Italy is world famous for producing some of the best food that has ever been conjured up. Rome is perhaps the apex of this statement and because of this it is very easy to spend far more than you have budgeted for your stay. It is just so easy to indulge in all of the fine food that is served in this food that you can easily lose your entire budget in this one city. However with some planning and some of my tips you should be able to save your wallet some money and still enjoy yourself as well.

When having your morning coffee or any coffee for that matter make sure you are always standing up. It always seems to cost more if you choose to sit down while eating at your local café. Also a great tip would be to make your own lunches and breakfasts for the day by visiting the local alimentary or food store. Catering yourself a meal can save you a lot of money and you still have the benefits of eating the great food that comes from the same farms that are served at the most expensive restaurants.

 You can choose to eat lunch at a trattoria if you wish but the cheaper alterative would be to visit a local wine bar. A wine bar serves small sandwiches and appetizers that will definitely help fill your stomach while saving your wallet. You can even pick up a cheap slice of pizza in Rome as Italy is well known for producing the best pizza in the world. This will save you lots and will certainly enhance your experience in Rome. Also make sure you make lunch your primary meal of the day because many trattorias have a cheaper lunch menu then at dinner time. 

I would definitely avoid the tourist areas of the city as you are most definitely going to be over priced for the quality of food you will receive. And if you really want to waste your money be sure to eat American style food as this is some of the most expensive food that you can find in the whole of Italy. In order to save some serious money it would be a good idea to find a local budget saver guide that has an extensive listings of restaurants in the area as this will most likely save you some money as well. 

Eating out in Rome does not have to be a very expensive affair and you can save yourself some money if you follow these simple common sense tips that I have given you. The food in Rome is well known because many of the restaurant owners have a farm of their own in the countryside so they know about producing high quality food. With this dedication comes a menu and experience that many people do not experience in their lives but it is very worth it in my opinion.

Rome has perhaps some of the best attractions to see in the entire western world. Since this is the capital of what is largely considered the foundation for most other western societies the history is rich as is the culture and traditions. With this wealth of culture comes layers upon layers of fabulous architecture and art that is literally around every corner.

In order to get a true feel for the city of Rome you must embrace the present as well as the past. Many tourists go to see the ruins of Rome and the surrounding areas. However this negates all of Rome’s present atmosphere. I believe that some of the best advice given to me once was “be present” meaning to soak up all that is around you and try to be aware of the surrounding world and not caught up in your own head. While it may be nice to imagine Rome in earlier times, and this should be done at some time, it is better to also be aware of the people that surrounds you at the moment.

This being said I have a list of things that in order to get a feel for the city should be accomplished at least once. This list is in no particular order as I am not big on ranking experiences.

Eating a slice of pizza in Rome is one of the best things you can do while you are visiting the city. While many may argue that the pizza in Rome is not the best I would argue quite differently as this is perhaps one of the best ways to really soak up the culture as everyday locals are more than likely to be around you.

Going to see the Coliseum would also be ranked high in things to do while in Rome. While this is slowly turning into a tourist trap this structure still represents some of the best engineering of the time. This is the place where the capital of a large empire entertained many of its inhabitants.

The Forum is another one of those ancient sites that should also not be missed. This is the place where many Roman emperors consulted with the Roman senators and much political intrigue and deceit was accomplished here. This area of government transformed most of western Europe with its rulings and degrees. Surely this must be worth a visit!

If you are an art lover then the Galleria Borghese is one of the best places to view Belini sculptures plus many other notable artists of the Renaissance. Here you will see many outstanding examples of great talent by mankind. True expression of passion and feeling is expressed through these many works of art.

Eating gelato after a good evening meal is perhaps one of the best ways to spend your time at night in Rome. If you are with a group this is perhaps one of the best ways to explore the city with your pals. Besides Italian gelato is far less fattening than ice cream.

If you are lucky enough to get a ticket to a local football game I would definitely go. There is no other sport that Italians take so passionately like football. This is known in America as soccer and unlike America is insanely popular in Europe. Since Italy won the world cup in 2006 I would say that there is a certain level of pride that Italians take with their football.

Be sure to have some espresso in the morning before you venture out. This is one of the common customs that many Italians take part in almost everyday. In a coffee shop you can rub shoulders with the busy locals as they rush into work. Perhaps for some this may not see like an attraction but I am sure you will not forget the experience. Also I would like to point out that no self respecting Italian would order Capuccino in the afternoon so if you do not want to be see as some hopeless tourist follow this custom.

IF you want to soak up the Roman city and watch the world go by I would go to the Piazza Navona. This is perhaps what is considered by most as the center of Rome and it is one of the best places to people watch and talk over a cup of coffee or espresso.

While there are so many things to see and do in Rome I believe that these activities and places capture the heart of Rome in the past and present. It is truly difficult to capture a true feel for a city if you are planning on just staying a short period of time but if you can squeeze most of these things in I am sure that you will have a more well rounded experience.

This blog is all about the city of Rome. Originally I started a blog on Venice Italy but now I am venturing out and writing about more Italian cities. I hope to add some more in the future as these blogs become more and more successful. This blog is geared towards the savvy traveler and not necessarily the common tourist.

What is the difference between a tourist and traveler? A tourist is one who takes common routes and does not take much risk when going to someplace new. My goals of this blog is to educate and enlighten all those that have been or want to go to Rome. This blog is also a sister site of my A Month In Venice blog which has a completely different mission all together.

Fortunately I have already written much of the content for this blog so the start should be free of interruptions. A steady stream of useful information I believe is what keeps readers coming back to any blog.

One of my main hobbies and interests is in ancient cultures so part of this blog will cover the history and background to some of the sights you may want to visit. And of course going out and having fun is necessary when traveling or living abroad so that should be covered as well.

Basically the mission of this blog is to make visiting Rome one of the most appealing things you can do in your life. If you have any tips or tricks for my readers please leave a comment and I am sure to either write a post about it and give you credit for your idea. Also if you have a travel website in Europe please let me know as I believe that the best blogs out there work within their niche so we can help each other out.

Coming off a long 9 hour plane trip to Rome can be quite exhausting. However it is always wise to keep your eyes open and to take it all in. Rome is one of the most beautiful cities in the entire world. It is called the eternal city for a reason and one of those reasons is that this city has lasted over many generations and still grows in character and charm each and every day.

There is so much to do and see in Rome that you should not be bored. As a major metropolitan city of commerce many foreigners move there on their home country’s behalf. Because of this you have a mixture of cultures and attitudes that give the air in Rome a certain unique quality you will not find anywhere else.

Rome is the foundation for most of Western European culture and you can see this as you look upon the seven palatine hills that make up this city. Since its foundation Rome has been characterized by the surrounding hill sides that make up the valley that is the center of Rome.

What is perhaps the most symbolic part of Rome is the Coliseum and this is a sight that should not be missed. Many spectacles were shown here and this building entertained Romans of every economic stature for over several hundred years before its eventual decay.

If you just arrive in the morning I would make it a point to step into a local coffee shop and grab yourself an espresso. You will see many Romans doing the same as they head to work or school as this is a common custom. You can select from many different pastries to eat with your coffee to help fuel your exploration of the city.

Rome should be viewed with as clear of a mind as possible so get your rest and then go out and explore this fantastic city and all it has to offer.