Flowers, gardens, historic tours, food, and fashion in Rome, Italy, Hotel Splendide Royal, the Coliseum, the Borghese Gardens & Villa Borghese, evening walking tour, cocktails on the Spanish Steps, recipe for Roasted Tomato Feta Herb Tart, shop The Paris House Boutique
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Sunday Guides, Rome, Italy, June 2024
Cover
A Roman Holiday
Flowers
Gardens
Historic Tours
Food
Fashion
EDITOR’S LETTER
Michele Rosenthal. Follow me on Instagram @theparishouse
When in Rome, one notices many beautiful things. The mouth-watering aromas of pasta and pastries, the undeniably fabulous style of the Italians, the way the light casts the dreamiest glow over the city, and of course the legendary architecture. The history of ancient Rome comes to life in front of your eyes.
It was wonderful returning to Rome, The Eternal City. The weather was around 65 degrees and sunny the entire week. I went in February, so that felt very mild compared to the NYC winter weather. It wasn't crowded & the comfortable temperatures made walking very enjoyable.
This Sunday Guides is a refreshed makeover and updated version of our 2022 issue. We added more Rome travel fashion, our “Out and About with Paris House,” and additional helpful travel tips and itineraries. We are hosting a floral arranging class in Rome and have included all the details, we hope you can join us! The Italians make everyone feel welcome and at home in their beautiful country.
Rome, Italy
It was wonderful returning to Rome, The Eternal City. The weather was around 65 degrees & sunny the entire week. I went in February so that felt very mild compared to the NYC winter weather. It wasn’t crowded & the comfortable temperatures made walking very enjoyable. I love Italy so much, I am 80% Italian and whenever I am there I feel so at home and close to my heritage! The Italians make EVERYONE feel welcome and at home in their beautiful country.
I love to travel, I create travel and fashion content for my business Theparishouse.com, scout locations for photoshoots, meet wonderful people, take incredible informative tours, bring home local recipes & fully immerse myself in the culture. Travel is my greatest passion andI love to share our adventures with my readers. I am a luxury travel writer, however all trips can be curated and enjoyed at every budget.
Day 1 -I flew from the NYC area nonstop to Rome
Hotel Splendide Royal
I stayed at Hotel Splendide Royal, located across from the Borghese gardens & in walking distance to Harry’s Bar, museums, restaurants & more. It is also a quick ride to all the Roman highlights!
The concierge at the hotel were excellent and made my stay very enjoyable. I would highly recommend Hotel Splendide Roma. Enjoy breakfast with a view of the Vatican and cocktails on their rooftop with a view of Vatican City. It’s gorgeous.
A Roman Flower Design Class
Day 2- I took a floral design class in Rome, it was lovely. I own a Floral and Event Design Business and love to style with other designers on my travels around the world. It’s so fun to share and learn new ideas.
Martina hand-selected each flower at the local flower market, in the loveliest shades. The seasonal tulips, ranunculus, and flowers she chose were in the prettiest hues! They looked so pretty all week in my hotel room.
This was a private class & I had a driver arranged by my hotel. We can plan all your excursions for you and have linked all our tours here & below in our “shop this story” section.
The Coliseum
Day 3 - We began our private tour at the Underground Coliseum. The newest attraction to the Coliseum is the fascinating underground, which was not open the last time I was in Rome.
It was incredible to see the mechanics of the elevators, which were used to bring the animals up to the arena. Many of these pulley systems are still used in various ways today. It’s interesting to see and learn about the masterful architecture, aqueducts and designs by the Romans. Of course the history of the Coliseum dates back to nearly 2,000 years and if not for the earthquake would still be fully intact. Like the saying goes, “they don’t make them like they used to”!!!
It is quite shocking to be there and try and picture the barbaric games that drew thousands of spectators - and the occasional hungry animal who escaped up into the spectators section!! I also highly recommend visiting at night when it is illuminated in light - it is spectacular and a perfect spot for photos. Rome is indeed the Eternal City. More on that below.
Then it was off to the Sistine Chapel with Bea, my guide, for the day. Bea was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about everything we did that day! (This was another private tour & I had a driver arranged by my hotel - taxis and public transportation are also readily available.) Seeing this Masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel, by Michelangelo, never fails to leave me in awe.
Borghese Gardens & Villa Borghese
Day 4- I took a private tour of the Borghese Gardens & Villa Borghese. I booked this with Viator. I always enjoy their tours and guides. Marco was enthusiastic & incredibly knowledgeable.
