Roman Holiday is one of my favorite Audrey Hepburn films and Rome is one my favorite cities for a week of dining and strolling. Long lunches, gelato, and pizza in the seat of one of history's great empires-- what's not to love?
Favorite Guidebook:
Rick Steves' Rome 2011
is like having a personal tour guide in your pocket or purse. It's also a book that opens doors, literally. Many restaurants and shops have special offers and freebies only for people carrying the unmistakable blue books penned by Rick. Skip down to "Favorite Restaurant" below for details.Favorite Time of Year:
My last visit to the city of Rome was in the late Spring, but it's hard to beat the cooler temperatures of the fall. That's why October is many peoples' favorite time to hang out in Rome. Avoid the peak of summer if you can because of the heat. Italy essentially shuts down in August.
Favorite Attraction:
The jury is still out on that one! There are so many to love. And I'm not just talking about gelaterias...honestly!
Favorite Restaurant:
Cafe dello Studente is my standout favorite place for a long lunch in Rome. The sidewalk tables have a view of the Roman Colosseum and the lasagna is divine. Don't miss it. Rick writes that travelers holding one of his guidebooks can expect to receive a royal welcome from Simona and her husband, but that is an understatement. We walked in and she yelled “Rrrick Steves’!” with the rolled “r” sound and eagerly showed us to a table. As usual, all of the tables were placed on the sidewalk. We read in the book that most cafes have two prices: one for purchasing food to go, and a higher charge for sitting at a table. Real estate isn’t cheap. However, with the book, we got the table for the to-go price, some free appetizers, free drinks, and a baseball cap.
Favorite Travel Tip:
As always, I advocate traveling with carry-on bags, only. One thing I’ve learned over the years is the value of traveling without any checked baggage whenever possible. It never fails to save tons of time and hassle. If the thought of not being able to pack more clothes than you need for your trip sounds like too much to bear, try imagining the joy and freedom of walking straight through customs and immigration and beginning your holiday while your fellow travelers jockey for position around groaning and lurching baggage carousels. The fun of strolling past that mess is definitely worth occasionally needing to wash a pair of socks in a hotel bathroom sink. Most people don't return from a trip abroad saying, "Next time I'm going to bring MORE luggage!" Luggage is called luggage because it's not fun to lug around.
More to Come:
Stay tuned for journal entries from the trip! I'll type them up as soon as I have time. Meanwhile, if you'll excuse me, there is a pizza with my name on it.
