Latest articles from When in Rome Tours.

Extreme Makeover Termini Station

Construction began today at Termini Station in Rome to create a massive parking structure that will accommodate 1400 cars and 180 motorbikes. When finished, Termini station in Rome will be the first station to have a parking lot that is built on top of its train platforms.

Currently unable to accommodate the traffic of vehicles that transit around the station in conjunction with its 800 arrivals and departures each day, action was needed in order to render the station more accessible to visitors and to ease the traffic caused by cars illegally parked in the surrounding areas.

The renovation is expected to take four years, although it is not uncommon for projects like this to drag on endlessly in Italy.

Shops inside Termini Station could suffer during the four year renovation.

During construction, much of the train, subway and bus traffic that is currently concentrated around Termini Station will be transferred over to Tiburtina Station, the second largest train station in Rome. Tiburtina lies four metro stops going Northeast from Termini Station.

The construction could have a huge impact on hotels near Termini Station, as much of the appeal of staying in the Termini Station area had to do with the convenience of having all the city transport connections nearby for sightseeing in Rome. It is unlikely that the Tiburtina area could become a hub for Rome hotels, as sightseeing in Rome gets a bit difficult given that there is no direct metro access for Vatican tours (Tiburtina is on metro line B, while the Vatican is closest to metro line A). Tourists heading across the city for Vatican Tours would be wise to choose a hotel located elsewhere on Metro line A such as the Barberini or Spanish steps area.

Click here to view a slide show of what the completed station will look like in (or around) 2014.

10 Vacation-busters for Rome

Well, it might take more than a raging sunburn to actually ruin your vacation, but below are ten ways in which a perfect trip to Rome can turn into a disaster. Really, I HATE to say “I told you so” and love to see what people do their research and avoid finding out what happens as a result of bad planning.

1. Wearing cameras or money belts around your neck
This seems like common sense, a big no-no, right? Still, I see them every time I get onto the Rome metro. If I had a dime for every time I have seen someone’s money and passports tucked neatly into a pouch and worn around the neck or on the outside of their pants, I would not be writing this story because I would be a millionaire sunning my buns on my private yacht. This, my friends, is a Rome gypsy's dream come true. You will neither see nor feel her as she heads off with all your goods.

How NOT to wear a money belt in Italy

2. Changing all your foreign currency at the airport
The money changers at the airport are probably the very worst in Rome. They will give you the worst possible exchange rate and also take a hefty commission on top of it. In our experience, the best way to get access to cash in Rome is by ATM withdrawal, using a debit or credit card. Find more on exchanging money in our FAQ section.

3. Getting into an unmetered taxi
As you exit the airport, Termini Station, and other heavily touristed places in Italy, you will be approached by people offering you rides. Nine times out of Ten these are unlicensed taxi drivers, and once they get you in their car they will charge you as much as they want for even just a ride around the block. Before taking a taxi, make sure it is a white taxi with a comune di Roma license on it and that the meter is running. Unfortunately, there are ways even the licensed Rome taxis will try to pull a fast one on you, but you are far more protected with them than with the vultures on the street.

Rome taxi drivers have earned a reputation for being thieving maniacs behind the wheel

4. Not bargaining with street vendors
If you stop to admire any of the goods sold on the street (a word of advice, buying knockoff bags in Italy can result in a 1,000 Euro fine to the BUYER, as well as a fine and confiscation of the seller’s goods), it is understood that the prices are flexible, more so if you are buying several items. At certain markets with high volume sales and clearly marked prices, the merchant may be unwilling to bargain and this is normal too. When prices are not marked, it is not unusual for a vendor to ask a much higher price from tourists than they would locals. You can usually knock the price down quite a bit by offering about ½ to 2/3 of the asking price. If the vendor is keen to sell, he/she will meet you somewhere in between. If not, don’t think twice about walking away.

Artists sell their work in Rome's Piazza Navona

5. Buying food and drinks from the food carts
Possibly the worst rip-off in Rome, these four wheeled money-pits are stationed all around the main Rome attractions such as the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel and charge about four times the actual worth of bottled water, sandwiches, gelato, and snacks. Head to a bar or alimentari off the main squares and the prices will be much lower.

