Fun Facts & Tidbits
Italian Spelling: Roma
Population: approx. 2.7 million City logistics: divided into 22 districts; Vatican City State (aka Vatican City) is its own country within Rome, and at 110 acres, the smallest country in the world |
Nickname: The Eternal City
Symbol: Colosseum Best View: Atop the Victor Emmanuel Monument, entrance overlooking the Spanish Steps between the Villa Medici & Villa Borghese Gardens, from St. Peter's dome What They Are Famous For:
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Number of bridges: 23 that cross the Tiber in Rome
Number of obelisks: 13, the most in the world! Influence on English sayings: "When in Rome, (do as the Romans do)..."; "All roads lead to Rome."; "Rome was not built in a day." Word(s) that describes the city's attitude & personality: Chaotic, lively, classic |
The ABC's
So what's uniquely Roman? Good question! I think Ava and Brady did a pretty good job. Still having difficulty with X and Y but got a couple of Z's. See what you think...
A Ancient, Artichokes
B Borghese C Colosseum, Chariots, St. Clemente D Da Enzo E Victor Emmanuel Monument |
F Fountains, Forza Roma! (football)
G Guanciale, Gladiators H Honking horns, Hadrian I Isola Tiberina J Julius Caesar K John Keats L Last Judgement M Michelangelo, Metro, Mass with the Pope N Piazza Navona, Nightlife O Oculus, Obelisks P St. Peter's Square/Bascilica Q Quirinale R Raphael, Ruins S Sistine Chapel, Spanish Steps T Trastavere, Testaccio, Tiber U (Tomb of the) Unknown Soldier V Vatican, Vestal Virgins W Wine cellar, walking food tours Z Zucchini flowers, Zabaione *Interesting fact: the Italian alphabet does not include letters such as J, K, W, X and Y.
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Eats & Treats
I was really looking forward to the food in Rome and wanted to experience it in full Technicolor, so I signed up for two (yes, TWO!) walking food tours. Although pasta is enjoyed worldwide, there was something unique about the pastas that I had in Rome. In addition to pasta, I 'discovered' artichokes prepared Roman-style and enjoyed the deep fried delights of cheese-stuffed zucchini flowers.
Pasta
Ok, so although pasta is all over Italy (thanks to Marco Polo bringing this back from China), there is something different about the pasta here in Rome. We tasted a variety of preparations: carbonara, puttanesca, caci e pepi, arrabiata, creamy porcini mushrooms and truffles. Exceptional dishes made for very satisfied customers.
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Zucchini Flowers
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Although I had spied them in Venice, I hadn't eaten any up until this point. I love fried food (a bit too much) so I had been watching myself; by the time we reached Rome, I decided to throw caution to the wind. These little gems were stuffed with cheese, dipped in a light batter and quickly fried. They became very popular with my family. The flowers in their natural state are so beautiful and delicate so it's amazing that they hold up to the heat of a fryer. Regardless, they are delicious and a treat for any diner to indulge in.
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Artichokes
I couldn't get enough of the artichokes in Rome. I don't even eat them back in the States but there was something about ordering artichokes Roman-style that jumped out to me when I saw it on the menu. From that first night in Rome, I ordered artichokes each night that I could. These unfriendly little buds, so high maintenance to eat, when peeled, boiled and then rubbed with the combination of parsley, mint, garlic, white wine and olive oil was simply too good for words.
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Favorite Meal
There were a lot of great meals in Rome but the one that I really enjoyed was actually part of our 'Twilight in Trastevere' food tour. Osteria Der Belli was our 'dinner' stop (#6 of 7) on our tour through this lively neighborhood.
The restaurant, run by four Sardinian brothers, was located in the heart of Trastervere, a trendy part of Rome, filled with alleys of great local eateries. Der Belli was packed with locals enjoying the osteria's specials and we felt fortunate that we would be too.
It was a great representation of what Rome had to offer and I would vote that the carbonara here was one of the best versions I tasted on this trip.
Traveler's Advice
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Amuse-Bouche |