Day trip to Ariccia in the Colli Albani Hills southeast of Rome Sometimes doing exactly what every tourist does when they visit Rome just isn’t what you have in mind and you’d like to experience something different, and perhaps out of Rome’s city center. As it turns out, it’s easy; there are many day trips…
When in Rome
Pecorino Cheese: what is it anyway?
Pecorino cheese is any hard, semi-hard or fresh cheese that is made using sheep’s milk. Seven pecorino cheeses have protected designation of origin status, or DOP, under the European union law. This means they’ve been aged upwards of 8 months and are a stagionato, pasta dura (hard) cheese. The Italian word for sheep is pecora,…
Bernini in Rome
The 2018 Bernini exhibition at the Galleria Borghese was the most extensive collection of his works together in a single exhibition. The exhibition closed in mid-February. If you didn’t have a chance to see it before it closed, the Galleria Borghese and other locations spotted throughout Rome, are a veritable wealth of Bernini’s works. Not…
Cipriani Biscottificio
If you’re looking for a great bakery in Rome with wonderful cookies, crostate and cakes made with all natural ingredients then you have to stop by the Cipriani Bicottificio. The Piazza Vittorio area is a haven in Rome for all things culinary. It has one of the city’s best markets, full of local and international…
Christmas in Rome 2017
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…
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…
Supplì al Telefono: Roman-style Stuffed Rice Balls
Roman-style Stuffed Rice Balls, known in Rome as Supplì al Telefono are a classic of Roman cuisine…the roman version of street food. These luscious rice balls are stuffed with meat and cheese. As you bite into the supplì the melted cheese stretches out and resembles a telephone cord; hence the name “al telefono”. Originally the meat used to…
Academy of Saint Luke, within the Palazzo Carpegna
How many times have you walked right by the Academy of Saint Luke (Accademia di San Luca) on your way to visit the nearby Fontana di Trevi and never even noticed it? My guess is many. The next time you’re in the area add the Academy of Saint Luke to your itinerary. It’s an often overlooked jewel…
Palazzo Caetani and the Isola Mattei, a virtual tour
The Palazzo Caetani was one of the great sixteenth century palazzi in Rome. Originally one of a group of palazzi belonging to the powerful Mattei family, it occupied an entire city block on the edge of Largo Argentina. This block is known as the Isola Mattei, or Mattei Island. The Mattei began as rich merchants and over time evolved into…
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…
The Mercato Centrale in Rome’s Termini train station
The new Mercato Centrale in Rome’s Termini train station isn’t a mercato in the traditional Italian sense. It’s a great addition to the station, but reminds me more of something like a scaled-down, smaller version of San Francisco’s Ferry Building, or an Eataly. It has sixteen eateries and places to buy pizza a taglio, cheeses, great bruschetta…
Hostaria del Mercato, restaurant near the Spanish Steps Rome
Hosteria del Mercato, Via Bocca del Leone, 46a Right near the Spanish Steps yet tucked away on the quiet Via Bocca di Leone 46a, Hosteria del Mercato has been opened for a bit over a year, but guess what? They just opened up a charming food market attached to the restaurant featuring fabulous produce and…