Good to know....
A bit of Rome’s etiquette
[revised March 2026] When we travel, we have the privilege of encountering new cultures. However, while we often envision our travel experiences in idyllic ways, not always are we prepared for the practical sides of living these experiences within the respectful bounds of the local culture. If we are not aware of social norms in […]
Vespa tours: rules for the self-drive mode
[revised March 2026] Touring Rome on a Vespa is one of the most exciting and fun experiences you can have here! We usually suggest to have a driver: they are local and used to Roman traffic, they know the roads and how to handle “sanpietrini”, they have everyday experience on two wheels. And this option […]
Time to relax: Spa in Rome
[revised March 2026] A holiday should be relaxing. Usually a trip to Rome is not so relaxing as you can easily end up walking 20k steps a day! But you can find some time in your busy plan for a bit of relaxation in a Spa. After all the ancient Romans invented the thermal baths! […]
“I feel like dancing”
[revised March 2026] If you are not too tired after all the sightseeing during the day, you might hit the dance floor during your stay in Rome! So here is a little list of clubs and we wait for your discoveries and suggestions: Caffé Latino: in the lively Testaccio district Nur: near Piazza Venezia, a […]
Eat like a local
[revised March 2026] Many of you ask about “non touristy restaurants”. Let’s be honest, Rome is a touristy city and most of the restaurants in the centre now cater for tourists more than locals. They can be good, anyway, even if you will be surrounded by many languages different from Italian. We tried to provide […]
14 fun facts about Italian food (and drinks!)
[revised March 2026] A little collection of “Foodies’ pills” which can be interesting to know preparing a trip to Italy: Italian cuisine, differently from the French one that was created in the kitchens of the most famous chefs, was born in the homes of the middle class in the XIX century. This domestic gastronomy had […]
25 ideas for your “Ancient Rome” tour
[revised February 2026] Most of our visitors in Rome have in their “must see list” what is generally called “ancient Rome“. They usually mean the archeological area in the very centre of Rome, represented by the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill. But in Rome we have “ancient roman stuff” everywhere! With this article we want […]
How hot is Rome in the summer?
[This article has been written in September 2023] Summer 2023 is almost at its end and I decided to recollect some thoughts about the “heat waves”: last July I received some calls and mails from the other side of the ocean (friends, former or future guests, journalists) asking How was I coping with the heat? […]
No “must sees” tickets? Try these alternatives.
[revised February 2026] “Everybody goes to the same handful of sites. If you just go to those sites, you’re going to have a trip that is shaped by crowds. Or you can break free from that and realise that you can study the options and choose sites that are best for you. You can go […]
Vatican tours? We quit.
When I began as a tour guide – 15 years ago – I wouldn’t say the Vatican Museums were ever empty, they were definitely busy, yet bearable and occasionally even pleasant. There are unique masterpieces in the collections, and I’m not just talking about the Sistine chapel: we also have Raphael, Botticelli, Perugino, Caravaggio, all […]