Where to begin! Rome is such a iconic, romantic place and one of the places Brendan and I visited on our honeymoon. The city is so rich in culture and history with no shortage of things to do and see. Rome is one of these cities that was concurred many times so it’s essentially been built on top of itself many times, meaning there are unexpected tunnels, floors, ceiling that hide from plain site. See below for my highly curated guide to all the best hotels, restaurants and shopping! WHERE TO STAY: Hotel dei Barbieri ($) - This hotel is a great option if you are traveling on a budget. The decor is modern, clean and sleek. It’s located near Campo de Fiori and walking distance to Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain and Trinita De Monit. Soho House Rome ($$) - for our most recent trip to Rome we stayed here after hearing great things. I am not usually a Soho House person because I prefer to stay at local hotels but it was super chic and we loved our stay. They have a great rooftop for pre-dinner drinks. I would note that if it is your first time in Rome to not stay here because it is a bit outside the city center and you have to Uber everywhere. The Fifteen Keys ($$) - located in the heart of the Monti district this boutique hotel is close to all the main attractions and great restaurants in a charming neighborhood. The staff are friendly and the hotel has complimentary bikes which is a plus. Hotel Di Ricci ($$) - located on a quiet street this boutique hotel gives you the chance to escape all the craziness of Rome and enter a little slice of heaven. Even though it is tucked away it is still centrally located and walking distance to everything. Hotel Vilon ($$$) - If you’re looking for a luxury stay in Rome Hotel Vilon is the perfect place. WHERE TO EAT & DRINK: Al Moro ($$$) - Brendan and I first came here on our honeymoon and recently went back because its that good! The not to miss dish is the pasta Al Moro, it is their version of a carbonara and to die for. They also have different dishes based on what is in season so this time around was porcini season and we got porcini everything. It is on the pricey side so I would save for a special occasion but nonetheless it’s well worth it! Pierluigi ($$$) - A fan favorite restaurant when visiting Rome. It is expensive but the atmosphere and fantastic seafood and fish makes it worth it. We tried the prawn tartare with strawberries (yes it sounds odd but it was so good). You can choose how you want your fish cooked so we got sea bass Sicilian style. It’s best to visit on a nice day so you can sit outside. Dal Bolognese ($$$) - Your classic old time Italian restaurant with amazing pasta dishes. Of course their pasta bolognese is a must and this spot is a flagship restaurant for all the Romans that live in the center. Felice a testaccio ($$) - This restaurant is a hard one to snag a reservation so book in advance. Their popularity is understandable because they make the BEST cacio e pepe in the city. It’s definitely a must try during your trip! Da Benito e Gilberto ($$$) - A family run restaurant next to Vatican City is popular for their seafood and fish dishes. Mordi e vai ($) - A no frills sandwich shop in the Testaccio food market. The food market has very good street food stalls and makes for a fun lunch spot. I recommend getting the meatballs and the Alesso di Bollito sandwich, this is a simmered beef sandwich similar to beef brisket. Caffe sant’eustacchio ($) - If you’re looking for a good coffee spot with amazing espresso, definitely hit up this cafe in the morning to get your coffee fix. Bar del fico ($$) - What’s Italy without a good aperitivo spot! Bar del Fico is the cutest drink spot for a glass of wine or aperol spritz pre dinner or post. The atmosphere is very trendy with a gorgeous skylight and colorful interior decor. Must add this spot to your itinerary. Otaleg ($) - Located just outside the city in Trastevere this gelato spot is WHERE TO SHOP: Flamingo vintage King Size vintage Atelier Bomba - Nice pieces but also can do custom clothing Spanish Steps - If you’re on the market for a luxury bag then Rome is your friend. Stop into one of the luxury stores at the bottom of the Spanish steps at Piazza di Spagna. If you didn’t know you can get a VAT tax refund on your purchase which will save you some money on your purchase! Stroll down Monti - Small neighborhood in Rome with plenty of cute boutiques from clothes, jewelry and books. It is less of the trendy designers we always see and more unique designers and stores Visit any drugstore - One of my favorite things to do when i’m in Europe is visit a drugstore in each country. They are so much better than the ones in the US and have the best beauty and skincare products.