A Roman Dream
Ciao, travel lovers! It’s Sarah from Luxama Travel, and I just returned from the most glamorous, exciting, and chic trip to Rome, all thanks to the incredible itinerary organized by Netflix! From attending the highly-anticipated Emily in Paris Season 4, Part 2 premiere to exploring Rome’s iconic landmarks. Let me take you through the magical experience Netflix designed for me, as both a travel expert and fan of the show!
Day 1
The moment I arrived in Rome, I could feel the energy and excitement of what was going to be a whirlwind adventure. After arriving from the Amalfi coast, I checked into my amazing hotel, the stunning NH Vittorio Veneto.
The NH Vittorio Veneto is a modern 4-star hotel located in the heart of Rome, right on the famous Via Vittorio Veneto. This area is known for its historic charm, exclusive boutiques, and proximity to several of Rome’s top attractions. Before exploring the city, I had gifts to open! From the mini Fiats to the espresso cups, and even a little camera—I was over the moon! And the cards welcoming us to Rome? They were the cherry on top.
Once I had settled in, I got a cab around and took a stroll to Perlei. An absolutely stunning jewelry shop with ornate, bespoke pieces made by a local artist. It is literally a piece of art that you wear on your body. I chose this beautiful blueberry necklace. I know it clashes a bit with my cocktail dress, but this is Emily in Paris, everything clashes! It’s fashion.
That evening, clad in my cocktail dress and new blueberry necklace from Perlier, we went to Hotel de la Ville. The Hotel de la Ville offers a luxurious stay with an incredible location near the Spanish Steps. One of its crown jewels is the Cielo Sky Terrace, an elegant rooftop bar and terrace that provides breathtaking 360-degree views of Rome. As the sun set over the city, we sipped champagne and were awe-struck by the stunning views. We mingled with content creators from around the world, including Australia, India, Korea, and Brazil.
Cocktails were flowing, and we were all taking pictures and practicing our best red carpet-pose for tomorrow. And then, surprise! The cast members came out! We got to meet the whole gang, except for Alfie, as he was shooting at a different location. They were all so sweet and had such impressive Italian. Note to self: brush up on another language. What an amazing night!
Day 2
I wake up nice and early, and I still cannot believe I am here! The first adventure of the day was truly special—we got to choose our own Fiats for the day (Thank you Netflix!) and drive through the streets of Rome. There’s something magical about riding in a colorful, vintage Fiat 500 while weaving through narrow cobblestone streets. This was my first time visiting Rome as a tourist in a long while, so I fully embraced the experience! Bellissimo!
This moment holds even more meaning for me because Rome was the first European city I stepped into, where I studied abroad 10 years ago. It was in Rome that my passion for travel ignited, marking the beginning of the incredible journey that has led me to where I am today. So, to be part of an event like this, in such a special place, feels like everything has come full circle.
First stop, the iconic Colosseum, of course. We were welcomed by espressos, and I had my Lizzie McGuire moment! I thought “My 10-year-old self would be so proud of me right now. “ I well up just thinking about it.
The next stop on our adventure was Fontana dell’Acqua Paola. The Fontana dell'Acqua Paola, also known as "Il Fontanone" (The Big Fountain) The views from this spot are spectacular, offering a panoramic look over the city below, making it a popular spot for visitors and locals alike. There, we ate Gelato, because you can’t possibly go to Rome and not get Gelato, right?
We then cruised on over to Palazzo Borghese. It’s a stunning historic palace located in the heart of Rome. The gardens are gorgeous and the vaulted ceilings, are just WOW. Netflix scored on this location.
We did a cooking class and made our very own Maritozzi. Maritozzi is a classic Roman dessert, typically enjoyed for breakfast or as a sweet treat throughout the day. They can actually be sweet or salty, who knew? These soft, sweet buns are traditionally filled with whipped cream but we experimented with a variety of fillings. One of my favorite ones was Stracciatella cheese with cherry tomatoes on top, yum! After all these years living in Italy, I still find it so cool to discover new desserts and traditions.
Emily in Paris Premiere: A Night of Glamour
The centerpiece of my trip was, of course, the Emily in Paris premiere, and Netflix ensured it was nothing short of spectacular.
The premiere took place at the beautiful Space Cinema Moderno. I was nervous but so excited, especially since this was my first red carpet experience!
Huge shoutout to the incredibly talented, Kseniya @beauty.in.roma for glamming me up for the event. The makeup was perfection—classic and elegant, perfect for the vibe of the night.
The outfits, the glamor, the beauty... It still gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Some of the content creators made their own dresses, while others had theirs flown in from overseas. I still don’t know how they got them in a suitcase. When we arrived, I was ready for my red carpet moment! I may have spent some time practicing and prepping my pose beforehand—gotta make sure those angles are on point, right? I was very proud of myself for not falling. You gotta fake it til you make it!
Before we took our seats, we waited outside to take more pictures and see the cast carrive. While we were there, we saw an incredible artist @aldosacchetti, who was there sketching guests' outfits—capturing all the glamorous gowns in real-time. My feet are still numb from standing up for so long, but it was totally worth it! Everyone looked incredible. Before the showing, we saw Emily's past outfits displayed in the lobby. Another example of wearable art. The CEO of Netflix and Darren Starr, the producer of the show, thanked everyone for all the support and those who helped make the show happen. What. A. Night.
Final Thoughts
As a luxury travel expert, I’ve had my fair share of incredible trips, but this Netflix-curated itinerary was truly one of a kind. They perfectly blended the history, glamor, and culture of Rome into a seamless, unforgettable experience. From the iconic landmarks like the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola and Colosseum to the quiet luxury of NH Collection Vittorio Veneto, every detail was carefully thought out. And the premier, it was pure perfection.
I just wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to all of you. I’ve been reflecting on how far this journey has taken me—and none of it would have been possible without your incredible support. From my very first travel posts to now walking the red carpet at such an iconic event, it’s been an absolute dream come true. Thank you all for being part of this journey.
