WHY ROME?

A new name, a new look & a new home

2014-07-08T13:04:00.002+02:00

Notice anything a little different? I recently changed the site up quite a bit. Why Rome? is now Why Roam? because I wanted to be able to share travel tips and experiences with you for cities other than just Rome. I’m very, very lucky (I seriously count my blessings every day) to have the ability to travel around Europe some, and I want to share those adventures with you too.

You’ll probably notice the new look – new name, new logo, new site design. But I also changed the website address for the site. It is now http://whyroamtravel.com. Please be sure to update your feed reader account so you don’t miss out any of the new things I’ll be sharing with you.

To kick things off, I would love for you to join me on your social media platform of choice (Facebook, Twitter and/or Pinterest) for a photo series of 30 days in Paris. I’ve had the AMAZING chance to spend some time in this fabulous city, and I would like to share my time here in Paris with you.

A friend of mine (another American expat in Italy) recently did something similar when she and her adorable little family came back to visit Italy this summer. I thought it was a great idea and a better way to bring the trip to life. You can check out her trip to Italy in photos by visiting her blog.

To follow along on my Paris journey, be sure to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and/or Pinterest. I’ll be using the hashtag #30daysinParis. Welcome to my new (online) home! I look forward to sharing new adventures with you!

Learn Italian Hand Gestures ... from Models

2014-01-27T13:25:00.000+01:00

Sorry fellas, this one is mostly for the ladies.

Have you been wanting to learn how to make a few Italian hand gestures? Or maybe you've seen the gestures and have wondered what exactly they mean? Well wonder no more. Now you can learn Italian hand gestures ... and learn from models. Dolce & Gabbana models that is. In no time you'll be gesturing like an Italian pro. Enjoy! :-)

Coromandel ~ Lovely Brunch in Rome

2013-11-05T12:00:00.000+01:00

Coromandel is one of my favorite places to have breakfast or brunch. It's located in the area of Piazza Navona. You'll find it down a quieter side street, and will likely pass right by it if you didn't know it was there. Once you enter inside though, it is anything but ordinary. The mention of scrambled eggs, pancakes and French toast lured me there. The delicious food and lovely setting has kept me coming back.

Coromandel has more of an old world, French bistro feel. The cozy setting with fluffy pillows displayed on the bench, shelves of books, warm decor and dim lighting invites you to stay and linger.

Breakfast and pastries are served on the loveliest of china. I always feel spoiled here because everything is so pretty. Not only are the dishes and decorations lovely, but the food is delicious, too!

I was leary about ordering the French toast. This is not an Italian dish, and I'm not aware of it being on other menus around Rome. I ordered preparing for the worst, but was most pleasantly surprised. The French toast is delicious, and even comes covered in syrup. (Syrup is also not typical in Italy.) Now I can't hardly order anything else.

The cappuccino is also great, with a dish of sugar cubes served alongside. (I told you this place is fancy and makes you feel spoiled in the simplest of ways.) They also have iced coffee that is sweetened with almond milk, and it is also great if you're in the mood for something a little different.

Whenever I get a craving for French toast, or just want to feel a little special, I head to Coromandel.

P.S. - Coromandel also serves lunch and dinner. Although I've only had breakfast, I'm sure lunch and dinner dishes are equally as delicious.

Coromandel

via di Monte Giordano 60/61

Telephone: 06 688 02 461

Website: http://www.coromandel.it

Open 8:30 AM - midnight, Closed on Mondays

Shiatsu Massage in Rome

2013-10-15T07:00:00.000+02:00

I love Groupon! For those of you not familiar, Groupon is a website where you can purchase deals and discounts for various businesses. It's a great way to try a new place at a discounted rate. I receive their daily deal emails, and always quickly scan through to see if anything jumps out at me. A few weeks ago I came across a special for Shiatsu massage. I've had plenty of massages, but never tried Shiatsu. It was a great offer to try something new, and I am very glad that I did!

Shiatsu means finger pressure in Japanese. It is known as a type of alternative medicine, and uses more of a finger and palm pressure technique, as compared to traditional massage. It is used to help with relaxation, stress release, muscle pain, anxiety and depression. Another way Shiatsu differs from traditional massage is that it is performed while you are fully clothed. This is great if you're not super comfortable with dressing down to only your undies (or less) in front of a stranger.

