“Oh wow,” I said. “That – that’s the Pantheon.” I was awestruck, again, by Rome.

It was the second day of our trip to Rome, and our first trip to Europe. The history of this city, the streets, the architecture, the culture, the people, the food, the sights, the smells, the sounds – had me. Everywhere we went – a new discovery, a new memory. I hadn’t planned or expected to round the street corner into a piazza and see the Pantheon. But there it was. Extraordinary.

Delta Italy Station Manager Erica Valt and Rome Customer Service Agent Monica Devito are exuberant in sharing their passion for Rome with customers. “Coming to Rome is like taking a journey through time, where you suddenly find yourself back to the cradle of our history,” said Delta Italy Station Manager Erica Valt.

Hours after our Delta flight arrived, we were exploring the Vatican. We didn’t have a plan. We didn’t book any tours. We just wanted to go and see what we could find. Stepping foot into St. Peter’s Basilica was overwhelming. Serendipitously discovering a celebration of mass and receiving the Eucharist there inspired my Catholic spirit. Following the hurried crowd into the St. Peter’s Square where the Pope appeared from his window connected us to the thousands of Romans, Italians and people of all faiths, cultures and nationalities gathered under the warm sun.

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Of course, there were also the delightful morning espressos. Sharing a bottle of wine, cacio e pepe and relaxed conversation dining al fresco. Wandering the streets. Filling our water bottles from the abundant nasoni (water fountains located throughout the city) – we were literally drinking Rome in!

“Rome is the ‘eternal city’ – a concentration of history, architecture, beauties, tasty food, wines, pleasant weather and beautiful panoramas,” Valt said.

After only two days in Rome, I had enough experiences and memories to fill an album. But there was so much more to explore. I hope some of my favorite Roman discoveries, and the expert local advice of Delta people who live in, work in and love Rome will inspire your trip, too.

Autumn and winter in Rome

There’s no time like the present to travel to Rome. “There is no ‘winter’ in Rome,” Valt said. “The weather is still absolutely pleasant and allows you to enjoy the city even more.”

Rome is a city that can be discovered almost any time of year. “Autumn allows you to enjoy the incredible colors of the season,” Valt said. “Winter will take you into the magic of Christmas combined with the magic of Rome.”

Things to do

As with many European cities, I found it best to just start exploring. Pick out a few points you want to see, chart a general direction and start walking. A few of my favorites:

• The Roman Forum and Colosseum. We explored these in the evening. (You’ll have to book a tour.) The ancient architecture in the dim light made these icons of history come alive in your imagination.
• Villa Borghese. Wander through the gardens, take in the art and sculptures. Gaze out at Rome’s skyline with the Piazza del Popolo in the foreground from an elevated view.

Eating in Rome

Let’s face it: if you’re going to Italy, you’re going to eat! More than that, this is a country where you EXPERIENCE food, and food is the texture of almost every experience.

“You cannot come to Rome without trying some of the most famous and delicious dishes which definitely belong to our culture,” said Delta Rome Customer Service Agent Monica Devito. Here’s her guide to a culinary-inspired day:

• “Start your day with a cappuccino and cornetto right in front of the Pantheon.”
• “Lose yourself in the cobbled streets of Trastevere for a carbonara or an amatriciana, and in the Ghetto for an artichoke alla giudia.”
• “Walk along the Lungotevere for a true Italian gelato, finish off your afternoon with an aperitivo, sipping a glass of prosecco by the amazing fountains in Piazza Navona.”

“If you wish to go outside Rome for a day trip, you can visit the Castelli Romani and taste the original porchetta with a glass of local white wine,” Devito added.

Connect with people, place and passion

If it’s not already apparent, Romans are passionate, warm and inviting people. It’s part of what makes the city so approachable and remarkable. When friends who haven’t traveled abroad ask me where they should take their first trip, my answer is always Rome.

“You can breathe the magnificence of our roots, while relaxing with the best food ever, the best wine, the best sunny weather,” Valt said. “The Romans are sunny joyful people who know how to enjoy life, how to taste it, eat it, they make every day the best day ever. And they involve you in this energy and enthusiasm and joy. After all Rome is also the city of love.”

One of the last places I visited in Rome was a bit out of town: the Parco degli Acquedotti (Park of the Aqueducts). Wandering between the ruins of this engineering marvel of its time was the perfect place to reflect on the trip. Contemplating these manmade rivers – the lifeblood of a city that inspired some of history’s greatest art, culture, societies and people, made me feel more connected to a place, it’s people and their passion.

I may not be Italian in my genes, but I like to think I left the Eternal City with some Roman spirit. No doubt I’ll go back to drink the city in again.