How to Conquer Rome in a Day
"Do you have a silk nightgown with rosebuds?"
“When are you going to write your guide to Rome?” - No one ever
But if I were to write my guide, this is how it would start.
GET LOST
When I landed in Rome on my first visit, my hotelier handed me a map and circled various points of interest. “Go this way to see Fontana di Trevi, go that way to see Piazza Navona”. Overwhelmed and very tired, I told him instead I was going to just go on a walk.
“By all means – get lost.”
If I didn’t commit to getting lost, I would not have found my favorite bar, or learned to trace my steps around the historic center. While getting lost I stumbled upon the Pantheon approaching from behind. You can only see a wonder like the Pantheon for the first time one time – I am so happy that for me it was by accident.
If the doors to a church are open, go inside. Make an offering and light a candle for someone you love (even if God isn’t your thing). Embarrass yourself drinking from nasoni (one day you’ll go pro). Follow the sounds of coffee saucers going clink clank and neighbors in fights over parking spaces.
You will find so many wonders of Rome by accident if you commit to getting lost and exploring with your heart. Follow narrow roads and enter open doors, you won’t regret it.
LOOK UP
If you don’t believe in love at first sight, look up to see the color blue of the cloudless Roman sky right before dusk, you might change your mind.
Look up to see the seagulls perched on the heads of statues. Some of the most beautiful ancient frescoes line the tops of building exteriors. Look up at the church ceilings! (Are you kidding me! The art!) Look up at the corners of buildings at the many depictions of the Madonna or saints. Look up to learn the street names etched into the building walls (this helps for when you are lost…).
You’ll find something new on every stroll even if you’ve walked the same street 100 times, I promise.
EAT IT
Eat it. Eat it even if you think it’s weird. Eat it if there are anchovies and you hate anchovies (and please, by all means, find a way to fall in love with anchovies 🥹)*. Eat it if you suspect it might be brains.** Eat dessert even if you are full from dinner. Eat gelato*** on your walk home from dinner after you already enjoyed dessert. Eat gelato on your way to dinner, too. Eat artichokes (many ways, but for me, alla giudia).
Eat potatoes on pizza. Eat tiramisu (but don’t stand in line for it, please). Fall in love with the way that amatriciana sauce pools inside mezze rigatoni. Ham grease on your camera lens is more flattering than the Paris filter.
Buy strawberries at the market, sit down, and eat them straight out of the bag. Try a fresh juice at the coffee bar. Eat it if you don’t know how to pronounce it (but try to pronounce it!).
Don’t think about it too much – just eat.
Enjoy Rome. I can assure you… you’ll be back.
Roma ti aspetta 🤗 xoxo - B
*Stuffed squash blossoms (fiori di zucca) have anchovies – be careful if this is actually a problem for you lol.
**If you’re into offal [Quinto Quarto – literally the “Fifth Quarter”] I personally recommend HERE and HERE.
***If you can believe it, there are a few don’t eat it’s. For me, it’s any gelato that is displayed in a big mound or overly colorful. Gelato prepared well should be kept cold and neutrally colored (look for lids, no gelato over the top of the container, and neutral colors.
Making me want to use my points so bad
This is supurb!