My first Shiatsu experience (and hopefully not my last) was at Shiatsu Life. It is owned by Valter Vaccaro, and is located in the hip Testaccio neighborhood. The deal I purchased was for three massage sessions, so I was able to go once a week for three weeks. And let me just tell you, having a standing massage appointment sure does help you get through the week. :-)

From the first session, Valter was extremely kind and very much a gentleman. He made me feel comfortable and relaxed. Shiatsu is usually performed on a large futon mat, so no awkward massage table to climb up on. During a session, Valter has lit candles around the room, and incense to help you relax. Depending on your position (whether face down or on your side), he strategically places pillows to help support your body. Also, as with typical Shiatsu, you are fully clothed the entire time. Each time I went, I wore a sports bra, t-shirt and leggings. Oils are also not used since the massage is done over your clothes, and since Shiatsu uses finger pressure as opposed to hand rubbing.

If you would like to try Shiatsu, or are looking for a way to relax while you're in Rome, I definitely recommend Valter with Shiatsu Life.

Shiatsu Life
Via Florio, 6

+39 333 261 9946
http://www.shiatsulife.it
Shiatsu Life on Facebook

MADE ~ Cupcakes in Rome

2013-10-08T13:30:00.000+02:00

I have a sweet tooth. I mean, a major sweet tooth. I can't get enough of cakes, cookies, brownies, or just about any type of pastry. Although typical Italian pastries are good, and I'll very rarely turn one down when offered, most just seem to miss the mark with me. I am used to (and prefer) richer, sweeter pastries.

I crave light, moist cakes with buttercream icing, rich chocolate brownies, melt in your mouth chocolate chip cookies ... all of these abundant in the U.S., but missing in Italy.

When I stumbled across MADE and saw a variety of American style pastries on display, I almost tripped over myself trying to enter the shop.

MADE is a short walk from Piazza Navona. It is small inside, with no tables to sit down. The decor is white and bright, with pops of color mostly coming from the mouth watering baked goods on display.

I am a sucker for cupcakes, and that's what I've gone for both times I've visited. I'll have to try a cookie or two next time though.

The first time I went, I had a chocolate and lavender cupcake (pictured below). It was quite unique - chocolate cake with thick, fudge-like chocolate icing topped with sprinkles of dried lavender. It had just a hint of lavender flavor, not overpowering at all. Different taste, but quite good. However, the cake was a little on the dry side.

The next time I went I chose the red velvet cupcake (pictured above). This one was really tasty. The cake seemed to be more chocolate than red velvet (no complaints here), and was moist. The cream cheese icing was airy and whipped. Needless to say, I polished this one off in record time!

If you're only in Rome for a few days, MADE probably shouldn't be added to the top of your to-do list. But if you're craving American baked goods, this could be just the fix you need. :-)

MADE Creative Bakery
Via dei Coronari, 25
+39 06 98932195
http://www.madebakery.com/
MADE on Facebook

Holy Mass with Pope Francis

2013-10-01T14:00:00.000+02:00

This past Sunday I had the pleasure of attending Holy Mass at St. Peter's Basilica and got to hear Pope Francis speak. It was really a neat experience! Although I'm not Catholic, I still appreciated and enjoyed the opportunity to be there.

I also had the pleasure to watch a group of sisters see St. Peter's in person for the first time. They lit up like a group of little kids on Christmas morning. Seeing their reactions made me appreciate my surroundings even more.

Below are several more photos taken during Holy Mass.

My Italian Baby Turns 1

2013-09-24T14:00:00.000+02:00

Dolce is my furry baby, and this past week we celebrated him turning one. He wasn't planned for, but this little guy has brought so much joy, happiness, laughter and love into my home and life. Many things have changed in my life since I have been in Italy, but Dolce is the best of those changes.

Dolce means sweet in Italian, and it is the perfect name for him. He's very playful, loving and easy-going. He likes to travel, play, go for walks and cuddle. Below are photos of him doing some of his favorite things.

Dolce as a baby. I can hardly believe how much he has grown!

He likes to 'help' with everything. Here he's helping to make the bed.

He likes to hide in the middle of pillow forts.

He likes to play hide and seek. Dolce hides under rugs, and I hide behind chairs.

He always gets excited when his food and treats are delivered. (I order most of his things online from a fabulous company, www.zooplus.it)

He likes to go for walks in the park.

Sometimes he likes to make "art projects" while I take a shower.

He also likes to keep me company while I take a bath by waiting in the dirty clothes basket in the bathroom.

He has a passport so he can travel. In the spring, he flew to New York City and back. He's also been to the beach in Naples, Italy.

He recently got a pet stroller to make traveling around Italy a little easier. So far, he's been enjoying his walks, and has even taken a few naps in his stroller.

Finally, at the end of the day, he just wants to be next to or held by his Mommy.

I'm thankful every day for this little guy.

Happy birthday, my sweet Dolce.

You.are.very.loved!

