La Dolce Vita
With Naps
Spaghetti, Sistine ceilings, and a baby who found love in the Vatican.
Rome was pure magic. Golden light on cobbled streets, crisp air with blue skies, endless pasta, and slow mornings spent in bed as a family. We travelled with West, and because he wasn’t quite walking yet, it all felt beautifully calm. Slower. Softer. Less hectic, more joy.
Each day began with hugs in bed, sunlight spilling through the curtains, and nowhere urgent to be. That was the real luxury—time together, with purpose but no pressure.
Where We Stayed
We stayed in a gorgeous hotel with the dream layout for a young family—a separate living room where hubby and I could relax while West napped in peace, and a private terrace with a hot tub for evening glamour. Robes, wine, and that smug feeling you get when you’ve done things exactly right.
Where We Ate
Rome is a city that rewards the wanderer—there’s no need to over-plan. Every corner seemed to reveal another perfect little trattoria: authentic, welcoming, full of charm, and serving wine the way it’s meant to be poured—generously.
Al Gran Sasso was my favourite—warm, unpretentious, and home to a pasta dish I still think about at least twice a week. West discovered spaghetti bolognese and immediately became a different child—more animated, more Italian, more messy.
What We Saw
We visited the greats: the Colosseum, where West’s eyes went wide at the sheer scale of it, and the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s ceiling truly takes your breath away. It’s the kind of beauty that makes you stand still—even with a baby in tow.
And as always, we chose the VIP skip-the-line tickets—because luxury isn’t lining up. There is absolutely no need to wait in the sun (or the cold) with a baby when you can glide in, unbothered and chic, like a Roman empress with a pram.
West’s First Love
After leaving the chapel, we wandered into the Vatican Gardens—soft light, olive trees, and that serene hush that only Rome seems to manage. It was there, in the most romantic place on earth, that West found love.
He locked eyes with a little girl across the path. She smiled. He smiled wider. He stared, giggled, and blushed like something out of a Fellini film. We watched, quietly losing it.
His first crush—in the Vatican. You can’t make it up.
Roman Style, Baby Edition
Rome calls for tailored neutrals, oversized sunglasses, buttery leather, and elegant flats that can handle cobblestones with grace. I packed deliberately—elegant layers, a great coat, and pieces that went from basilica to bolognese without missing a beat.
West wore a divine little knit set that made every Italian nonna stop us in the street.
Rome wasn’t about ticking boxes—it was about savouring. Moving slowly. Eating beautifully. Dressing well and living well.
Having a baby doesn’t take the romance out of a trip—it just gives it new depth.
The Luxury Mummy xo
