Nowhere awakens the soul quite like Italy. As travel writer Charlotte McManus – who has penned her global adventures for Wallpaper*, SPHERE, and The Independent – discovers through Rome, Florence, and Palermo.
When it comes to embarking on a quest of self-discovery, few experiences broaden one’s horizons more than that of travel. Rather than simply ‘getting away from it all’, a well-chosen, thoughtfully inhabited trip can elevate the enjoyable to the meaningful. Where the lasting impressions forged by new encounters and places do wonders for personal growth. If done right, you’ll leave feeling inspired, fulfilled, and all the richer for the experience.
Of course, the catalyst for self-reflection is highly personal, so choosing the perfect destination requires some thought. You might be drawn to a place rich in history or one with a beautiful setting. It may be somewhere peaceful, where you can find some much-needed stillness. Whatever it is that speaks to your emotions and fires your imagination, aim to reconnect with yourself while opening your eyes to the world around you.
Rome: A classical capital with age-old allure
If enriching your mind is on the agenda, where better than the Eternal City? An atmospheric metropolis shaped by ancient ruins and age-old treasures, Rome’s colourful history never fails to enchant. Choose Hotel de Russie as your base and leave your phone behind when venturing out – by keeping distractions to a minimum, you can engage with the city’s centuries of history, philosophy and architecture more profoundly. Instead, perhaps take a camera and reframe the way memories are captured - for photo albums, not online fodder.
While the Vatican and Colosseum may hold a certain allure - best experienced in the capable hands of a private historian guide, their scholarly knowledge expanding your grey matter - Rome’s stories run far deeper than its headline sights. Beyond the usual tourist paths lies a more secret heroism. We all know the tragic bravery of the gladiators, those cinematically revered champions of the Colosseum, but few have heard of the gladiatrices – Rome’s forgotten female warriors. Their legacy lives on, quietly, across the city. Behind the monumental stone pillars of the Museo della Civiltà Romana, discover one of the only known visual depictions of these bold fighters: a replica of a marble relief from Halicarnassus, showing Amazona and Achillia poised for battle. Close by, take a stroll through the Giardino degli Aranci. Armed with an aperitivo and a copy of Virgil's poetry, newly purchased from literary coffee haunt Caffè Letterario, take a perch alongside locals on the garden’s well-placed wall and drink in restorative sunset views. When in Rome…
A favourite way to explore a culture is through its food, broadening palates as well as minds. And in Rome, Testaccio is where the locals go, no doubt due to its 2,000-year-old role as the ‘kitchen’ of the ancient capital. Here, the bustle of Mercato di Testaccio is best explored hungrily, perusing its stalls of exceedingly fresh mozzarella and pecorino, or colourful stacks of fresh fruit and vegetables. Swap anecdotes with the nonnas who’ve frequented the market for much of its 80-year history and wonder how you’ll ever shop anywhere else again. A walk along the Tiber is concluded at Panna & Co, a natural gelateria with homemade flavours such as ‘Plum from my own garden’ - deliciously charming. Complete your tour, cone in hand, with the al fresco ‘gallery’ that is Via delle Conce, smothered with incredible street art, including the mural ‘Hunting Pollution’ with paint that absorbs smog.
Florence: A romantic haven of artistic heritage
A feast for the senses – and a tonic for the soul – the beautiful city of Florence has beguiled artists, poets, writers and thinkers for centuries. Awash with art galleries and museums, and dotted with architectural marvels, there is much to discover for those wishing to rekindle their creative side.
Veer away from the hordes surrounding well-trodden landmarks to seek out lesser-known Florentine gems. Swap Michelangelo’s David for the charcoal sketches decorating the walls of a tiny secret room in the magnificent Cappelle Medicee, where the artist was once forced into hiding after an argument with the Pope no less. Undiscovered for 500 years, these remarkable doodles offer a poignant reminder of the enduring power of art in the face of adversity.
From there, make your way to Biblioteca Marucelliana, a splendid 18th-century Baroque library housing countless rare tomes, or the Palazzo Vecchio, to admire the collection of hand-painted Renaissance maps lining the Sala delle Carte Geografiche. Those with artistic aspirations can join a workshop at The Florence Academy of Art, where figure drawing and oil painting are taught in the manner of the old masters.
Make time for a stroll through the neighbourhood of Oltrarno. The historic home of many a traditional artisan workshop, this is the place to support the next generation of Florentine makers, who craft everything from marbled paper - perfect for travel diary musings - and intricate mosaics to butter-soft leather. Toast your new handmade finds with a glass of Chianti from one of Oltrano’s centuries-old wine windows or cross Ponte Santa Trinita on your way back to Hotel Savoy for a nightcap at Bar Artemisia.
Palermo: An oceanfront escape for scenic seclusion
A vivacious city with a spectrum of architectural influences, where ornate facades and crumbling backstreets jostle with thrumming street markets and intricate cloisters, Palermo is a tempting choice for culture aficionados. And yet, its streets also give way to shores bathed in golden Sicilian sunshine, making it a spectacular idyll for travellers in search of quiet contemplation.
After a leisurely morning sipping a cappuccino on the terrace at Villa Igiea, accompanied by meditative vistas over the Gulf of Palermo, it’s time to explore. The island’s natural beauty offers a spectacular backdrop for deep introspection. Head inland on an intrepid hike through the rolling hills of Madonie Regional Natural Park, where wild boar roam and the occasional eagle dots the skyline. Alternatively, like generations of Sicilians before you, choose to chart a rather different path – hop aboard your vessel of choice and travel across the azure waves of the Tyrrhenian Sea to Cala Marinella in the Zingaro Reserve. A remote haven cradled in jagged rocks and tropical foliage, it’s the perfect place to slow down and rebalance with barely another traveller in sight, except perhaps for a well-informed local or two.
Of course, Palermo has much to offer in the way of manmade beauty, too. Follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims to Santuario di Santa Rosalia, hidden in a cave high on Monte Pellegrino. Named for Palermo’s patron saint, this lofty 17th-century shrine entices wanderers in search of spirituality amidst nature. Come evening, take in an opera at Teatro Massimo – the upcoming season includes La Bohème and Dido and Aeneas – and let your emotions soar with the ageless beauty of a haunting aria.
Meaningful travel starts with an unforgettable stay at one of our hotels, Hotel de Russie, Hotel Savoy and Villa Igiea, offering a refuge of reflection after a day of self-discovery.
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