Silver screen romance: visit the sites which inspired four famous films
Travel to Rome, Vienna, Hokkaido or Greece this Valentine’s Day
Rekindle the romance with your partner on Valentine’s Day by visiting cities made memorable on the silver screen. Relive the experience of your favourite characters in these classic romantic movies by going to the actual locations.
Roman Holiday (1953)
Where: Rome, Italy
“Rome. By all means, Rome”, was Princess Ann’s reply when asked of her favourite European city in the classic rom-com which helped Audrey Hepburn become a household name 65 years ago.
The movie tells the tale of an adventure-loving princess who decided to explore Rome incognito with American journalist Joe Bradley.
Start your city roaming the way Ann did – with a refreshing bob and gelato in hand – at the Spanish Steps, which connects the Piazza di Spagna with the Piazza Trinita dei Monti. At the foot of the 138-step staircase, there is the infamous Fontana della Barcaccia – literally “the fountain of the ugly boat”.
Legend has it that La Bocca della Verità, known as the “Mouth of Truth”, would snap the hand of any liar. At least, that what Joe told Ann when the pair took turns to slip their hand into the massive mask on the north side of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin.
When in Rome ... eat gelato. It’s hard to sift through all the gelaterias in the gelato empire, so we’ve done the hard work for you. There will be something for everyone in La Romana, which has been serving up this icy goodness since 1947, with over 70 flavours that blend traditional recipes with new ingredients. Gelateria Fatamorgana is the place to go to for those who are allergic to gluten and dairy products: apart from eccentric flavours ranging from chocolate with tobacco to olive and Italian Christmas cake, the parlour also offers dairy-free scoops and gluten-free cones.