Roman holiday

Sorry for my absence. I know it’s rude to disappear from a blog without a word. But I’m back. I was in Rome and I strongly believe one should have an extra week of a holiday after a holiday.

Rome is a busy city, with many tourists even in November, heavy traffic and cars parked everywhere. In the beginning, you think cars try to run you over, but later you learn they will stop finally, but very close to you. But there is also another side of Rome, the one with quiet, little streets, lovely piazzas, beautiful city views and history hiding around every corner.

History is everywhere. It is incredible how buildings survived so many centuries. Everything we build now is so brand new, so flimsy. The beauty of buildings and sculptures is breathtaking. You want to ask yourself questions – where are you going, why do you hurry up, are you doing anything meaningful in your life that will survive you?

Food

But let’s get back to food. Even though I haven’t eaten as much as I wanted, but I can tell you Italian food is exactly as I imagined – simple, fresh and delicious. Italian national talent is preparing delicious food with as few ingredients as possible.

I love Italian bars and its sounds – people exchanging news over a cup of caffè and dolce or panino, glassware is chinking.

Gelateria

We did our best in trying ice-cream. We went to Palazzo del Freddo – the oldest ice-cream factory in Rome. It is quite off the beaten track, so you could see mostly Italians in their winter jackets eating ice-cream. You can see the list of flavours on the big colourful board. The portions are huge so look out. My favourite flavour was red orange.

Palazzo del Freddo

Via Principe Eugenio, 65  

Rome, Italy

But our favourite gelateria was Gelateria del Teatro (you can see it next to the cat photo). Small gelateria we have found wandering around. It’s opened long hours and flavours are changing. I changed my opinion on chocolate ice-cream. In Poland I was mostly vanilla ice-cream girl, but ithere I was converted to chocolate ice-cream. They were heavenly good. They tasted like the best dark chocolate and they had flavours like – chocolate&wine, truffle, etc.
And nope, a cat wasn’t owned by the gelateria. We met it at cat’s shelter provided in the remaining of old temples. This particular cat was the biggest beggar, he didn’t take an eye from food!
Gelateria del Teatro
Via de San Simone 70,
Rome, Italy

Pizza

Pizzeria Buffetto was recommended by Tomek’s cousin. She found it in a French guide. We needed to wait for a table in a quite big line, but it was worth it. We were sitted with a nice Italian family. The pizza we have got was extra thin and delicious.

Pizzeria Baffetto 
Via del governo vecchio 114 
Rome, Italy

Arancini

The best things I have tried in Rome were arancini. Arancini are fried rice balls coated with breadcrumbs filled with with ragù (meat sauce), tomato sauce, mozzarella, and/or peas. I tried it with ragù and mozzarella. It was soooo good. But remember good arancini are really good, they aren’t too

Mondo Arancina

Via Marcantonio Colonna 38

Rome, Italy

Market

We visited Mercato Trionfale, a market recommended by David Lebovitz. He described it as “Not as well known as the more showy markets in the center of Rome, this is a pretty authentic market” and it’s exactly like this. I think we were the only one who were making photos not shopping.

Mercato Trionfale

Via Andrea Doria 3

Rome Italy

And a little bit of window shopping. Enjoy it.

Advertisement