Coffee break

Posted on Jan 20, 2022 in Foodies & Shopaholics

[revised August 2022] If you have seen a cup of coffee here in Italy (our little cup, in fact, is called “tazzina”), you know why most of our cafeterias don’t have tables, but you just stand at the bar for our “coffee shot”. Well, when you are on holiday and far from your accommodation, sometimes […]

Rome’s attractions and official websites: what a mess!

Posted on Jul 30, 2021 in On your own

[revised November 2021] When we travel, we experience the confusion of someone looking for the most direct and official platform to book tickets for attractions and finding tons of options. The “real one” is usually several lines under the fake ones. The reason is easy to get: these alternative platforms pay to be on top […]

Travelling for faith to Rome

Posted on Aug 19, 2020 in Arts and History, On your own

[revised November 2021] Rome is the capital of Christendom, but I rarely sense the spirituality of this city of martyrs and saints in the most celebrated basilicas. Nevertheless, a lot of travellers come here in reason of their faith, maybe it’s not the only push, but an important one. Therefore we ought to provide a […]

Contemporary Rome

Posted on Aug 19, 2020 in Arts and History, On your own

[revised November 2021] “Eternal Rome” means that the jewel box of antiquity also has a very modern soul that will surprise you. Here is a list of areas, museums and venues we recommend, if you are looking for the contemporary aspect of Rome: EUR district was the rationalist project that should have been hosting the […]

Food weirdos

Posted on Aug 19, 2020 in Foodies & Shopaholics, Time out to reflect

[revised November 2021] Food can be a divisive subject, something so personal and “ancestral” that we immediately notice when somebody has different eating habits from us. So, it was fun to collect some of the aspects that make us, Italians, seem weird to the eyes of people coming from another continent: we usually eat lunch […]

Aperitivo on the roof

Posted on Aug 19, 2020 in Foodies & Shopaholics, On your own

[revised August 2022] The skyline of Rome has undoubtedly something special and the joy of the sunset with a drink from the rooftop of a smart terrace should be part of your Roman holiday!  Thanks to the suggestions of some friends who are actively “researching” and testing, we have here now a list of cool places for […]

Children in Rome: with us

Posted on Jul 13, 2020 in Children

[revised November 2021] Following our post dedicated to families travelling to Rome, and our tips to enjoy your spare time with your children on own, here is the final section dedicated to what we can do for you: we offer tours and activities especially planned for families. Up to 6 year old. Very young travellers […]

Children in Rome: on own

Posted on Jul 13, 2020 in On your own, Children

[revised November 2021] Following our post about how to best arrange a family trip in Rome when young travellers are involved, here we collected several suggestions on how to spend your spare time with kids in Rome, divided by age groups: Up to 6 year old. Casina di Raffaello (indoor): it is a game room […]

Children in Rome

Posted on Jul 13, 2020 in Children

[revised November 2021] Rome offers a lot to families with children: many open-air attractions, the food every child loves, curiosities for any interest or age, and professional guides with a special attitude with kids (yes, that’s us!) At A FRIEND IN ROME we do not offer standard kids tours, but a selection of itineraries and […]

10 fun facts about St. Peter’s basilica

Posted on Jul 7, 2020 in Arts and History

[revised November 2021] When  the pandemic started, I got the idea of how serious it was when St. Peter’s basilica shut down (March 2020). It never happened in the history of this church, never. Since the reopening in May 2020, the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel into the basilica is not available, and lines to get […]