When you’re planning a break in a design hotel in Rome, you’ll probably think of visiting the Coliseum, the ancient ruins dotted around the city and the piazzas as well. However, the city has plenty more secrets to surrender if you are prepared to go out and find them.
Here we have given you three for starters. Some may be within walking distance of your design hotel in Rome, along with a host of other treasures the city plays host to.
The Porta Portese Market
If you visit this market you’ll get a chance to see the Porta Portese itself – a ancient gate that dates back over 350 years. The market takes place close by every Sunday. Get up early, leave your design hotel in Rome and head for the hustle of the marketplace itself. This flea market has often been referred to as ‘The Market of Rome’. There are so many trinkets, food, wine and souvenirs to but it can be overwhelming – but certainly lots of fun.
A look through the keyhole
This has to be one of the most unusual activities you will take part in. You’ll need to head to Mount Aventine and the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta. The keyhole in question is set into a large door and it is usually easy to find because someone else is bound to be there looking through it before you! On occasion there will even be a queue of people waiting there. Why is this so, you may ask? The answer is in what lies beyond: as you look through the keyhole, you will get the most amazing view of the Vatican. Incredibly, along with St Peter’s, three countries will be in your sights, including Malta. You will struggle to commit the view to a camera, but be sure to commit it to memory.
The Capuchin Crypt
For those with a taste for the macabre, this might be well worth a look. Step out of your design hotel in Rome and head for the Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini church. Inside is a macabre sight: the remains of thousands of bodies. The skeletons are thought to be those of Capuchin friars, and they decorate the walls – if ‘decorate’ is the right word to use! This is not for the faint of heart but it certainly does achieve its purpose – to remind us that life here is indeed fleeting.
As you can see, life in this wonderful city is fascinating on all kinds of levels. Make sure you enjoy your time here by visiting some of these sights, and many more.