Holy Romans, ruins, romance... and rain

Regardless of your religion, or desire to hear the Pope’s Easter message, there’s no place quite like Rome for a weekend break. I doubt that anyone can fail to be filled with awe and wonder on visiting a city so stunningly laden with artistic and architectural treasures: the legacy of ancient history and a rich cultural heritage.





Top of your list of places to see will be the Vatican Museums, encompassing the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and so much more… If you’re a lover of art and sculpture, you’ll probably want to spend a few weeks camping out here (if only that were permissible). Other amazing monuments include the Colosseum, the Forum and surrounding Roman remains, the Pantheon and lots more besides.




If you like shopping for antiques, Rome’s quaint patchwork of narrow streets, alleyways and courtyards is home to plenty of high end emporia, where you’ll find fine quality pieces, mixed in with quirky curiosities – though all at a price. There are also vintage flea markets, especially on Sunday morning, where you’re more likely to find a bargain – though best to dress down and leave your fancy handbag at home.



Keep your eyes peeled for hidden gems too, as tucked away in side streets, on corners, or atop buildings, you’ll find secret places - including theatres, pizzerias, shrines, sculptures and curiously enticing ice cream parlours.

Rome is also the perfect place for a romantic retreat, as featured in Raymond Peynet’s curiously charming book, The Lovers’ Travelogue (see right) – an original 1955 copy of which is currently available at ShopCurious.

One thing you’re also almost always guaranteed when you travel to Rome is sunshine.



















Typically, when I last visited, the heavens opened and it poured down.

The fact that it rained for just one day had taxi drivers constantly moaning about how miserable this made them feel – thank goodness they don’t live in London!







Anyway, in my opinion, the best thing about Rome is that the city actually seems to reflect all the celestial inspiration that’s gone into creating its glorious buildings and artworks, making everything just as beautiful come rain or shine.







Rome will be eternally loved, whatever the weather...

And I’m already looking forward to my next visit.

Are you?



Wishing you a happy and holy Easter!

Thalassomania?

How about taking your mother away for a weekend break to celebrate Mothers’ Day? Mine has hinted she’d like to see Rome, as she’s never been before.

I noticed something curious about Rome last time I was there: the city’s simply bursting with sea-inspired art, sculpture and cuisine:































































Your mother may well be a thalassomaniac (fanatic of all things to do with the sea), but you don’t have to travel to Rome to please her. These intricately hand-carved natural stone boxes from ShopCurious would make perfect Mothers’ Day gifts.






If you’re looking for something stylish that’s a little unusual, reasonably priced and useful too, they’re just the thing. Even better if your Mum’s got one of those fishy starsigns - like Aquarius, Pisces or Cancer. Or perhaps you’re one of those signs, in which case you’ll just have to buy two of these beautifully handcrafted boxes...

Will you?