The first time I drank grappa I was lost in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome. My girlfriend and I eventually found a bar and we took the only two seats outside. I asked the owner what he recommended. Grappa he said. Ever since that first experience, I’ve admired the strong liquor. The small piazza on which […]
One of the most exciting bits of planning your Italy vacation itinerary is also one of the most important aspects of your trip. The options are, of course, dazzling. Should you go to Venice or Milan? Which cities in Italy are the most important? Which Italian city has the best food? Naturally, we want to […]
Positano from the sea Rome is nicknamed the “Eternal City” and the “City of Seven Hills”. It is easily Italy’s most fascinating city because of the millennia of history tied to this ancient place. Rome was once the political and administrative center of the glorious Roman Empire, which governed lands stretching from the Mesopotamia to […]
The immortal city of Rome is never more stunning than at night when all of its incredible buildings, fountains, and piazzas are artfully lit. My girlfriend Kristin and I have explored several walks throughout the city at night, but we keep coming back to one in particular, which takes us past many of Rome’s most […]
The first question asked by most people flying into Rome is – ”How do I get from the airport to my hotel?”
The Vatican dominates the art museums of Rome, with its vast collection of treasures, but for me, the Borghese Gallery and Villa has even more appeal. Some of the sculptures here are so beautiful and perfectly crafted, you can only marvel at the genius who created them.
The Italian word “ossario” (ossuary) can be traced back to the Latin word osseus, which means boney, and this is, quite literally, exactly what Italy’s ossario are. A resting place for the dead, they have been called crypts, catacombs, and tombs, but none of these words quite get the point across. Ossario are usually rooms […]
When I first heard the phrase “fifth quarter meats,” I asked: What are fifth quarter meats, and how can you get five out of four? The answer to this latter question illuminates the history of Rome’s unique style of cooking. The first quarter of a butchered animal was given to the nobles, the second to […]
The Roma Pass was once a little-known trick of sophisticated travelers, but it has now become a must-have for anyone visiting Rome for the first time, especially during peak season. It saves you time and money, and makes it easy to use Rome’s public transportation. The Roma Pass costs 23 euro at the time of […]