Rome

There was a time when overseas international matches were a major part of our lives as we moved up to 1,200 on a weekend. We changed our business model which meant that it was some time since I had been to an overseas game. As some rugby friends were going to Rome, a rugby city I had not watched a game in, I acceped their invitation with considerable glee, especially as it gave us the opportunity to check on a number of different aspects of our business which we were trialling, for example, dynamic packaging with local 'meet and greets'.

Before departing, I contacted my close colleague, Ted Wake, Sales Director of Kirker Holidays, for his Roman restaurant list. Kirker offer this excellent service for every major destination they send travellers to.

Upon arrival at Rome Airport, you are transported by an underground train to the central area. One hour later were were in the exclusive residential district of Parioli, checking into the very good 4* Boscolo Borromini Hotel.. The polite reception staff suggested we ate lunch locally rather than in the vicinity of the Stadio Flaminio where the game was to be played.

The Taverna Rossini was excellent ~ we all enjoyed a Squid Carpaccio with a mixed salad to start. Various main courses were sampled by our party and all were thoroughly enjoyed! The maitre d' recognised the non-Italian accents and when he realised we were going to the game, we were introduced to her father, who played for Rugby Roma, and we viewed his rugby gallery. Such warm people, great food, and only 40 euros each for lunch.

We decided to eat in one of the restaurants on Kirker's list ~ Sabatini a Pizza Maria, in Trastevere. Anyone who loves Italy, its people and the way of life has to visit historical Trastevere! It is permanently effervescent with great bars, trattorias, ristorantes, markets and entertainers.

Sabatini is run by two brothers and as soon as you arrive, you will notice they are totally involved in the running of the place. We went upstairs to a beautifull high-ceilinged dining room. The service was excellent, no only in that it was very efficient, but they were also very helpful with dining suggestions and recommendations. One suggestion we took was a particularly delicious antipasto of fried artichoke tops. For the main courses we selected baby lamb, saltimbocca, veal pizzaiola and spaghetti vongole. We asked for the wine lists and were presented with two books ~ one white, and the other red ~ like two very large bibles.

The lovely thing about eating in a quality restaurant is that the wine is always extremely nice, no matter how much you pay for it. The red wine we chose was 18 euros a bottle and very much better than a similar priced wine in the UK. The Tiramisu was the best I have ever eaten! Including coffees and water, the cost was 65 euros per head.

TAXIS ~ These should always be booked, especially on a Saturday night as there are very few at the taxi stands and becomes a rugby scrum every time the odd one arrives. Restaurants will always get one for you.

SIGHTSEEING ~ At the Stazione di Termini (central station), there are a number of different companies who offer you the facility to get on and off their open top buses as they drive around Rome's incredible sights. The cost varies between 12 and 15 euros a head, and with headsets for commentary, they are very well worth the money.

We got off at Piazza del Popolo and went up the Spanish Steps and then into the Il Valentino Ristorante Roof Garden, which is on top of a superb boutique hotel called the Hotel Valadier with just 60 rooms. It is where design meets technology ~ another restaurant on the first floor and a brilliant piano bar on the ground floor. It is a small restaurant and would need to be booked during the busy season as it probably only has about 20 covers. The lift has a glass back and you can see the frescoes as it ascends. They also have another place well worth a visit, called Il Brillo Parlante, which is a wine bar, ristorante and pizzeria on the same street.

The staff were fantastic, recommending dishes and efficient with the service. We had a superb Verdicchio for only 24 euros, a Bonarda for 18 euros, with a wonderful little sparkle in it which cleared the palate for an outstanding Nebbiolo Prunotto (unbelievable value at 28 euros!). We had pasta, ristotto, potato tart with squid and olives followed by veal, pasta and beef. The desserts were simply glorious.

We had a further surprise when the bill arrived ~ as we were Kirker clients, we had a 15% discount. The lunch, including five bottles of wine, water and coffee was only 60 euros a head, which is fabulous value for money.

WEATHER ~ Beautifully crisp, clear blue skies, even in February, with an ideal temperature of 12 degrees C.

We had quite a superb weekend and all vowed to return to Rome as quickly as we could. The people were brilliant, and even the taxi drivers spoke English, which denied me the opportunity to speak the language I had learnt from Carla di Verona, who lives in Twickenham!

Edwin and Rosie enjoyed their time in Rome during the Six Nations Rugby Tournament in February 2006.