When asked if he knew Rome’s Via Margutta, Francis Ford Coppola answered, “Sure, the street of the painters.” This little cobblestone lane, located a stone’s throw away from the Spanish Steps and the Piazza del Popolo, was once home to a caravan of world-famous artists, from Pablo Picasso and Igor Stravinsky to Cy Twombly and Truman Capote. With its terra-cotta coloring and humble size (most of the buildings on the Via Margutta have only four or five stories), Margutta 19, part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, is hardly distinguishable from its neighbors. Take one step inside, however, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by rich shades of gold and walnut, contemporary décor, and elegant marble. Start the day on the scenic rooftop terrace with a cappuccino, and, after a day of exploring the city, head back up for an aperitivo. —Paulina Prosnitz

Paulina Prosnitz is an Associate Editor at AIR MAIL