made pasta, delicious looking jars of spices, pastes, patés, and pickles and because it’s nearly the weekend…..a whole section given over to Easter eggs, baskets and chocolates. A true gourmet’s delight.

The most exciting part of my day…..4.30pm ….and Ben, Patrizia and I went to meet my granddaughters, Stella and Chloe, from the school bus.

They are at St George’s International School in Rome and have an hour’s journey back into the centre after school. I couldn’t wait to get my arms around them– it is 3 years and 3 months since I have seen them and they are the most beautiful girls. What a lovely reunion we had – I now have almost two weeks with them so we have a lot to catch up on, including a lot of hugs! Their Mum, Clarissa, arrived home from work at 6pm and we all prepared to go out for a family dinner with their grandparents, Patrizia and Nonno Claudio as well.

Acquisto Ristorante was a short walk from their apartment and we had a great table and a wonderful celebration – including another birthday candle for me to blow out! It was a charming, local Italian bistro with delicious Italian fare and the perfect end to a fabulous family day and our one night only in Rome.

Ben woke me early this morning and at 6am we were already walking the streets!

What a great time to venture out, no-one around and the night slowly turning to daylight. We were able to knock off the Palazzo Venezia and the building where Mussolini, the Fascist Dictator, made most of his speeches, including declaring war on Britain and France – Mussolini’s Balcony is in the Sala del Mappamondo overlooking the Piazza Venezia. Next stop, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona with hardly a soul in sight, and certainly no tourists. We rewarded ourselves with a cappuccino in a café on the Campo del Fiori as we watched the market traders setting up their stalls. A walk back to the apartment via the shops on via Condotti – the Romans certainly know how to window-dress their Stores – all so beautiful , colourful and enticing (and fortunately for me, closed). Retail is certainly thriving in Rome. My Fitbit congratulated me with 10,000 steps just as we rounded the corner to the apartment, so that’s a great start to the day!