AmyHuang
When in Rome, do what the Romans do
Toni from What's Your Story asked in her post When in Rome? whether we have been in Rome and that prompt me to share my experiences of Rome.
I was skeptic of Rome, just like I always am with any major cities in the world. I expected commercialism, mass tourism and overrated museums. My views have since then changed. Although I still find it unpleasantly busy with tourists, it is in fact a very nice city, and virtually a life sized history museum.
I stayed with Lucca from the Hospitality Club, who is a mid-night news journalist on one of the Italian tv channels, which was perfect as during the mornings when he needs to sleep, I am out sightseeing, and in the afternoon towards night time before he goes to work, he takes me around the different areas of Rome to some of the local eateries and hang outs, before heading off to work.
His flat was two blocks from the Vatican city, which made it quite central for me to freely roam around on foot, or take the underground metro around.
So I went around the usual attractions, such as the Coliseum, The Pantheon, The Vatican, The Aventine, The Trevi Fountain... etc. Each of these at any time of the day were surrounded by armies of camera wielding tourists (including me!) and I decided that there was no place for me to linger so my second day was simply just strolling along the river, sipping espressos in coffee bars and visiting second hand bookshops out of the tourist routes.
Lucca took me out on the scooter on my second night and went around the city looking at each of the different attractions again. By night time Rome is quiet and calm, tourists have retreated back into the comfort of their hotels leaving the locals roaming about, casually enjoying a cup of yet another espresso and heading off to different events and parties around the city.
And I got hooked on buffalo mozzarella margarita pizza.
I have been trying out all the mozzarella margarita pizzas back home but nothing have been the same. When Lucca ordered this for me at his local pizzeria, I didn't expect this simple, plain recipe could become my absolute favourite. The focus is on the Mozzarella made with buffalo milk rather than cow milk, the flavour is a lot stronger but not overpowering, topped with fresh tomatoes and basil it was a taste to die for.
Never will I be able to have Pizza Hut or Dominoes (or any other similar fast food pizzas) ever again.
Links:
The ItalyGuides: Rome
Lonely Planet: Rome Overview
Every road leads to Rome. The main road leading up to the Vatican.
I was skeptic of Rome, just like I always am with any major cities in the world. I expected commercialism, mass tourism and overrated museums. My views have since then changed. Although I still find it unpleasantly busy with tourists, it is in fact a very nice city, and virtually a life sized history museum.
Beautifully decorated columns along the streets of Rome
I stayed with Lucca from the Hospitality Club, who is a mid-night news journalist on one of the Italian tv channels, which was perfect as during the mornings when he needs to sleep, I am out sightseeing, and in the afternoon towards night time before he goes to work, he takes me around the different areas of Rome to some of the local eateries and hang outs, before heading off to work.
His flat was two blocks from the Vatican city, which made it quite central for me to freely roam around on foot, or take the underground metro around.
So I went around the usual attractions, such as the Coliseum, The Pantheon, The Vatican, The Aventine, The Trevi Fountain... etc. Each of these at any time of the day were surrounded by armies of camera wielding tourists (including me!) and I decided that there was no place for me to linger so my second day was simply just strolling along the river, sipping espressos in coffee bars and visiting second hand bookshops out of the tourist routes.
The attack of the tourists at Trevi Fountain
That is the beginning of the line to the Vatican museum, it stretch for another two bends on the block. My reason for not having gone there.
Lucca took me out on the scooter on my second night and went around the city looking at each of the different attractions again. By night time Rome is quiet and calm, tourists have retreated back into the comfort of their hotels leaving the locals roaming about, casually enjoying a cup of yet another espresso and heading off to different events and parties around the city.
And I got hooked on buffalo mozzarella margarita pizza.
I have been trying out all the mozzarella margarita pizzas back home but nothing have been the same. When Lucca ordered this for me at his local pizzeria, I didn't expect this simple, plain recipe could become my absolute favourite. The focus is on the Mozzarella made with buffalo milk rather than cow milk, the flavour is a lot stronger but not overpowering, topped with fresh tomatoes and basil it was a taste to die for.
Never will I be able to have Pizza Hut or Dominoes (or any other similar fast food pizzas) ever again.
The Roman Forum
Links:
The ItalyGuides: Rome
Lonely Planet: Rome Overview
What's Your Story?
Big Day Plunge
Thanks for answering the prompt. Oh how I would love to see Rome for real!