Extended Opening of the Coliseum’s Underground

October 22, 2011 By Andrea

The Coliseum’s underground and third level were scheduled to close at the end of October, but it has been announced the opening will be extended through the end of December. UPDATE: As of April 7th, the Coliseum’s underground will be open again! This is great news for visitors coming to Rome!

For everyone visiting the Coliseum, you can take a complete tour. You will not only be able to experience the Coliseum as if you were a member of the audience so many centuries ago, but you will be able to experience the Coliseum as an actual gladiator. How cool is that?! Pretty cool, if you ask me.

If you would like to take a complete tour of the Coliseum, we will be glad to help you reserve a time and date. (Unfortunately, you will need to have a guide to be allowed access to the underground.) The cost is €80 per adult (€55 for children ages 6-14 & €75 for students ages 15-25 and Seniors age 65+), and includes your entry ticket and a complete tour of the Coliseum. In addition to the Coliseum, your guide will also take you to the Arch of Constantine, Via Sacra, Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. The full tour last 3 hours and 30 minutes.

If you are interested in scheduling a complete tour of the Coliseum, please feel free to contact me to arrange your visit.

Why Rome?

La Dolce Vita Series: Location, Location, Location!

October 17, 2011 By Andrea

In last week’s Friday Fun post, I told you guys we were planning to go to Paris, France, to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Well, we went, and we had an AMAZING time! We walked around the Eiffel Tower at night (the lights started to sparkle right as we walked underneath it…so magical), took a river boat tour along the Seine River, saw the Cathedral of Notre Dame, spent the afternoon at the Louvre Museum (saw the Mona Lisa, Athena Nike of Samothrace & Venus de Milo…my three highlights), relaxed by a large fountain in a beautiful park, walked along the Champs Elysees, ate plenty of French food and enjoyed just walking around Paris and taking in the city. It was the perfect first anniversary celebration, in the city of love and lights!

One of the great things about living in Italy is being so conveniently located to other European countries. It took us less than two hours to arrive to Paris. Breakfast in Rome, lunch in Paris…not a bad day. 🙂

Another great thing about Rome is having access to low cost airlines, such as Easyjet and Ryanair. The hubby and I both were able to fly to and from Paris for only around €100. That’s about €50 each for a round-trip ticket. Pretty incredible!

We can’t wait to decide when our next travel will be. We are already talking about other countries we would like to visit soon.

To see more La Dolce Vita stories and photos, click here. You can also check out other expats’ sweet lives in Italy, or join in the fun by sharing your own stories of la dolce vita. Just click the banner below:

Why Rome?

Chinese Food in Rome

October 10, 2011 By Andrea

Chinese food? In Rome? I know, I know. You are probably thinking Rome is a place where you eat Italian food, not Chinese food. If those are your thoughts, you are (mostly) correct. Rome has delicious Roman cuisine and Italian style dishes, but when you eat that always, your taste buds beg for something a little different from time to time (at least mine do).

Being from the States, I am used to having a variety of cultural and ethnic food options, all usually in close proximity. Monday – Mexican, Tuesday – Chinese, Wednesday – Italian, Thursday – BBQ (Barbeque), Friday – Mediterranean, Saturday – Sushi, Sunday – Southern comfort food. I am willing to bet most weekly menus resemble something similar to this. When I lived in the States, mine certainly did. Now living in Rome, the menu looks more like pizza, pasta, risotto, pasta, pizza, pasta and the occasional kebab or Mediterranean sandwich.

Even though Italian food in general is, and always has been, my favorite type of food, sometimes my taste buds need a little variety. It’s what they have grown accustomed to. That is why I was overjoyed when we discovered this great little Chinese restaurant in Trastevere. When I am in the mood for something different, I usually head here. The food is delicious, and it is very reasonably priced. I usually order an appetizer, two main dishes, two side dishes and a large bottle of water…all for under €20. If you are in Rome and craving something a little different, definitely give this restaurant a try. It’s located right off the main piazza in Trastevere (Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere), so it’s very convenient.

You can see everything I usually order below. On your mark, get set, let your mouth start watering…

You can dine inside the restaurant, or sit at a table outside and enjoy all the energy from the main piazza in Trastevere.

Primavera – Spring roll (with carrots and cabbage and topped with sweet & sour sauce)

Shrimp Lo Mein

Fried rice with shrimp

Shrimp with ginger and green onions (pairs great with the fried rice).

I saved the best for last. My favorite…sweet & sour shrimp. Yummm!

Ci Lin
Via Fonte dell’olio, 6
Open 7 days a week
Lunch served from 11 am – 3 pm
Dinner served from 6 pm – midnight

Piazza Treasures: Take Two

October 5, 2011 By Andrea

The first time I talked about ‘piazza treasures’, I told you we always come across different street performers each time we visit a piazza or stroll along the streets of the city. The entertainment is endless in Rome. It always brightens my day when we come across someone showcasing their talents or doing something ‘out of the norm’.

In August, I said I would like to share a monthly round up of all the ‘piazza treasures’ and street performers we come across each month. I am unfortunately running a little behind for September. I wanted to share a fun video with you guys, but my external hard drive has decided to hold all my files hostage at the moment (grrrr…isn’t technology so fun some times? ;-). I do have a few fun photos to share with you this time though. Enjoy!If you missed the first ‘piazza treasures’ round up, you can check it out here, and be sure to be on the lookout for this month’s round up in a few weeks.

Fun, upbeat music for shoppers along Via del Corso.

Bubble making in Campo dé Fiori.

These silver guys were hanging out close to Piazza Navona. I’m not sure of the message they were trying for, but they made me laugh.

This strange guy was hanging out on the road leading to the Coliseum. Don’t ask. I have no idea, and honestly he scared me a little.

Why Rome?

La Dolce Vita Series: Surreal Moments

October 3, 2011 By Andrea

As I’ve mentioned before, the hubby and I like to ride bicycles around the city. One of my favorite places to ride is next to the Tiber River. It’s so nice and quiet along the river. At times, I almost forget there is a big, bustling city carrying on right above us.

On this particular day, we stopped to take a drink of water from our bottles (that we filled from one of the public fountains in Trastevere, which you can read about here), and watch the ducks interact with each other as they swam by. As we were getting ready to hop back on our bikes, a saxophone player all of a sudden appeared and starting playing a beautiful song. I had to ask myself, “Ummm, is this really happening?” The moment felt surreal. Although I know differently (I think), it was like he was there just to serenade us as we enjoyed the lovely afternoon.

To see more La Dolce Vita stories and photos, click here. You can also check out other expats’ sweet lives in Italy, or join in the fun by sharing your own stories of la dolce vita. Just click the banner below:

Why Rome?