A trip to the beautiful city of Rome is a dream for many people. Think about all the incredible things the Italian capital has to offer: millennia of history, breathtaking views, a unique artistic heritage — and gelato!  There is so much to see and do, and you may feel unsure about what to include in your Roman adventure. There’s no better way to discover the Eternal City than by walking side by side with a local. Something worth knowing about us Romans is that we could spend hours talking about our city. Simply asking a random person on the street for directions could lead to a passionat ..read more

“I’m having a relationship with my pizza” said Julia Roberts while eating Italian pie in “Eat Pray Love.” That sentence sums up the connection that we — as Italians — have with food. It’s not a simplification, nor a stereotype, we are obsessed with food and we care a lot about our culinary traditions.  Are you traveling to Italy and want to feel a little bit of our love for food and try some incredible food experiences? That’s what I’m here for! In this post, I’ll share with you what to eat and where to go for the most authentic food in Rome. 1. Have a breakfast with a maritozzo Photo by ..read more

Rome is a city famously full of monuments and museums. But it’s also a city filled with scenic green spaces. Escape the buzz of traffic and crowds of people on the streets, and find a quiet spot in one of these seven beautiful parks and gardens. They have everything from ruins to scenic vistas to a keyhole with an unusual optical illusion. Bring along a gelato or ciabatta sandwich to enjoy al fresco, and it’s about as blissful as you could want. 1. Villa Borghese The Villa Borghese is the green heart of Rome. Inside the almost 20 acres of landscaped gardens you will find lush lawns, a lake, a ..read more

The best thing about visiting a historically rich city is the immersive experience and greater perspectives you gain. Unfortunately, many travelers are susceptible to losing one crucial thing, and that’s money! Budgeting for a trip to somewhere like Rome might be easy on paper, but it can be hard to stick to with so many exciting places to explore. But with a little creative thinkingStill, there are several ways that you can save and still have an amazing vacation. Here’s how to enjoy Rome on a budget. 1. Visit during low season You’re sure to get caught in a wave of tourists during the summe ..read more

The volume of artworks in Rome is overwhelming. You could spend an entire week just in the Vatican museums alone. But once you’ve seen the greatest hits like Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling and had your fill of Bernini fountains, level up your art appreciation with a visit to one of the many small museums in Rome.  1. Galleria Doria Pamphilj Live out your fantasies of the aristocratic life with a few hours inside this opulent 16th-century palazzo on the Via del Corso. The Galleria Doria Pamphilj was the childhood home of modern royals Jonathan and Olimpia Pamphilj whose relatives i ..read more

Conquering the test of time, the Colosseum is a majestic symbol of a past civilization that still awes visitors today. It reflects the engineering genius and strength of the Roman Empire while also providing a glimpse into the cultural life of everyday Roman citizens. The Colosseum, aka the Flavian Amphitheatre, was constructed in only eight years around 70 CE under the rule of Vespasian, who was part of the Flavian dynasty. It was built on the former site of Nero’s villa, which had an artificial lake that had to be drained before the Colosseum’s construction. This was an important move on Ves ..read more

Your trip to Rome won’t be complete without a visit to Vatican City. Home of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, Vatican City is the seat of the Holy See, or the Roman Catholic papacy. But you don’t have to be Catholic — or even religious — to visit and appreciate Vatican City. With the world’s largest church, one of the world’s oldest and largest museums of art (including the Sistine Chapel), and the massive, grand St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City is one of the top visitor destinations in Rome and an essential part of any visit, especially for first-timers to Rome. Here’s what you n ..read more

Rome is one of Europe’s most historic and picturesque cities, especially noted for its skyline with architecture dating back millennia. What better way to view this iconic cityscape than enjoying a bit of la dolce vita from up high? I’ll take you on a tour of the best rooftop spaces in the city, noting not only the unique atmospheres of each, but also what each has to offer from a quick aperitivo with bite-sized snacks to full-on meals, Roman style. 1. American Bar at the Hotel Forum Credit: American Bar at the Hotel Forum Killer view: Roman Forum Get a sense of Rome’s glorious past while enjo ..read more

The Roman Forum sits near the top of any list of must-see sights in Rome, juggling for position along with the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. The Forum is one of the most spectacular sights in Rome — a vast, ruin-filled area that speaks to the glory days of the Roman Empire. It’s one of the most-photographed — and photogenic — areas of Rome, and it’s worth several hours of your time. Yet this sprawling archaeological site can feel overwhelming in scale. Here’s a look at why (and how) you should see it.  What is the Roman Forum? The low-lying area between the Cap ..read more

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Colosseum. It’s arguably the Eternal City’s most recognizable monument. It can be hard to wrap your head around the fact that this stunning piece of architecture was built almost 2,000 years ago. Construction began in the year 72AD when Rome was ruled by the emperor Vespasian. The triple storied amphitheater was used to host gladiatorial combats, wild animal fights, and mock naval battles and held over 50,000 spectators.  Fun fact: Ancient Roman’s didn’t call the monument the Colosseum. It was known as the Flavian Amphitheater in tribute ..read more