Pizzeria Florida ~ Good Pizza al Taglio in Rome

2013-09-17T14:28:00.000+02:00

Pizza al taglio, which means pizza by the slice, or more accurately, pizza by the cut, is a popular type of food in Rome. It's like the Italian style of fast food, if you will. There are usually a variety of toppings and flavors to choose from. The American in me loves being able to have a variety of flavors to choose from. Although delicious, sometimes you just want more than the classic margherita (tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil). I also like this style of pizza because it has more of a bite when it comes to the crust. Regular Roman-style pizza (not to be confused with pizza from Naples), has more of a really thin, cracker crust. Pizza al taglio has a softness to the bread when you first bite in, then a crispy crust underneath.

To order, you let the person behind the counter know which pizza you would like, and if you would like a large or small portion (you pay by weight). I usually like to get two small portions so I can try different flavors. As you can see from the photo above, they actually cut the pizza with scissors. Hence the name, pizza al taglio, or pizza by the cut. Once cut, the pizza is warmed in the oven for a few minutes. You can then take your pizza to go (porta via in Italian), or eat there. At Pizzeria Florida there is a small stand up counter inside, along with a few benches outside on the sidewalk where you can eat.

On my latest visit, I opted for two different flavors - tuna and a twist on the classic margherita. Thick pieces of buffalo mozzarella with hints a fresh basil and bursts of juicy, roasted plum tomatoes on a crispy crust always hits the spot. The tuna is completely different for pizza, but really delicious with moist tuna, juicy olives, chunks of tomato and peppery arugula.

Pizzeria Florida is located in the city center along the tram #8 route, right across from the ruins of Largo Argentina. They are open Monday - Saturday from 9:30 AM - 10:00 PM, and closed Sundays. Not only is the pizza good here, but their prices are pretty reasonable too. You can expect to spend around €5 per person for pizza and a drink.

Pizzeria Florida
Via Florida, 25
06 6880 3236
TripAdvisor Reviews

Biking ~ Down by the River in Rome

2013-09-10T14:00:00.000+02:00

I've been biking pretty regularly lately, and I've been loving it! I work from home, so the morning bike rides help to break my day up and provide some extra exercise. I live in Trastevere, so the Tiber River is near for me. I usually always ride down next to the river. There's no street traffic, only other bikers, walkers and runners. It's so lovely and peaceful being near to the water. Sometimes I almost forget there is a bustling city going on just above me.

In addition to the exercise, the rides have been great for me to gather my thoughts. I'm in the process of working on several upcoming projects, and it's nice to be able to think creatively in an open environment and not always at a desk in front of a computer.

I like to ride by Castle Sant' Angelo and the Bridge of Angels. I never cease to feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I am able to be in this environment. I am always in awe as I approach and ride by the ancient castle that Emperor Hadrian had commissioned 2,000 years ago. The same feelings evoke as I admire Bernini's angel sculptures along the bridge. The things that have happened here and the phenomenal history that surrounds this area just about blows my mind some days. (You can click on the links above to learn a bit about the history of the castle and bridge.)

You can't really tell it from the photo below, but the water under this bridge always seems to sparkle like diamonds with the way the morning sunlight hits. Always a treat!

I also get to do quite a bit of bird watching along my rides. It's great being able to enjoy and appreciate the little things.

It's been a while now, but we came across this guy playing the saxophone one day during a ride. It was so beautiful, and felt like he was there to play just for us. It's a memory I don't think I'll forget anytime soon.

I've also been riding in the opposite direction along the river, toward Testaccio. This part of the river is not so manicured and is a bit more rustic, but it's still so lovely. The trees along the bank provide extra shade, and a different feel along the ride.

Nature and ancient structures ... the best of both worlds, and an incredible start to the day!

Rainbow MagicLand ~ Rome's Amusement Park

2013-09-02T14:00:00.000+02:00

Did you know Rome has an amusement park? Most people don't. The majority of visitors come to Rome to visit the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Vatican Museums, and an amusement park really isn't on their list of things to do. If you have kids, this is a great place for you to think about visiting though.

Rainbow MagicLand is the name of the amusement park, and it's actually located on the outskirts of Rome in a town called Valmontone. To get there you can drive, take a train from Termini or go by bus. You can see Rainbow MagicLand's website for the different ways to arrive.

As soon as you enter the park, everything is done on a grand scale. The park makes you feel like you're stepping into an ancient era.

You'll also feel the magic with the layout of the park ... it's really stunning.

The park has plenty of rides for those seeking adventure. Rainbow MagicLand offers several different roller coaster rides.

They also have an area for the younger children to play and ride rides. It's really colorful and fun.

