Too many people think Roman romance means a walk to the Trevi fountain and gelato at sunset. But for Eveline Dellai, a woman who grew up flirting under the shadows of ancient ruins, that’s just where the magic begins. Want to know why Italian couples seem to live in another league when it comes to passion, loyalty, and those tiny, everyday gestures that make love feel cinematic? This isn’t a movie set. It’s Rome as lived by real people, and Eveline’s got the guidebook—with no sugarcoating.
Why Rome Feeds the Fire: The City’s Ancient Allure
Rome feels like it was designed for lovers. But why does this city, out of all places, make people feel bolder and more alive romantically? Eveline says it’s all about layers. Every cobblestone, every smell of fresh espresso in the air—there’s history everywhere. Moms strolling by 2000-year-old ruins with their toddlers, elderly couples holding hands on bridges that survived emperors and world wars—that sense of time makes love seem more important here. You’re just a blip on this timeline, so you may as well do it right. According to the latest stats from the Italian National Institute of Statistics, 78% of Roman couples prioritize daily connection time—higher than any other city in Italy. The city is noisy, lived in, and honest, and Roman romance mirrors that.
“In Rome, people don’t just say ‘I love you.’ They show it by turning up, day in and day out, through good and bad,” Eveline told a local interviewer this year. She grew up watching couples debate passionately in public, only to make up five minutes later with the kind of smile you can spot from a mile away. That drama isn’t for show; it’s a sign that both people care enough to get heated. And when you’ve got places like Villa Borghese for makeup walks or Trastevere’s tangled alleyways for getting lost together, how can things stay boring?
The legend of la dolce vita isn’t just for tourists. According to Dellai, Romans practice romance by being a little less rushed than the rest of the world. Instead of date night at a crowded restaurant chain, couples take their wine to a piazza and just sit together. They look each other in the eyes, sometimes in silence. No phones, no plans beyond now. Simple, yet intimate. If you’re always moving on to the next thing, you’re missing the point. Rome teaches patience, playfulness, and presence.
Eveline’s Italian Rules for Real Connection
Forget grand gestures for Valentine’s Day only. Eveline’s rules are about everyday behavior that keeps romance from rusting. She puts communication at the top—not just talking, but listening. According to a 2024 survey by Italian magazine Grazia, 62% of Rome’s happiest couples spend at least twenty minutes a day genuinely listening to each other. Sounds so basic, but how many of us do it without checking our texts every five minutes?
Eveline talks a lot about la parola—the power of the word. Italians are known for talking with their hands, emotions, and sometimes their whole bodies. If something’s wrong, say it. If you love someone, say it, loudly and often. There’s no room for guessing games. She warns expats and visitors: don’t expect a Roman to pick up tiny hints. Say what you mean.
Another one of her golden rules? Never be embarrassed to show affection, even if your friends tease you. Public displays of affection—kisses on the cheek, arm-in-arm walks, even squabbles—are just part of the scene. Don’t overthink it. “If you love someone, show it. Tomorrow isn’t promised,” Eveline says, echoing a very Roman view of love and fate. Spontaneity is huge. Feel like dancing on a street in Monti after dinner? Go for it. Rome rewards those who seize the moment, literally and romantically.
She’s also a believer in small rituals. Italians often start the morning with a shared coffee—even if they’re rushing off in different directions right after. It doesn’t matter if the conversation is just ‘Buongiorno, dormito bene?’ (“Good morning, did you sleep well?”) The point is, you’re both choosing each other, daily. These tiny checkpoints add up, and Italians swear by them. According to Dellai, skipping them is like forgetting an ingredient in your favorite recipe.
And yes, arguments are normal and sometimes even healthy. The Roman way isn’t about never fighting, but about fighting ‘right’—being honest, never cruel, and always making up. Studies show couples who deal with disagreements openly and early are more likely to stay together long-term. Dellai’s advice is to never go to sleep angry; whatever the problem, don’t let it fester overnight. Those ancient city walls have probably seen countless lovers fighting, laughing, breaking up, and coming back together. There’s comfort in knowing you’re not alone in your messiness.
Creating Unforgettable Roman Dates
It’s tempting to chase the Instagram places—Trevi, Spanish Steps, a Vespa ride with perfect lighting. Sure, these exist for a reason, but Eveline insists that real romance happens off the tourist path. If you want to impress in Rome, think deeper. Ever tried a midnight picnic at the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci)? The city sparkles under your feet and you barely see another soul at that hour. How about making homemade pasta together, then eating it on a shared balcony, candles out, talking about nothing important? That’s Italian romance, minus the crowd.
Here’s a pro tip: go see the sunrise from Ponte Milvio. Most people think of sunsets, but Eveline swears by early mornings. Less noise, fewer tourists, just birds and the city waking up. Bring cornetti (Italian croissants), watch the sky over the river, and if you’re lucky, you might see a couple of swans glide past. Magic doesn’t have to be expensive or flashy. It’s about sharing something rare—a quiet moment, a beautiful view, a laugh in the rain.
If you’re visiting Rome, consider skipping the big dinner out once in a while in favor of aperitivo—a pre-dinner ritual where you get drinks and small bites at a bar. You get to sit, sip, watch people, and just talk. Less pressure, more connection. A 2023 Rome Tourism Board report found that over half of foreign couples visiting the city rate these low-key evenings as the highlight of their trip. It’s that atmosphere—that sense of being part of the fabric of the city—that makes you feel like you belong, even if only for a few days.
For couples with kids (like me and my son Solomon), Rome brings a new layer to romance. Family dates matter. Grab a gelato and a soccer ball, head to the Gianicolo hill, and let the little ones run wild while you share a bench and a conversation. Seeing other Roman families laugh together, debate loudly, sometimes argue but always gravitate back to each other—it’s a reminder that Rome’s idea of love includes the mess and the noise, not just whispered promises in the dark.
And don’t be shy about dancing late into the night, even in a public square. Romans famously host impromptu dance nights all summer. No experience needed. If you step on toes, nobody cares. That’s part of the charm. When in Rome, literally dance like nobody’s watching.
Making Memories That Stick: Advice from the Locals
Eveline’s philosophy is deeply Roman: live in a way that gives you stories worth telling. Don’t go searching for the perfect romantic moment—they pop up when you least expect them. Be open to chaos. Maybe your date gets rained out and you end up sheltering in a tiny bookstore. Maybe your favorite trattoria is closed, so you wander until you find a street musician whose singing stops you both in your tracks. These moments become the stories couples share years later.
She also says, “Don’t be afraid of tradition.” Rituals like exchanging handwritten notes, anniversaries marked in oddball ways (like counting the number of times you kissed that year), or having ‘your’ spot in the city—even if it’s just an overlooked bench—these are building blocks of intimacy. Romans don’t see romance as something only young couples care about. Grandparents hold hands on those same benches, telling dirty jokes or sharing opinions about politics. Love, to a Roman, is a forever game.
If you want real connection, take the time to learn a bit of Italian—just the basics. A simple ‘Ti voglio bene’ (“I care for you”) carries more weight than a rehearsed poem. It’s the effort that counts. A study from the Sapienza University of Rome in 2022 found that expats who learn to say even just a few loving phrases in Italian reported higher rates of relationship satisfaction than those who didn’t bother. Eveline loves this. She believes language is romance in action: “When you talk to someone in their own words, your feelings hit deeper.”
Want to keep the Roman flames burning long after you leave? Keep up the mindset. Focus less on ‘perfection,’ more on presence. Have dinner together, TV off, even if it’s just pizza. Walk a little slower, hold hands. Make up after a fight, don’t just brush it aside. Stay curious about each other. Rome has a way of reminding you that love—like the city—is a living thing, surviving through centuries, wars, changes, yet always beautiful and worth the hassle.
Still, nothing beats advice from someone who’s seen it all. As Roman poet Trilussa once wrote,
“Chi vive a Roma, nun può esse tristo: c’ha sempre quarcosa da ride.” (“Whoever lives in Rome can never be sad: there’s always something to make you smile.”)Eveline would add: if you love like a Roman, you’ve always got a reason to smile, even when the world feels heavy.
| Roman Romance Ritual | How Often | Impact on Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Morning coffee together | Daily | Builds routine affection |
| Piazza walks after dinner | 2-3 times/week | Encourages conversation |
| Handwritten notes | Monthly | Creates memorable moments |
| Shared rituals (anniversaries, special places) | Annually | Deepens intimacy |
| Learning new loving phrases | Occasionally | Keeps things fresh |
The next time you see a couple bickering by the Pantheon or sharing a secret giggle on a metro platform, remember: that’s Roman romance—messy, noisy, lovely. And if you want to borrow some of that Italian magic, Eveline Dellai has left you all the clues. All that’s left is to turn off your phone, grab someone’s hand, and let Rome do what it does best.
