Before the reopening, designers spent time reimagining the future of dining in Italy. In reality, we have seen little plexiglass in restaurants and the regulations say that masks are not required at your table during consumption. Mask wearing and eating and drinking, you see, don’t go very well together. However, now a group of Italian […]
Category Archives: Rome
15
Jun
Jun
There is nothing quite like an extended lockdown and the uncertainty of a global epidemic to make you appreciate the solid foundations and familiarity of your own neighborhood. We are lucky to live in Testaccio for many reasons, but I have always particularly loved the architecture of this quartiere. We have public housing dating back […]
08
Jun
Jun
After 70 days of strict quarantine which allowed people to only leave their homes for urgent reasons, and always with a legally binding signed statement, Italy began to reopen on May 4th. First, some businesses such as factories were allowed to restart. Other places like eateries we’re finally allowed to open for takeaway. Children were […]
28
May
May
There are few bars in Rome that have a view of the Colosseum. Yes, there are a few gussied up (and pricey) coffee bars right on the street near the monument but they don’t have much atmosphere. For a truly special drink near the Colosseum, the only real choice is the stunning bar at Palazzo […]
06
May
May
Walking through Rome and suddenly stepping onto Piazza della Rotonda to see the Pantheon in all its ancient glory is an unforgettable experience. First, you will note the domed ceiling, then the columns, and near the top of the Pantheon you will see some old writing. There is some complex history around the Latin words […]
29
Apr
Apr
If you come to Rome you will likely quickly notice its pine trees. The trees slightly resemble something that Dr. Seuss would have dreamed up, with tall and skinny trunks supporting widespread canopies of needles high in the air. These are the stone pines of Rome, sometimes also called umbrella pines or parasol pines for […]
22
Apr
Apr
Imagine walking among the ruins and urban buzz of Rome only to hear a parrot, then see the bright flash of its wings. Parrots in Rome are more common than you might think. However, these tropical-looking birds in Rome are actually brilliant green parakeets. Most are rose-ringed parakeets, to be precise. With so many parks, […]
08
Apr
Apr
I have struggled to watch some of the videos of an empty Rome, or to see normally busy sites in Italy completely deserted. It has been painful to see a country that is normally so full of beauty be laid so bare. Today is the 30th day of our national lockdown. As the curve seems […]