The park also has a carousel, which I couldn't resist and had to ride.

If you need a break from enjoying the rides and exploring the park, you can catch a show at the theater. The show was filled with singing, dancing and beautiful costumes, along with a few tricks. It was entertaining for both adults and children.

The park is primarily open during the summer months. You still have September to make a visit to Rainbow MagicLand, then it will mostly be open on the weekends during the winter/school months. You can visit Rainbow MagicLand's website for opening times.

What do you think about Rome's amusement park? Would you like to visit, or have you visited? If you visited, what was your favorite thing at Rainbow Magicland?

Fish Market ~ A Seafood Restaurant in Rome

2013-08-27T10:00:00.000+02:00

Fish Market is one of my favorite places to go in Rome for a seafood dinner, or for a quick bite in the evening. The food is always delicious, and they offer one of the best happy hour deals in town!

Fish Market has two locations in Rome, but I always visit the one in Trastevere, near to the river. You have two options - dine in or dine out. If you're in the mood for dinner, then you can dine inside the restaurant or outside on their patio.

If you're looking for a lighter option and just want a small bite, they have one of the best happy hour deals in town. For €5 you can get an appetizer and a glass of wine. They have this offer from the time they open for dinner (around 7:00 PM - P.S., they're not punctual) until 8:30 PM. You can sit inside and order this special, or you can grab it to go from their take-away window.

I always order a cartocci, which is a paper funnel stuffed with either fried calamari or shrimp. My favorite is calamari. The one draw back with the take-away option is that there is really no place right there to have a seat. When we've gotten it to go, we've taken it across the street and enjoyed our appetizers and wine while looking out over the river. Always lovely to do!

If you choose to dine inside, you will be given a paper menu and pencil. You'll need to mark the items you would like to order, then take the paper menu to the cashier to pay and turn in your order.

You also have the option of choosing your fish from the 'catch of the day' case. You let the chef know which fish you would like and how you would like it cooked (grilled or fried), and they will pull it out right then and prepare it fresh for you. If you order the appetizer special inside, you will be able to have your accompanying wine in a glass and not in a disposable cup. Hey, some days these things are important, and a girl just needs a proper glass of wine!

You don't have to make reservations, but try to get there closer to opening time to avoid a wait because they tend to pack out around 8:30 PM, especially on weekends. Enjoy!

Let me know if you've ever been to Fish Market, and what your favorite thing there is.

Fish Market in Trastevere
Vicolo della Luca, 3/5
Telephone: 366 914 4157
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FishMarketTrastevere

UPDATE: If you have a larger group, Fish Market isn't the best place to go. I met up with a larger group here for appetizers and drinks. The day before we were told a group of our size would be fine. On the day of the meetup, prior to opening, we were told a group of our size would be fine. Once everyone arrived, it ended up not being so fine. Still love this place, but I do not recommend going with a party larger than six.

Come il Latte ~ A Gelateria in Rome

2013-08-19T15:00:00.000+02:00

I've been hearing about a new(ish) gelateria in Rome for a while and decided I had to give it a try. I normally stick with a few favorites in my area - Fatamorgana, Frigidarium and VIce. These are consistently good, use high quality ingredients and are convenient to where I live. I always enjoy trying something new though, and hearing that Come il Latte had a chocolate fountain pushed me over the edge to want to try it. If chocolate is involved, then I want to be too!

The other week I made a special trip to sample the gelato with chocolate sauce. It's a short walk from Termini area, and closer to Piazza della Repubblica. The gelateria is a bit hidden. In fact, I don't know how so many people have stumbled across it.

It has a really cute design inside. The decor is black, white, grey and silver. The walls are lined with retro style jars of milk, and the walls are made to look like a chalkboard. The star of the show (for me) was the running faucet fountains of dark and white chocolate.

The flavors are listed on the board behind the counter. The gelato is stored in silver containers with lids, so you won't be able to visually choose your flavors of choice. I opted for a medium cup with three flavors - pistachio (my go-to flavor), salted caramel and strawberry cheesecake.

The pistachio was good, but had large, whole bits of pistachio. I'm sure most people would consider this great, but it was a bit much for me. While I appreciate the fresh pistachios, I usually like them crushed or ground a bit more so I don't risk breaking a tooth. The salted caramel was my favorite of the three - unique and tasty. The strawberry cheesecake was a little disappointing - it just had a hint of strawberry flavor and not much of a cheesecake flavor at all. Perhaps it was an off day or that particular batch.

