Archive for the 'Things to Do in Rome' category

Rome Food Tour

Mar 12 2013 Published by under Italian Food, Things to Do in Rome

You guys. I am ridiculously behind. Ri-dic-u-lous-ly.  One of the things I’ve been meaning to write about for ages (please forgive me) is an edible tour of Rome with Eating Italy Food Tours.

Are you planning a trip to Rome? Lemme tell you how it’s going to be:

It’s going to be awesome. You will see beautiful sites, you will hear beautiful language and classical music, and you will eat some good meals. Some.

That’s because you will inevitably wind up in at a place that looked good from the outside, but then delivered the dreaded tourist menu.

Kenny and his guides are here to help.

I went on the Rome Food Tour after living in Rome for years and I not only learned things, but I ate other delicious things, and also had one of the most fun days out with the boy that we still talk about.

Kenny will take you on a tour of one of Rome’s quintessential foodie ‘hoods. We hopped on the Testaccio tour and, I’m going to date myself, we saw the old market before it moved to Nuovo Mercato Testaccio.

We started with cheese. Cheese. Cheese is the way to my heart.

A man who knows his tomatoes? That doesn’t hurt one bit either!

I won’t give away all of the secrets but after the market, and a stroll around town, we stopped for supplì ::swoon::

The something sweet…

AND something savory…

After exploring a foodie paradise:

It was time. Lunch time.

If you are thinking: I couldn’t possibly eat that much! I respectfully disagree.

This is just a taste of a very tasty tour. There’s much more- from history to entertainment to eats. And eat you will.

You can book your own Rome Food Tour here!

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Pastificio: Lunch by the Spanish Steps

Sep 09 2012 Published by under Italian Food, Things to Do in Rome

Like any good Roman-transplant, I took most of August off.  My travels took me to Turkey, Ireland, Spain and the US but now I am back and happily scarfing down more pasta than I would have believed prudent 2 years ago.

My hands down favorite place for a lunchtime carb fix in Rome’s historic center is Pastificio.

Pastificio is 85% pasta shop and 15% delicious, serendipitous 4 euro lunch shop, should you be so lucky as to wander by at the right time.

The shop is on one of the most exclusive streets leading up to Via Del Corso and I had heard about it for some time before I finally found it.  What eventually tipped me off was a suspiciously long line leading out of a non-descript storefront I had wandered by countless times before.

But each day, starting at 1pm and going until 2:30ish pm (fellow bloggers, please correct me if I am wrong), Pastificio serves up hot pasta amid shelves of dried goodies you can take home for later.

You get two choices every day.  There’s usually a vegetarian option and a meat-lovers surprise.  On this day, I went for the Amatriciana.

Served on plastic plates, you have to order at the counter, and then squeeze into a spot on the slim ledges along either wall.  You can also ask for it to go and eat outside near the Spanish Steps.  What makes it so good, in addition to fresh ingredients and an unbeatable price, is the free drink that comes with it.  When you pick up your pasta, look for the jug near the cash register and the plastic cups.  Pour yourself a glass of complementary house wine, or help yourself to the water that is offered through out the seating areas.

Pastificio
Via della Croce, 8
Metro: Spagna

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Piazza Navona Holiday Fair

Jan 06 2012 Published by under Life in Italy, Things to Do in Rome

The Piazza Navona Christmas market is a fun place to stop if you’re in Rome for the holiday season.  It usually runs from December 8th to January 6th.

BUT if you’re expecting to find handicrafts and luxury items, think again. This fair is (not-so-)secretly for kids.  What you WILL find is cotton candy, cheap toys, and carnival games.

Also, lots of Christmas witches.

That’s right folks, La Befana day it today! Last year I was absolutely fascinated by the Epiphany on January 6th.  It’s a public holiday in Italy, and appeared to be religious, but there were witches everywhere! (You can read my old post here).  Hope you remembered to leave your stockings out so she had a place to put your candies this morning.

Anyways, Befana. That’s what the market is about.  Kids go with their families and play games, see La Befana in the flesh on 6 January (usually men dressed like witches), and pick out a new ornament for the tree.  Here’s ours:


Because the Piazza Navona Christmas fair is mainly for children, there’s a huge carousel in the middle of the square.

Technically no longer a child, I was talked into taking it for a spin.

Afterwards, because we are serious grown ups, we wandered down to a food stall for a very adult 1 Euro serving of wine in a very classy plastic cup.

Did I mention this is mainly a children’s attraction and they sell cheap booze?? You win again, Italy. You win again.

Happy Epiphany!

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Entertainment in Piazza Navona

Sep 09 2011 Published by under Life in Italy, Things to Do in Rome

Piazza Navona is a must-see in Rome.  The famous square hosts some of the most beautiful fountains in Rome.  Though, one Roman man tried to do some serious damage to the Moor Fountain at the south end of Piazza Navona last week.

