People think they know Rome, but unless you’ve got a local legend guiding your steps, you’re missing the pulse of the city. Here’s a curveball: Valentina Nappi—yes, the bold, outspoken star who wears her love for Rome like a favorite dress—doesn’t just have opinions about adult film, she’s got a seriously sharp sense for where to go in the Eternal City. Stepping into her shoes peels away the average tourist’s itinerary. Let’s see where Valentina actually chills and parties when she’s unfiltered, unhurried, and completely herself. Spoiler: her top five places aren’t where typical tour guides will drag you.
The Ancient Side: Where Valentina Finds Power and Peace
Rome roars with history, but most visitors crawl over the stones and snap the same tired photos. Not Valentina. She likes to kick off at the Baths of Caracalla, because it’s where you can layer old-world drama over modern vibes. Here, the arches are so tall they make you feel gloriously small, and the ruins turn pink in the setting sun. Valentina says that walking through this ancient spa complex is like seeing the bones of Rome—strong, beautiful, a little rough under the surface. Pro tip from Valentina: Skip the midday crowds and come at dusk. You might catch the opera under an open sky or stumble into a sunset yoga class right between marble columns. And yep, Caracalla is locally famous for its open-air summer concerts—think live Puccini sandwiched between scented pines and ancient stones.
If you catch yourself daydreaming that the Romans still strut past in togas, you’re not alone. Valentina admits the Emperor Vespasian allegedly relaxed here, too. Want a quick fun fact? The Baths held up to 1,600 bathers at once back in 216 AD. Now they’re a peaceful escape for those who know where to look. Don’t bother with the typical selfie; instead, close your eyes and breathe in the near-2,000-year-old air. The mystical charm—according to Valentina—is best savored in silence.
She usually finishes this classic walk with fresh-pressed pomegranate juice from one of the local kiosks outside. Forget plastic bottles; Romans have juiced their own fruit here for centuries. Valentina swears a cold melograno juice will keep you energized for pretty much anything Rome throws your way, whether it’s a football riot or a pop-up street gig.
Nights Out: Valentina’s Essential Roman Party Vibes
Nightlife in Rome is trickier than it seems. Many spots feel tired, with watered-down cocktails and slow service, unless you’ve got an insider in your corner. Valentina’s go-to for nightlife isn’t a smoky club in Trastevere or some chaotic bar in Campo de’ Fiori. Instead, she slips into the crowded dancefloor at Goa Club. Not for the faint-hearted or the early-to-bed crowd, Goa is famous for wild DJ sets, sweaty dancing, and a floor that shakes until sunrise. If you ask Valentina why, she’ll grin and say—"because the music breeds good mistakes." Want a tip? Get there late, and don’t wear heels unless you’re ready for bruises.
She also loves the unbeatable rooftop scene at The Court. It’s not exactly secret, but it’s tucked away enough that you won’t rub shoulders with hordes of tourists. From here, the Colosseum looks surreal, lit up while you sip a Negroni Sbagliato or a seriously wicked limoncello punch. Valentina’s hack: skip dinner, come early for sunset, watch the city light up, and call it the starter for your night. Look for the crowd of models, musicians, and a few faces from the Italian cinema world—no one really cares how famous you are as long as you tip well and bring some good stories.
If you feel snacky at midnight, nearby Monti district becomes Valentina’s late-night stop for crispy Roman-style pizza at Trieste Pizza. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it with prosciutto, arugula, and a drizzle of local olive oil. It’s so thin, you’ll want two.
| Location | Type | When to Go | Insider Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goa Club | Electro Club | After 1am | Come late, casual dress |
| The Court | Rooftop Bar | Sunset | Book ahead for terrace seat |
| Trieste Pizza | Late-Night Food | 12am-3am | Order the pizza Romana |
Valentina’s best advice for a Roman night out? Don’t over-plan—see where the crowd pulls you. The best evenings always spiral into something you couldn’t script.
The Unfiltered Roman Food Experience
If you ask Valentina for her favorite Roman meal, don’t expect the canned answer—she’s not about carbonara from a touristy trattoria, and she’ll actually laugh if you mention spaghetti bolognese. Instead, she points hungry friends to Roscioli, which is actually two places in one: a legendary bakery and a deli-restaurant with the heart of a neighborhood hangout. The bakery side smells like the inside of a wood-burning oven. Valentina likes the pizza bianca (basically a cloud of salty, oily heaven), snapped off warm at the counter. For sit-down, she orders cacio e pepe because Roscioli does it cheeky and bold, with a peppery kick that lingers in your sinuses. Their mozzarella bar? Outrageously fresh.
Want to eat like her? Step in at noon, not dinner, so you beat the lunch rush. Or come for aperitivo and try a glass of Franciacorta with aged pecorino. Valentina swears by their tiramisu, too—light, not soupy, made with the best coffee in town. She tips her server in cash, old-school style, because in Italy, good tips get remembered.
The second stop on her food run is Testaccio Market. More than a hundred stalls sell everything: fried artichokes, cheese, Sicilian cannoli, and trays of freshly baked bread. Valentina is shameless here—she samples everything and always ends up with a brown paper bag stuffed with supplì: the Roman answer to arancini, loaded with oozy cheese and ragù. If you see her waiting at the Romeo Chef & Baker kiosk, say hi. But don’t expect a selfie until she’s finished chewing.
The market is busiest on Saturdays, but Valentina likes early Friday mornings, when regulars mingle and you can chat about recipes over a macchiato. These are the places where a superstar blends in and loves every second.
Secret Corners and Escapes: Where Valentina Hides Out
All the chaos of Rome needs a getaway now and then. Valentina’s soft spot? The Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci) on Aventine Hill. Not only is it stunning at golden hour, but you get this unbeatable view of the whole city—domes, rooftops, bell towers—without a tourist mob breathing down your neck. Couples love to slip in here at dusk, but during a quiet lunchtime, Valentina grabs a gelato and winds down with a book. She says the best bench is next to the oldest orange tree, farthest from the entrance.
And for something even more low-key, she sometimes wanders to Parco degli Acquedotti. If you’ve ever watched Italian neorealist movies, you’ll recognize the long, lonely aqueduct arches. Locals run, kids play soccer, and no one bothers you for an autograph. It’s the rare slice of Rome where you hear birds instead of scooters. People bring wine and picnic at sundown. Valentina likes to unplug here, phones off, friends napping in the grass, and old men playing cards in full sun.
She once told a reporter she feels most herself in these untouristy pockets—"where no one expects you to be a big deal.” If you want her best advice for truly seeing Rome, find these quiet slices far from the city’s grind. Bring a friend, toss a coin in the nearest fountain (Villa Celimontana is perfect for this) and never rush. Because even a star slows down for Rome when it’s this good.
