#FlyWashington Magazine Spring 2019 | Page 28

Vespa Motorbike Credit: Domanich/Getty day 1: Grounded in ancient history, Rome unfolds like a living museum, and its creative, vivacious inhabitants keep the city on its toes with their culinary, artistic, and designer flair. It was the perfect getaway for a rebellious young princess on the silver screen more than half a century ago, and it’s still the muse of the young, restless, chic and intrepid. Whether you decide to do as the Romans do on the back of a two- wheeler, or prefer the stability of a good pair of Petrocchi shoes, a weekend in the city can take you everywhere from iconic cinematic locations like the Bocca della Verità and the Spanish Steps to contemporary art spaces like MAXXI and Alda Fendi’s new experimental art space, Fondazione Alda Fendi — Esperimenti. And it wouldn’t be Rome without raising a glass of aperitivo at the end of a boutique- shopping day before settling into a long dinner with the locals. Whether it’s your first Roman Holiday or your 100th, here’s a weekend itinerary that’ll immerse you in the Rome of the Romans and help find your inner Hepburn and Peck. FLYWASHINGTON.COM 26 SPRING 2019 COFFEE – As the city grinds to life in the morning, the smell of coffee wafts down the street and pulls Romans into bars for their morning shot, aka breakfast. Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffè, just around the corner from the Pantheon, is a true coffee institution, serving perfect espressos since 1938. If you get there early enough, you might even beat the crowds for a space at the bar and some quiet time inside the monument. SHOPPING – The shot of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck philandering in front of the Spanish Steps has become an icon in a city with no shortage of stunning images. Head here after coffee to catch the steps bathed in morning sunlight and free of hordes, then hit the boutiques in the surrounding neighborhood. Home to the Italy’s most prolific fashion names, Via dei Condotti, Via del Babuino, and Via delle Carrozze are just three streets in this fashion cornucopia where you can drop in on the likes of Gucci, Giorgio Armani, and Valentino. Even if you are just window-shopping, it’s worth passing an eye over the displays and designs in the storefronts here.