Inspection trip Rome: unique open-air museum and culinary delight
Last but not least in 2021! After all the wonderful (inspection) trips that we were able to make again with or for our clients, after Ibiza, Monte Carlo, Lugano & Turin, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Andalusia and Dubai this year Rome is also on the cards to be visited. And that is certainly no hardship! Will you also travel digitally with me – Anita van Maanen (Managing Director) – to this fascinating Italian destination?
An open-air museum to drift away in…
Even though I’ve been to Rome about 20 times in my life by now, this city never gets boring! I still remember arriving in Rome for the first time about 30 years ago and feeling like I was in an open-air museum. Not a single thing has changed about that! This city is so special and only gets even more so the older you get. You appreciate the city more and more and keep looking at it with different eyes. You can imagine more and more what it must have been like to have lived as a Roman… dream, dream, dream. Anyway, we didn't come here to dream! Back to earth and off to our suppliers and hopefully a few more great new contacts.
Where to stay in Rome…
Since the visit was planned between Christmas and New Year, my husband and two sons came along too. So, besides spending a few hours a day with our suppliers, we also had time to (re)discover the city.
We stayed in this time The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel, Autograph Collection with a lovely rooftop that ranks among Rome’s top 10 rooftops. A fantastic hotel right in the heart of the historic centre, about a 2-minute walk from the Pantheon. With the Vatican on one side of the city and the Colosseum on the other, these highlights are within about a 20-minute walk. The Colosseum takes its current name from the statue of ‘Nero’s Colossus’, standing over 35 metres tall, which stood next to the amphitheatre – and not, as is often claimed, from the colossal dimensions of the building itself. The Pantheon is an ideal choice for our groups who have a five-star hotel on their wish list.
Another fantastic hotel is the five-star Grand Hotel Minerve. Incidentally, there are also numerous lovely hotels for groups right in the centre (or just outside it) within the four-star category. A wonderful group trip can be put together for every budget.
Lovely restaurant recommendations with a wonderful atmosphere
We visited many suppliers and ate and drank like emperors. Everything in Rome tastes divine; of course there are also the well-known tourist traps, but we naturally avoid those.
This time we had a meal at Clotilde restaurant, which has a wonderful atmosphere and delizioso Dining: at Clemente alla Maddalena, which specialises in authentic Roman cuisine, and at Maxela, which mainly serves meat dishes (located next to Clemente).
Piazza Navona is home to countless restaurants; many aren’t particularly highly rated, but it’s a square where you really do want to at least have a drink or a light bite to eat. If you fancy settling down there, head to the Ai Tre Tartufi restaurant. This restaurant has been around since 1896 and today, identical twins serve on the terrace, creating a real party atmosphere. The food is excellent and the view is stunning. So there we were on our last day, enjoying our final lunch of the trip… with temperatures of 17 degrees under a clear blue sky! What more could you want?!
We also had a brilliant lunch in our favourite neighbourhood, Trastevere – this time at Restaurant Vanda (a small, intimate restaurant), which can accommodate groups of up to 30 people, but is such a lovely place with delicious food. What’s more, they have 600 different wines, some of which are on display in the restaurant. For larger groups, we love to go to Tonnarello.
Charming little streets and lively Roman neighbourhoods
In the Trastevere district you can wander endlessly through the narrow streets, enjoy the beautiful houses and the lively atmosphere. A visit here makes a trip to Rome complete and is definitely a must, also for our groups!
If you have any time to spare, do make sure to visit the Monti and Testaccio neighbourhoods. These are two authentic neighbourhoods, just outside the historic centre, where real Roman life unfolds. Art lovers, foodies and fans of trendy, vintage and designer boutiques are guaranteed to have a great time here. Our groups always come away from here absolutely thrilled, precisely because we know the most unique spots, the best restaurants, the coolest rooftop bars and the most enjoyable activities.
Make your trip to Rome even more special!
Naturally, you want your group or incentive trip to Rome to make the biggest possible impression on the participants. With our Stretch-method We ensure that we start informing, enthusing, or activating your employees or clients at an early stage. This could involve announcing the trip in a fun way, or stimulating sales targets through the goMICE activation app or connecting the target audience on the way to this unforgettable LIVE moment.
Are you also interested in a unique Italian experience in Rome with your colleagues or business associates? From a culinary trip or a spectacular incentive trip to an inspirational trip or a cultural tour. If so, please Contact Join us. We’d be delighted to work with you to explore the endless possibilities!
Hello!