6. Ordering cappuccino or coffee drinks with lunch.

This is a big no-no which is never done in Italy. There is a scientific order to food in Italy (maybe one of the reasons why Italians are so much thinner), and they WILL be disgusted if/when you violate that order.

7. Sitting down to drink coffee at the bar
While this not a true hanging offense, you should know that at many Italian bars, especially those located around the main Rome attractions, the price doubles or even triples if your coffee is served to you at the table. Most Italians stand up at the bar and drink their coffee quickly. Sometimes, sightseeing in Rome can be so exhausting that all you really want is to sit and enjoy a nice drink without feeling rushed. When this happens, just be sure to ask what the price will be before you order - if it seems like too much, it probably is.

8. Relying on hotel concierge for all recommendations
The Hotel concierge in Rome can be a great resource. It is part of their job to know how to help tourists with any and all of their needs while sightseeing in Rome and getting around in the city. A word to the wise, they are usually “on the take” and when they recommend someplace to eat in Rome, a tour, or taxi service, it is usually because they are getting paid a hefty commission to do so. While the services they recommend may be perfectly on the up and up, it does pay to do your own research and rely on other recommendations as well as online research and guidebooks. It pays to be informed!

9. Pictures with Gladiators
These jolly old posing praetorians who will grab you and strike a funny pose for your pictures are not just doing it for fun. When I first came to Italy about 15 years ago they would charge 5,000 Lire (about 2.50 Euro). That price tag has now risen to 5 Euro, sometimes even 10! They get nasty when you try to barter with them, too. Think twice before you snap that picture for the family album.

10. Not wearing sun block
Let’s let this picture speak for itself:

(Face has been covered to protect the dumb and unprepared)

July and August in Rome can be brutal, with soaring temperatures and blazing sun. Bring sunblock and a hat to protect yourself from unwanted sunburns and heatstroke. If you can, beat the heat in Rome by loking into hotels with swimming pools or public pools in Rome.

Follow all of the above tips and you may well have yourself the vacation of a lifetime in Rome!

10 Places not to miss on a 2nd visit to Rome

When people come here to visit, nine times out of ten the standard Rome sightseeing agenda applies: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, gelato, end. This is understandable. After all, most tourists only spend two nights in Rome, and some even attempt to see Rome in just one day! While some people do stay a bit longer and are able to see more, most see the basics and then toss their three coins into the Trevi with hopes of coming back some day.

Some people never do make it back to Rome. Others do, and finally have the time to enjoy sightseeing in Rome the way it was meant to be done - leisurely and thoroughly. Below are some of the Rome attractions that are often overlooked on a first visit, but definitely should not be missed while sightseeing in Rome the second time around.

1. Basilica of San Clemente - Three layers tell the fascinating story of this church, dating back to the first century when the structure was a temple to the Pagan God Mithras. A Christian church was erected on the site in the 4th century, and the Basilica standing over it all today was finished in 1120. This church is truly an amazing representation of three exemplary periods of Rome. San Clemente is located in Piazza San Clemente, tucked behind the coliseum off of Via Di San Giovanni in Laterano.

Mosiac of St. Peter at the Vatican Capuchin Friars used bones to decorate walls

2. Scavi Tour under St. Peter’s Basilica – Few tourists know about this tour, yet it is one that absolutely warrants a visit. The Scavi are the excavations underneath St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The Scavi tour guides you through the remains of the original Basilica which was commissioned by Emporer Constantine in the 4th Century AD as well as where the tomb of St. Peter lies. This tour must be booked directly through the Vatican and can be done here.

3. Catacombs – The Roman Catacombs are all located outside the center along the Via Appia Antica, or the Appian Way. This is the area of Rome where Christ is believed to have appeared to Peter as he fled Rome during the times of the Christian persecutions. There are at least 40 different catacombs in Rome, but the most popular are outlined here. To get to the catacombs, take Metro line A to the stop “San Giovanni” and from there take bus 218 going outbound to the Via Appia Antica.