The most upsetting of the whole trip was the amount of chocolate sauce they put on the gelato, or lack there of. While the chocolate had a great flavor, I was expecting there to be a lot more of it. The wafer that garnishes the gelato was only half dipped in the chocolate before topping off my cup. My favorite gelateria, Frigidarium actually dips the whole cup of gelato in chocolate, and that is what I was expecting from Come il Latte.

Here is what the gelato dipped in chocolate sauce at Frigidarium looks like. You can understand my disappointment.

Come il Latte was so-so for me. If I'm in the neighborhood I wouldn't mind stopping in to sample a few other flavors, but I won't be making any more special trips.

What about you? Do you have a favorite gelateria in Rome?

Come il Latte

Via Silvio Spaventa, 24 26

Telephone: 0642903882

Website: http://www.comeillatte.it/

An Inexpensive Date Night Down by the River in Rome

2013-08-12T15:14:00.000+02:00

The other week we had a date night - dinner and a movie. It wasn't your typical dinner and a movie though because we were down by the Tevere river.

We first stopped at il Bistrot del Guida Ballerino for a quick bite. Guida Ballerino is a Michelin Star restaurant in Rome, but during the summer months of Lungo il Tevere they have set up a space along the river. They have a restaurant side for guests to dine by the river with a more formal menu, and a takeout space for good food on the go.

We had a movie to catch so we opted to grab something to go and still eat it outside along the river. The takeout prices can absolutely not be beat! Most of their options are €5. You can choose from several seafood options like fried calamari or shrimp, a black angus hamburger, pasta and even a bean dish. We opted for fried calamari and smoked salmon on a bagel.

The calamari was fresh (we had to wait while they fried it, so it wasn't sitting around under a heat lamp). It was good, but nothing overly fancy - exactly how I expected it to be. The smoked salmon on a bagel was the surprise. It was really delicious! It consisted of a fresh baked (and surprisingly soft) bagel, topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon and arugula.

After our yummy take away, we headed across the way to watch a movie sponsored by L'isola del Cinema - a summer long film festival featuring movies from all over the world. They had a small theater set up with fold out seats, a large movie screen, air condition and thick black curtains along the wall to block out the light and sounds from the river just steps away from the theater. Depending on the movie you choose to see (they usually have several playing each night), tickets range from €4-6. On certain nights entrance is free, and on this night we lucked up with a free movie. To check the movie schedule, visit the website of L'isola del Cinema.

After the movie we walked along the river from above and took in all the sights of the bustling night life below.

Quite a unique (and affordable) night out! All the fun ends on September 1st when Lungo il Tevere closes at the end of the summer, so hurry by to grab a bite and check out one of the many movies.

You can find both Giuda Ballerino and L'Isola del Cinema at Piazza San Bartolomeo All'Isola Sponde del Tevere - on the side of the river nearest to the hospital.

You can also see a previous post of the other things offered along the river by clicking here.

My return to Rome ... and to this blog

2013-08-01T19:15:00.000+02:00

This blog has been quiet for way too long! I’ve let time completely get away from me. We left Rome for a bit and spent a little more than two months in New York City. Leading up to our trip, I was busy planning and getting things ready (find an apartment there, renting out our apartment here, getting our furry baby a passport to go with us, etc). While we were in New York we kept busy with visits from family and friends. Once we returned home, it took a while to get settled back in. And since we returned back home to Rome, I’ve been working on a few exciting projects (which I can’t wait to share with you soon!).

While I’ve been quiet on the blog, I’ve been sharing some different things on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. I hope you’ll join me there as well!

Just wanted to let you know I’m back, regular posts will resume here and I’ll be letting you know about some exciting things coming up soon. Thanks so much for sticking around!

Celebrating Mardi Gras in Rome

2013-02-13T12:28:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras/Martedi Grasso (in Italian). It was the final day of the Mardi Gras/Carnevale celebrations. I'm pretty lucky as I not only grew up in the city where Mardi Gras originated in the States (it's Mobile, Alabama by the way, not New Orleans, Louisiana), but I now live in the city where the celebrations actually originated (the ancient Romans started all these shenanigans, go figure).

Although the festivities for Mardi Gras in Rome are fun, I miss the parade of floats from home and being bombarded with MoonPies, beads, candies and other trinkets and goodies as they're thrown from the floats in to the crowds. It's a different type of celebration. I have such vivid childhood memories of celebrating Mardi Gras at my Grandparents' bicycle shop in downtown Mobile as we had one of the best spots on the parade route. The smells, the tastes, the feelings I remember ... maybe this is why the festivities in Rome just can't compare to the days I once knew.

