Visiting Rome

Rome Landscape

As per Naples during my years in London I received many requests from the locals about the “Eternal City”. Rome.

I had the chance to live four years in this city while I was at the beginning of my career and every time I go there something of its monuments and atmosphere, immediately captures my attention. It’s probably hard to explain and impossible to understand but if you’ll ever have the chance, try in the night maybe during winter and in the middle of the week to focus on the Coliseum.

With a bit of imagination you’ll still be able to listen for the gladiators, the people, the scream and shouts that were the heart of this city together with the nearest “Foro Romano”.

Today, I consider Rome my second home and this is the reason why I decided to write a quick guide (although this is VERY quick compared to the one for Naples), that will help you moving the first steps in this city. I’ll drive you through 3 main sections:

  • What to see - cultural and non-cultural
  • What to eat
  • Fun and interesting activities

What to see:

Rome, founded according to tradition on the 21st April 753 B.C. has been the first metropolitan city of humanity. In over 3 millennia of history, it influenced the world with architecture, philosophy, religion, language and can be considered as the seed from where the modern world is born.

Due to its great past, nowadays it is still possible to admire what has been left by over 3000 years of history and magnificence. So here they come, all the monuments you would fancy to visit during your holidays ​​in Rome:

Palazzo Reale - the Royal Palace
Coloseum Pantheon Foro Romano Trevi’s Fountain Piazza di Spagna Vatican City San Peter’s Cathedral Vatican’s Museums Piazza Navona Cappella Sistina Galleria Borghese Castel Sant’ Angelo Villa Borghese San Giovanni in Laterano Cathedral Piazza Venezia Altare della Patria Via dei Fori Imperiali Gianicolo Rome Catacombs Circo Massimo Largo Argentina Ara Pacis Bocca della Verita’ Musei Capitolini

What to eat:

Even if I spent 4 years in Rome I quite rarely enjoyed a dinner out with my friends. For traditional dishes it’s better to visit a local “trattoria” rather than very famous/turistic restaurants. Anyway these are the traditional Roman dishes I’d like to recommend:

Name What
Spaghetti alla Carbonara Spaghetti, guanciale (special type of ham), garlic, oil, eggs, parmigiano and black pepper.
Gricia http://www.foodrepublic.com/recipes/roman-style-rigatoni-alla-gricia-recipe/
Amatriciana https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/oct/04/bucatini-allamatriciana-recipe-rachel-roddy-kitchen-in-romet
Cacio e pepe https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2016/nov/03/how-to-make-the-perfect-cacio-e-pepe
Abbacchio https://www.thedailymeal.com/best-recipes/abbacchio
Trippa http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/trippa-alla-romana-107811
Coda alla vaccinara https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jan/31/roman-style-braised-oxtail-stew-recipe-rachel-roddy-a-kitchen-in-rome
Porchetta https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porchetta
Saltimbocca alla romana http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Saltimbocca-alla-Romana

Fun and clubbing

Basically the city is alive on the week end and in particular on Friday and Saturday night. Even if the nightlife can’t be compared to the London ones, it’s still possible to have good night outs with your friends:

Drinking spots:

  1. Via del porto fluviale
  2. San Giovanni - the entire area is surrounded by drinking spots
  3. Gianicolo - there’s an amazing terrace from where you can get a great view of the city
  4. Campo de’ Fiori - wide selection of wine bar and cocktail bars
  5. Ponte Milvio - wide selection of wine bar and cocktail bars
  6. DoppioZerOO - ideal for a proper Apericena (aperitif + dinner) for just 10 euros you could get bottomless food and 1 cocktail. Definitely recommended. Needs reservation though.
  7. Piazza Trilussa - wide selection of wine bar and cocktail bars
  8. Testaccio - wide selection of restaurants, wine bar and cocktail bars

Clubbing:

  1. Art Cafe’
  2. Gay Village
  3. Goa Club
  4. Project Roma
  5. Spazio 900
  6. Fiesta

That’s all folks, thanks for reading this post!
In case of any questions please, don’t hesitate in emailing me at cammarota.en@gmail.com.

Enrico.

Please note all the content of this guide is based on personal preferences and hasn’t been influenced by any of the suggested stores/shops/restaurants.