Good to know....
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 […]
How can you trust A Friend in Rome?
[revised February 2026] Let’s admit it: the problem with tourist services is that you rarely need them more than once, or surely not very often. Booking a tour is not like buying bread every day and making your choice based on your daily experience. You have to make an investment without really seeing nor testing […]
What is an Underground Rome tour?
[revised February 2026] When we offer a tour of “underground Rome” it can mean many different locations, as Rome has always something “below the surface”. It is surely one of the most fascinating aspects of our city. Nevertheless, not all the underground sites are appropriate for such a tour: some have very difficult (or expensive) […]
Free museums? No, thanks!
[Revised February 2026] You might have heard that in Italy we have the so called “domeniche gratuite” which means one Sunday each month (the first Sunday) most museums (all national museums and many city museums) are open for free.“Wow, that’s great news!” should be the reaction. While the real comment is “Bugger!”. Yes, it is […]
Why is a day trip from Rome a good idea?
[revised February 2026] I’ve been working in the tourist market since I was 19. In 30 years I’ve been meeting thousands of guests and what I learnt is pretty simple: travellers want to have a good time with the ones they love and travel with! Of course everyone has different interests in art, history, food, nature […]
Shopping for tours in ateliers instead of malls
[revised March 2026] Do you know when supermarkets started to exist in the commercial world? In 1830 the so-called “Magazines de Nouveautés” opened in France. Soon later, Macy’s opened in New York. Food stores opened in the US during WW1 and the traditional habit of single shops for different items waned after millennia. It’s easy […]
7 ideas to be romantic in Rome
[revised February 2026] Forget Paris! Rome is the city for romance: the pink sky over the ruins, the rooftop terraces, the Vespa rides, padlocks everywhere… If you plan a romantic journey, maybe your honeymoon or an anniversary, well… Rome has a lot to offer. Here is a non exhaustive list that we are happy to […]
5 Sport events not to be missed in Rome
[revised February 2026] Traveling abroad for sport events is a growing trend and it’s a great way to become familiar with a city by returning often. Italy is not just soccer (“calcio”), many sports are practiced and supported in our country and international events are annually organised in Rome. Just a little list of ideas: […]