Kim Stepping into ancient streets, sunrise rituals, and soulful discovery.
There’s a certain magic in the air when you first arrive in Rome.
It’s not just the history — though it hums beneath every cobblestone — and it’s not just the architecture, grand and unapologetically timeless. It’s the feeling that something beautiful is about to begin. That the version of you who said “yes” to this trip is about to be met with wonder, connection, and unexpected joy.
For me and the beautiful group of women who joined this Seeds of Travel journey, Rome wasn’t just the first destination — it was our awakening.
Arriving in Rome – A Sense of Place
We landed and were instantly wrapped in that warm Roman glow — the kind that softens even the most tired eyes from long-haul flights. (Flying from Australia it’s around 23 hours) The energy here is ancient and alive all at once. You breathe in the same air that emperors and artists once did… and somehow, it invites you to slow down and remember who you are.
We stayed at Hotel Ponte Sisto, and what a welcome it was. Tucked into the heart of the city, it’s one of those rare places that feels like a secret oasis. Ivy tumbles down the walls, and the courtyard invites quiet cups of coffee and conversation under the morning sun. From here, everything was within reach — and yet, it also felt like we were wrapped in something peaceful.
Hotel Ponte Sisto — A Quiet Oasis in the Heart of Rome
📍 Location & Vibe
Nestled on Via dei Pettinari, 64, this romantic 4-star hotel occupies a converted Renaissance palazzo just steps from the Ponte Sisto bridge. It connects you to both the charming, ancient lanes of Regola and the lively, soulful streets of Trastevere across the Tiber hotelpontesisto.it
You’re also within 5 minutes of:
- The bustling Campo de’ Fiori market (sunrise blooms and local hustle)
- The artistic beauty of Piazza Navona, Pantheon, and Via Giulia
- Public transport on Largo Argentina, giving access to the wider city
This location is beloved by couples and dreamers alike: easily walkable to nearly all major landmarks (Vatican, Colosseum, fountains) and perfect for evening meanders into Trastevere’s warmth.
Why It Feels Special
Hidden yet Central: Tucked on a quieter lane, yet within effortless reach of everything — Rome unfolds from your doorstep.
Garden Sanctuary: A lush inner courtyard feels like a friend’s villa — perfect for heartfelt conversation, journaling, or simply pausing.
Authentic Roman Touch: Reviews consistently mention the warmth of staff and effortless assistance — from booking taxis to suggesting soulful meal spots .
Cultural Balance: Ideal for both restful retreat and vibrant city nights — especially with Trastevere just across the river providing a nightly dose of Roman joy
Rooftop with a View – Sip evening cocktails to the sight of domes, rooftops, and church spires as day unwinds
Personal & Warm Touches – Some Superior rooms offer private balconies, garden views, or even jacuzzis—small indulgences that feel deeply intimate
A Moment of Magic
Imagine this: it’s evening. You’ve returned from wandering grand piazzas. You step through the hotel doors into soft light, the scent of lemon blossoms right off the courtyard trees. You climb to the rooftop terrace. Over a gentle drink, the cityscape stretches golden before you—St. Peter’s dome, the sprawl of rooftops, the Tiber shimmering below. It feels like Rome has let you in on her secret.
Let’s Take a Walk…..
📍 Mindful Loop (Hotel Ponte Sisto → Spanish Steps → Trevi Fountain → Pantheon → Piazza Navona → Campo de’ Fiori → Ponte Sisto → Hotel)
1. Hotel Ponte Sisto → Spanish Steps
- Distance: ~ 2.1 km — 25 minutes on foot
- Why it’s magical early: Starting at dawn on the steps (135 marble risers built in 1725 ) offers cool air, soft light, and a rare moment of stillness.Pause & Prompt
Sit close by the steps (not on them), quietly breathing Rome’s awakening energy.
“What new beginning awaits in my life today?”
2. Spanish Steps → Trevi Fountain
- Distance: ~ 1 km — 15 minutes relaxed walk
- Magic moment: Arrive pre-7 AM to toss your coin with few others around—feel luminous water reflecting morning light.
“What intention do I cast that invites return and transformation?” (Ritual: coin over left shoulder )
3. Trevi Fountain → Pantheon
- Distance: ~ 650 m — 6 minutes through the heart of Rome
- Quiet beauty: Sit inside the dome; watch the sun beam through the oculus—feel connected to sky and sovereign self.“What source of inspiration am I allowing to fill me today?”
