The drive from Tuscany to Rome was a dream.
Lush hills, winding roads, and fields of sunflowers, it was a gorgeous and relaxing cruise through the Italian countryside.
The trip was only three hours, so it went by quickly, and since we left early, we arrived in Rome in time for lunch.
“I found a B&B in Trastevere,” Damon said as he drove through the narrow streets. “I figured we could park the car there and use it as our starting point.”
Trastevere had a bohemian, artsy feel to it, with brightly colored buildings, plenty of street art, and tons of artisan shops and trattorias. I immediately fell in love with the fun and funky feel of the area.
We pulled into Buonanotte Garibaldi, and I was stuck by how romantic it was. I glanced over at Damon, who looked completely carefree and happy as he parked the rental and turned to see me staring at him.
“What?” he asked with an easy smile.
“How did you find this place?” I asked, taking in the outdoor entry to the B&B, which was overflowing with greenery and flowering trees. “It’s gorgeous.”
“Just did some digging online last night and when it popped up, I knew it was perfect,” he said, taking the overnight bag from my hand to carry along with his. “There are only three guestrooms, so I was lucky one was available, and each room has its own private balcony or patio. Plus, it’s only a fifteen-minute walk to the heart of the city.”
“Well, if the rooms are half as lovely as the exterior, you’re gonna have to drag me out kicking and screaming.”
We were checked into our room, the Rome Room, and taken there by our host, David. He said breakfast would be included and served on the rooftop terrace at our convenience in the morning, and that we were welcome to use anything in the common areas.
“This painting is beautiful,” I said as we entered a tastefully decorated room with a king-size bed, a small desk and armoire, and a door leading out to the patio. Painted silk hung over the bed.
“That is the work of our owner, Luisa,” David replied.
“Amazing,” Damon murmured, moving to give David a tip before he left us alone. Once he shut the door, he turned to me and said, “I hope I wasn’t being presumptuous.”
I glanced at the only bed in the room and felt a flurry of nerves before crossing to him and putting my arms around his waist.
“Not at all,” I assured him, tilting my head back to offer him my mouth.
He lowered his head with a grin and kissed me so thoroughly that it felt like a promise of what would come later.
“Want to check out the place and then head into the city?” he asked once he’d left me breathless.
“Sounds perfect.”
The bathroom had a nice big tub and was decorated in whites and blues. And when we walked out onto the patio, I imagined us having wine out there tonight and coffee in the morning. The common areas were warm and inviting, with a cozy sitting area, shelves overflowing with books, and a nice dining area with a sideboard set up with fresh fruit, wine, and everything you needed to make cocktails.
“Shall we?” Damon asked, gesturing toward the front door.
I felt a rush of excitement over getting out and seeing Rome, and I nodded enthusiastically as I took his hand in mine and pulled him toward the door.
“I was thinking for lunch we could stop at Tonnarello. It’s right here in Trastevere and is famous for its traditional cuisine.”
“Sounds good to me,” I replied happily as I tucked my arm into his. We walked down the narrow, cobblestone paths, commenting on the street art and rustic buildings as we passed.
When we got to Tonnarello, we opted for patio seating, which featured a man set up in the corner playing an acoustic guitar. I was immediately charmed, and my stomach growled as the tantalizing smells of the food hit my nose.
When our server approached, Damon once again asked what they would recommend.
“The Tonnarelli pasta is prepared fresh daily and is most famous with our Italian meatballs or in the Cacio e pepe. And to start, guests love the Jewish artichokes the best.”
“Oh, I’ll have the Cacio e pepe, and a glass of Montepulciano,” I said, handing him back the menu.
“And I’ll try the pasta with meatballs, with Montepulciano as well. Thank you,” Damon added.
The server quickly came back with our wine, and we settled back to enjoy the moment.