Have you ever been to a wine tasting and sipped something that you just had to buy?

Rome is like that. Sipping it is not enough. You can’t just have a taster of Rome – you want the full experience with plenty of time to explore its narrow streets and hidden treasures.

Work had me going to Rome for a business presentation and given that the UK weather was having one of its “once in every 20 years” tantrums – the travel agent recommended that I travel, not via London which had ground to a halt under a foot of snow and a raft of Government excuses the day before, but via Paris which seemed to have escaped the worst of the weather. They also cautioned my to get there early just incase there were knock on delays.

Well of course I arrived without incident – no delays or diversions and so had half an afternoon to wander round this lovely city.

First thing I had to do was buy an umbrella because it was raining to monsoon proportions. Umbrella sellers were making a killing. What a shame it was so wet. The city is colourful and vibrant and the grey sky and constant lashing rain washed away that veneer. It would be so good to see this city basking under a hot sun and blue clear sky.

I stayed at a lovely little boutique hotel, check it out it is called the Isa Roma. Very lovely rooms with flat screen TV, balconies and contemporary furnishings. The hotel had a delightful rooftop restaurant and bar serving excellent Italian wines. The house red was delicious.

The Colloseum was very impressive. I couldn’t help thinking of the CGI enhanced version in the Gladiator film. Just think all those centuries ago the life and death struggles going on inside that arena. Now outside retired Italian men dress as Roman soldiers and charge 10 Euros for a photograph.

The city is brimming with restaurants. Most of them call themselves Pizzarias – but don’t let that put you off. They bear no relation to the horrible commercial pizza outlets in the UK. These are lovely family run establishments serving fresh food – great meat and fish. If you want you can select your fish from an iced display.

The Vatican was closed and I didn’t get chance to visit half the places I would have liked. But the city is alive with culture. Even down to the men playing jazz in the streets this is a place to be savoured.

So I enjoyed my sip of Rome. Very soon, on a hotter day in the summer, I would like to go back and finish the bottle.