When
I found out that we were going on a trip to Rome, the first thing
that came to my mind was the following:
I
want to take a spin on a Vespa when I’m there!
In
hindsight this idea was the best idea of the year – I can hardly
recall a time when I had That. Much. Fun in a row than during those
days:
The
temperatures were unusually warm for June, the head wind pleasantly
cool on the skin, without great effort one was able to see the most
beautiful places and corners, all the while resting your feet.
What
the bicycle is to the inhabitants of Berlin, the Vespa is to the
Romans – sometimes I felt as if I was in a motorcycle gang, like
when we took off at a traffic light that had just turned green.
So
you’re not only in good company, but you can get to any place in an
uncomplicated way, and fast, too.
Uncomplicated
AND thrilling:
My
husband learned to drive a moped in Lagos, Nigeria, and
accordingly…to cut a long story short: he drives like a maniac –
no gap too narrow, no bend too tight, no curb too high.
I
can very highly recommend it to everybody:
Rome
without scooting around on a Vespa is like chocolate without black
tea or like summer without the seaside – nice, but it could be
muuuuuuch nicer.
It’s
uncomplicated to rent one, they give you a helmet as well and off you
go!
Today
we are going to visit the district around the Campo di Fiori:
Narrow
alleyways with small boutiques and vintage shops, a big square with a
farmers’ market (a food blogger’s paradise with all its many
dishes and stalls with items made of olive wood), and the most
delicious food in the world!
My
tips today are all straight from the horse’s mouth:
The
recommendations for you are Andrea’s, who has lived in Rome for
over 20 years and is the designer of beautiful fashion – she
spontaneously wrote to me and we had a great time together!
-
Ice-cream at Giolitti’s: the best ice-cream ever at via degli
uffifi del vicaro 40, near the Pantheon (right around the corner from
the Lautre Chose store, pzza di campo marzio 9-11)
-
Best pizza and beautiful people: at Gusto’s at piazza augusto
imperatore 9, stylish atmosphere and good food, attached to it is a
shop with ABSOLUTELY must-have kitchen gadgets!
Apart
from Andrea’s recommended locations, here is another one of my
special shopping tips:
There
is a store on a side street off of Campo di Fiori where you can get
your own hand-made flip flops:
Custom-made
with customized heights and individual color of leather, and the
world’s prettiest decorative embellishments!
Some
more classical tips from Andrea: Campo dei Fiori.
One
of Rome’s most beautiful squares ever.
In
the mornings there is a farmers’ market, where tourists and Romans
alike simply enjoy the lovely ambience. Make sure to stroll around
the alleyways, to me this is Rome’s essence: not at all dressed up,
but super authentic! From total ignorance to total brilliancy:
everything’s there, cast in a beautiful light.
-
Auditorium.
a must-see!
One
of the few modern buildings in Rome that actually turned out a
success (besides the Mausoleo di Augusto on pzza augusto
imperatore).
Renzo Piano is the Auditorium’s architect and he
created a truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Great concerts all the
time, but also stop by for the bookshop, the exhibitions, the
aperitivo and above all for the intellectual, but not formal,
atmosphere.
Believe
it or not:
Roman
ladies drive their Vespas wearing dresses and high heels!
So
did I, and on one of the particularly hot days I wore a top and
shorts, very uncomplicated.
My
style inspiration for the summer:
Get
a slightly fancier top and wear it during the day accompanied by a
big tote and jeans, as well as in the evening with a necklace, a
clutch and sensational shoes – a lovely eye-catcher and a highlight
in your closet!
Whether
they are made of silk, lace or flounces: these type of tops are real
investment pieces and I wear them for years.
I
have had the top in the pictures for several years (at Queermode in
Stuttgart), but these are also beautiful!
1.
Hallhuber
(silk)
2.
Hallhuber
(silk)
3.
Mango
4.
Hallhuber
1.
Mango
2.
Mango
3.
Hallhuber
4.
Mango
When
I was in Rome I quite often simply ordered a plate of antipasti
instead of the usual pizza or pasta dishes.
To
my delight they were so varied and copiously assembled that they were
a true inspiration and a special treat!
They
were usually served on simple plates or platters and the loveliest
utensils made of olive wood.
Since
obviously not every reader will have a chance to go to Rome straight
away, you can also order stylish dolce-vita props online:
With
small bowls for olives and simple plates that look as if they were
hand-thrown due to their irregular shapes.
I
like!
Just
barbecue some veggies, buy Italian salami, mortadella and cheese and
arrange everything on a platter together with small bowls of olives,
pesto and other delicacies – so simple and so incredibly delicious!
Isn’t
Laura, my current intern, breathtakingly pretty?
She
supplies the ideas for the originally Italian recipes and supports me
in everything in a perfectly wonderful way.
When
I first had Caponata Siciliana on Campo di Fori, I was instantly
smitten!
Laura
prepared it for us at home and you’ll end up with this incredibly
delicious dish that either works as a meal in itself or perfectly
matches the plates of antipasti.
"Caponata
Siciliana has many variations – ingredients and preparations differ
depending on the region and the taste.
As
it happens my Sicilian grandfather is known for his delicious
Caponata, which he sometimes cooks in huge casseroles and gives away
to all his neighbors and friends.
Here
is the recipe for my version of the dish:
Caponata
Siciliana
-
2 eggplants
-
1 red onion
-
2 sticks of celery
-
one handful of green olives
-
1 Tbsp capers
-
1 can chopped tomatoes (Polpa di Pomodori)
-
¼ cup white wine vinegar
-
2 Tbsp sugar (dissolve the sugar in the white wine vinegar)
-
one bunch of basil
-
Sauté diced eggplant in olive oil until golden brown, put aside on a
plate.
-
Cut onion into thin slices, sauté in olive oil, add can of tomatoes
and bunch of chopped basil. Add salt and pepper, reduce sauce by
simmering (Attention: err on the side of caution when it comes to
adding salt, as the capers are usually quite salty already).
-
In a second frying pan sauté diced celery, halved olives and capers
(if they were pickled in salt, better rinse them beforehand) for a
few minutes. Then add eggplant and deglaze with the vinegar-sugar mix
– this will add the typical sweet-and-sour taste.
-
Now add the reduced tomato sauce and bring to a boil for 2 to 3
minutes.
-
To finish you may add pine nuts and/or sliced and toasted almonds.
Let cool for 20 to 30 minutes and enjoy at room temperature (or
cold).”
This
was the final chapter of my Rome impressions.
If
you really want to go there and still need accommodation:
We
stayed at face
to face.
It
is situated on a picturesque little street and you are amongst Romans
in a personal atmosphere and stylish ambience (and at a relatively
reasonable price).
In
the evenings I sat with the proprietress for hours, chatting about
anything and everything, and hugging the cleaning lady who not only
cleaned my room, but even eliminated
my mess
tidied it every time.
Whether
you actually go and visit Rome or not:
The
relaxed way of enjoying food, and the simple yet elegant way of
dressing is inspiring in any case!
If
you have additional tips for Rome I’d be happy, if you shared them
with everyone in the comments!
Sources of supply:
white Plates: LaMaison
Olivewood-bowls: LaMaison
Love
Joanna
p.s.
Nicole
Adler
drew
the most delightful picture of all times – a thousand thank yous
for that!
Thank you so much, Eva from Ginnellstudio, for translating this post!
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