I love Rome. Not everyone does.

The city can be described as dirty, loud, overwhelming and obnoxious. All of that would be true. Rome is also striking, surprising, and addictive.

Many factors determine whether or not Rome will be a hit. Time of year, weather, holidays, where you stay, how you see and plan the sites.

Little tips like seriously, just take a taxi can make or break you day (and your feet).

Most of my clients are introduced to Rome through a first experience in Trastevere. This is a neighborhood just across the river but still in the center of ancient Rome without being on the tourist treadmill.

Trastevere holds my favorite restaurants, bars, a real morning market and a striking church. Trastevere also lets me pretend like I belong while kids walk to school and friends pour from the bars into the square at night.

When your first moments in a great big new city are more “Wow!” and less “Whoa!” you start your adventure off on the right foot.

Things to do in Trastevere:

• Take this foodie tour on your first night.
• Visit the beautiful Santa Maria church, one of the oldest in Rome.
• Have a sit and a gelato in Piazza Trilussa.
• Walk across to the Isola Tiberina or Tiber Island.
• On Sunday check out the Porta Portese flea market.
• Drink from a fontanella like a local.
• Wander.

Where to eat in Trastevere:

• Da Enzo, although you will be rushed through your meal if seated early.
• Le Mani in Pasta
• Impiccetta, and know matter how hungry you think you are do NOT order a large pasta.
• Spirito di Vino, ask to see the cellar.
• Ombre Rosse for drinks.
• Innocenti, the best bakery around.

Where to stay in Trastevere:

• Arco del Lauro is my secret and well priced B&B.
• Arco dei Tolomei is right next store and just a bit fancier with staff that is more available.

Who we are:

Once in a Lifetime Travel is a passionately run company focused on mindful and fearless travel through authentic experiences and connections. We feature small, fully

guided group tours to Italy for women

. Our

Italian travel consultant

services feature focused itinerary reviews and detailed

Italy travel planning.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel ©copyright 2019

The post Trastevere Rome Visitor Guide appeared first on Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel.

Hungry already? The title did me in too. Let’s dive right in.

Carbonara

This is one of the classic dishes in Rome and can be found on almost every menu in the city, but not all carbonara is the same. Amazing carbonara can be hard to find.

There is a teeny trattoria in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome that served me my favorite plate of carbonara to date.

(I’m more than happy to test out your favorite location on my next research trip. If you think yours tops mine, send me the details).

After exploring Rome all day, we were caught in a torrential downpour walking to dinner. We were too close to find a taxi but too far away to avoid getting soaked. We arrived a da Enzo dripping wet to the horror of dining Italians (more on that at a later time). The waiter put us discretely in a corner with plenty of wine and we began to warm from the inside out.

Maybe it was the storm. Perhaps it was the long day walking in Rome. All I know is that with one bite I was in carbonara heaven. Pure bliss with every taste of the crisped to perfection pancetta.

While I have never been able to make carbonara exactly like this, I’ve gotten pretty good with the attached recipe. The key is homemade noodles, real Parmigiano Reggiano and pancetta. Bacon will work but it won’t be the same.

Buon Appetito,

Andi

Who we are:

Once in a Lifetime Travel is a passionately run company focused on mindful and fearless travel through authentic experiences and connections. We feature small, fully

guided group tours to Italy for women

. Our

Italian travel consultant

services feature focused itinerary reviews and detailed

Italy travel planning.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel ©copyright 2018

The post My Favorite Carbonara in Rome appeared first on Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel.

Stay tuned for my guide to Rome.  Traveling soon and can’t wait? Contact us regarding our travel planning and itinerary reviews, where our secrets become your secrets.

I love Rome.  I have thousands of photos and I don’t know where to start.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel

copyright 2016

The post Rome in Pictures appeared first on Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel.