Our Ultimate Guides have shown you all the best things to do in all your favorite cities. Now we're bringing that flavor home. Literally.
Coronavirus—it sucks (che schifo)! But maybe you’re an intrepid traveling maniac and refuse to be held down. Want to be bold but without bumping up against any °。°。°germs°。°。°? You can still experience the very best of Rome. Here’s how to recreate a trip the Eternal City in a staycation.
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Mangia! Mangia! Mangia!
If you really want to experience authentic Rome, you’ve gotta get cooking (or, let’s face it: ordering). Check out recipes for a traditional Margherita pizza to start—the superb combination of tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil on a perfectly crispy thin crust. Not in the mood for bread (What is wrong with you? Don’t go to Italy.)? Try out recipes for classic Roman pastas (spaghetti alla carbonara, a creamy sauce made with raw egg yolk, black pepper, guanciale, and pecorino romano; and tonnarelli cacio e pepe, the perfect balance of pecorino romano and black pepper). No matter what you end up making, order gelato for dessert. The best flavor is pistachio, but you could settle the debate by ordering a variety of samples.
Escape Into History
You can’t leave Rome without seeing the wonders of the city: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon. But you also can’t leave your home. Don’t let that stop you from checking out the majesty, ingenuity, and horror of humanity! Take virtual tours of all the historical sites that will leave you saying, “Oh God, what is wrong with us?” But also: “Architecture, wow!” Bonus: no lines!
Do as the Romans Do
In Rome, the best way to get around is a scooter—and by scooter, I mean Vespa. But if you want to approximate the experience and minimize your exposure to germs, hop on a Bird or Lime in your neighborhood—no human contact required! (Make sure to wear a mask, and wipe down handlebars before you ride.) Zip around and check out the sites you haven’t fully explored before. Has the bank always had that weird mural painted on its side? Is that a cat colony under your neighbor’s porch? If you really aren’t feeling going outside (who could blame you?!) or think the analog scooting just won’t cut it (also extremely valid), put a fan in your face and check out the galleries in Scooteroma, which feature videos of scootering around Rome from every angle, including a POV from the backseat. Bonus: Since you don’t have to pay attention to driving, you can really check out the scenery.
Indulge in the Fantasy
Once you’re thoroughly chill, pop into the Rome of your imagination—travel via book! Originally published as a newspaper column, Roman Tales by Alberto Moravia includes 19 short stories following the most ordinary of Rome’s proletariat. The sunny humor and common throughlines are perfect for cafe lounging (on your couch). Want to read up on celebrities instead? Movie star Annabel Christopher battles her image, her public, and her husband in Muriel Spark’s The Public Image, which sends a reader on twists and turns more tortuous than a Roman alleyway. Or, in Tom Rachman’s The Imperfectionists, follow 11 different characters whose lives interweave via the newspaper they work for, set against the backdrop of modern-day Rome—their foibles and follies make this a terrific romp.
