4 Tips to avoid the tourist crowds in Rome

Rome has a lot to offer so, first of all, be sure to take time to enjoy “La dolce vita” . There are several experiences to choose from during a holiday in the Eternal City but, especially in some periods, the main attractions can be crowded and stormed by tourists. You can visit  Rome with more tranquility and live it like a Roman for a few days anyway: here are our 4 tips.

Get up early in the morning (or go to sleep late)

The city gradually wakes up and usually the main monuments – such as the Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Spagna, the Colosseum – are almost deserted in the early hours of the morning and are even more fascinating. So there are two options: either get up very early, or go to bed very late. Better avoid the central hours of the day if you want to visit the most popular sites.

Plan your visits

Organizing visits to museums and archeological sites in advance is always a good idea. In order to avoid long lines, buy a ticket online. While booking a private tour is also a good way to enjoy the sights to the fullest.

Get lost in alleys and streets

Walking is the best option to discover little-known corners of the city and avoid public transport during peak hours, when they might be more crowded (in the morning around 8-9 am and in the afternoon around 6-7 pm). Walking without a destination, as well as exciting, also gives the opportunity to see Rome in its most authentic features.

Choose restaurants far from tourist spots

The traditional Roman cuisine is a real delight, this is a fact, but Rome offers many other types of cuisine and flavors. So escape big chains or restaurants with tourist menus and go discover the restaurants, pubs and clubs frequented by Romans: your palate will thank you!

Sometimes you only need to follow simple tips to avoid the tourist crowds in Rome and have the opportunity to see how a European capital still manages to preserve authentic and genuine places and traditions.

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5 reasons NOT to visit Rome

Are you planning your next holidays in Rome, because the Eternal City still lacks your personal list of European capitals to visit absolutely? Or has it been recommended by friends and relatives and you have decided to finally follow their suggestion?

Rome is certainly a fascinating city, but it is not suitable for everyone …These are the 5 reasons NOT to visit Rome.

There are too many monuments

How many times have you heard about the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum,  the Imperial Forums? And they are certainly not the only places you can’t miss in your first visit to the Eternal City. There are also Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Venezia, Largo Argentina, the Jewish Ghetto, Piazza del Popolo and the Pincio, San Pietro and Castel Sant’Angelo … It’s a little too much, isn’t it?

You risk getting fat

The dishes of traditional Roman cuisine are known because they are delicious, but certainly not saved in calories. Spaghetti alla carbonara, bucatini all’amatriciana, spaghetti cacio e pepe, coda alla vaccinara and saltimbocca alla romana. Better avoid the numerous trattorias of the city or its starred restaurants if you are following a diet.

Street food is not as you expect it

It’s street food, but forget hot dogs or fries. In Rome you can try supplì- stuffed with rice, tomatoes and mozzarella- pizza slices, white pizza with mortadella, sandwiches with pork. Not really what you can imagine..

It rarely snows. What winter is that?

Those who love snow and cold will most likely be disappointed by Rome. In fact it rarely snows and even if the temperature some days reaches 4 or 5 degrees, the sky is often blue and offers unforgettable sunsets. In order to ski or enjoy whitewashed landscapes, you have to travel about 100 kilometers, in the nearby Abruzzo.

Too many temptations for shopping

Via del Corso, via Condotti, via del Babuino and via Frattina are really popular because they host dozens of shops of all kinds: clothing, accessories, jewelry, perfumeries, craft shops … How do you resist? Stay away to avoid falling into temptation!

Photo credit: @lau.versari-Instagram)

Renouncing Rome might be a good idea if at least 3 of these reasons affect you. Still unsure whether to book your trip or not? We’ll soon provide another list!

5 esperienze da vivere a Roma almeno una volta nella vita-1 parte

Chi è nato a Roma la ama, ma chi non ci è nato e l’ha incontrata, a volte, come nel mio caso, la ama ancor di più. (Giovanni Canestri)

Roma è una città che va compresa, corteggiata, conquistata. Viverla quotidianamente è una continua sfida, perché sa essere caotica e dai mille volti. Spiazza, affascina, fa anche un po’ arrabbiare. Poi basta ammirarla al tramonto, con quel cielo rossastro che circonda il Cupolone, e ci si ricorda perché, alla fine, è considerata una delle città più belle del mondo.

Ma Roma non è solo ciò che mostra agli occhi di chi la visita superficialmente. È molto di più: oltre la suggestiva Fontana di Trevi, l’elegante Piazza di Spagna, l’imponente Basilica di San Pietro ci sono storie, abitudini, particolarità, luoghi meno conosciuti che contribuiscono a creare il suo fascino.

Sono tante le esperienze da vivere nella Città Eterna: queste sono le prime 5 da provare al più presto!