4. Capuchin Crypt (Also known as the Bone Church) This crypt is located below the church of Santa Maria della Concezione in Rome’s Piazza Barberini. The Capuchin friars used the bones of their departed to decorate this six room crypt. There are rooms that are decorated using only the bones from one specific body part, ie crypt of the pelvises, crypt of the leg and thigh bones, etc. A video tour can be found on youtube.

5. Borghese Gallery Museum – Easily one of Europe's finest art collections with paintings of masters such as Raphael, Titian, and Caravaggio. However, what people really come to see at the Borghese Gallery is the world’s largest collection of sculptures by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, a genius of the Baroque who mastered the ability to fight gravity and win. Works housed in the gallery include the Rape of Prosperina, David, and Apollo and Daphne. Located at Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5 more info.

6. Caravaggio Paintings inside San Luigi dei Francesi Church- A series of paintings by Caravaggio are located inside this otherwise unassuming church just off Rome’s Via Del Corso. A look at these paintings tracing the life of St. Matthew shows why Caravaggio is known as the master of the chiaroscuro technique, which plays on the contrast between light and shadow. Located at Via Santa Giovanna d'Arco, 5 more info.

Borghese Gallery Museum Ancient Roman Column

7. The Ecstasy of St. Teresa This sculpture by Bernini is located inside the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria church at Largo Santa Susanna. This piece is one of the sculptural masterpieces of the high Roman baroque period, and is only a short walk from Rome’s central train station, Termini. Few tourists actually get over to see her, but those who do will have a lasting impression of the grandeur of Maestro Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s work in Rome.

8. Il Chiostro del Bramante: Home to art exhibits, conferences, libraries and a fantastic cafe, this space is a haven in the middle of a chaotic Rome. The space was designed by Bramante and is attached to the church of Santa Maria della Pace along Via Della Pace (not far from piazza Navona) The café is an indoor/outdoor space in the courtyard that serves lovely salads and light fare as well as coffee and aperitifs. There is free wireless access (which is hard to come by in Rome)! You won’t find this in many of the Rome guide books, so enjoy it while it is still a hidden jewel!

9. The lake at CastelGandolfo. Just a 30 minute train ride from Termini Station, and it is where the Pope’s summer residence is located. The volcanic lake is always a serene and relaxing place to spend a cool day away from the chaos of Rome. There are places to rent bicycles, boats, etc, and several excellent restaurants serving up local Porchetta from nearby Ariccia and wine from the Castelli Romani. My favorite is Da Agnese, which is along the lake (just after the tunnel, turn left. Da Agnese is about ½ Kilometer up on the right side).

View of Lake Albano and Castelgandolfo Wine tasting at the Castelli Romani

10. The view from Piazza Garibaldi on the Gianicolo hill - the perfect spot for a quiet break from sightsee

ing in Rome and the best place to watch the Roman day winding down at dusk. There is a little kiosk where you can enjoy the view with a beer in hand, picking out the shallow Pantheon amongst the numerous domes on the horizon. When the rain or cold air has blown all the smog away, he mountains of Abruzzo will appear from off in the distance.

Scenic overlook of Rome

5 Reasons to Love August in Rome

While many Rome experts will tell you to avoid visiting Rome in August due to drawbacks such as extreme heat, those who actually bite the bullet and come anyway may find that it is actually a perfect time to visit. Here ‘s why:

1. Shopping! The end of season sales begin in July and continue on straight through to about mid August. Prices on all spring/summer clothes, shoes, and even household goods and accessories will be marked down by 50% or more by August. The new autumn collections will also be out, which means one can get great deals on goods for this season, and a sneak peak at what’s in for the season to come.

2. Weather Over the past decade, the weather in Rome has shown an increasing trend of record heat during the month of July, with August being slightly cooler and at times rainy.

3. Driving This perk may be more of a benefit to those who live in Rome as opposed to those just visiting, but for any of you who have had the opportunity to drive in Italy, you know how scary it can be. With most of the Romans away for the summer holidays, suddenly the Roman streets are a driver’s heaven. No traffic, no beeping, no road rage, and no problem parking just about anywhere your little Roman heart desires.