One of the traditional things to do during Carnevale (aka Mardi Gras) in Italy is to eat castagnole. Castagnole are a sweet dessert, similar to doughnut holes. They have different variations. Some are plain and rolled in sugar, others are stuffed with cream, ricotta, or chocolate, while others are soaked in rum. We celebrated Fat Tuesday yesterday by indulging in a variety of the tasty little treats. Even though I had plenty of castagnole, my mouth still watered for a chocolate MoonPie ... and my heart ached for days long gone.

To read more about the Mardi Gras traditions in the city where it originated in the U.S., click here. To read more about the Carnevale traditions and celebrations in Rome, click here.

Panettoncino

2013-01-07T11:59:00.001+01:00

We recently made a new discovery ... panettoncino. They are little mini versions of panettone. They are about the size of a muffin or cupcake, and are super cute. These also came in the most adorable little holiday boxes. No mess, no fuss (like the king size ones) ... just cute and tasty!

American Christmas Traditions in Rome

2012-12-28T14:39:00.000+01:00

We did it. We finally had a traditional Christmas. We've been married and living in Italy for three Christmases now, and this year we had a traditional Christmas at home. I couldn't have been happier about it. It was what I needed.

Rome is beautiful around the holidays with all the lights, so it's not hard to get into the Christmas spirit here. One of my favorite places to go is to the Christmas market in Piazza Navona. It's magical at night with all the lights. It's also a little bizarre with all the overpriced commercialized goodies for sale at the market among the beautiful, ancient buildings and fountains, but it's still a lot of fun to walk through. You can read more about the Christmas market in Piazza Navona here.

Continuing with our traditional Christmas, we decided to put up a Christmas tree this year. We don't have a lot of space, and we certainly don't have much storage space, so we opted for a small tree. The little tree was perfect for our little family. I love having it on at night for the lights to give off a soft glow ... so relaxing. You can see our little tree below, and if you look closely, you can also see our little angel.

On Christmas morning we woke early to open gifts. Our little Dolce also had his own presents to unwrap. He's only slightly spoiled. ;-)

*If you missed meeting Dolce, you can check out the newest little member of our family here.

Dolce with his Christmas loot ... balls, mice, treats and a walking jacket.

Dolce having fun with his new toys.

For lunch, I prepared traditional southern dishes. They are what I grew up eating every year for the holidays, and they taste like home to me. We had cornbread dressing, green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole. We also had roasted chicken (for the hubby since I'm a vegetarian) and cranberry sauce "substitute". Everything was made from scratch. There are no French's fried onions or cream of any kind of soup mix here in Italy, and other typical ingredients are hard to find (think sweet potatoes). So at the end of the day, I was patting myself on the back for pulling off a traditional southern American holiday meal in Italy.

*If you would like any of the recipes, you can find them here on Why Rome's Pinterest, under 'Expat Food'.

When it comes to cranberry sauce, I'm a canned girl. Always have been. All for the better in Italy though because I have never seen whole cranberries here (or even cranberry juice for that matter). Isn't that strange? Anyway, I found the perfect cranberry sauce substitute. It's lingon jam from Ikea. To me, it's a tad bitter sweeter, but does the trick and gave me the cranberry sauce "fix" I was craving.

Sweet potato casserole with brown sugar and nut topping

Green bean casserole with homemade fried onions

And desserts, I couldn't leave out the desserts ... brownies, banana nut muffins & bread, chocolate almond candies, and cookies with dried cranberries (from the States), dark chocolate and hazelnuts. Needless to say, we were STUFFED at the end of the day, and I was one happy girl with a belly full of American food! :-)

Southern Food Delights...in Rome

2012-12-27T13:34:00.000+01:00

Sweet potatoes and black eyed peas ... found in Rome. I couldn't believe our find! Just a few of the simple things that make my southern heart swoon.

Piazza Treasures in Piazza Navona

2012-11-02T21:10:00.002+01:00

The other week we stopped in Piazza Navona, and the square was bustling with street performers. It seemed every direction we turned, someone was doing something to draw a crowd. Here are a few of the acts that caught our attention ...

These guys drew quite a crowd. Everyone stood in fascination as they tried to figure out just how this guy seemed to sit effortlessly in mid air.

The balloon-making clown was popular with the younger crowd.

We've seen this guy before and he always draws a crowd with his comic routine. He's big on audience participation, and always receives a lot of laughs.

We first saw this little man back in August. He completely brightened my day with his dancing and lip singing to Elvis Presley songs. He brightened my day again, but this time he had classic Italian songs playing. He always makes me reach for my change purse. :-)

Coming to Rome? Don't get a fine for eating!

