Florence & Rome Itinerary, hotel, tour co. critique please!
May 7th, 2014, 06:04 AM
#42
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Eating and drinking are big priorities to me too 
Here you can find my personal selection of the places where to eat in Florence. I spent a lot of years to choose theese places and avoid the turistic menu: http://www.italytraveller.com/en/r/florence/gourmet
In Rome I love in Campo de' Fiori: Ditirambo and Hosteria Grappolo d'Oro
Here you can find my personal selection of the places where to eat in Florence. I spent a lot of years to choose theese places and avoid the turistic menu: http://www.italytraveller.com/en/r/florence/gourmet
In Rome I love in Campo de' Fiori: Ditirambo and Hosteria Grappolo d'Oro
May 28th, 2014, 08:29 PM
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Hodie, your trip sounds amazing. I love Florence - spent about a week there, one of my favorite books in 2nd grade was about Pompeii and I just about died of happiness when I visited, and I love, love Rome - been there several times and I'd go back in a heartbeat. Others have given some great tips and man, you're going to have such an amazing trip!
A couple Roman restaurant suggestions from my last trip in November (naturally there are so many good options, but here's my 2 cents off the top of my head):
- near the Pantheon is a lovely upscale cafe called Caffe Doria - really delightful ambiance that's a little more laid back/quiet than some others (Via Della Gatta 1/A). My friend insisted on paying since it was his suggestion to go there and when they told us the total, we were both pleasantly surprised at the low cost for 4 macarons, a cappucino and a latte. He paid so unfortunately I don't remember what - but it was moderate and everything was delicious so I'd go back again for sure.
- between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona is Sant' Eustachio, a phenomenal place to stop and get a quick caffe'. Cash only. No seating inside (you stand) but they do have some chairs outside if I remember correctly (we stood)
- near Piazza Navona is a restaurant tucked away that two friends (same as above and another, who've lived there for 2 and 8 years) took me to called Osteria del Pegno (Vicolo di Montevecchio 8). Great portions, very delicious, typical Italian. We were the only non-Italians there.
- also near Piazza Navona is a less expensive place called Navona Notte where we had some good typical pizza.
- very near to St. Peter's is Borgo Pio. I've eaten at Ristochicco twice and another one (who's name is escaping me, but I'd choose Ristochicco over it anyway). I have many friends who've visited and who have lived there and the general consensus from them is that you almost can't go wrong in a place on Borgo Pio. So when you're in that area, it's a great bet. The lunch I had there with 2 friends was about 35 euro and included large portions of an appetizer (seriously...so much cozze!), an entree, dessert and wine (the Montepulciano shared between the 3 of us).
- gelato...well, you can eat endless gelato and there are lots of great places. One favorite that I hit up again and again is Old Bridge just north of the wall around the Vatican City State if you're in that area and want some
- another thing I really wanted to do but wasn't able to this trip was have a drink at the top of the Hotel Minerva which is just behind the Pantheon. I have a few friends who live nearby and have said the views from the restaurant at the top are lovely. Warning, it's rather pricey. Hence, why my desire was just to have a drink and not a whole meal
So that could be a fun ambiance activity if you're in the area
- St. Peter's - I'd definitely recommend, if you have the time/inclination, to spend 5 euro and walk up the dome of the basilica. You'll see the interior of the dome up close and personal about halfway up. At the top you'll see the expanse of old Rome. Could be a nice thing to do after the Scavi tour (which I *love*) since you're already through the security lines. Especially in the afternoon or as the sun sets and it lights up the city.
- you have a ton of wonderful basilicas/churches on there - there are so many to choose from and you have an excellent selection for such a short timeline. If you're in the area of Termini, St. Mary Major is one of my favorites and is the last of the four 'major' basilicas which you didn't have on there (St. Peter, St. John, St. Paul outside the Walls). Bernini is buried there in a paradoxically simple tomb.