4. Pantheon → Piazza Navona
- Distance: ~ 500 m — 5 minutes wandering past Baroque art
- Pause & Prompt
Sit by Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi; note the murmur of water and laughter.
“What beauty and community are nourishing my soul?”
5. Piazza Navona → Campo de’ Fiori
- Distance: ~ 450 m — 5 minutes among early stalls
- Mindful moment: Breathe in the scent of fresh produce; engage with a vendor.
“What in my life is ripe for sharing or savouring today?”
6. Campo de’ Fiori → Ponte Sisto (Trastevere side)
- Distance: ~ 700 m — 10 minutes via charming lanes
- Pause & Prompt
Stand on Ponte Sisto, watch the Tiber flow beneath.
“What bridges am I building or crossing within my life?”
7. Ponte Sisto → Hotel Ponte Sisto
- Distance: ~ 100 m — 2 minutes back home
- Final reflection
Enjoy a cup of tea or Spritz in the courtyard or rooftop as golden light hits the stones.
“What stirred me today—and how does it colour the rest of my journey?”
Loop Summary
- Total distance: ~ 5.5 km
- Walking time: ~ 56 minutes (plus optional pauses; allow 2.5–3 hours total)
- Best start time: Around 6:00 AM → Spanish Steps by ~ 6:25, Trevi by ~ 7am
First Tastes & Wandering Wonder
On our first evening, we wandered through Trastevere, one of Rome’s most charming and soulful neighborhoods. The streets are narrow, alive with laughter, music, and the scent of fresh pasta. We found the amazing Osteria Der Belli tucked between glowing windows and fairy-lit courtyards — the kind of place where the locals still eat and the food tastes like home.
It was in these early moments — sipping wine, sharing stories with women I’d only just met — that I remembered why I created Seeds of Travel. For this. For connection. For presence. For the feeling of arriving somewhere new and knowing that you’re not alone.
📍Trevi Fountain: A Dawn Ritual
Dreamers from our Facebook group shared a precious note: visit Trevi at dawn or late at night for true magic. At 7 AM, we found a shimmering, silent fountain—as if the water itself were still sleeping. By 3 PM, it roared with crowds—but our early moment stayed sacred.
“We had the place nearly to ourselves and could get right up to the water for photos and that all‑important coin toss.” Apparently the tip is to throw 3 coins over the left shoulder to ensure your return to this stunning city.
Remember: Rome now enforces a 9 AM–9 PM queue rule for stepping close to the fountain—making early visits even more precious.
Journal Prompt:
“What ritual or intention am I tossing into my life, like a coin over the Trevi, inviting return and renewal?”
Wrapping Up Our First Roman Chapter
As the lamps along Via dei Pettinari flicker on and the gentle hush of evening settles over the ivy‑clad courtyard, Hotel Ponte Sisto feels less like a hotel and more like a secret sanctuary—a Renaissance palazzo reborn, complete with one of the prettiest patio gardens in the city. From here, every treasure we explored—the blooms of Campo de’ Fiori, the hushed Pantheon at dawn, the sun‑kissed Spanish Steps, and our first, silent encounter with the Trevi Fountain—was only a leisurely stroll away
We began this journey with slow walks, shared gelato, and sunrise rituals, letting Rome reveal herself softly. Yet, these opening moments are only the prologue. The Eternal City still has stories to tell—etched into marble arenas, whispered beneath basilica domes, and lingering in the aroma of sage‑butter ravioli.
Look Ahead: Rome – The Soul of the Eternal City
In the next installment, we’ll let history hold us:
- Key Places to See: the Colosseum, Vatican Museums & St Peter’s, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain—each explored with presence, the best times to visit, and a sprinkling of little‑known facts.
- Where to Eat: from family‑run trattorias to rooftop aperitivo bars where twilight paints the skyline.
- Experience Tip: Don’t rush—pause on a cool marble bench, feel the sun warm your shoulders, and listen to the city breathe.
- Journal Prompt: “Where in my life am I building my own foundation as strong as the Romans once did?”
Until then, may the murmur of the Tiber and the echo of cobblestones linger in your heart—an invitation to wander deeper when we meet again in Rome – The Soul of the Eternal City.
