A little overview of Rome

As Italians would say, all roads end in Rome. We would say that all the roads start in Rome as well, and one would better put comfortable shoes on if visiting. Rome is all about everything wonderful, from delicious cuisine, history and tradition, a great nightlife to stunning art and fashion.

All by yourself in Rome? If so then you will notice that Italians are nothing like the characters in Godfather movie, but rather they are friendly, fun and, let’s admit it, beautiful. A family trip to Rome or a solo trip can be both educational and entertaining. Romance is all around and if you’re with the loved one, be prepared for extra butterflies in your stomach.
The history of Rome began three thousand years ago, but archeologists discovered 13,000 year old traces of civilization. Rome’s tumultuous and legendary history gave birth to some of the most beautiful monuments and pieces of art. The Pantheon, or the temple of all gods, is the oldest best preserved building in the world. Its architecture has been a source of inspiration for monuments all around the world.
And speaking of large buildings, you wouldn’t want to miss the Colosseum. This was the largest amphitheatre in ancient Rome, with a capacity of 50, 000 people. Here is where the legendary gladiator fights took place. Romans are also known for their amazing public baths and systems of canalization. Visiting a public bath, such as The Bath of Diocletian, was a social “must do” as one could bath, have a massage, eat, relax in hot water or have a cold bath, not to mention enjoy the ancient equivalent of a jacuzzi.
The baths were divided by social status; this is the place where great historical decisions were taken and where the latest rumors around town were being spread. Circus Maximus (Latin for large arena) is where celebrations took place and games were played. Although some of the ancient monuments are not perfectly conserved, they could make one feel like they’re living in another era. The death of Roman Empire seems to be a legend. From this perspective, it’s interesting to take a look at The Catacombs of Rome. Since the Romans believed in life after death, cremating was out of the question. The Catacombs were underground burial places, an ingenuous solution to celebrate eternity. 
When traveling anywhere in Italy you cannot miss, simply cannot miss the Vatican: the smallest independent state in the world, the capital of Catholic Church and the Pope’s residence. A collection of beautiful museums, basilicas, monuments and paintings by Boticelli, Michelangelo or Benini will delight all your senses.
Since sightseeing is exhausting, make sure you eat well, and there is no way not to eat well in Rome. Italian food is fabulous, and good food can only come along with good wine. A typical roman meal begins with bruschetta (full of garlic), followed by the eternal Italian pasta. Be sure not to miss spaghetti alla carbonara, bucatini all’amatriciana, bucatini cacio e pepe or gnocchi alla romana. Rome is the home of the pizza as well, so it would be a pity not to try it since you are already there. You can also freshen up with  “grattachecca,” the typical Roman crushed-ice drink.
Wine cellars are widespread and so are the market places, such as Campo Dei Fiori. Historical café shops are combining traditional drinks with modern technology; famous café’s to be seen are Caffè Greco, Babington’s Tearooms, Caffè Rosati and Caffè Canova.
Rome is full of seasonal events; it’s most prestigious arts festival, RomaEuropa, runs from September to November and features music, dance and theatre with an ethnic edge.
At Christmas and Easter, pilgrims flood into the Vatican to attend Papal masses in St Peter’s square. Yet there are other various religious events around the town. On 9 March, for example, devout drivers head to the church of Santa Francesca Roma in the Foro Romano to have their cars blessed on behalf of this saint, who was said to have the gift of bilocation (being in two places at once).
Spring arrives early in Rome, bringing masses of blooms. Azaleas are praised; when they bloom (end of march), 3, 000 vases of them are arranged in Spanish Steps. Shopping is a “must have” in Italy, the capital of fashion. And naturally there are fashion boulevards: Via Condotti, Via Borgognona, Piazza di Spagna and Via Frattina.
Last, but not least, the nightlife! Young Italians meet in Campo Dei Fiori, then gather in numerous bars around the square. Rome is also an endless recourse of nightclubs, some of which are extremely popular: Gilda, Goa, Ex Magazinni. We recommend Black Out Rock Club for live music fans. 
Of course, Rome wasn’t built in a day. And, at the end of any day, there’s still something new to be discovered. There’s just something about Rome.