2012-10-25T21:05:00.001+02:00

Pizza, pasta, gelato ... I bet these are some of the things you plan (and dream) on eating when you visit Italy. I bet you've even gone so far as to dream (and plan) on grabbing a gelato and ~~eating~~ savoring it while you take in the sights of the fabulous Piazza Navona ... the Spanish Steps ... the Coliseum ... or any other famous landmark in Rome. Hold that thought though. Don't think you're going to transport yourself onto a movie screen when you visit Rome and eat your heart out around the city, like so many countless films you've seen before.

Why you ask? Well, because as absolutely absurd as it may sound, it is now a crime to eat on or around any public monument or landmark (which is every place you turn in Rome's city center). It is a crime that can be fined from 25 - 500 Euros (about $32 - $650 USD).

No more stopping at my favorite gelateria and walking to Piazza Navona while I sit and enjoy my cool treat and take in the energy of the piazza ... ancient fountains, street performers, artwork, people watching ... it has all come to an end. That is, unless I want to pay a hefty fine for enjoying my gelato in that picturesque setting. And I can tell you, I do not.

This crazy rule is not only for gelato. It also applies to eating a panino (sandwich), a slice of pizza, a bag of chips, or any other snack food or dessert.

As NBC News noted on their website, after receiving fines and learning about the new law, several tourists pointed out the fact that there are no signs in the vicinity alerting people that they are no longer allowed to partake in any food or drink while near the various monuments. NBC News reports that police in the area were asked about the complaint and said there was no need for signs. A local policeman patrolling the area is reported as saying, "It's common sense. You can't dirty such a beautiful and historical monument with ice cream and bread crumbs just because you can sit on it." You know, dirtying and vandalizing a historical monument is one thing, but trying to control the free world is entirely something else.

Another thing that makes the matter even worse, is that many eating establishments have very limited or no seating available, forcing patrons to take their food to go. Where exactly are people supposed to eat? This I would like to know.

I would also like to know why the city can't put those same policemen in place to prohibit the horrid men who force roses into your hand then try to get money from you by chasing you down, or the men who shine the damn toy lasers that they are trying to sell directly into your eye (pet peeve of mine, can you tell?), or the men who sell illegal goods displayed on a bed sheet along the sidewalks who speak ugly words to you if you gaze an extra second at their merchandise and then not stop to by something. To me, these are a few of the things that are ruining and dirtying those beautiful and historical monuments. Nothing is being done to address those matters.

So ... if you're planning to visit Rome, don't plan on eating your Italian treats outside while enjoying the fresh air and taking in the amazing scenery the city has to offer. You'll have to savor your morsels inside.

Meet Dolce: The Newest Member of Our Family

2012-10-15T14:45:00.000+02:00

Meet the newest little member of our family ... Dolce. His name means 'sweet' Italian, and he is just that ... SO sweet!

He wasn't planned. Our neighbor showed up with him one afternoon, and he immediately stole our hearts. We have had him for almost one month now, and he has brought so much joy, love and laughter into our home. He's been a big blessing, and I think he rescued us as much as we rescued him.

He is completely spoiled, but I don't think you will be able to tell from the photos. ;-)

He loves to sleep on his mommy.

He 'helps' with everything ... typing on the computer, making the bed, taking out the trash, hanging the laundry ... you name it. :-)

"Mom, please stop working and pay all your attention to ME."

It's hard work being a baby

Food coma (notice the roast beef on his nose)

Completely worn out after playing hard ... so worn out, he slept with his tongue hanging out.

Piazza Treasures in August

2012-09-04T13:30:00.000+02:00

As we make our way around the city on a daily basis, we always come across fun and/or talented people showcasing their talents along the streets and in the piazzas (the plural in Italian is piazze). I want to get back into the habit of sharing these 'Piazza Treasures' with you each month so you can enjoy them, too.

Without further ado, below are several of the 'Piazza Treasures' that made us smile during the month of August.

We spotted this extremely talented guy along Via del Corso, a street famous for shopping. His talent blew us away with his re-creation of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, the Mona Lisa.
(We were fortunate enough to view the real Mona Lisa last year in Paris at the Louvre Museum. You can see the original here.)

For some reason this guy painted in green made me laugh. He was in Piazza Navona, all set to go with his suitcase, bottle of wine and cat on a leash.

This little man completely brightened my day. He had a CD of Elvis Presley songs playing, and he was doing his best to dance and lip sing along with the songs. Talented, no. Original, yes. He was effective enough to have me pulling money out of my purse. :-)

This girl performing in Trastevere was quite entertaining with her fire juggling tricks. We were coming from dinner when we spotted the crowd around her, and then we noticed the fire magically lighting the piazza. The photo is a little blurry because she is moving, but the people in the background reminded me of an old painting and made me imagine that the piazza probably looked nearly the same several hundred years ago.

