Returning to Rome

Rome holds a special place in my heart. In 2007, my aunt and uncle took my brother and me abroad to Paris, Florence, and Rome. It was my first trip to Europe and one I will never forget! The history, the cobblestone streets, centuries-old architecture, and even the tiniest cars amazed me.

I vividly remember lugging my suitcase from Termini Station to the quaint Hotel Aberdeen, a Rick Steves–approved bed and breakfast. Looking back, I think this is where my love for B&Bs began! It was simple but welcoming. The staff were kind and the breakfast was delicious.

Honeymoon in Rome

That first trip stuck with me so much that when it came time to choose a honeymoon destination, Italy was a no-brainer. It was my first time returning to Europe, and Josh’s first time visiting Italy.

We chose to fly in and out of Rome. Upon arrival, we started our trip out with the classics: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, Galleria Borghese, and The Vatican. We even went to the opera!

A Rookie Mistake at the Opera

As beautiful as the opera house was, we made a rookie mistake: booking tickets for the very first night after a long flight. Exhaustion hit hard. On top of that, our side box seats left us with a limited view. Lesson learned—no more big events on night one! The silver lining was that our B&B was down the street and meant we could slip away early and get some sleep.

Dining in Rome: A Michelin-Starred Experience

One highlight of our honeymoon was dining at La Pergola, the three-star Michelin restaurant at the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The views over the city were breathtaking, and the service was impeccable. Though a bit outside the city center, it was absolutely worth the trip for such a memorable experience.

A Final Night in Rome

After 10 days exploring Montepulciano, Montalcino, Chianti, Siena, and Florence, we returned to Rome for one last night. We stayed at the elegant Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, where we were welcomed with a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino and chocolate-covered strawberries. It was the perfect way to end our honeymoon. We highly recommend staying here if you are able to.

Returning to Rome Today

Fast forward to the present—we made it back to Rome in 2025. We hadn’t been since May 2019, when we squeezed in a short two-night stay at the end of a trip to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. This time, we spent two weeks slowly exploring. We revisited some favorite spots, found some new ones, and fell in love with the Eternal City all over again.

Plan Your Visit

Thinking of visiting Rome? Check out our Rome City Guide for recommendations on where to eat, what to try, and how to best experience the Eternal City.

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