4. Staying Cool If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen. Between the beaches, lakes, and pools right in the city, there are plenty of ways to beat the heat in Rome. For those with an ambitious agenda for sightseeing in Rome, the best way to plan your day would be to get an early start when visiting outdoor monuments such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Historic Center. By lunch time you should be ready to have a bite to eat and then back to the hotel for a siesta or swim in the pool. While there are only a handful of Rome hotels with swimming pools, rates are not much higher than those without. When the temperatures soar above 35, you won’t regret spending a few exra Euro for this added convenience.

5. Ice cream! Scientific studies (carefully carried out by yours truly) prove that the hotter it is, the more gelato one must consume in order to maintain a healthy body temperature and overall disposition.

When in Rome, STRIKE as the Romans Do.

March 12, 2010

Italy’s biggest Labor union, the CGIL has called a general strike today. The frequent strikes in Italy never used to bother me. Given my general feeling about the work ethic in Italy, I assumed they felt like having a long weekend and used the sciopero as an excuse to catch up on beauty sleep.

No public transport? Who cares! I’ll walk or ride my bike.

No posta? Good, one less nasty bureaucrat I’ll have to deal with today.

Alitalia on strike? Pffft, I’d be crazy to book a flight with them in the first place.

No school?? Now you’ve got my attention. Yesterday the teacher of my kid’s elementary school warned us: “We may come to school, but it’s possible the cafeteria workers will strike so if that is the case the doors will be closed and that is how you will know there is no school." Oh, great.

It was an anxiety-ridden walk along the four blocks to school this morning. To my relief, the doors were open and it appeared as though it was business as usual. While sending the little one into the class, however, the teacher said “We’re here, and judging from the smell of stewing vegetables it looks as though the cafeteria workers are here as well. But it is possible that the afternoon teachers will strike, and if that happens we will call you and tell you to come and get the children right away.”

Hmm, that makes it kind of hard to plan a day at the office of conducting tours of Vatican City now doesn’t it? Well, if worst comes to worse I can always start training the children to lead the tours of Vatican City. After all, it’s about time they start earning their keep!

Living in Italy takes a lot of patience.

Events in Rome

September

September 18-20, 2009 - International Storytelling Festival in Rome

Raccontamiunastoria (read me a story) Storytelling Company will host its first Storytelling festival to celebrate and share the magic of stories through tales, legends, myths, and music in both English and Italian. The world's best storytellers will create a bridge of images between their culture and the audience, reviving the traditional art of storytelling.

Some interesting events for adults and children alike will take place over the three day festival, including open floor storytelling where anyone is welcome to tell a story, Rome sightseeing storytelling, and an ethnic music jam. Events will be ongoing from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM at different venues throughout the city-places to be announced. Visit the event website here.

Through September 20, 2009 - Via dell'Impero: The Birth of a Road

An exhibit with traces the demolition of the historic center that took place under Benito Mussolini in order to construct the Via Dei Fori Imperiali in 1940 which would connect the Colosseum to his own residence in Piazza Venezia. Historians estimate that up to a third of Rome's Ancient City may have been buried forever during this operation. Drawings, paintings, and artifacts discovered during the period are on display at Palazzo Caffarelli.

Tuesday-Sunday 9.00am-8.00pm - ticket office closes an hour before closing

Tickets: € 8.00, Reduced Rate: € 6.00

information: 060609 (9:00 AM to 9:00 PM)

Address: Palazzo Caffarelli, Capitoline Museums, Capitoline Square

website: http://en.museicapitolini.org/mostre_ed_eventi/mostre/via_dell_impero

When In Rome tours is a small company dedicated to providing innovative and thought-provoking Vatican Tours and Rome Tours for all audiences. Native-level English speaking guides of Rome and Italy help the tourist to discern between documented history and legend, bringing the Eternal City to life like no other tour provider.

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Touring Rome on 50 Euro A Day-hotel excluded

It’s hard to answer when people ask how much they should budget for spending money per day in Rome. The answer obviously depends on the lifestyle of the traveler, and what kinds of things are non-negotiable while touring.

Back in college, I went on a backpacking trip with my best friend. At the time we managed to scrape by on about 30 US dollars per day to sleep, eat, and sightsee. My friend managed to do this while still buying at least three cans of coke (at about 3 dollars each) per day, normally from an obvious tourist trap of a snack mobile parked about ten feet in front of the Eiffel Tower.

