Updated October 2023 I have been to Pompeii several times, and I always manage to forget how large it is. Once you step inside, you realize that it really is the ruins of an entire ancient city. With Vesuvius looming in the background (now heavily monitored by scientists), you can imagine the level of eruption […]
Author Archives: Natalie
01
Apr
Apr
April 1st is celebrated by pranksters in many countries as April Fools Day and even Italy has its own version of April Fools known as Pesce d’Aprile. In other words, instead of April Fools, Italy has April Fish. Jokes and pranks are common in Italy but one in particular is classic and explains why the […]
27
Mar
Mar
I visit a lot of hotels in Rome, but I rarely stay overnight since I live here. But last summer when we really just needed a break from our poorly air-conditioned apartment, we crashed a friend’s booking and stayed two nights at the Roma Luxus Hotel in Monti. The hotel is fairly new by Rome […]
25
Mar
Mar
In Italy, it seems like there are countless regional specialties depending on what small village you happen to be passing through. Some are well known like the porchetta of the Roman countryside, but others are so specific to the tiny towns that you almost have to be there to discover them. Then there are a […]
20
Mar
Mar
Barnum Cafe might just be your new favorite place in Rome if you have not already discovered it. Barnum is not new, so I am always surprised when people haven’t been. It has been included in my app since day 1, but it was an oversight not to blog about the cafe here. I am […]
20
Mar
Mar
Located just 7 miles (11 km) outside of the city center, Linate Aiport is one of the three Milan airports and the closest airport to the city center. Linate is the second largest of the three Milan airports and the one which you are most likely to fly into if taking a flight within Italy. […]
18
Mar
Mar
Covered in frescoes by Michelangelo, the Sistine Chapel is truly one of the unmissable spots in Rome. There is something so unworldly about the celestial paintings in this Vatican church. You may be completely surrounded but once you look up, the crowd fades away and you cannot help but be astounded by the detail in […]
15
Mar
Mar
The importance of the Ides of March in Rome dates back to ancient times when the 15 March was an important date on the Roman calendar for settling debts and appeasing the god Jupiter. However, the Ides of March is most famous for being the day on which Julius Caesar was assassinated – March 15th, […]