Pizza al Taglio

Pizza al Taglio is Rome’s version of fast food. In Paris, you often see locals walking around with a baguette under their arm, ripping off chunks and munching as they walk around the city. Pizza al Taglio is Rome’s equivalent of The Paris Baguette.

Breakfast, lunch or snack- it’s perfect anytime of day.

When you walk into your local forno, you’ll see a rainbow of different options splayed out on the counter. Believe me, you’ll have a hard time narrowing down your selection.

Just point to which pizza you want and then the spatula-wielding counterperson will place the spautla on the pie as if to say “Do you want a slice THIS big?” And you go from there. ”A little bigger, a little smaller” until you have the size you want.

They chop it off the pie, weigh it, cut it in half, fold it so that the toppings are kissing, making a pizza sandwich. They wrap it in paper…and off you go.

Unless of course, you decide to dine in. Then your pizza comes served on a cute little pizza cutting board.

Slices are dirt cheap and downright delicious. It is THE easiest way for a budget traveler to survive in Rome! The average price was between 2-3€ a slice.

My hands down favorite (though I wouldn’t turn any of them away) was the potato and rosemary. It was sinful. I would eat my weight in this stuff- and that’s no easy feat!

We also sampled the Zucchini Blossom and Anchovy, Sausage and Spinach, Porcini mushroom and the famed Pizza Bianca, which is basically just the most delicious focaccia-like bread simply dressed with salt and olive oil.

Here are my favorite Pizza al Taglio joints.

In the Monti neighborhood:

Forno

Via dei Serpenti, 7

Pizzeria Leonina

Via Leonina, 84

And if you happen to be out and about in the Campo Dei Fiori area try these gems for Pizza Bianca:

Forno Campo dei Fiori
Campo dei Fiori, 22

Antico Forno Roscioli
Via dei Giubbonari, 21

Want to experience the best food Rome has to offer? Click here to see how I can create your foodie adventure.

Travel Tip Tuesday – Tips for Speeding through Airport Security

We all know how time consuming and stressful it is trying to get through airport security. Impatient people pushing from behind you, trying to leaf through your stuff, trying to figure out what to put on the belt and what to leave on your person? Trying to keep your eye on your valuables so nobody steals them.

You feel somehow violated by the time you get to the other side!

Here are a few tips to help you sail through security!

1. Dress the part. Only wear slip-on shoes that can be removed and put back on quickly and easily. Leave the lace ups home. Leave the jewlery and belts and any other accessories with metal home. It's no fun forgetting to take your metal bracelet off, only to set off the detector, hold up the line and get dirty looks from the crowd.

2. All hands on deck. You could use three hands for security-that is how busy you'll be. Finish all drinks before you arrive at the security line and toss out your empty bottles. This way you'll be ready to hold your passport/boarding pass in one hand- and fish out your items from your bag and onto the belt with the other.

3. Unlock your luggage before you get on line. Make it easy for the security team in case they need to inspect the contents of your luggage. The longer they struggle with your lock, the better chance you'll lose it because they'll cut it!

4. Pack liquids in an accessable spot, not at the bottom of your luggage. If you are going all carry-on, you need to place your zip-lock bag of liquids in a bin and place it on the conveyor belt. Pick a spot close to the top of your carry-on, that is easy to access. My wheelie has a separate zippered compartment on the outside which is a perfect spot for my zip-lock bag.

5. Laptops need to be taken out of a regular carry-on bag for inspection-but who has extra hands for fumbling around and opening it for the nice TSA folks? Instead, put your laptop in a TSA approved bag or neoprene sleeve and again, keep it easily accessible within your main bag. Just place it in one of the bins on the conveyor and the laptop will sail through without issue.

6. Try not to overload your pockets. The less you have in them, the less time it will take to dig things out and empty them. You may have a cell phone and some change. Anything more or larger could be stashed in your carry-on bag until you get through the line.

7. If you're going all carry-on and your airline offers early on-line check in, by all means take advantage of it! In the long run, this will mean ONLY waiting on one line- airport security. You'll be in a better frame of mind and come with a boatload of patience, which will certainly come in handy.

8. It is no time for jokes. Don't utter the word BOMB or TERRORIST or anything similar to that. It is the easiest way to get sidelined, singled-out, delayed and possibly deterred. And don't show your annoyance or disdain for the process or the TSA employees. Take deep breaths, be calm and just do what is asked of you.

9. You know the old saying, practice makes perfect? Well, in this case- it is so true. Come up with a *plan* of how you forsee the security exchange unfolding. Know what you'll do first, second, third etc. Keep rehearsing it in your mind and be very determined and focused once it is your turn. You'll be prepared-which will make all the difference!