While such a budget would now be impossible (Yikes, how many years HAS it been?!), my tastes are no longer those of a backpacker, and so I’ll write about what it would now take to keep a city gal such as myself sheltered, fed, and entertained.

As lodging in Rome can really throw off a daily budget, I won’t include in my daily tally. Let it suffice to say that a bed in a shared dormitory goes for about 23 Euro, and a Room at the five star Hotel Hassler sells for about 600 Euro per night. Somewhere in that range, a bed to suit your needs and your wallet awaits you in Rome.

I would budget a minimum of 50 Euro per day to cover your basic needs (shopping not included) and Rome sightseeing agenda. Calculate that you are likely to spend around 10 Euro per day in entry fees to monuments like the Vatican Museum or to see the ancient city, etc, that will leave you 40 Euro or so per day for food, drink, bus tickets, etc. Tours in Rome normally start at about 20 Euros, so as much as we advocate entrusting your Rome sightseeing wishes to a qualified guide, we’d better leave the tours out of the equation for now as well.

Here’s how it’s done. Most hotels, hostels, and B&B’s offer complimentary breakfast. Eat up! Save money at lunch time by having "pizza a taglio" (pizza by the slice) and a drink. If you get hungry mid afternoon, 1.50 Euro will buy you a heavenly cone of gelato which will keep your bellies pleasantly full for a few hours. Save the real meal, your precious Euros, and your appetite, for dinner. A nice dinner in a typical Roman restaurant can be had for about 20-30 Euro per person including wine.

5 Silly Mistakes NOT To Make When In Italy

Whenever borders are crossed, it helps to be aware of any cultural differences, traditions, and ways to avoid insulting the members of your new host community. While such borders exist even within the same country, when travelling abroad it is especially important to do some research. When it comes to not making a fool of oneself, a little effort goes a long way!

As experts in the Rome sightseeing industry, we have had the opportunity to witness and document many a tourist faux-pas in Italy. By avoiding this short list of no-no’s, you should be in the clear to enjoy the Italian Holiday of your dreams.

Comparing everything with “back home”

Yes, we know the streets are wider, the cars are bigger, the bathrooms are cleaner, the waiters are friendlier, the lines are more orderly, and the list goes on and on. Instead of comparing everything, just shed your typical way of looking at things and enjoy Italy for what it is, not what it is lacking. In doing so, you may be pleasantly surprised!

Trying to speak to Italians in bad Sicilian/Neapolitan dialect

Many foreign tourists come from Italian backgrounds. Bear in mind that most Italians who emigrated came from the deep South or Sicily. They most likely spoke only a dialect of Italian that was specific to their region, and through the generations, that dialect has mutated even further to become something that is all but incomprehensible to most Italians. They won’t understand you, may look at you funny, and are more likely to follow you if you speak in English. If you do wish to try to get by in Italian, a short list of helpful phrases can be easy to obtain and simple to remember.

Sitting down at the bar

While this not an actual offense, you should know that at most Italian bars, the price doubles or even triples if you want the bartender to serve your coffee at the table. Most Italians have their coffee standing up at the bar.

Ordering a cappuccino with a meal or after a meal

This is considered disgusting and unhealthy by Italians. Cappuccino is a breakfast drink, and after 11:00 AM it has no business being served. If you must have one after your dinner, etc, ask at your own risk. Chances are you will get it, but not without a good deal of fussing and moaning.

Changing menu items

In countries like the United States, it is almost customary to substitute menu items. Ie hold the bacon, skim milk instead of whole, without nuts, egg whites, and so forth. Italian waitors have no tolerance for such requests. Their food is prepared in a ritualistic way, and to break the harmoniousness of a dish by adding to or removing from it is frowned upon.

Death By Italian Chocolate

Although world nutella day may be gone (but not forgotten by a certain Italy writer who shall remain nameless apparently), that is no reason to turn our backs on chocolate. As ambitious as your agenda for sightseeing in Rome may be, one must set aside time for hunting for the perfect chocolate experience in Italy. Here are ten of our favorite types of Italian chocolate.