In addition to countless art sellers, the Brazilian embassy and plenty of tourists, it is also the favorite haunt of several Rome street performers.  Clowns, questionably talented break dancers… you name, Piazza Navona has got it.

But the most unique of all? Marcel.

Marcel has spent years honing his craft.  He is the best finger puppeteer you will ever lie eyes on.

He is also very intense, which is why this picture is blurry.  He cannot be captured in mere mortal photography.

Do NOT miss his Michael Jackson routine.  Not to ruin the surprise, but that little foot petal you see on the ground controls the smoke.

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Ponte Sisto

Aug 24 2011 Published by under Photography, Things to Do in Rome

There is something about being in the hot, windless oven that is a Roman apartment in August that makes you want to go outside.

We’ve reached the point in August where outside is just as hot and just as windless, but there’s still something to be said for trying to trick yourself into think it’s cool.

Strolling across my favorite bridge, Ponte Sisto, and taking in the views is one of the ways I attempt to do this.  Look at how deep blue the water appears at sunset. Doesn’t that just scream refreshing? I mean, insofar as anyone can ever describe the Tiber as ‘refreshing.’

Don’t worry, it was still hot enough for me to continue sarcastically observing how “charming” it is to live AC-free.

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Tiny Church by Campo de’ Fiori

Jul 15 2011 Published by under Life in Italy, Photography, Things to Do in Rome

This is a small church in Rome called Santa Barbara dei Librai.

When I say “small” I mean “teeeeny tiiiiiiny,” so I like to call it “the tiny church by Campo de’ Fiori.”

I love Santa Barbara dei Librai. It seems so out of place.  It’s in a triangular piazza off of Via dei Giubbonari.  The angle of the piazza makes it feel like the bordering apartment buildings are going to swallow the poor little church up.

Santa Barbara dei Librai was built in the 11th century on top of the ruins of the Theater of Pompey.

BIG F*$&ING DEAL ALERT: This is where Julius Caesar was assassinated.

Little gems down every street. Every street, I tell ya!

This awkward little church is adorable and marks the site of a HUGE historical event.  Unfortunately, I usually use it as merely a landmark.

How to Get from Campo de’ Fiori to Trastevere:

  • Walk away from the statue, down Via dei Giubbonari.
  • When you see the crazy little church (Santa Barbara dei Librai) on your left, turn right.
  • Walk straight down the narrow street and cross Ponte Sisto.
  • Tah Dah. Welcome to Trastevere.

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Rome by Night: Bernini’s Elephant

Jul 15 2011 Published by under Photography, Things to Do in Rome

Sometimes when I’m running early, or often times when I’m running late as well, I’ll wander through the streets of Rome on my way to meet a friend.

The Pantheon is impressive, but one of my favorite spots to pause at night is right next door, in front of Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva.  There you’ll find Bernini’s elephant and obelisk.

Rumor has it that Bernini despised one of the families that lived in a flat overlooking the piazza, so he faced the elephant’s backside directly at their window.

Cheeky!

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Caesar’s Grave

Jul 02 2011 Published by under Things to Do in Rome

Where is Julius Caesar buried?

Right in the Roman Forum.

To be more accurate, the grave site actually marks the ruins of the Temple of Caesar. Caesar was cremated and thus has no grave or tomb, but people still leave flowers and notes on the altar.

It’s easy to miss if you’re exploring the Foro Romano alone because it’s located behind a low wall.  Keep an eye out for it next time you visit Rome!

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Rome on Sundays: Fori Imperiali

Jun 29 2011 Published by under Life in Italy, Things to Do in Rome

I’m notorious for self-imposed “Out of Rome” Sundays, but sticking around the city ain’t half bad.

After more than nine months, the Colosseum still holds a special special place in my romantic American imagination.

On Sundays, Via dei Fori Imperiali, or the street that leads past the Roman Forum and to the Colosseum, is closed to cars.  That means you are welcome to meander down a major road with all the other pedestrians.

Even at the peak of tourist season, you can find a little space in Rome.

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Summer in Rome: The River Bars

Jun 18 2011 Published by under Beer, Rome Bars, Things to Do in Rome

It is officially summer in Rome. That means outdoor dining, gelato every day and river bars:

For 6 Euro, you can get yourself a plastic cup of beer and take a seat for some serious people watching.

The bars set up near Trastevere, on both sides of the Tiber River. They extend a ways down and are hard to miss.  Just walk down the steps located at the bridges and pick a comfy seat.

Many of the bars also serve food, and there are plenty of carnival-like booths if you want to play some games.

A side note for the ladies: Having lived here long enough to be wary, I insisted on knowing about the bathroom situation before agreeing to beers.  They’re there. They’re fine. Be ready to pay for toilet paper.

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