Restaurant reviews: La Cueva Argentinian Restaurant, Naples, Italy

Jamie Oliver’s television series in which he traveled around Italy hoping to rekindle his love of cooking showed just how chauvinistic the Italians are about their cuisine. Wherever you go in Italy the people for that region will claim that theirs is the one that has contributed most to Italian cuisine. However, the experts seem to agree that it is Naples and the Campania region in which it is found that has produced the best known Italian dishes which are now eaten all over the world. The colourful Inslata Caprese, Sorrento lemons which are made into the fabulous limoncello liqueur and the most highly regarded buffalo mozzarella all come from this region. However, it is pizza that is probably the most celebrated and best-known dish from Campania and it was first prepared at the Palazzo Reale di Capodimonte in the late nineteenth century by the chef Esposito.

As you can imagine pizza is on the most popular items on the menu in restaurants in Naples – well all Italian ones. Don’t get me wrong – I love Italian food; not just pizza and pasta but all those delicious dishes like “saltimboca” or “osso bucco” or a rich Tuscan bean soup. It’s just that I eat so much Italian food at home that when faced with the prospect of a whole week of Italian food I couldn’t get really excited about it. Of course, the food we did have in Naples was excellent and so much better than my attempts back home but after a few days I yearned for something other than Italian food.

On the surface, the only other restaurants in town were Chinese and neither of us are big fans of Chinese food but a stroll around the Piazza Amadeo area one afternoon unearthed La Cueva – an Argentinian restaurant tucked away just off a tiny square. We went in for a drink and found the staff friendly and welcoming; when a young guy came in trying to sell little animals and birds carved from wood they bought one from him and gave him a drink on the house. I can only think that in England they’d have turfed him out using a broom! We returned to eat the following evening – it happened to be the night of one of Italy’s group matches in the European Championships.

As you enter there is a bar area with a couple of tables but most people stand at the bar. You are as welcome to pop in for a drink as to eat (although I guess they’d probably welcome the money from diners more!) and it is a rather pleasant place for a drink. Unless you don’t enjoy football on this particular evening because all the staff and

Italian Foods and Eating Style Are a Fairly Relaxed Affair

When it comes to talking about Italy, food is everything – sitting around a table after a long day working or at the beach, it is food that brings the family together. Discussions about life, family matters, Italian politics and the world as a whole are quite popular during meal times when extended families sit for hours.

Italians love sitting down to eat with their immediate family, the whole process is different than that in England. There may be family members sitting around a table, but it’s not the same experience. Meal times are a fairly relaxed affair in Italy; there is no urge to eat your meal down as quickly as possible, to rush off to do something else. The food is brought to the table at a relaxed pace and eaten slowly; afterwards, of course, the family talk follows.

In case of a big family gathering, the preparations start hours in advance of the arrival of the first guest and continue till much later, as the hosts usually prepare much more food than needed. The event gets underway only when everyone arrives – it is like an un-written rule that until all the guests arrive and all food is prepared, no one gets in the mood to enjoy. Children, however, are an exception to this rule posted at mexicanfoodsrecipes.com, as they tend to get past watchful eyes of adults, and pinch salami and cheese from the table.

Finally, when you do sit down for the meal, it is a very long, relaxed and drawn out process. Generally, Italians can sit down to a ten-course meal, eaten for over three hours pointed out by italianfood-recipes.com. There will be more courses if the family gathering is bigger, as everyone usually brings something with them to add to the table – a good traditional homemade Italian food. The courses are generally rather small and are usually served on large platters in the center of the table, within easy reach of everyone at rentbarcelonaapartment.co.uk/planning_europe_vacation.htm. If you are new to this experience; remember, not too get so full on the fist few courses that you regret not having space for another course further down the line.

There is never ever anything like a quiet Italian dinner table something is always going on! The older men sit at the head of the table discussing the old days, the women usually rush back and to from the kitchen with more trays of food, the younger generation, compete to be heard when all sit around the center of the table discussing the state of the world and the children do all that children normally do.

Even as the meal reaches it’s grand finale, most members stays around the table with conversations going on for hours, or maybe a game or two of scopa. The event gets underway only when everyone arrives – it is like an un-written rule that until all the guests arrive and all food is prepared, no one gets in the mood to enjoy. Children, however, are an exception to this rule, as they tend to get past watchful eyes of adults, and pinch salami and cheese from the table. A traditional Italian card game – though a few people may saunter off to relax!

