The area around Piazza Navona and Chiostro del Bramante is a beautiful tangle of Roman streets splaying and snaking through the center of the city. While there are absolutely some lovely shops and businesses here, there have also been some closures of beloved institutions like Bar della Pace and Etabli. I love this central part […]
05
Jan
Jan
Want to have a little light hearted Roman fun? Spice up a trip to the Eternal City with a chuckle after soaking up the history? After hearing many a pun in my Roman years, I can honestly say that these are the 10 best Rome jokes around — with a bonus silly poem at the […]
29
Dec
Dec
In Rome, pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) and crispy thin pizza tonda (round pizza) are equally popular. Throw in a bit of pinsa (Roman flatbread), and the savory options are nearly limitless. However, there is also such a thing as sweet pizza that can be served for desserts. You will usually find this […]
12
Nov
Nov
When I first started dating my husband in 2011, he told me to meet him at Bar San Calisto. He said this in an offhand way as if he had just suggested we see each other on the front steps of the Pantheon or some other landmark. Rome is full of thousands of bars, I […]
10
Nov
Nov
Florence is well known for its many culinary delights: bistecca alla Fiorentina, hearty ribollita, and savory lampredotto sandwiches. However, while it honors its Tuscan traditions well, it also has a surprisingly contemporary dining scene given its size relative to cities like Milan and Rome. My favorite example is the gorgeous Melaleuca. Melaleuca is an airy […]
03
Nov
Nov
I would argue that every household in Italy has at least one Moka pot. The 8-sided coffee maker is iconic because it is simple but so very good at making strong, stove-top coffee. Most households have more than one! A small two-shot Moka for single servings, going up to 8- or 12- for when you […]
22
Oct
Oct
Halloween is not yet celebrated in Italy the way that it is in North America, but the holiday is absolutely starting to catch on. You can find spooky decorations, Halloween-themed cookies, and even some events geared towards children. However other traditions like bobbing for apples and even trick or treating are much less common. Halloween […]
01
Oct
Oct
The history behind the saying “ottobrata romana” and the reason Rome is so beautiful in October.