The beautiful Italian city break with retro car rides and rooftop bars – and you can fly on British Airways’ new plane

WHY SHOULD I GO? Pizza, Aperol spritz and ancient architecture that doesn’t look out of place in the modern day. Need I say more?

Italy’s prosperous capital somehow manages to mix culture, chaos and creativity in an elegant way.

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I added to that elegance by flying in British Airways’ new short-haul leather seats, which have been installed on its latest A320neo and A321neo aircraft (more on that below).

STREETS MADE FOR WALKING? If Rome in 24 hours is your goal, then you may want to choose a faster mode of transportation than walking.

A guided tour in candy colors Fiat The 1950s 500 looks downright Italian, especially with our guide Fernando at the wheel.

He weaves through turns and passes between cars as if we were in a Ferrari, chatting to us in his own language (“spaghetti English”) while gesturing to famous landmarks – eyes on the road, please, Fernando.

Stops include the Colosseum, the Aventine lock and Monte Gianicolo, where you’ll get the best views of the city.

There’s time to get out of the car to take a photo near each red traffic light, insists the brave Fernando amid honking horns.

It was a lot of fun from start to finish.

Passersby thought so too as they waved at our trail of vintage wheels and convertibles snaking down the cobblestone roads in a colorful convoy.

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST? Vatican City will take your breath away, but don’t let that be because of the multitudes of sardines.

Arrive at opening time of 8am and purchase a skip-the-line pass at thevaticantickets.com or headout. with. I promise, you will be grateful for it.

Marveling at Michelangelo’s religious masterpieces painted all over the walls and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in relative peace is something to be treasured for as long as the artworks have been here (early 1500s, to be precise).

If you time it right, you can catch the end of the Pope’s speech to the public in St. Peter’s Square.

The Audience with the Pope normally takes place every Wednesday, at 9am, in this same location.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT? For efficiency, I ate at the Intercontinental Ambasciatori Palace Hotel, where I was staying, right after checking in.

Located on the top floor and with floor-to-ceiling windows and double doors leading onto a terrace, Charlie’s feels so sophisticated.

Indulge in fussy Italian bites like burrata with tomato confit, mini caesar salad and stuffed pasta.

There are excellent pizzerias and eateries dotted around the city too, if you’re trying to keep lunch quick and costs low.

And I’m not talking Tesco style, these are monster-sized baps filled with layers of meat.

Try Zia Rosetta if you’re near the Coliseum, which serves sarnies stuffed with traditional fillings as well as more sophisticated ones, such as ricotta, pumpkin blossoms, sun-dried tomatoes and mint, topped with olives. oil.

The rolls come in three sizes and the current “aperitif” (OK, IT’S a meal!) offering offers the option of two mini sandwiches served with an alcoholic spritz for just €10.

For pizza “by the slice,” go to Bonci Pizzarium on the west end of Vatican City.

I WANT A DRINK. . . It’s good to keep things authentic.

As Italy It’s the home of prosecco, there are some excellent bottles in Rome.

Head straight to the sunny rooftop of the city center’s Edition Hotel in the late afternoon.

However, the best prosecco or another lovely spritz isn’t the only thing you’ll drink here.

get ready to in cash of terracotta buildings, sandwiched next each other and stretching for miles into the sunny horizon, painting a mosaic picture of this glorious city.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY? The Intercontinental Ambasciatori Palace Roma is very well positioned; 15 minutes walk from monuments such as the Trevi Fountain, but in a serene and peaceful location.

It is a historic site in its own right, built in 1900 before becoming the American Embassy Library in 1946.

Now, its large rooms feature original architecture and some offer balconies overlooking a tree-lined road.

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The best of the British on board BA

Are you sitting comfortably?

You’ll soon be flying with British Airways to short-haul destinations like Rome, Athens and Marrakech.

The airline’s brand-new A320neo and A321neo aircraft – eight will join its fleet this year – have been fitted with sophisticated leather seats and adjustable headrests, perfect for in-flight naps.

Best of all, the extra-large overhead compartments allow you to carry a regular cabin bag at no extra cost.

This revamp is part of a £7 billion transformation project and now Britain’s flagship airline is taking things back to its national roots.

All elements of the A321neo aircraft in which I traveled to Rome are British.

The leather is from Muirhead in Scotlandwith High Wycombe stitching.

The curtains and carpet are the only examples, coming from the capital of Ireland, Dublin.

However, it still looks typically BA with red and navy blue motifs that match the updated cabin crew uniforms introduced seven months ago.

For me, it’s the addition of USB-C power doors above the table at the back of each seat, this is very beneficial – a cool idea that came from the cabin crew.

With only one of these new aircraft currently flying, it will be a matter of luck as to whether you get on board.

But change is coming.

And it’s coming fast.