Rome like You’ll Never Forget

How to have a Hollywood-inspired Roman holiday.

Exuding an unbelievable character spun by the legacy of the past mixed with the energetic vibe of the future, Rome is indeed the Eternal City where time does not seem to rule. Both the new and the old find their place in Rome, which is full of timeless and significant monuments that appeal to every tourist’s need for awe-striking things to see. The classic multicultural tourism scene of Rome enjoys an enthusiastic mishmash of cultures and sensations and has made its appearance in popular films through the years.

Start Your Roman Holiday at the Piazza di Spagna

One of the most popular attractions of Rome is the Piazza di Spagna or the Spanish Square, a highly popular meeting place situated in the center of Rome’s historic district. The Piazza di Spagna is a good place to start your vacation in Rome, and the classic 1953 romantic comedy “Roman Holiday” attests to this.

The Piazza di Spagna is a long and spacious square flanked on three sides by three important Roman attractions, and “each, in its own way, is unforgettable,” as Hepburn’s Princess Ann expressed. These attractions are the Spanish Steps, the Barcaccia Fountain just at the foot of the Spanish Steps, and the Trinita dei Monti at the top of the Spanish Steps.

The unique shape of Piazza di Spagna makes it one of the most distinct plazas in the world, and it is surrounded by a rich and colorful Roman baroque environment that distinguished its many attractions, hotels, residences, inns, cafes, and restaurants.

This distinct area of Piazza di Spagna serves as the main setting of Roman Holiday, which was the first film that introduced film icon Audrey Hepburn. She was joined in the film by Gregory Peck and Eddie Albert. The film centered around the secret but carefree Roman holiday enjoyed by Hepburn’s character Ann, a princess who escapes from her official visit to Rome to be able to roam the city by herself. By the Spanish Steps, she meets Joe, played by Peck, who encourages her to try a gelato and loosen up so she can fully embrace her Roman holiday.

Wound Your Way through Rome by the Via Veneto

A few steps away from the Trinita dei Monti lies the Via Veneto, one of the most famous and most expensive streets of Rome. The famous street factors into certain significant scenes in the iconic 1960 film La Dolce Vita or The Sweet Life, an unforgettable film that offered an equally memorable mirage of classic and romantic Rome.

The film, directed by renowned director Federico Fellini, centered around the life of Marcello, a journalist exploring Rome and searching for real happiness and love. In the span of seven days, he meets two beautiful women, Maddalena and Sylvia, as well as an old friend and his father.

Due to the popularity sparked by the film, Via Veneto became a bustling market for the upper classes, and tourists looking for the sweet luxurious life of Rome need only to go to Via Veneto for the best cafes and shops. The street of Via Veneto is lined with trees and flower beds, as well as with famous celebrities from all over the world. The street then branches out into little lanes that lead to the famous trattorias of Rome.

Live the Sweet Life at the Trevi Fountain

The famous film, La Dolce Vita, also made another important Roman attraction, the Trevi Fountain, a world icon. The Fontana di Trevi is undoubtedly the most beautiful fountain in Rome. Fashioned in baroque style, the fountain now serves as an important Roman landmark where three roads and Rome’s ancient aqueducts met. It was commissioned in 1732 and completed in 1762. It was originally designed by Bernini, but the completion of the project was led by Nicola Salvi.

The fountain’s central figure is a statue of Neptune, the god of the sea, while riding on a shell-shaped chariot. The chariot is pulled by two sea horses of differing characters, one calm and the other restless. The site of the fountain is now often overflowing with tourists, and many can be seen tossing a coin into the fountain and envisioning their return to Rome.

This famous fountain was made even more famous thanks to the iconic and controversial scene in Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita. In the movie, Anita Ekberg played the role of Sylvia, a Swedish-American movie star Marcello desired. And in the unforgettable scene, Sylvia waded into the fountain and was followed by Marcello. In many reviews, Sylvia was later dubbed as Aphrodite incarnate. The scene fast became a cinematic revolution, and played a role in the fame of the Trevi Fountain.

Celebrate Rome at the Pantheon

Finally, don’t forget to drop by the Pantheon to complete your Roman holiday. The Pantheon is one of the most historically important monuments in Rome. It is considered as the temple of all the gods. It was constructed between 118 and 125 AD and is well-known for its large dome. Wonderfully preserved, the Pantheon provides a glimpse of the unforgettable past. It is now teeming with cafes and a piazza where Roman tourists and residents can mingle and relax.

The Pantheon was recently featured in the Hollywood film Angels and Demons, based on the famous novel by controversial author Dan Brown. In the film, Robert Langdon’s frantic search for the Illuminati led him to the Pantheon, which lies to the north of the Piazza della Rotunda. The Pantheon was already a famous monument prior to the making of the movie, but the recent film once again immortalized the historical story surrounding the ancient temple and celebrated the grandeur of Rome.

To experience the breathtaking history of Rome, book a room at the Hotel Barocco in Rome to make your Roman holiday an even more unforgettable one.