You know that little lake in Villa Borghese? You know- the adorable one?
It’s called the Laghetto, and it is a perfect spot for picnics. It is probably my favorite picnic spot in all of Rome, because I am sentimental and it is also my first picnic spot in Rome.
Four years ago, new to the city, I managed to navigate Metro A and find my way here. I met up with some brand new friends to sit in the warm October weather and eat salami and olives.
I fell in love with the tiny lake and its little boats.
For four years I have had picnics here.
For four years I have thought about taking a boat ride.
Finally, I jumped at a casual and joking suggestion to take a tiny row boat out for a spin on the itty-bitty lake.
Surrounded by umbrella pines, the laghetto is a perfect place for a lazy afternoon.
Or maybe a first date?
At 3 euro for 20 minutes, it is more than affordable. And honestly, 20 minutes is enough time to explore.
Don’t worry about heading back within your short allotted time. A nice nonna with a bull horn will yell out your boat number when it is time to dock.
Ottobrata romana (Indian summer) is the perfect time to enjoy the warm weather and the changing leaves.
The only thing better than coming here on a romantic first date in the last days of summer? Well, having two awesome instagrammers row you around, of course! A special thanks to @swedishmarcus and @aivenn!
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I was in Rome as a student in the winter/spring of 1974, during the first world-wide oil crisis. Heat was low or off, lights were dimmed or off, none of the monuments was illumined by floodlights. But the up-side of this was that driving was banned on Sundays. Imagine, if you can, Rome with no cars.
Church attendance went up, Sunday dinner with Nonna experienced a revival, and afternoon brought out people for a stroll in their Sunday best in the quiet streets and piazze and parks. A favorite destination of mine — if I could afford the time away from my books, for it was very long walk from Monte Aventino — was the Villa Borhese, including a loop past the Laghetto.
The public clamor to allow Sunday driving was strong enough, that Italy adopted an odd-even system. I have to say that a million cars in Rome was indistinguishable from two million cars. It was a short-lived idyll. Thanks for stirring the momories.
Ciao Mark! What lovely memories. We do indeed still sometimes have no car Sundays but I think they should be held more often!