• Visitare la Fontana delle Tartarughe

Tra Largo Argentina, piazza Arenula e il ghetto ebraico c’è una piazzetta famosa soprattutto perché ospita la Fontana delle Tartarughe, una piccola fontana rinascimentale protagonista di una leggenda, quella che racconta fu costruita in una sola notte per volere del Duca Mattei. Per raggiungerla bisogna percorrere suggestivi vicoli e stradine, dove si possono anche trovare negozi molto particolari.

• Visitare la Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea

Una passeggiata a Villa Borghese, per godere di questo grande cuore verde al centro della città, per poi perdersi tra le opere della Galleria Nazionale. Un appuntamento da non perdere: questo museo ospita più di 20mila opere- tra cui capolavori di De Chirico, Modigliani, Hayez, Canova, Van Gogh, Klimt- eventi e mostre temporanee.

• Leggere i messaggi lasciati a Pasquino

Marforio, Madama Lucrezia, Pasquino, Babuino, Abate Luigi e Facchino: conoscete le 6 statue parlanti di Roma? Fin dal XVI secolo su queste statue, dislocate in varie parti della città, i romani usavano affiggere messaggi ironici e graffianti, solitamente destinati ai governanti, chiamati “pasquinate”. Su Pasquino, che è una delle più famose e si trova nei pressi di piazza Navona, anche oggi si possono leggere appelli di vario tipo. Perché non passare a trovarlo?

• Rilassarsi al Giardino degli Aranci

Il Giardino degli Aranci, sull’Aventino, è un luogo conosciuto soprattutto perchè offre una splendida vista su Roma. In realtà è perfetto anche per fermarsi a leggere un libro, per dichiarare amore eterno al proprio partner o anche solo per riposarsi prima di passare alla visita successiva. Raccolto e speciale, può donare serenità, soprattutto quando gli aranci sono in fiore.

• Assaggiare la famosa pizza bianca

Roma è una città unica anche da un punto di vista culinario: i suoi piatti tradizionali- come la pasta cacio e pepe, la coda alla vaccinara e i carciofi alla giudia, tanto per citarne alcuni- sono apprezzatissimi e molto conosciuti. Ma quando non c’è tanto tempo per pranzare, oppure per uno spuntino sfizioso, perché non concedersi la famosa pizza bianca, scrocchiarella e ricca d’olio? Una bontà soprattutto se appena sfornata: la più famosa è quella del Forno a Campo De’ Fiori.

A Roma tradizione e magnificenza convivono, dando origine a delle esperienze assolutamente originali e che lasciano il segno: appuntamento alle prossime cinque!

 

Top 5 brunch spots in Rome

Walking on Sunday mornings in Rome is an experience that you should try at least once in your life. Observe the city that wakes up little by little, go and visit St. Peter’s Square, Castel Sant’Angelo or the Pantheon, and then decide to have a brunch in one of the many restaurants in the city. Why don’t you do it as soon as possible? Here are the top 5 spots to choose from for your delicious Sunday brunch in Rome (or, if you prefer, your “Sunday long lunch”).

‘Na Cosetta

The Famous bistro ‘Na Cosetta in Pigneto neighborhood- a particular and fashionable district of Rome- organize a brunch called “il colanzo” every Sunday. Italian dishes, oriental revisits and freshly baked desserts. From 12 to 16.

‘Na Cosetta (Facebook)

Dolce

In the Africano district, Dolce offers a New York-style brunch with international dishes from the five continents. Eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, hamburgers and desserts, all to be tried in a very special location. From 12 to 15.

Dolce (Facebook)

Queen Makeda

In San Saba, just a few steps away from the Circus Maximus, the Sunday brunch is at  Queen Makeda Grand Pub. A fixed price buffet of international dishes (and many of the English tradition), more than 40 craft beers to choose from and a menu designed for children. From 12:30 to 16.

Queen Makeda (Facebook)

Mavi

Hamburgers, bagels and pancakes for both buffet and à la carte brunch for Osteria Mavi, a restaurant with a familiar and elegant atmosphere close to Lungotevere in the Marconi area. American coffee, water and juices are included in the price. From 13 to 16.

Mavi (Facebook)

Camillo B

In the central Piazza Cavour, a few steps from Castel Sant’Angelo and San Peter’s Basilica, Camillo B offers a brunch with different dishes: eggs, vegetables, quinoa, focaccia and chicken curry. Here you can also find a space dedicated to children with entertainers. From 12 to 15:30.

CamilloB (Facebook)

As a family, as a couple or with friends: Sunday brunch is a unique opportunity to relax and enjoy the Eternal City from another point of view. The more “international” one but with a touch of originality and Italian taste.