When in Rome…

It’s been at least three months since we got on a flight and went on holiday, so must be time to dust off the passports and scratch the travel itch again! It’s also time to escape the winter weather in London – despite a spring-like week, we have now been plunged back into the snow with another blast of cold from the east. I don’t know about you but I am definitely ready for some sunshine and double-digit temperatures now in London!

So off to Rome we went for a short three-night break to cram in some culture, relaxation and some of my favourite food!

Our home in Rome was across the river in Trastevere – so called because it is across ‘tras’ the river Tiber – or ‘Tevere’ in Italian. Trastevere is a lively, colourful and extremely busy neighbourhood, with tourists and locals mingling side by side. Home to hundreds of bars and restaurants we were spoilt for choice and the standard of food and drink was generally very high – as you might expect in Rome.

We ate huge pizzas, stretched thin and stone baked; handmade pasta with delicious carbonara and amatriciana sauces; crispy, deep-fried Roman artichoke and decadent homemade tiramisus. This is no place to visit if you’re watching your waistline, though perhaps the several miles we walked every day might begin to counter the calories as we took in the sights. Perhaps not!

Tiramisu

As an aside, did you know that carbonara doesn’t traditionally contain any cream – just eggs, bacon and parmesan? It seems odd that in the UK it is made with cream. In any case, the Italian version is SO much nicer. We even found a restaurant that specialises in carbonara (and other egg-based dishes) and sat at a table overlooking the kitchen as the chefs prepared our patsa dishes before our eyes. I had a black truffle carbonara and Kev opted for the prawns with citrus zest version – so good!

Carbonara

Even our breakfast pancakes that I whipped up every day from our little apartment we were staying in tasted somehow better than at home – probably due in part to the fresh ingredients and higher quality of flour, since so much Italian cuisine requires a high-grade flour. Anyway, I digress…

On to the historical and cultural sights – of which Rome boasts so many it’s almost overwhelming to read the guidebook! Surely we’d need a month in Rome if we were going to even begin to see everything!

We started with the Coliseum – perhaps Rome’s most famous, or most popular attraction – and understandably so. Battling through the crowds of tourists, the first glimpse of the epic coliseum is impressive and the mind boggles at how it was built without modern day machinery, just human labour. Coupled with the stories of the battles/entertainment that took place within its walls, it is a sight to behold and so richly steeped in history.

The Coliseum

Inside the Coliseum

We continued our stroll through the Forum, taking in the structures and other monuments of ancient Rome, heading via the elaborate Pantheon, up to the ornate Trevi Fountain (throw in a coin over your left shoulder and it means you will one day return to Rome) and down the Spanish Steps.

The Forum

The Pantheon

Next, on to the Vatican city – though we decided against joining the huge snaking queue to go inside, instead choosing to soak up the culture from the outside.

The Vatican

It’s easy to see why Rome is so well-loved, with its cobbled streets, beautiful churches and painted buildings – in equal parts decadent and ramshackle. You don’t need to look far to experience its charm as it’s visible on every street corner and down every alleyway in Central Rome.

We didn’t quite escape Northern Europe’s weather though – and used the torrential downpours and thunderstorms as an excuse to bar hop, sampling some of the delicious local craft beers and locally-produced wines between the showers. I imagine the city is an entirely different place in the forty-degree heat of the summer!

At last on our final day in the city, the sun shone and we enjoyed a day wandering around with the Colegates, who happened to be passing  on their way through Italy (next stop Sicily.) After a final history lesson, pizza and glass of wine in the sunshine, we headed back to the airport for our flight home, already hoping we can one day return.

The Colegates - photo courtesy of Caragh!