All roads lead to Rome for Netflix’s fashionista darling, Emily Cooper. Part two of “Emily in Paris” season four, released on Sept. 12, found its protagonist Emily (played by Lily Collins) embarking on her visit to Italy.
If you’re heading off on a Roman holiday, and like Emily you’ve been to Eataly but not Italy, I’ve got you covered as someone who lived in Florence and has traveled to Rome at least four times. Here’s how you can plan your visit to the capital city of Italy.
The “Emily in Paris” Guide to Rome
Take a Vespa Ride Through Rome
You don’t need to meet a cashmere mogul like Marcello Muratori (Eugenio Franceschini) to zip around Rome on a Vespa. Traffic in Rome is quite intense, so if you’re not experienced at driving a moped it’s best to book a tour – I can’t promise you’ll have a cute Italian driver, but I can promise you’ll see much of the city and have your “Emily in Paris” meets “Lizzie McGuire” moment when riding past the Colosseum on Via Celio Vibenna.
The Bici & Baci vespa tour will take you past all of the most iconic Roman sites including the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Castel Sant’Angelo, with optional stops at Piazza Navona, Circus Maximus, and more. Emily also zips past the Roman Forum and Piazza Venezia, which are well worth visiting.
Visit the Colosseum
Make time to visit the Flavian Amphitheatre, which is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. It’s the largest amphitheater ever built and was used for public spectacles including gladiator contests and mock battles. If you think about the Roman Empire daily, enrich your visit by booking a Colosseum tour that visits the underground hypogeum, arena floor, and upper levels. Snap a selfie with the Colosseum outside the Giardinetto del Monte Oppio or grab a drink at The Court Bar with views of the massive building.
PS Photography / Lola Méndez
Toss a Coin in the Trevi Fountain
When in Rome, you must toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain. (It’s technically a good deed as the coins are collected and donated to the Caritas charity, per Al Jazeera.) Tossing a coin into water as an offering is an ancient pagan ritual.
Like Marcello explains to Emily, to properly make the wish, turn your back to the fountain and toss a coin over your left shoulder using your right hand – once to guarantee your return to Rome, twice to find new romance when you return to Rome, and thrice to return to Rome, fall in love, and get married.
Don’t Sit on the Spanish Steps
In the show, Emily and Marcello ended their stroll through Rome by resting their legs and taking a seat on the Spanish Steps. This isn’t simply a faux pas: it’s illegal and comes with a fine upwards of 400 Euros as it’s forbidden to sit on the steps, according to Reuters. And if you don’t have time, you can skip this site as it’s usually extremely busy with tourists and pedestrians.
Enjoy Roman Fare
Have lunch at the same 100-year-old hostaria where Emily and Marcello went, Giggetto al Portico d’Ottavia. Grab a table with a view of the nearby ancient columns and follow the show’s lead by enjoying some classic Roman pasta dishes, including carbonara and amatriciana. Do as the Italians do and enjoy a glass of wine with lunch. I’m partial to Chianti Classico but Romans tend to drink Cesanese del Piglio. For dessert, order the tiramisu. Giggetto is also known for its fried artichokes, which are a must-try if they’re in season.
Emily also dines al fresco at the iconic Antica Trattoria Angelino. Not only is it the perfect spot to people-watch in Piazza Margana while sipping on an Aperol spritz, but it’s also a historic Roman institution founded in 1658. Order my favorite Roman pasta here, the creamy cacio e pepe.
The Best Panoramic Views of Rome
Rome is built on seven hills which lend themselves to fantastic vantage points over the ancient city. Marcello takes Emily to Janiculum Hill for a panoramic view of Rome and to witness the age-old tradition of firing a Roman cannon daily at noon. My favorite viewpoint is Giardino degli Aranci on the Aventine Hill, where you can take in views of the Tiber River and the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Where to Stay in Rome
Emily stayed at the iconic Hotel Eden, which has been one of the most luxurious accommodations in Rome since 1889. The rooftop restaurant, La Terrazza, boasts mesmerizing views of the Eternal City.
If she had gone for work, it’s more likely Emily would have stayed in EUR, a burgeoning fashion district. Nearby is the new Hilton Rome Eur La Lama which is a great option for spacious guest rooms in a quiet neighborhood only a 20-minute subway ride to the Colosseum.
As Emily noted, you turn a corner and there’s a 2,000-year-old marble statue. Just walking around Rome is a delight in and of itself with many Roman columns to marvel at. Embrace your inner Emily and partake in some over-the-top experiences such as taking gladiator training at Rome Cavalieri. Go ahead and go wild with the corny Instagram captions – you’ll be “PINEing for Italy” just like Emily.
Lola Méndez is an Uruguayan American freelance journalist. For the past seven years, she has written about travel, culture, sustainability, wellness, and more for publications such as The Washington Post, CNN, USA Today, the BBC, Nat Geo, Vogue, and more.
