Discovering Christmas Sweets in Italy

With Christmas almost here, it has arrived the moment to honor our culinary culture. In fact, after the decorating moment the second step concerns the food, which plays an important role - most particularly, the sweets. From the North to the South, all the Italians sweets are delicious, but when it's Christmas… My friend, Christmas sweets are on a whole new level! Let’s

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells… It’s Christmas in Italy!

Yes, it is that time of the year! Lights, trees, music, sweets, gifts, shopping like pros… While all the children are filling up their gift lists, all the parents are getting crazy to organize everything. Christmas in Italy is pretty serious! THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING The tradition marks the beginning of Christmas Holidays on Dec 8th, with the day of “Immacolata”

HAPPY HOUR! IT’S TIME FOR AN ITALIAN APERITIVO

You have to know that for all the Italians, APERITIVO is a MUST. "Aperitivo" is not only a simple sit and drink, it's actually much more:  it means that you are going to have a great moment! Italian aperitivo is like a tradition, it is the best part of the day for most of us. We don’t say: ‘’Let’s go out today?'' We say ''Let’s go for an aperitivo!’’. According

Italian food: 6 rules you need to remember

Italian food is famous worldwide. We are proud to share our food and recipes with the world, but you must know that we can be also a little bit touchy. (Just a little bit….) In fact, our culinary culture has some fixed – and unwritten - rules that you definitely need pay attentions to. You know, growing up with an old-fashioned Italian granny helps you a lot with

Typical Roman Habits you should be aware of

Romans are crazy. Romans are always angry. Romans are way too lazy. But we also have some shortcomings! Between all the girls in this blog, I am the only true Roman (as Elena is from the North and Kimberly and Jesse are from NYC), so no one knows better than me how much we can be annoying. We won’t change - so you’d better give up this idea -, but I can help you

Italian Coffee Culture: a Guide for Non-Italians

Some coffee insight on Italian coffee culture for non-Italians visiting Rome. First of all “ Starbucks “ does NOT exist here. There is one place that is a slight imitation of Starbucks called “ Busters Coffee“ , but this is the exception not the norm. However if you are looking for a morning coffee in Italy first off look for a sign that says “ BAR “, don’t

When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do.. and Escape to Abruzzo !

Escape to Abruzzo In the summer, Rome is H… O… T… hot! Not even the locals want to be here. Therefore when in Rome, do as the Romans do … and escape! The mountains are where all of the Italians go for some nature, solitude and a nice cool breeze. Since Abruzzo is located just an hour or so east from Rome, it's the perfect weekend destination. I was lucky enough

From one hipster to another… neighbourhood, that is.

Monti - Rome About a decade ago my (now Expat) sister and I packed our backpacks and moved to Rome together. Shortly after arrival our apartment karma kicked in. We found ourselves residing in a gorgeous apartment right across from the Colosseum in a neighborhood called Monti, Rome. I remember our late night gelati in the Fontana di Piazza della Madonna, frequenting the

My favourite places to visit in Rome

First time I came, I immediately fell in love with this city. My first thought? “This is the place where I want to live”. My name is Elena and I am from a little town called Alessandria, in the north of Italy. It's been 2 years since my arrival in Rome; as you can imagine, my lifestyle and habits were totally different from those I found here! Now I can almost

I have seen grown men cry. #TottiDay

The news reached every end of the globe, football-worshipping nations and non. Francesco Totti of the A.S. Roma, after 28 years of gifting us some soccer's most emotional moments donned the maroon and gold shirt for the last time on Sunday, May 28, 2017.   What ensued was something akin to a funeral. 70,000 adoring fans filled the Olympic Stadium of Rome