1. Nutella.
In my opinion, this heavenly spreadable chocolate will forever occupy the pedestal at the chocolate parade. Enjoy it by itself, on bread, or in any of these creative ways to eat nutella.

2. Novi nocciolato
My all-time favorite chocolate bar. This is what it looks like.

It also comes in dark and white chocolate, but do yourself a favor and stick with the milk chocolate with hazelnuts. You won't regret it!

3. Gelato al cioccolato

Go to one of the better gelaterias in Rome and try the gelato al cioccolato. In Italy is common to mix several flavors of ice cream in the same cone or dish, so if you want to change it up a bit, mix the plain chocolate with the nocciola, stracciatella, or Rocher flavors.

4. Cioccolato caldo
If the weather is too cold for gelato, I have just the thing to warm you up. Try the Italian version of hot chocolate (made by Eraclea brand if you can find it). Sometimes these are so thick that your spoon will actually stand up in the cup (when this happens I like to refer to them as "hot pudding" rather than hot chocolate.

5. Baci by Perugina
These little individually wrapped bundles of goodness each have a fortune inside (although really what is there to say besides "you are about to have some seriously good chocolate, bravo").

6. Gianduiotti
Gianduiotti come from the Piemonte region are made from hazelnut chocolate. Caffarel makes delicious little golden wrapped triangular shaped gianduia chocolates that are wonderful.

7. Tortino al cioccolato
This is similar to the internationally renowned "molten chocolate cake" where when you cut into it, the inside pours out like hot lava. As with many things, in Italy it just seems to taste better!

8. Ferrero rocher
The Ferrero Rocher is another pocket sized beauty that is sure to brighten your day.

9. Pocket Coffee
Also produced by Ferrero, these little guys kill two birds with one stone. A bite sized piece of chocolate that has a shot of espresso inside, just waiting to explode into your mouth. So good, and so sensible (you'll be shocked at how much sightseeing in Rome you get done after downing a few of these)!

10. Amedei Chocolate bars
The Amedei chocolate bars are worth their weight in gold, literally. In a small factory near Florence, the Tessieri family makes this delectable chocolate from scratch. They do not buy chocolate in bulk and melt it down the way most chocolatiers do, they make it from start to finish, and it shows in their divine product. The Amadei price tag reflects this, but some things (like Amedei chocolate) are worth paying for.

If you liked our advice on the best chocolate in Italy, you'll LOVE our post on the top 10 must-eats in Rome!

A Food Lover's Top 10 List in Rome

Everyone knows that when taking a trip to Italy, half of the fun is in the food. While it is hard to find a truly bad meal in Italy, not every restaurant in Rome is serving up top quality fare. Here is a list of 10 must-try foods while visiting Rome and a few pointers on where to get them at their finest.

First things first. Start out the day as the Romans do with an Italian sugar and caffeine bomb.

1. A delicious espresso or cappuccino at the Tazza d’oro bar near Rome’s Pantheon or another reputable coffee bar.

Cappuccino with a heart designed by my favorite Roman bartender

2. The perfect accompaniment to that coffee is without a doubt the bomba con crema. Though it may look like your run of the mill sugar donut with cream inside, there is so much more to it than that. These are best when fresh, so before you buy one ask how long ago they were made. If they have been sitting there for more than half a day, don’t waste the calories on it and wait for some fresh ones!

One bite of this bomba and you will be changed for life

After you have done a bit of sightseeing in Rome and you are ready for a savory meal, below are some essential tips for eating well in Rome.

3. mozzarella di bufala – this milky white ball of love is a wonderful appetizer along with a good quality olive oil, a little salt, and some fresh cherry tomatoes or Rughetta (arugula). Mozzarella is best served at room temperature, so if you buy some at the local market make sure you leave it out for a few hours before eating. At a restaurant it should be served at room temperature.

When it comes to mozzarella, bufala is best

4. Culatello di Parma – Much like the Prosciutto di Parma but an even more selective cut. Pure food of the gods – at 40-45 Euro per kilo you will only need a slice or two to realize why. Do not stuff it into a sandwich as to do so would be sacrilege. Savor it by itself. Buy it at a good quality deli, and be sure that the color is on the light side as in the photo. The darker the meat, the lower the quality.

