Christmas in Rome The most talked about Christmas tree in Rome is without a doubt the tree in Piazza Venezia, in the heart of Rome’s historic center. Traditionally the tree in Piazza Venezia is the symbol of the beauty and magic of a Roman Christmas but this year the tree is none other than a…
Holidays
Panettone
Christmas is around the corner and once again it’s time to make panettone, the Italian classic sweet bread loaf that you find on every Italian table during the holidays. Panettone requires a full day including three risings, so if you decide to make your own panettone be sure to allot the necessary time to bake…
New Year’s lunch at Garibaldi Restaurant
Garibaldi is my favorite restaurant in Rome and for a whole host of reasons. It’s close by and I can’t deny that adds a lot to its appeal. But that’s just the whipped cream on top of the icing already on top of the cake. I like a restaurant that makes you happy just by being there:…
Christmas Decorations & Festivity in Rome
There are some lovely decorations, lights and Christmas trees to check out as you stroll through Rome during the holiday season. Christmas in Italy is also characterised by its lovely and elaborate nativity scenes (presepi) which you’ll find in just about every church in the city, and by the gorgeous panettone packages in the window of every alimentare…
Castagnole di Carnevale, a Delicious Mardi Gras Dessert!
Castagnole di Carnevale are a wonderful treat for Mardi Gras! Italian tradition has it that just before the forty days of lent when one feels compelled to give up tasty goodies, is the time to indulge in sweet, fried foods. Castagnole have been part of this tradition since the 17th century, along with frappe and a…
Christmas Season in Rome 2015
Here are a few pictures of Rome during the Christmas 2015 season. Nothing lifts the spirit more than shimmering Christmas lights, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, lovely shops and gorgeously packaged panettoni and other holiday treats! Piazza Venezia… The iconic Hassler Hotel at the top of the Spanish steps… Via del Babuino… These boxed panettoni are…
Polenta and Pangiallo festival in Riano
A beautiful and brisk, and very windy 7C Sunday is the perfect kind of a day for the heartiest of Italian comfort foods: polenta. We’re one of the smaller towns immediately north of Rome; our tiny historic center is composed of two streets that meet at a small piazza where the polenta festival took place….
Christmas Panettone packages
One of the signs that Christmas is around the corner is that panettone sales start popping up everywhere. I love them and I love looking at the vast array of packages, each one more beautiful than the next. It’s true that Italians don’t go in for a lot of holiday decor, but they do love…
Easter Tradition: Chocolate Eggs and Colomba
The Viani Bar in Morlupo, just north of Rome, not only has wonderful breakfast pastries, great sandwiches and home-made ice cream. It also prides itself on always having fabulous decorations and edible gifts for every holiday. I had lunch there today and was mesmerized by the gorgeous Easter eggs and Colomba (traditional Italian Easter cake)…