Italy is probably more often associated with wine, but there is also a long history of liqueurs (often bitter to help with digestion). As a result, there are fantastic combinations of bitters, sparkling wines, seasonal fruits, fresh herbs, to create mixers and garnishes for classic cocktails. While young Italians certainly go out for a night [...]

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The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy is iconic. It is the place to stop for a major instagram moment, but the historic structure has a storied past that includes films, untimely deaths, and hidden symbolism. Before you visit the glassed arcade, here are some of the coolest facts about this remarkable building: Age [...]

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I cannot tolerate bad coffee, even on vacation. Unfortunately, coffee in Italy is not just heavenly espresso after heavenly espresso. Luckily Venice has a long history of coffee bars (and is even home to the oldest coffee house in Europe). There are even a few places serving specialty coffee in La Serenissima if you are [...]

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While Rome is a beautiful – and overall a very safe city – it is important to be aware of potential scams that can occur. This is particularly true as we approach ‘high season’ when many visitors flock to the city and scammers take advantage of the crowds. The best way to avoid being scammed [...]

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The Appian Way, or Appia Antica, is one of Rome’s most famous and historic roads, lined with ancient ruins, tombs, and catacombs. It is a good place to walk and see some of the most interesting ruins in the city. The Via Appia Antica technically starts at Porta Capena, which is close to Circa Massimo. However, [...]

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I love the region of Puglia and we take frequent trips down to the “heel” of Italy’s boot. The rugged beaches, white washed villages, natural wonders, and amazing food are a few of the reasons I can’t get enough of the area. But I’m also drawn to the unique homes in Puglia – from the [...]

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I have wised up a bit in my years in Rome and know better than to be tempted by something that is too cute to be true… but there was no way I was going to pass up the chance to eat a mini colosseum-shaped popsicle by the Trevi Fountain. Even I have my limits. [...]

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The center of Rome is full of bucket list-worthy landmarks like the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, so it is natural that many visitors don’t prioritize the more secret spots that are hidden in plain sight. That is totally understandable but it is also a shame because the best way to see the real [...]

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We are big book lovers in my house. We have arguably too many shelves filled with well-paged books, as well as the occasional tome that we have yet to crack open. And the kids books? Well, those are read over and over and over again. Of course, I don’t always get a say in the [...]

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In a city full of wonders, the Trevi Fountain still manages to stand out in Rome. The monumental fountain reaches 26.3 metres (86 ft) high and 49.15 metres (161.3 ft) wide, and is largest fountain in the Eternal City. You will hear it before you ever see it as the water thunders out of an [...]

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Among the numbered stalls of the Testaccio Market, sitting in the same row of street food stops as Mordi e Vai and Casa Manco, Da Corrado al Banco 18 quietly arrived with a beautiful culinary philosophy a few years ago. The space was once a little Sicilian shop but it has been transformed into an [...]

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Wine is a part of the culture of the cuisine in Italy. A glass of wine is a common feature at both lunch and dinner, and let’s not forget the evening tradition of aperitivo. It is rare to drink to get drunk – that would be considered poor form or “una brutta figura.” But of [...]

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There’s a fairly high risk that you will stumble into a tourist trap when searching for sustenance around Rome’s major monuments. However, proximity to beautiful landmarks is not necessarily a bad sign if you know how to pick out the winners. Cremeria Monteforte is about as close to the Pantheon as you can get. The [...]

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As the summer temperatures hover in the 90s in Rome, the idea of a hot coffee (no matter how tiny those espressi may be) starts to feel less and less appealing. Despite the weather, it is typically hard to find large cups of iced coffee, with the cubes piled high. There are, however, local varieties [...]

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In 2022, everything in Italy is open. The country has phased out its restrictive ‘Green Pass’ that required proof of three doses to eat in restaurants or even use public transportation. Now, all you need to enter Italy is proof of approved vaccinations or a negative test. However, I want to update you on the [...]

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When I first arrived in Italy, I was confused by the lack of thrift stores. There are not many charity shops in Italy and I was not sure where to buy used goods to furnish a house in a new country in an affordable and sustainable way. I ended up with a lot of Rome [...]

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There are famous butcher shops in Rome but none are as beautiful as Macelleria Angelo Feroci. Is it weird to call a butcher shop beautiful? Probably. But you will understand as soon as you walk by the tall windows.  The shop first opened in 1923 and it has an enviable location between the Pantheon and [...]

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Perhaps you have noticed that I enjoy food. I like to shop at markets, try new cooking classes, and seek out the very best restaurants in Rome. I also hate wasting food. That is why I was thrilled to discover Too Good to Go.   Too Good to Go is an app that allows grocery [...]

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The area around Piazza Navona and Chiostro del Bramante is a beautiful tangle of Roman streets splaying and snaking through the center of the city. While there are absolutely some lovely shops and businesses here, there have also been some closures of beloved institutions like Bar della Pace and Etabli.   I love this central part [...]

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Want to have a little light hearted Roman fun? Spice up a trip to the Eternal City with a chuckle after soaking up the history? After hearing many a pun in my Roman years, I can honestly say that these are the 10 best Rome jokes around — with a bonus silly poem at the [...]

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