Tips for visiting Rome

Rome is an amazing city. Whether your into the churches, the art, the gorgeous food and wine or the handsome Italian’s, this city has it all.

What to do depends on 1) if it’s your first trip 2) your interests 3) how long you go for.

1) If it’s your first time in Rome there are certain "must sees". The vatican, the colosseum, trevi fountain, Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna etc… Rome is actually very easy to get around and you should be able to cover all the big sites in one or two days. Make sure you get to the vatican early or you could find yourself in line for hours.

2) A lot depends on your interests too. There are churches everywhere which are worth a visit both for religous reasons and for the art. Monuments are everywhere too and you’ll find you see a lot of art and history just walking around the city. If you’re more into nature and relaxing, there are numerous parks (Villa Borghese is right in the centre and great for a picnic. From the Pincio you get a great view over Rome too).

3) How long you stay for will also effect how much you see. As the famous saying goes "A lifetime is not enough". If you have a couple of weeks check out the big sites in the centre and some of the lesser visited ones like St. Petro in vincoli (up the hill in front of the Colosseum which has in my opinion one of Michelangelo’s best pieces), take one of the boat trips down the tevere river to Ostia (the beach), get a bus to Tivoli and go to Villa D’este (a beautiful villa with gorgeous gardens full of statues, fountains, and view of Rome from a distance)

make sure you eat at restaurants where Italians eat and not at the tourist restaurants in the centre. Although some tourist menus are ok they are nothing compared the Italian food prepared for Italians. Think about it, tourists menus are created for people who won’t be coming back, proper Italian restaurant what the people to come back and therefore have better quality of food and service…and price!

Dining in Italy

Tips: Dining Etiquette, Dining Establishments, and Meals in Italy

An Italian breakfast is usually very light. Most common is a freshly baked croissant or brioche with a coffee. Cookies and sweet breads are also common for breakfast. Cappuccino’s and caf lattes are only ordered by Italians in the morning. Freshly squeezed orange juice with the pulp (spremuta) is usually always available as well.

Any eating places that you see with names like Ristofit, Ristogrill or Autogrill are gourmet Italian fast food chains. The food is fresh, cooked in front of you and inexpensive. They are all over Italy and are most commonly found on the Altostrati (national highways) or in shopping centres.

When you order gelato in the birthplace of gelato, “gusti” means flavours and you can usually order two flavours on the next to smallest or smallest size and even more flavours the bigger size your order is. “Coppa” is a cup and “Conno” is a cone. You can also ask for a free sample before choosing your flavours.

Tipping is not required unless it says so. Read every menu – Sometimes there is a cover charge per person. In Italy, it is called a coperto. It usually falls between 1-2 per head and is usually charged at a sit down establishment such as a ristorante, trattoria, or osteria rather than a cafe. When paying also verify that the prices are accurate.

Bar/Cafe (sandwiches, light fast meals), Caffetteria, Trattoria, Ristorante, Osteria (fancy) – These are eating places in order of lowest priced to highest priced. Trattorias are the most practical for a great dining experience whereas a bar or cafe is best when you’re on the go and looking for a cheap quick bite. You won’t get a bad meal anywhere you go. Italy is the biggest producer of organic foods in Europe and fourth in the world. One third of the organic farms in Europe are in Italy.

A 1/2 carafe or carafe of the house red or white wines (vini) are the most inexpensive locally produced wines on the menu.

Meal order – Pane (bread), Antipasti (appetizers), Primi (First Courses usually a pasta or rice dish), Secondi (Meat or Fish) with Contorni (Side, vegetable or salad)), Dolce (Dessert), Cafe (espresso), Grappa or Limon cello to “kill” the cafe. Many opt to usually just stick to a Primi unless really hungry.

Italians do a light snack before lunch and before dinner at bars and cafe’s called an apertivo. You order one drink and are entitled to as much as the spread that they have laid out at the bar or cafe. Sometimes there’s just a flat charge for the apertivo and included are the drinks and snacks.

Lunch usually starts 1at 1300 and dinner at 20:30. If you want to beat the crowd than you can arrive a little earlier than those times.

All the coffee here is espresso so do not ask for an espresso, ask for a caf.

At restrooms, you may see a cleaning lady with a bowl of change. That is for tipping and not required. Locals never do it.

Most importantly, remember that In vino veritas (”in wine [there is the] truth”). Buon appetito!