At 40 Euro per kilo, Culatello is worth its weight in gold

5. Bucatini all’amatriciana – a true Roman classic. This dish is made with guanciale, or pig’s cheek (some restaurants substitute pancetta which is also good) in a tomato sauce and sometimes with a bit of peperoncino. My favorite is at Vecchia Roma, a restaurant that resembles an ancient Roman cave and has been serving this dish up for decades. It comes inside an opened wheel of Pecorino Romano (not parmigiano!) cheese and is blended inside the wheel in front of your table before serving. Vecchia Roma is located at Via Ferruccio, 12/C just a block from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele.

Rome's best Bucatini all'Amatriciana

6. Spaghetti alla Carbonara- A more fattening version of the Amatriciana (hey, you're on vacation). Instead of tomato sauce this is made with a creamy sauce made of egg and cheese. Vecchia Roma also makes a delicious carbonara.

How do Italians eat like this and stay so thin?

7. From Turin to Trapani, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese has been adopted as a staple food for Italians Used to top pasta, pizza, and even on its own, only 100% natural ingredients are used to make this wonder cheese. If you get the chance, try some that is aged 24 months and enjoy it on its own before grating it onto pasta or anything else.

In Italy, Parmigiano can even be used as collateral for a mortgage

8. Gelato - No matter what time of year it is, gelato is always in season in Rome. At any given time, one will see Italians enjoying a delectable cone of cioccolato, pistacchio, nutella, or any of the hundreds of flavors put on the earth to tempt us. When looking for a great gelateria, it's best to stay away from tourist stands and chain gelaterie.

Gelato: how to choose?

9. Cannolo – Originating in Sicily, the Cannolo has now invaded the world. Try to find a Sicilian bakery such as Ciuri Ciuri located in the Monti district and you will understand why Cannoli have Italians and tourists alike fully addicted.

Italian cannoli with chocolate chips

10. An anytime comfort: hot chocolate. A cioccolato caldo in Italy is something you must experience before leaving. On a cool day, find a bar that serves hot chocolate from a machine that keeps it churning. If you are concerned because your spoon stands up straight when you dip it into the cup, rest assured and know that you have a winner.

Italian hot chocolate (a.k.a. hot pudding).

Once you have eaten all of the above (and of course had your fill of sightseeing in Rome) you can safely return home or to your next travel destination. And start a diet?

SOME MORE TOP EATS IN ROME CONTRIBUTED BY OUR READERS!

Cherrye from My Bella Vita: One of my favorite Roman dishes to add to this list is cacio e pepe.

it is always in season and features freshly ground black pepper and Pecorino Romani cheese. It is a specialty at one of my new favorite restaurants in Rome's Monteverde, La Pietra Scheggiata where they smother the dish in a thick truffle sauce ... Mamma mia!

Lisa from Wanderlust women -I will agree that Bucatini all'amatriciana is the best in Rome but THE best has to be at Hotel 47 near In Bocca di Verita. I know you are thinking hotel must be overpriced and not that good, only for tourists. Trust me when I tell you that you will be happy all week long........and do follow itup with the chocolate lava cake for dessert.
By the way, the fresh sfogliatelli at Fiumicino are some of the best I've had in 2 countries.

FoodloverKathy's list

1)Penne alla vaccinara at Trattoria Capo di Ferro (in Trastevere)
2) Second Shayma's Cacio e pepe at Roma Sparita (in Trastevere)
3) My fav bucatini all' amatriciana was at Da Bucatino (in Testaccio) and Ai Spaghettari (in Trastevere)
4) Gelato from Giolitti
5) Piazza Bianca at Il Forno in Campo dei fiori
6) Arancini, Cannoli Siciliani & Granite from Mizzica near Piazza Bologna (for a little taste of Sicily in Rome)
7) Anything from Il Fico near Piazza Navonna
8) Picnic fare at Volpetti (in Testaccio)
Better stop, I'm way too hungry now.

Send us yours! What was the best thing you ever ate in Rome? Tell us what you had, where you had it, and send a pic if you have one!

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