If you enjoyed this post, you can see past 'Piazza Treasures' by clicking here.

VICE ... A New Gelateria in Rome's City Center

2012-08-27T13:00:00.000+02:00

There are several new artisanal gelateria shops that have recently popped up around Rome's city center. With the summer blazing record breaking heat temperatures, we've been inclined to make it our mission to visit all of them in an attempt to keep cool. Poor us, right? :-)

One of the shops we recently visited is Vice. There are several locations around Rome, but the newest one is located in Largo Argentina. The shop is directly in front of a bus stop where popular buses #40 and #64 stop, and is right next to the #8 tram that runs across the river to Trastevere.

When we first arrived, I was a little taken aback by the decor. Vice is not designed like other typical gelaterie. It has a futuristic feel, and made me think of the inside of an igloo. The fun design is very bright, and everything is white. The only pops of color are the mouth watering and eye pleasing gelati. There is a puffy, cotton-like design along the ceiling made to look like snow, and the shiny, textured walls look like ice crystals. From the appearance, I expected a burst of chilled air to kiss me in the face when we walked inside.

Although the design is fun, the gelato is the real star of the show. Vice uses all natural ingredients without adding hydrogenated fats, coloring or preservatives. In addition to leaving out "the bad stuff" and using organic milk and fresh eggs, Vice also uses some of the finest ingredients around, using lemons from Amalfi, pistachios from Brante, Sicily, and walnuts from Sorrento, just to name a few.

I had a sample of the lemon (limone), and it was quite good! I was in the mood for something creamier though, and went with pistachio (it's my go to flavor, and I usually judge a gelateria based on the taste of their pistachio) and cheesecake. The pistachio was good (it passed the test), but the cheesecake was really delicious. The unique flavor of the cheesecake won me over.
If you're looking for a fun gelateria using fresh, natural ingredients, I definitely recommend making a visit to Vice.

Vice
http://www.viceitalia.it
+39 06 6476 0833
Open 7 days a week, from noon until midnight

3 locations:

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 96 (Largo Argentina)
Via Gregorio VII, 385 (not far from the Vatican)
Viale G. Marconi, 207

Down By the River in Rome

2012-08-07T12:25:00.000+02:00

Want to know one of the best things about summer in Rome? It's Lungo il Tevere, the open restaurant, bar, shopping and music festival along Rome's Tiber River. It's so nice to have so many entertainment options in one place. Not to mention, it's nice to be near to the calm, flowing waters of the river on a warm summer night. If you're looking for a romantic night out with your sweetie or for something the whole family will enjoy, the Lungo il Tevere is great for everyone!

So what can you expect to find at Lungo il Tevere? Just have a look at the photos below for an idea of all the fun you can experience. If you're interested in going while you're in Rome, you have until September 2nd. The fun starts to pick up when the sun starts going down. Entrance is free, but if you would like to shop or have something to eat or drink, you will need to pay for your items. For a few more details, you can also check the website (in Italian).

The venues along the river are getting set up for the evening before the sun starts to set.

The sun is beginning to set, and patrons have already made their way down to the river for an enjoyable evening.

There are plenty of little bars/pubs set up for you to relax and enjoy a cocktail.

There is also a free basketball court and tennis court set up for you to play games. (We've had a lot of fun with this!)

There are also plenty of restaurants to choose from for riverside dining.

You can also lounge along the river's wall while you enjoy a cocktail or smoke from hookah.

There is always fun musical acts performing, and it's nice to sit out and enjoy the bands.

You can also do a little shopping. You can find art, clothes, jewelry, purses and many other items.

You can also stop to challenge your friends in a game of foosball, or table football.

Looking for a little more family fun? You can play fair-style games to win prizes and stuffed animals. (You will have to pay to play these games.)

As you can see, Lungo il Tevere is quite a popular place at night time.

The venues extend down the river, and the lights they project are so pretty from the bridges above.

Have you been to Lungo il Tevere? What's your favorite thing to do there?

Free Comedy Show at The Roman Forum ... in English

2012-07-23T11:51:00.000+02:00

Photo taken from The Miracle Players website.

The Miracle Players is an English speaking comedy theatre group based in Rome, Italy. They will be performing their last showing of 'Cleopatra' this Friday, June 27th at 7:30 PM. Admission to the show is FREE, and you do not need tickets or reservations. The show will be held in front of the Mamertime Prison at the Roman Forum. For directions, click here.

A fun lesson of history presented as a comedy show performed in front of a backdrop of ancient Roman ruins is sure make for an enjoyable evening. If you are not in Rome, or are unable to make the last show, you can view the performance by the video below.