First Stop: Rome – Pasta, Paintings & Pinch-Me Moments

We made it! After an overnight direct flight from Toronto Pearson with Air Canada, we officially landed in Rome and kicked off our Euro adventure. Honestly, for a long-haul flight, it went surprisingly smoothly, thank you, Air Canada! Once we cleared customs and collected our luggage, we met our private transfer and headed straight to our hotel to drop off our bags and freshen up.

We’re staying at the Divina Luxury Hotel, a chic boutique property tucked away in Rome’s modern business district. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm hospitality and a serene, stylish atmosphere—exactly what we needed after a long international flight. The space is elegant and contemporary, with thoughtful touches throughout, and our room? Sleek, sophisticated, and absolutely stunning. The kind of place that makes you instantly exhale and think, yes, this is where I’m meant to be.

As soon as we settled in, we set out to find our first official Italian meal, and oh boy, did we start strong. We had lunch at Il Fiammifero Restaurant, where we tried their signature Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe in Cialda. It’s a traditional Roman pasta tossed in pecorino and pepper and served in a crispy parmesan cheese bowl (yes, a bowl made of cheese, how could we say no?!). We paired it with a glass of their house red wine, which was simple and smooth, and it just hit the spot after the flight.

With full bellies and happy hearts, we made our way to one of the most iconic stops in Rome, The Sistine Chapel. It was breathtaking. No photos allowed inside (and honestly, even if you could, pictures wouldn’t do it justice). Standing there, neck craned to take in Michelangelo’s ceiling, was one of those “pinch me” moments.

The energy in Vatican City was incredible. There were so many young people visiting as part of the Youth Jubilee weekend, so the whole area had this buzz of excitement and celebration. It was an amazing experience to be there.

We wandered through the museum halls, taking in the art, admiring the architecture, and letting ourselves be immersed in it all. We probably spent a few hours exploring; there’s just so much to take in.

Before heading back to the hotel, we made one last (and very necessary) stop for pizza and tiramisu. Because when in Rome… you eat pizza and tiramisu every chance you get. The pizza was thin, crispy, and loaded with flavour, and the tiramisu was fluffy, rich, and the perfect sweet end to our first day.

It’s only Day 1 and we’re already falling in love with this city, its beauty, its people, the energy in the air… and of course, the food. Rome, we see you. And we are so ready for what’s next.