The Perfect Spring Morning in Rome

Petals, Pastries & the Promise of Spring

There’s a particular kind of light in Rome come spring-soft, golden, and just warm enough to tempt you outside without a jacket. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, bees hum lazily along the pavements, and the scent of honeysuckle drifts through the streets. Mornings stretch out a little longer, and cafés begin to spill back onto the footpaths.

We began our morning in our neighbourhood Prati, with no fixed plan-just good coffee, a few exhibitions we’d been meaning to visit, and the promise of lunch somewhere that felt familiar.

9:00am – Coffee & Cornetti at Le Carré Français, Prati

We began our day in Piazza Cavour, wandering toward one of my favourite bakeries this side of the Tiber-Le Carré Français. It’s a tiny taste of Paris tucked into the Roman rhythm. I ordered my usual: a pistacchio cornetto, buttery and filled with just the right amount of cream, alongside a smooth espresso at the bar.

They also offer petite cheese and charcuterie grazing plates-perfect if you’re thinking of packing a picnic for nearby Castel Sant’Angelo or a lazy afternoon in Villa Borghese.

10:00am – Flower Exhibition at Chiostro del Bramante

From Prati, we crossed the river and made our way to the Chiostro del Bramante, one of my favourite spaces in Rome - quiet, tucked away, and always curating exhibitions that surprise me. It’s a haven tucked away in the centre of Rome, and a fantastic way to spend a morning!

Their current exhibit on until September, “Flowers. Fiori nell’Arte,” is a breathtaking ode to nature, beauty, and symbolism across centuries of art. The light in the cloister filters in so softly, and walking through rooms filled with floral still lifes and modern interpretations is both inspiring and grounding. Highly recommend booking in advance if you’re visiting on a weekend, otherwise, it was really quiet just before lunchtime.

👉 More info on the exhibition here

12:00pm - A Slow Lunch at Da Francesco, Piazza del Fico

By midday, hunger had set in, so we headed a few cobbled streets over to Da Francesco, a classic Roman trattoria that’s somehow always buzzing yet still feels like home.

We shared a caprese salad with plump tomatoes and creamy mozzarella, a plate of truffle polpette (meatballs) that made me pause mid-conversation to just take it all in, and finally, crispy, golden baccalà (salted cod) fried to perfection with a side of puntarelle.

It’s the kind of lunch that reminds you why people travel across the world to eat in Rome-simple, soulful and served with a smile.

It was one of those mornings where Rome gently guided us—through quiet streets, the scent of espresso in the air, and moments that asked us to pause and simply be. The kind of day that unfolds effortlessly, shaped by the season and steeped in small pleasures.

If you find joy in mornings like this, where a warm cornetto leads to hidden exhibitions, and lunch lingers well into the afternoon, then you’ll understand the heart of what we’re creating. Our retreats are built around these kinds of days: unrushed, full of flavour, and in tune with the beauty of Italian life.

✨ Every year we run Spring retreats to Umbria and Tuscanny that start and finish in Rome.
🌸 The Spring Table: Tuscany & Umbria
📅 22–28 May 2027 - 🌸Spring Table Retreat
Private Room ($6,900 AUD// $4,600 USD) all inclusive.
Twin Share($6,000 AUD// $4,000 USD) all inclusive.