What say you? What are your favorite tips for speeding through airport security?

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Hop on over the My Bella Vita to see what tips Cherrye's got today!

Italy : Instructions for Use

Italy : Instructions for Use I had found Nan McElroy’s site Living Venice, a few years back while searching for other blogs about Italy. Nan lives in Venice, a favorite city of mine, and captures it beautifully in her blog. We had occassionally conversed through our blogs.

Recently, we had found each other on Twitter as well and Nan knew that I was headed to Rome and she had a bit of a proposition for me.

Nan wrote a wonderful book about Italy called – Italy : Instructions for Use. Not the typical guide book. No pictures, no maps, no hotel recommendations, no museum hours. No, this book is different. Different in the best sense of the word.

This little gem is a guide to Italy itself. Her customs, language, food, transportation and more. It’s exactly what it says. Instructions on how to use…Italy.

Nan kindly asked me if I would read the book, bring it along on my trip to Rome and test it.

Of course, I agreed. Who wouldn’t?

This book is both great for the first-time newbie going to Italy, as well as the seasoned, experienced traveler. There is always something new to learn about Italy.

I really, really love this little book.

The book is split up into color-coded sections dealing with:

In-depth considerations when planning and preparing
Easy-to-understand language pronunciation guide
Eating, drinking, ordering, tipping
Driving (with color road sign illustrations)
Phoning (local, international and cell calls)
Understanding Italian train systems
Shopping, shipping, and getting your VAT refund
Vocabulary in context, Italian to English, and vice-versa
Tourist information resources

The book is so portable, weighing in at only a few ounces and measuring in at about the size of a large index card, you could also slip it in a pocket. THIS is the guidebook you don’t mind packing in your luggage and bringing along in your travel bag everyday.

The vocabulary and pronounciation information is spot on and concise- no info on how to conjugate a verb. I love how the accented text in a word is bolded, so that you immediately know which syllable the accent falls on, helping you to pronounce the word, easily. Included are helpful phrases like how to order tap water and carafes of house wine.

The in-depth chapters on car rental, driving and taking the train are especially helpful. She provides actual pictures of road signs and what they mean, self-service ticket kiosks and train schedules.

And the chapters on Shipping, the Post Office and VAT taxes are so informative and helpful. This was all new to me, as I haven’t really purchased things to send back to the U.S. But, for those looking for those wonderful handmade Italian ceramic dishes, bowls and biscotti jars, this info will prove to be worth it’s weight in gold!

Perhaps my favorite tips are the ones interspersed between paragraphs called Worth Noting and Attenzione. Helpful tidbits like how to dial the + sign on a cell phone when calling in Italy, the fact that that there is no consistant odd or even numbering for addresses on either side of the street like in the US, and how to adjust your seat on a Eurostar train are offered. I can tell you that the first two helped me immensely on my recent trip to Rome.

I especially love this piece of advice- Remember, Italy is a country-not a theme park!

The book is very visually appealing as well. Each chapter has beautiful illustrations, meaningful quotes or cute expressions that has Italy just dripping off the pages.

I recently had a friend of mine who used to be a travel agent read it for her upcoming family vacation to Italy. Though she had purchased several guidebooks for the vacation, she thought this one was the most helpful, portable and ridiculously affordable at $10. She is buying her own copy to take on the trip!

So for those headed to Italy, those that have already been, or those who just want to learn more about the Bel Paese, run right out and buy this book. I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’ll be the best $10 you’ve spent on a guidebook, guaranteed!

And in case you are interested, I have added Italy: Instuctions for Use, to my Amazon Store. You can purchase it there.

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Heading to Venice? You might be interested in these hand-selected food, wine and cultural tours.

Travel Photo Friday : Caption This!

This edition of Travel Photo Friday I am taking creative liberties and using my own photo this month.It is my blog afterall.

But, I tell you, this one I need a little help with. And I think it might be time to have a little fun.

Last week, while visiting the Piazza Navona in Rome, I saw this scene unfold in front of me that was too good to be true. It was a picture in the making.

It is still one of the funniest things I have seen in Rome, to date.

And I need a little help. My very funny photo, needs a very funny caption to go with it! And to up the ante a little, I will be picking the winning caption from the comments left on this blog entry.

The winner will be getting a little prize from me. No trips around the world, but a prize just the same!

So dear readers- I challenge you to….Caption This!

Tune in for our next edition of Travel Photo on Friday, July 3rd.

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What say you? You have a Travel Photo to be featured here? Great!! The more the merrier!! Just send it along with a brief description and we'll get it in the queue for you!

Love Thursday | A Roman Wedding

Nothing says 'I love you' like a wedding!