This was a quick pleasant walk from our hotel.
Villa Borghese Gardens, Rome, Italy
Food
We popped into Harry’s Bar for a late lunch and bellini before our tour.
Evening Walking Tour with Amir
Day 5- Evening walking tour with Amira.
Amira was a ray of sunshine, she was an absolute joy from the moment she picked me up at my hotel. We drove to see all the famous spots at night. Amira went above and beyond to ensure we had the most wonderful evening
We began our tour at Piazza Navona, built in the 1st century AD on the site of the Stadium of Domitian. We then went to see the Vatican illuminated in evening lights.
We visited the Pantheon, the Coliseum, the Mouth of Truth (which you might remember from Roman Holiday), Theater of Pompey where Julius Caesar was murdered, the Temple of Hercules, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and Amira pointed out many more sites along the way.
We had the most delicious dinner outside in Piazza Navona. The Cacio e Pepe and red wine were incredible!
I returned to my hotel around 11 pm and had sweet dreams of the most enchanting evening in Roma.
The Pantheon
The Coliseum
The Mouth of Truth
Temple of Hercules
The Trevi Fountain
The Vatican
Top of the Spanish Steps
Campari Spritz
Day 6- We explored Rome nearby by the hotel and had lunch on the Spanish Steps with pizza & Campari Cocktails at the top of the steps.
Delicious Fresh Fruit and Sorbet
Recipes
Roasted Tomato Feta Herb Tart
Preheat oven to 400-410 degrees.
Roll out @dufourpastrykitchens & place in tart pan with removal bottom.
Add tomatoes that have been roasted in olive oil, sea salt & freshly ground pepper. (It adds a sweetness that we highly recommend.)
Layer broken up chunks of good quality feta cheese over dough, scatter tomatoes throughout, add some freshly ground pepper & bake until golden & bubbly.
Let cool a bit and top with sprigs of fresh herbs. Use whichever cheese & herbs you prefer.
We also make an asparagus gruyere cheese version of this.
Refer to our photo on the next page to see how we layered cheese and tomatoes.
Day 7- We returned to Newark
Out And About with Paris House
Chinatown Food & History Tour
Villa Borghese Gardens, Rome, Italy
Brooklyn Museum, Giants Exhibit
Lunch - Terrain Cafe & Shop
The Delacroix in Paris
A Roman Flower Design Class
February 2025, $245 per person. Enjoy a light aperitivo in a charming studio in Rome. There will be a demonstration from a renowned floral designer while you make your own arrangement to take with you at the end of class. To reserve your spot please contact Michele@theparishouse.com
Shop Paris House Boutique
I plan all our trips & excursions. I studied travel & tourism in college my first semester in college and I am a professional travel planner who can assist you in your future trips!
Fashion
Be mindful of the cobblestone & bring comfortable shoes. I love heels so I opt for a chunky heel boot, wedge, espadrille, fashionable sneaker, etc. I’ll wear my high heels in the hotel typically at the rooftop bars.
Sponsors/Advertisers
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About The Paris House
The Paris House, Luxury Lifestyle Brand
The Paris House is your one-stop-shop for travel destinations, unforgettable events, and editorial and personal fashion styling. Their floral arrangements are sourced from New York City’s Flower District and elevate the beauty of your events and hotel rooms. Michele’s international travel show, “The Paris House, Luxury Travel and Lifestyle Show”, is featured in the Paris based “Joie de Vivre Network”.
Whether designing in Rome, Reykjavik, NYC or beyond, Michele is always creating gorgeous moments for her clients and partners. The Paris House’s locations range from elaborate sets at its rooftop studio near NYC, events of all scales across the Northeast, and Michele’s historic New Jersey country home and gardens which has hosted parties, music videos, and photo shoots.
Company founder, Michele Rosenthal, has 30 years of experience and studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Travel and Tourism at Endicott College and holds degrees in Interior Design and Business Marketing. She helped launch a multi million dollar division of Saint Clare’s hospital in the early ‘90s.
Whatever your needs are, our company will make your vision come to life. We are content creators, portfolio builders and memory makers.
Michele is the Editor of Sunday Guides, Luxury Lifestyle & Travel media. https://theparishouse.com/
Our Team
Editor in Chief: Michele Rosenthal
Graphic Design: Sonia Schnee
Proofreading: Theodore Rosenthal, Michael Taglione