Nearby is a basilica called Sant' Pressede. It has some very old mosaics that are beautiful as well as part of the pillar from Jerusalem on which Christ was scourged. It's a lesser known basilica but very ancient and beautiful in its own right. You can pay a little fee to light up the mosaics and it's worthwhile.
- oh and just behind the Pantheon, next to the Hotel Minerva, is Santa Maria sopra MInerva, another lovely church if you're in need of a little escape from the heat. The formidable St. Catherine of Siena and Fra Angelico, one of my favorite artists, are both buried there.
Buon viaggio!
A couple Roman restaurant suggestions from my last trip in November (naturally there are so many good options, but here's my 2 cents off the top of my head):
- near the Pantheon is a lovely upscale cafe called Caffe Doria - really delightful ambiance that's a little more laid back/quiet than some others (Via Della Gatta 1/A). My friend insisted on paying since it was his suggestion to go there and when they told us the total, we were both pleasantly surprised at the low cost for 4 macarons, a cappucino and a latte. He paid so unfortunately I don't remember what - but it was moderate and everything was delicious so I'd go back again for sure.
- between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona is Sant' Eustachio, a phenomenal place to stop and get a quick caffe'. Cash only. No seating inside (you stand) but they do have some chairs outside if I remember correctly (we stood)
- near Piazza Navona is a restaurant tucked away that two friends (same as above and another, who've lived there for 2 and 8 years) took me to called Osteria del Pegno (Vicolo di Montevecchio 8). Great portions, very delicious, typical Italian. We were the only non-Italians there.
- also near Piazza Navona is a less expensive place called Navona Notte where we had some good typical pizza.
- very near to St. Peter's is Borgo Pio. I've eaten at Ristochicco twice and another one (who's name is escaping me, but I'd choose Ristochicco over it anyway). I have many friends who've visited and who have lived there and the general consensus from them is that you almost can't go wrong in a place on Borgo Pio. So when you're in that area, it's a great bet. The lunch I had there with 2 friends was about 35 euro and included large portions of an appetizer (seriously...so much cozze!), an entree, dessert and wine (the Montepulciano shared between the 3 of us).
- gelato...well, you can eat endless gelato and there are lots of great places. One favorite that I hit up again and again is Old Bridge just north of the wall around the Vatican City State if you're in that area and want some
- another thing I really wanted to do but wasn't able to this trip was have a drink at the top of the Hotel Minerva which is just behind the Pantheon. I have a few friends who live nearby and have said the views from the restaurant at the top are lovely. Warning, it's rather pricey. Hence, why my desire was just to have a drink and not a whole meal
So that could be a fun ambiance activity if you're in the area- St. Peter's - I'd definitely recommend, if you have the time/inclination, to spend 5 euro and walk up the dome of the basilica. You'll see the interior of the dome up close and personal about halfway up. At the top you'll see the expanse of old Rome. Could be a nice thing to do after the Scavi tour (which I *love*) since you're already through the security lines. Especially in the afternoon or as the sun sets and it lights up the city.
- you have a ton of wonderful basilicas/churches on there - there are so many to choose from and you have an excellent selection for such a short timeline. If you're in the area of Termini, St. Mary Major is one of my favorites and is the last of the four 'major' basilicas which you didn't have on there (St. Peter, St. John, St. Paul outside the Walls). Bernini is buried there in a paradoxically simple tomb.
Nearby is a basilica called Sant' Pressede. It has some very old mosaics that are beautiful as well as part of the pillar from Jerusalem on which Christ was scourged. It's a lesser known basilica but very ancient and beautiful in its own right. You can pay a little fee to light up the mosaics and it's worthwhile.
- oh and just behind the Pantheon, next to the Hotel Minerva, is Santa Maria sopra MInerva, another lovely church if you're in need of a little escape from the heat. The formidable St. Catherine of Siena and Fra Angelico, one of my favorite artists, are both buried there.
Buon viaggio!
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Jan 16th, 2014 05:35 PM
