Rome 1
October 10th 2006 00:19
Welcome back!
I once lived in Rome; it has to be a favourite destination.
Whether you choose a city stay or opt for the country or seaside – you find there is never enough time in one trip.
Should you have an extended city stay, it is nice to try one of the many centrally located pension-some are family-run and very comfortable. It is interesting not to pre-arrange accommodation unless of course your trip coincides with a major sporting event or busy festive time! It is fun to choose from more diverse accommodation options that are not usually available when booking from overseas.
My accommodation during the months that I lived in Rome was split between two pensions – one around the corner from the Trevi Fountain-the other off the via Nationale. Yes, I threw a fist full of coins into the fountain and the saying is true! -I DID return the following year! I stopped short of dancing in the Trevi fountain a-la-Anita Ekberg in the Frederico Fellini film!
The room towels were rather interesting- large, thin and not unlike huge white dish towels. Surprisingly they were very effective for drying off!
I alternated between taking breakfast ‘in’ and trying some of the thousands of breakfast bars outside. Sundays was my day ‘in’ to have a steaming pot of thick, aromatic chocolate- enough for two big mugs! This I ate with two little breakfast rolls presented with a choice of local jams and butter.
Each morning I walked out to make my way up the via Colonnade, for my morning exercise-making my way towards the Venetzia – the big semi-circular white ‘wedding cake’ of a building whose terraces offer spectacular city views. Along the way I stopped for a cup of strong coffee with a crusty durum wheat roll crammed with parma ham and radicchio (small salad leaves)- or take a slice of cold savoury omelette. Thus fortified, I was ready to climb the steep and plentiful steps of the Venetzia.
I used to lunch at a compact, long trattoria that had several tables outside covered with white tablecloths upon which sat several large bowls of assorted crustaceans. Among these, easily identified by the little skyward spurts of water emanating from the inhabitants- was my favourite- tiny local clams. As the day wore on, fewer and fewer water spurts could be seen as diners enjoyed them.
An easy dish: Quickly steamed open, then quickly tossed in pan in a seasoning of virgin olive oil, chopped garlic, Italian parsley and a cup of good white wine. A delicious light lunch served with a salad of ‘lambs tongue’ lettuce dressed with Modena balsamic vinegar, olive oil and generous shaving of parmesan cheese.
I once took a trip to the countryside with friends where we enjoyed the local delicacy from a pretty decorated cart with a cloth roof. Mounted inside was a small split resplendent with a cooked suckling pig. We enjoyed generous portions of fresh roast pork with crackling sliced off the split and served on two large slices bread cut from one of the huge loaves stored in a side compartment.
For our dessert, we travelled to another village famous for their miniature strawberries. Walking along the rows and rows of the ripe fruit, we alternated between picking them for our containers and having a feast along the way!
Italy has many such attractions on offer…not the least their many family owned wineries…but that is another story…
I once lived in Rome; it has to be a favourite destination.
Whether you choose a city stay or opt for the country or seaside – you find there is never enough time in one trip.
Should you have an extended city stay, it is nice to try one of the many centrally located pension-some are family-run and very comfortable. It is interesting not to pre-arrange accommodation unless of course your trip coincides with a major sporting event or busy festive time! It is fun to choose from more diverse accommodation options that are not usually available when booking from overseas.
My accommodation during the months that I lived in Rome was split between two pensions – one around the corner from the Trevi Fountain-the other off the via Nationale. Yes, I threw a fist full of coins into the fountain and the saying is true! -I DID return the following year! I stopped short of dancing in the Trevi fountain a-la-Anita Ekberg in the Frederico Fellini film!
The room towels were rather interesting- large, thin and not unlike huge white dish towels. Surprisingly they were very effective for drying off!
I alternated between taking breakfast ‘in’ and trying some of the thousands of breakfast bars outside. Sundays was my day ‘in’ to have a steaming pot of thick, aromatic chocolate- enough for two big mugs! This I ate with two little breakfast rolls presented with a choice of local jams and butter.
Each morning I walked out to make my way up the via Colonnade, for my morning exercise-making my way towards the Venetzia – the big semi-circular white ‘wedding cake’ of a building whose terraces offer spectacular city views. Along the way I stopped for a cup of strong coffee with a crusty durum wheat roll crammed with parma ham and radicchio (small salad leaves)- or take a slice of cold savoury omelette. Thus fortified, I was ready to climb the steep and plentiful steps of the Venetzia.
I used to lunch at a compact, long trattoria that had several tables outside covered with white tablecloths upon which sat several large bowls of assorted crustaceans. Among these, easily identified by the little skyward spurts of water emanating from the inhabitants- was my favourite- tiny local clams. As the day wore on, fewer and fewer water spurts could be seen as diners enjoyed them.
An easy dish: Quickly steamed open, then quickly tossed in pan in a seasoning of virgin olive oil, chopped garlic, Italian parsley and a cup of good white wine. A delicious light lunch served with a salad of ‘lambs tongue’ lettuce dressed with Modena balsamic vinegar, olive oil and generous shaving of parmesan cheese.
I once took a trip to the countryside with friends where we enjoyed the local delicacy from a pretty decorated cart with a cloth roof. Mounted inside was a small split resplendent with a cooked suckling pig. We enjoyed generous portions of fresh roast pork with crackling sliced off the split and served on two large slices bread cut from one of the huge loaves stored in a side compartment.
For our dessert, we travelled to another village famous for their miniature strawberries. Walking along the rows and rows of the ripe fruit, we alternated between picking them for our containers and having a feast along the way!
Italy has many such attractions on offer…not the least their many family owned wineries…but that is another story…
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