Value Ambassador Adventure – La Dolce Vita in Rome

Our Value Ambassador journey kicked off bright and early on Thursday morning — with caffeine, excitement, and a handful of flight connections. Most of us landed around the same time at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, where we finally got to meet in person. Our very own sales wizard Fredrik immediately worked his magic: somehow, he conjured up the first taxi in sight, skipping a line that looked longer than a Netflix watchlist. A born negotiator — who else could have pulled that off?

Our next destination: a dreamy villa just outside central Rome, complete with a pool, sunshine, and that sweet la dolce vita vibe. Some of us set off to hunt down groceries — a quest that quickly turned into an unexpected obstacle course. After crossing (quite literally) fences and overcoming the mystery of Italian supermarket hours, we emerged victorious, pizzas and local snacks in hand. We also discovered supplì — crispy, cheese-filled local treats that instantly became everyone’s new obsession.

Once the whole crew gathered at the villa, part of the leadership team joined us via Teams, and together we raised our glasses to this year’s amazing Value Ambassadors. With spirits high, we dashed off to our first big activity — the Roma vs. Lazio football match. The stadium buzzed with energy, fans singing, chanting, and living every second of it. Roma didn’t quite get the ending they hoped for, but we sure did: a cozy local restaurant where pasta carbonara, laughter, and Italian hospitality sealed the night perfectly.

Friday was all about exploration. We kicked things off at the Pietro Canonica House Museum — a hidden gem in the heart of the city — before rewarding ourselves with a delicious lunch and our first gelato (spoiler: not the last). Then came the big sights: the Vatican, the Colosseum, and a thousand photo ops. In the evening, we regrouped in front of Hadrian’s Temple, where we stumbled upon a magical light projection dancing across the ancient walls. Dinner followed at Hosteria Romana, a legendary spot where the waiters knew as much about football as they did about pasta — and yes, we ended up singing together about a certain Swedish player.

Saturday brought a change of scenery, we jumped on public transport and headed to Ostia, a charming seaside town just outside Rome. The mission? The Mediterranean Sea, of course! Between chilly dips, sun-soaked laughter, and a few sand-between-our-toes moments, we got the full Italian beach experience. But the true highlight awaited us that evening: a pasta-making class hosted by the wonderful Nonna in Palombara Sabina, a hilltop village straight out of a postcard. We wandered through cobblestone streets, visited the ancient Savelli Castle (built in the 11th century!), and then rolled up our sleeves to make farfalle, ravioli, and linguine from scratch. Spoiler alert: everyone nailed it.

We ended the night — and our journey — with homemade pasta, local wine, and a view that could make anyone believe in Italian magic. It was the perfect finale to a trip filled with laughter, learning, teamwork, and unforgettable memories. Because when seven ambassadors from across the world come together in Rome, there’s no such thing as “just another work trip” — only pure adventure, shared moments, and stories that will keep us smiling long after the pasta is gone.