Custom Italian Travel Planning for Unforgettable Moments

Ciao!

 

If you've wandered through Rome, you've undoubtedly spotted the four letters SPQR everywhere, stamped on everything from ancient monuments to modern manhole covers. But what exactly does this ubiquitous acronym mean? 

 

Senatus Populusque Romanus – "The Senate and People of Rome."  Pronounced seh-NAH-toos POH-poo-loos-kway roh-MAH-noos, though you'll impress locals just by knowing what the letters stand for!

 

Originally, SPQR represented the dual sovereignty shared between Rome's Senate and its citizens during the Republic (509-27 BCE). While emperors later claimed most of the real power, the symbol persisted – a nod to the fiction that Rome was still governed by democratic principles. Today, it serves as the official emblem of the modern city of Rome, a thread connecting present-day Romans to their ancient roots.

 

So the next time you're in Rome, take a moment to spot those four letters on buildings, fountains, and even trash cans. Each sighting becomes a little treasure hunt that reveals how deeply history is woven into daily Roman life (and makes an excellent game to keep kids engaged). It's a reminder that you're walking through a living museum where history isn't locked away behind glass but continues to evolve right before your eyes. 

 

And while we're thinking about Rome, I hope you wished the eternal city a Happy Birthday on Monday, April 21.  Rome turned 2,778!  According to legend, Romulus founded the Eternal City on that day in 753 BCE.  So whether you celebrated with a glass of wine or a slice of pizza – Buon Compleanno Roma! (Happy Birthday Rome!)

 

P.S.  I also can't talk about Rome this week without mentioning the passing of the Pope.  Rome will be in the news frequently over the next several days and weeks with the funeral on Saturday and the subsequent conclave to select Pope Francis' successor.  

 

My husband and I will be in Rome in early May, potentially overlapping with the conclave depending on when it commences and how many rounds of voting there are.  The possibility of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness history unfolding in my favorite city in the world is truly indescribable.

Want to start planning YOUR next Italian vacation?

🛞 A cuter car than the Fiat 500 doesn't exist… enter Microlino, “hold my beer”.

 

💞 What Mom really wants for Mother's Day.  I can help, and it's not flowers.

 

🛜 If you ask me, every flight should offer this for free.

 

🍂 Shoulder season is the new summer, and the data supports it.

If you're heading to Europe this summer – anywhere, not just Italy – you're going to want all the cooling off gadgets. This discreet (maybe even a little cute?) handheld fan really does do the trick. My kids each had one last year during our trip in August, and they worked great! 

 

If you hold it too close to a family member's head, their hair will only get slightly tangled in the blades – nothing you can't just easily rip out while hissing through your teeth a big fat “I TOLD YOU THAT WOULD HAPPEN!”  If you listen to your mother though, you'll be incident free.😏

 

Anyway, a small investment that might just save your sanity during those unexpectedly hot European days.

Looking for that perfect Venetian hotel that strikes the balance between location and charm? Violino d'Oro might just be your answer.

 

This recently renovated boutique property sits just steps from St. Mark's Square (seriously, it's a 3-minute walk) while somehow maintaining the peaceful atmosphere you'll crave after a day of battling the crowds.

 

Some rooms offer those quintessential canal views, and all of them give you that feeling of coming home to a chic palazzo that previously existed only in your Pinterest boards.

 

There's also a lovely rooftop terrace where you can sip your morning coffee or evening aperitivo while gazing over the city's terracotta rooftops.