The art-drenched city where you can sleep amongst the stars and fall in love
If you're a Londoner craving a romantic, art-drenched city break that's equal parts stylish and soul-stirring, allow me to introduce you to your next destination: Rome.
But not just any Rome, Rome with a home base as refined as it is inspiring: art'otel Rome Piazza Sallustio, a five-star boutique hotel where luxury meets creativity, and where every corridor whispers with cultural intention.
From the moment I stepped into the sleek lobby, just moments from Villa Borghese and Via Veneto, I knew this wasn't your standard five-star stay.
The entrance to the hotel (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The hotel is dripping with design, from the soft-lit art gallery showcasing a jaw-dropping collection by Signature Artist Pietro Ruffo, to the softly scented lounge areas that feel like a Milan Fashion Week afterparty, minus the chaos.
The seating area in reception (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Ruffo, whose collaborations include the likes of Dior and Valentino (and even the Vatican Library), lends his dreamy, constellation-inspired touch throughout the property including in the suite where I stayed, and where I may or may not have considered moving in permanently.
I stayed in one of the junior suites - a spacious, chic sanctuary with a private balcony and a bed big enough to stage a small play.
The junior suite (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The kind of space where the Dyson Airwrap and Roberts Radio casually sit on your dressing table, as if to say: yes, we thought of everything.
The bathroom was so glossy and marble-clad it felt like I was brushing my teeth inside a Botticelli painting.
The junior suite and bathroom (Image: Poppy Huggett)
After exploring our beautiful rooms of the trip, we were whisked away on a Vespa Side Cart Tour, and this was a fever dream.
A pink Vespa was naturally my vehicle of choice (as a certified girly-girl), and by sheer cosmic coincidence, it happened to belong to our tour guide himself.
The Vespa Side Cart Tour (Image: Poppy Huggett)
With a professional driver at the wheel and our helmets securely fastened, we cruised through cobbled side streets that suddenly opened up to breath taking views of iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, and Castel Sant'Angelo.
The Colosseum (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The sun was shining, the wind in my hair was very Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, and by the time we stopped for gelato and pastries with a splash of Aperol Spritz, I was wishing to the Roman gods that this could become my full-time lifestyle.
I had my 'Lizzie McGuire' moment (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Later, we found ourselves at one of the world's most talked-about locations - the Vatican City.
The gardens of the Vatican City (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Led by our guide Matteo, we wandered through centuries of religious history, learned about the papal conclave and even stood beneath Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.
I've never been an art enthusiast, but something about seeing the story painted across that ceiling moved me in a way I didn't expect.
My favourite artwork at the Vatican City (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Dinner that night was at Fiaschetteria Marin, an old-school Roman restaurant with wooden furniture and candlelit corners.
We shared plates of cured meats, vegetables, and my first (glorious) carbonara of the trip.
Fiaschetteria Marin sharing plates (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Breakfast at art'otel the next morning set the tone: Eggs Benedict, sugared doughnuts, fruit, and a cinnamon latte that could bring the dead back to life.
Breakfast at art'otel (Image: Poppy Huggett)
After a leisurely morning of wandering around the Spanish Steps and indulging in a little self-timed touristy glamour, it was time to get floury.
In the process of making my own Tiramisu (Image: Poppy Huggett)
We joined a cooking class with InRome Cooking near Piazza Navona, where I made tiramisu and two types of pasta from scratch under the guidance of a passionate chef.
InRome cooking class (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Prosecco flowed, aprons were donned, and by the end of it, I had somehow produced restaurant-worthy carbonara and an espresso-soaked dessert that my nonna would be super proud of.
My freshly made pasta dishes of the day (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Back at art'otel, we were later treated to a private art tour led by Pietro Ruffo himself.
He walked us through the collection, including installations inspired by constellations, maps of the modern world, and the poetic tension between nature and architecture.
Pietro Ruffo showing us his artwork in the lobby of art'otel (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Seeing the Cancer-themed penthouse and the moving video installation in the gallery added layers of meaning to our stay; this hotel isn't just a place to sleep; it's a place to feel.
Dinner was at the hotel's YEZI Restaurant & Bar, which serves refined Asian dishes with theatrical flair.
A mouth watering mix of ribs and chicken shawarma (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The duck spring rolls were standout, but the dessert - a misty, dry-ice-covered display of ice cream and creams - felt like floating through a Willy Wonka dream.
The immersive final dessert (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Paired with the perfect wine and warm, thoughtful service, it was my favourite meal of the entire trip.
Our final day was no wind-down as we were back in the streets early, snapping pictures of the Trevi Fountain (yes, I threw a coin and made a wish) and joining Francesca, our lively guide for a Roman Street Food Tour.
The Trevi Fountain is a go-to tourist spot (Image: Poppy Huggett)
We sampled meats at a local market, devoured slice(s) of crisp margherita pizza, and learned about the city's Jewish quarter and its wartime history.
The afternoon ended on a high: a gelato cone of cookies and cream, eaten in the sun.
We ended the trip with a classic Gelato (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Rome is a dream for art lovers, foodies, history buffs, and hopeless romantics.
But what makes this trip stand out is art'otel Rome Piazza Sallustio.
The Roman food tour (Image: Poppy Huggett)
It offers the elegance and design savvy that Londoners appreciate, while delivering warmth, authenticity, and unexpected joy in every detail.
Grab the Vespa helmet, leave the umbrella, and go find your la dolce vita in Rome this summer.
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Fox News
2 hours ago
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Heidi Klum sizzles poolside in bikini photo shoot as she celebrates her 52nd birthday
Heidi Klum is turning up the heat just in time for summer. The German-born supermodel slipped into several string bikinis and basked in the sun for a photo shoot, giving her 12.5 million Instagram followers a glimpse. The former Victoria's Secret model posed in a bold purple bikini with gold embellishments as she leaned on a glass balcony. Klum gave a fierce and sultry look as her blonde wavy curls were styled down. On Instagram, her caption said, "summer 2025," and she collaborated with the Italian fashion company, Calzedonia. In another bikini photo, Klum flaunted her fit physique in a light blue suit. She showed off her toned abs and posed in front of an infinity pool with a city skyline in the background. "I am ready for summer with my Calzedonia. Are you?" her social media caption said. In a video shared on Instagram, Klum put a variety of bikini-clad looks on display. She was all smiles and frolicked poolside as she posed in the water. Her last video frame was with her backside to the camera as she showed off her cheeky bikini. One of her summer looks was a maroon bikini with a gold hook in the middle. In addition to her bikini photo shoot, Klum highlighted her 52nd birthday with special moments on social media. "This is 52," she wrote as a caption earlier this week. In the carousel of videos and photos, a balloon was floating in the air that said "Happy Birthday Heidi." She also had a birthday cake with floral designs included in her birthday post. She posed with her husband, Tom Kaulitz, as he worked the grill for a gathering. A band also played at the event for her birthday festivities. In another video, dogs were playing in a yard with a large colorful balloon displayed in the background. Klum and her German guitarist husband Kaulitz tied the knot in 2019. The "America's Got Talent" judge has three children with ex-husband Seal and one daughter, Leni Klum, with her ex, Flavio Briatore. Seal and Klum first met when the model was two weeks pregnant with Leni. Seal adopted Leni when she was 5 years old.
