Name? Marko Morciano

Occupation? Freelance Digital Artist (influencer, photographer, blogger, graphic designer)

Place you live? Rome, Italy

How long have you lived there? I have lived in Rome 5 years.

Can you sum up Rome? Rome is a historic city, full of wonders, culture and beauty.

From the first moment I first visited six years ago, both the warmth of the city and the locals welcomed me and made me feel right at home. I will never forget that first visit, especially seeing the majestic Colosseum with my own eyes. I came from a much smaller reality and that sight overwhelmed me in a positive way.

Because of that experience, I decided after a few months to move and continue my studies here. It is obviously different when you live in a city than when you visit as a tourist, but even though I have lived here five years now, I have never lost my desire to discover and explore Rome. There is just so much to see and do here. Read on below to find some of my favorite things to see and do.

What do you love about Rome? I love Rome because it is so full of history. Every day it reminds us of our origins, where we come from and who we are.

What is a perfect day in Rome? A perfect day in Rome begins at dawn with a bike ride out into the city streets to see Rome at first light, without the hustle and bustle of daily life. It is a deeply emotional experience to see the most crowded tourist attractions in the quiet, completely empty and bathed in the warm glow of early morning sunlight. In a short time and without a great deal of effort, you can travel by bike to the Colosseum, Imperial Forums, Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Ara Pacis, Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, Castel Sant’Angelo, and Borgo Pio.

I love to roam around Rome discovering new places to photograph. A favorite for morning photographs, and just for a visit, is Aventine Hill. The Aventine Keyhole is a secret keyhole on a nondescript-looking door that frames the dome of St. Peter’s right in the center.

In the evening, one of my favorite things to do is eat Roman Focaccia with fresh mortadella from one of many vendors in the plaza of Campo de ‘Fiori (all the vendors are great), followed by a visit to the Tiber River to enjoy the sunset.

What are the people like in Rome? People in Rome are friendly and funny. The Roman language is warm and makes you feel good–like you are at home.

If Rome was a person or character who would it be? Rome is like Madonna, full of experience, but always young.

Tell us about your experience at the hotel: I travel a lot for work, so the reception experience and quality of a hotel are very important to me. At Aleph Rome Hotel, the team and service were among the best I have experienced. From my arrival, I was greeted with the sort of welcome I’ve come to expect in Rome.

I was impressed by the hotel’s speedy service too. My new towels arrived only one minute after requesting them! Plus, rooms are accessible with a quick touch of the card and the TV/entertainment options offering Netflix and YouTube, which is a nice bonus thanks to the recent renovation of this historic space.

With respect to design, I fell in love with the huge glass shower in the bathroom. The room also had a private, comfortable terrace with a rocking armchair and sofas where you could take in the view or even work thanks to a great internet connection.

On top of the room’s views, the private, rooftop terrace offers a charming view over the city skyline. While the terrace’s pool and bar are wonderful anytime, the view is especially breathtaking at sunset when paired with one of the Sky Blu Pool Terrace’s carefully crafted cocktails. Thanks to the sensational talents of the chef, I enjoyed one of the best dinners I’ve ever had at the Rooftop Restaurant Sky Blu, but I could also never forget the hotel’s Cognac Lounge and its offerings of sophisticated cocktails and cigars.

What did you love about Aleph Rome Hotel?  I loved the hotel’s quiet atmosphere despite being so centrally located in the city, stunning design and perfect location the most. Everything about Aleph Rome Hotel has an authentic, high-quality yet personal feel that brings to life the best of both old and new Rome.

If a friend was visiting Rome for a day what would you suggest they do? Start your day by ordering room service and savoring breakfast in bed at Aleph Rome Hotel.

Take a morning walk to the beautiful Piazza Barberini where you can take in the famous Triton Fountain sculpted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini as it is illuminated by the morning light. Then stroll down Via Veneto, one of the most elegant and expensive streets in all of Italy. Then walk over to the very famous, and beautiful (even for the locals), Trevi Fountain.

Visit the Campo De’ Fiori market (open 8 am – 1:30 pm daily) and sample all the amazing olive oils and balsamic vinegar.

Grab lunch at That’s Amore, a typical Roma tavern, located in Via in Arcione 115 (just a few steps from Trevi Fountain). Try the gnocchi! I’d also recommend exploring Via del Corso, Rome’s main shopping street, Piazza Venezia, the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps and/or Trinità dei Monti (all within 30 minutes of walking distance from Aleph Rome Hotel).

It is tough to pick a bad spot for dinner, but taking a step away from classic Italian fare, I believe sushi lovers will enjoy Ginza Gold in Via Barberini 53/57, which is very, very close to the hotel. For more typical Italian food like Carbonara and Matriciana, I recommend Clotilde situated in Piazza Cardelli 5a, which is a special gem tucked between Ara Pacis and the Pantheon—two standard “must” visit places in Rome.

By this point, you will likely be exhausted, so I would recommend heading back to the hotel to grab a nightcap at the Sky Blu Pool Terrace so you can take in the city views one last time from high above before you turn in for bed.