1. How many?

Rome is the largest city in Italy followed by Milan and Naples, but did you know the city has a population of around 3.7 million? On a world scale it isn’t that crowded but it can sure seem that way on a busy street in central Rome during the summer!

2. Churches and Fountains

Rome is crazy with churches! There are over 900 of them in the city and 280 fountains.  So if it seems that around every corner there is a church or a fountain, you’re not imagining things. 
The Trevi fountain is by far the most popular fountain visited in Rome. It is also one of the largest.

The original legend says that if you throw a coin into the Trevi – with your back to the fountain, throwing the coin with your right hand over your left shoulder – that you will return to Rome. There’s a newer story that says throwing one coin means a return to Rome, a second coin leads to a new romance, and a third coin leads to marriage. So if you’re superstitious be careful about how many coins you throw in!

In case you were wondering…..Every night at the Trevi Fountain about 3,000 Euros are swept from the bottom of the basin and donated to Caritas, a Catholic charity, who uses the money to provide services for needy families in Rome.

No trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to one of the most famous churches, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican city.

Tip: There is an unspoken dress code when visiting churches in Rome. Long trousers on men and dresses or slacks on women are recommended. The less skin exposed, the better, so cover up those tank tops. You know the saying, when in Rome do as the Romans do.

3. All You Can Eat 
I have never had a bad meal in Italy. I’ll keep returning to Rome for the food, no matter what happens at the Trevi Fountain. I walk a lot when I’m there so I can eat more!  The pastas, the light sauces, the pizza, gelato, I could go on and on. The Travel Channel recommends you try these 5 dishes when in Rome and I agree:

1. Nonna Betta, Roman artichokes
2. Cacio e Pepe, Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh black pepper and pasta 
3. Da Danilo, add pork and an egg to the above. Oh My! 
4. Cesare al Casalleto, classic red sauce made with Sa Marzano tomatoes, or, white wine and pecorino Romano. 
5. Saltimbocca, veal wrapped in sage and prosciutto and means “jump in your mouth”  My personal favorite, oh my!

4. A Remarkable Invention

Romans invented concrete, who knew? And because of this we have  the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. The Romans began building with concrete over 2,100 years ago and used it in everything from aqueducts and buildings to bridges and monuments.

5. Shopping

Rome built the first-ever shopping mall between 107 and 110 AD. It was built by Emperor Trajan in Rome. The Trajan’s Market, or Mercati di Traiano in Italian, was on multi levels and sold a wide range of goods and grocery items. Today, Rome is known for out of this world shopping. While it’s known for its high end, luxury shopping, fresh markets and shopping malls are still busy hotspots in Rome for locals and travelers  – a great way to meet  locals!

Fall is a great time to see Italy. Stop by and see what we offer...Italy

I can’t wait for the travel and food magazines to publish their Best Restaurants list. They choose, usually by committee, the best restaurants around the country or around the world. They describe the restaurant’s specialty, tell you where it’s located and give you some idea of pricing. I can’t wait to go!

But it’s not likely that I”ll fly to New York for a cronut or to Los Angeles for a French Dip sandwich from Phillipe’s.  But the next time I”m in either town I’ll find time to try them. To me that’s one of the best things about travel. 

I remember a Chinese restaurant in the Chelsea neighborhood in New York that took Chinese food to a whole new level. I was ready to order what I always do when a friend saved me and ordered for me. Let me just say, there are dumplings and then there are dumplings. 

Years ago, a little Mexican restaurant in Pueblo Colorado was my first introduction to HOT food.  Maybe I couldn’t feel my lips for a while but no other place makes enchiladas like they do.  

I had never had the lemony tart but smooth liqueur, Limoncello until one night in Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast. I’ve had it since but it’ll never be the same. 

Food can be the ribbon that wraps around your travel making it a gift. I hound the front desk or concierge at my hotel for what’s different and what’s good to eat in the area. I ask shop keepers and business associates for recommendations. And if I’m in Philly I”m having a Philly Steak Sandwich or in Memphis, it’s barbecue. 

I live in St. Louis and it’s almost an embarrassment of riches when it comes to restaurants here. I’ve had so many great meals in town but I can always go back and have it again. When I had that incredible dinner at a little corner table across from Lee at Le Souffle in Paris, it is locked in my memory and it just can’t be duplicated. 

​I learned something a few years ago when I was in Berlin. It was cold outside, I was tired, jet lagged and would have ben perfectly happy to go to bed early and skip dinner. But I was in Berlin, in Germany, in Europe! That doesn’t happen everyday. The front desk gave me directions to a restaurant 2 blocks away that was a favorite among locals. I tried the wienerschnitzel and spaetzle recommended by my new friend at the front desk and it was amazing. Think tender breaded pork cutlet with applesauce on the side and the most mouthwatering egg noodles I’ve ever had. The thought of missing out on that meal makes me shudder.

Those Best Restaurant lists are a good place to start and can tempt you to get out of that hotel room at night. Just don’t miss the chance to try something wonderful.