Tag Archives: rome

Rome’s Most Famous Ice Cream Parlours

1 Dec
Rome ice cream

Rome ice cream

If you have visited Rome and come back home without visiting one of its famous “gelaterie” or ice cream parlours, you are guilty of missing out on one of the most decadent cold desserts of Italian origin. The Romans give as much importance to their ice cream as they do to pasta and coffee and visitors simply must taste this delicious ice cream of Rome because it is not only top quality, but also original.

When I was in Rome, I learned the basic difference between “ice cream” and “gelato.” The Italian “gelato” is smoother and richer than the ice cream you will find in ice cream parlours elsewhere. This is because the Italians churn the mixture and avoid loading it with cream and sugar. They also sell it in cups and cones. Also, since you pay for your “gelato” per cup, you can request 2 – 3 flavours in your cup.

Never leave Rome without visiting San Crispino, a narrow and long shop, which looks just like Italian ice cream parlours did before glass display cases were invented. San Crispino offers several flavours of gelato made of nuts, fresh fruits and even liqueurs; you will find San Crispino branches all over Rome.

During my last visit to Rome, I had visited the Coliseum and was longing for some ice cream when I spotted the Tre Scalini. This delightful place is located in the Piazza Navona and you must not fail to taste the chocolate ice cream ball rolled in chunks of chocolate with a cherry at its centre. You can eat this delightful gelato delicacy as you people watch at the square.

If you are interested in traditional Italian flavours, you can visit the 19th-century Giolitti, which is located a short distance from the Pantheon. Try the rare combination of fudge chocolate with tart lemon sherbet and you will never forget it.

Rome and summer activities

16 Aug

Rome is a great place to visit no matter what time of the year you choose to visit, as there will always be something to do or see. However, if you are considering making a trip to Rome, Italy during the summer you are sure to have a special treat awaiting you.

rome summer

rome summer

I love spending my summers in Rome, because it is the off season for tourists and also because this is the time when many of the locals take their vacations or travel to the coast. Summer is the only time of the year, when you will get to see Rome minus all the throngs of tourists and people eager to see the Vatican, making it the most peaceful, not to mention most cost effective time to travel here.

Since the influx of tourists to Rome decreases during the summer, hotels, restaurants and tour operators tend to drop their rates in an effort to attract more customers. This gives me great accommodation at a budget price while cutting down my travel costs.

If you are looking to tour the city and understand its culture and beauty, mke it a point to visit the Coliseum, Campo de’ Fiori and the Trastevere. The Coliseum opens many of its cordoned off portions to visitors during the summer and the squares and fountains are not crowded with people milling about, giving you a great opportunity to take some fantastic pictures if you are photographer.

Another fascinating aspect about being in Rome during the summer is that you will get to attend many open air shows and entertainment events organised in the Via dei Fori Imperiali, many of which have free entry.

Music lovers will enjoy themselves in Rome as the city hosts many concerts in summer; jazz concerts and live readings take place near the Basilica di Massenzio, while the Villa Celimontana and surrounding areas host many shows.

Rome at night

6 Aug

Saturday night always belongs to the Roman youth that goes out to discos, pubs, beer houses, comfortable bars or other nightclubs. That was the reason why my friends and I wanted to spend 2 weeks in this stunningly amazing European capital. And I can tell you, we were not disappointed!

On Friday we started with a trip through the cities cafés, bars and pubs, because many bars provide astonishingly diverse offers. The cocktail bars in which you only can drink beer, dance or surf in the Internet or disco pubs with live music or board games evenings are no rarity.

rome nightlife

But we have seen also a lot of comfortable, unconstrained and inviting Wine bars where one can take small snacks to the excellent wine. Examples of them are the “Trimani Il Wine bar”, the “Cul de Sac” in the Piazza Navona, the “Cavour 313” or the “Spiriti” in the pantheon.

Finally we ended in numerous beer houses (mostly Scottish and Irish), furnished in English style and always well-visited. Here we enjoyed the great variety of beer and culinary specialties from Central Europe. In bars like the “Birreria Marconi”, to the pubs “Four Green Fields or Fiddler’s Elbow”, the “Birreria to Santi Apostol”i or the “Victoria House” it is possible to spend beautiful evenings with good conversation, live music, darts, billiard and of course alcohol. We have been staying there till 3 a.m. … but that is NOT the end!

Do you know that Rome has a huge number of night clubs? Our night ended at 7 in the morning and 3 clubs more. Discos like the “Gilda”, “Jackie O” and the “alibi”, are for providing a for the beginning of the 80s typical atmosphere. Elegant clothes are welcome and the audience exists of VIPs, politicians and actors. We have never seen so many celebrities in one place and it was really interesting to see and hear that they can be “normal” people like you and me, or like my friends and me.

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