And while Chris and I were wandering around Trastevere, we decided to take a break by visiting the beautiful church, Santa Maria in Trastevere.

As if the church wasn't beautiful enough, we noticed a lot of buzz taking place in the front of the church.

A videographer, someone hanging flowers at the end of the pews, an organist and singer team practicing.

We both turned to each other and said, "Do you think there's gonna be a wedding?"

The answer was YES!! Or should I say SI?!?

The wedding ceremony worked a bit differently in Italy.

No bridesmaids. No groomsmen.

Instead the groom, who was dressed in his Carabinieri best walked down with his mom.

Next came the Mother of the Bride, who unceramoniously strolled down the aisle to her seat, alone.

The grooms Carabinieri buddies in full dress, stood with swords crossed in the alcove as the beautiful bride and her father walked through.

They were preceded by a lone, shy, ringbearer, named Mario. He was reluctant, fussing, crying and downright adorable in his tiny designer Italian pin-striped suit!

How privileged we felt to witness such a wonderful event in such a beautiful, historic setting.

An Italian wedding- what could be lovelier?

Happy Love Thursday, everyone!

Travel Tip Tuesday | Seven Ways to Keep Cool in Rome’s Heat

As we found out last week, Rome's temperatures can be unpredictable. Down right scorching. I swear I could see the heat waves rising right out of the cobblestones!

But that heat usually doesn't come until July and August, which is why we chose May for our visit.

As we also found out, the heat can certainly have a negative effect on your travels, especially if you were not planning on it. It can take the wind right out of your sails.

Here are some tips on how to survive Rome in the blinding heat. Whether you are prepared for it, or like us, otherwise.

1. Do as the Romans do. Romans have been living in this heat for centuries. Follow their lead. Get up and at 'em early, head for lunch inside or outside under the cover of umbrellas and then straight home for il riposo (a nap) in your hotel. Take a cool shower and head back out once the sun starts to go down- for dinner and an evening passeggiata.

2. Fountain fill-ups. Fountains filled with delicious, clear, crisp, spring water are ubiquitous in Rome. The water is free, cool, thrist-quenching and did I mention free? You need to replenish often to combat the heat and to offset the dehydration you'll experience from consuming copious amounts of wine and espresso.

3. Seek Shade. When you are out and about, try to avoid the main streets of the city, because they are wide and get full sun exposure. Instead, head for the smaller streets, which are lined with large buildings that provide shade. Stick to the shady side of the streets. You might be surprised by the hidden treasures you'll discover in the lesser known cobbled nooks and crannies.

4. Extra Gelato Breaks. As if you needed a reason to indulge in the cold, creamy goodness that only authentic Italian gelato can offer, let heat be the one. But, extreme heat ups the ante. You have my permission to partake as many times a day as needed to bring your body temp back to normal. On really hot days, grab the fruit-flavored sorbetto, which can be more refreshing.

5. Pack for the unexpected. I suppose the weather is really never that predictable, so plan for anything. I'm not suggesting bringing flip-flops in January- just in case, but if there is a possibility of real heat, come prepared. Bring at least one pair of comfy sandals. Consider a few tanks which can be layered with a cardigan if it cools down. Linen is a great breathable fabric that will keep you cool as well. Throw on a cute floppy hat, sunscreen and sunglasses in for good measure!

6. Visit a Church or Museum. Some have air-conditioning, but even those that don't are bound to be much cooler than the alternative, with their thick, floor to ceiling stone and marble interiors. And churches have pews, so you are guaranteed a resting spot for hot, tired tootsies. If you're lucky, like I was, you just might get to witness a Roman wedding, crying Ringbearer and all!

7. Don't overdo it. Don't pack your itinerary chock-full. Allow for even more down-time. If you have to scratch things completely off the itinerary because the thought of standing out on the baked cobblestones for six hours on a tour of the forum would bring on heatstroke- I am here to tell you, it's ok. Really. Most of the old stuff has been around for over 2,000 years. I think you'll get another opportunity to visit again in the next 2,000. Don't you?

How would you beat the heat in Rome or any other city for that matter?

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Cherrye is taking a little riposa of her own from Travel Tip Tuesday today, but she has been nice enough to provide a few oldies but goodies from her archives.

In and Around the Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of, if not my favorite buildings in all of Rome.

It sneaks up on you, from out of nowhere, a small slice of it’s beauty on display when peering down the sidestreets.

Something about the way the massive round structure marries with the front of the square, angled portico.

Last week we paid special attention to the portico. Mainly for the welcome shade it provided, but also for the stunning perspective of both the space and the Piazza della Rotunda, on which the Pantheon sits.