Enjoy all the carbs in

ROME

There’s more to the Italian capital than ruins and melty gelatti – although they have merit too!

THE PLACE TO STAY Villa Spalletti Trivelli, now a boutique hotel, was formerly the home of the aristocratic Spalletti family. The 14-room villa oozes opulence, with antiques, prints and fabrics from the family’s personal collection. There’s also a roof-top bar and terrace (hello, Jacuzzi with ALL the views), a holistic wellness centre and a complimentary minibar in every room.

THE VIBE Rome’s most famous attractions, the Trevi Fountain and Colosseum are just minutes away or lose yourself in the arty local neighbourhood of Monti, with its pretty piazzas, cool cafés and hip independent stores. This is relaxed luxe for culture hounds.

EAT In Villa Spalletti’s Sala de Papier Peint restaurant (about £ 55pp), tuck into fresh pasta with amatriciana sauce and don’t forget to sample the buffalo mozzarella (made on the day). Then wash it all down with a glass (or two) of award-winning organic wine from Pomario, the Villa’s vineyard in Perugia, where you can book a day of wine-tasting followed by a delicious four-course lunch (£ 290pp). Beyond the hotel’s walls, try La Taverna dei Fori Imperali ( latavernadeifori imperiali.com; £ 45pp), which does classic Italian with a twist and is a favourite with locals. Or for fine dining, visit Mater Matuta ( matermatuta.eu, tasting menus from £ 30pp), where the roast octopus is a dream.

PACKK Loose wide-legged trousers, trainers, white tee and sunnies for the day, and block heels to navigate those cobbled streets at night.

LOWDOWN Rooms at Villa Spalletti Trivelli ( villaspalletti.it) cost from £ 400 per night, with breakfast. Monarch ( monarch.co.uk) flflies to Rome from Birmingham and London Luton airports, from £ 81 return.