Image by Annalaura D'Errico

Villa Doria Pamphilj is the “green lung” of Rome. It is Rome’s largest park and a shot of oxygen when life in Rome gets too stressful and smoggy. Indeed, Villa Pamphilj is an all-time favorite for Romans to go running, go for a bike ride, take a stroll, walk their dog, or have a picnic.

Like many other city parks, Villa Pamphilj was originally the countryside estate of a noble Roman family, which in more recent times became property of the Rome Council. It is an interesting, diversified park, with beauties of historical and artistic interest, as well as areas of naturalistic interest. An intriguing, curved bridge over the busy traffic of the Via Olimpica connects the two spirits of this park.

On the eastern side, you will find the civilized, historical part with the villa, its statues, fountains and landscaped gardens. On the western side, you will find the wilder and more natural section with its striking vegetation and unexpected fauna.

Additionally, Villa Pamphilj has one of the most active runners’ communities in Rome. I keep telling myself that it would be nice to join the groups of joggers of all ages who run here daily. There is even a gathering point with showers and dressing-rooms. Needless to say, this thought remains one of my resolutions and, for now, I will join the myriads of other Romans who simply lie in the sun.

Park entrances: Via Aurelia Antica, Via Leone XIII (Olimpica), Via della Nocetta, Via Vitellia & Via di Porta S. Pancrazio

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Villa Doria Pamphilj | Art & culture, Relaxing
Via Leone XIII (Olimpica) | Vatican & Prati
Sunrise – sunset

Image by Eleonora Baldwin

I love L’Arcangelo’s menu, it’s like reading poetry.

Owner and Chef Arcangelo Dandini is praised by gourmands as one of Rome’s finest. He cooks up some of the most chic cucina romana in town, and names his classic dishes with creative monikers, like “A glance to the Portico d’Ottavia” for Roman Jewish specialties, and “Arcangelo e l’Inferno,” to define a spicy game dish. I’m particularly fond of the “Tormento Aromatico in Quattro Passaggi,” a four-dish aromatic tasting menu. But it’s not all verbal fantasy: Dandini’s recipes are inspired by ancient Roman dishes, Renaissance preparations, and the cucina povera of the 19th century.

His carbonara, cacio e unto (aka, Gricia) and the stewed oxtail are truly amazing. I love the fried eel, or the herring, sweetbreads and spongecake antipasto. The Gnocchi alla Matriciana (served only on Thursdays) are definitely the best in Rome, and should not be missed.

But foodies in the know also flock here for the slabs of foie gras served on plasmon biscuits (the ones fed in milk to Italian infants) and crumbled candy; or the mackerel on potato cream; and the quintessential offal queen: tripe cooked in tomato sauce with mint and pecorino cheese. As far as desserts go, the citrus custard bigné and the bizarre yet incredibly tasty liquid white chocolate with capers, candied ginger and olive oil win the gold.

Have Arcangelo’s wife Stefania pour you a glass of wine, and allow his poetry inspire you, with every tasty morsel.

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L’Arcangelo | Restaurants (Local)
Via G. G. Belli 59 | Vatican & Prati | +39063210992
Mon – Fri 13:00 – 15:30 & 20:00 – 23:00, Sat 20:00 – 23:00

Image by Sanacafè website

Sanacafè is a novel concept restaurant, it blends my three favorite food notions: healthy, convenient, and chic. Sanacafè seats 80 in its tiny 200 square meters and outdoor sidewalk, but offers a unique formula: Michelin star-type products and service, at a totally democratic price.

Sanacafè’s innovative cuisine techniques reflect the desire of Chef Alessandro Circiello-some may have seen him on Rai2 newscast as nutrition consultant-to maintain foods wholesome, exalting the local Mediterranean, sustainable farmed, organic and seasonally sourced super-foods employed. Circiello’s methods reflect this too: lower cooking temperatures, and sous-vide in vacuum glass containers to preserve flavor and maintain nutritional and beneficial properties intact.

My steak tomato, stuffed with tiny cacio e pepe tube shaped pasta, was only topped by the signature veal cooked in red wine reduction with vegetable noodles, all lavishly paired to a glass of organic red wine. There’s also a coffee tasting menu, a juice bar, some very interesting artisan beers by local microbreweries, and a wide selection of vitamin drinks and tisanes available.

The ambiance is friendly, and at the siShop section, guests can purchase the actual food, wine, design products, and table settings used in the kitchen and dining room.

This place is ideal for a casual girlfriend get-together, a business lunch, a custom designed party, a relaxing slow moment, or simply a chance to dine well. And healthy.

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Sanacafè | Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Restaurants (Healthfood) | Lunch menu € 16
Via Pompeo Magno 12C | Vatican & Prati | +390696035669
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 00:00

Image by Sabrina Favoriti

Bella Calzature is a shoe shop and therefore loved by many women. The store is in the north part of the city so in theory it should be less crowded. But the store is so popular that people are attracted like bees to honey, especially during sales season (in January-February and June).

I went there when the winter sales were on and stayed there for a long time since there was so much to choose from and I could not decide which pair of shoes to bring home with me.

After a very difficult decision (if you are a woman that loves shopping you will understand how hard the decision is), I picked two cool boots; one brown and one black so that they matched anything that I have in my closet.

I come back here often, even if there are no sales going on just because of all the different shoes to decide from, it is like a shoe heaven and I always leave with a new pair!

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Bella Calzature | Shopping | Boots € 70.00
Piazza dei Giureconsulti,38 | Vatican & Prati | +390666000213
Mon 16:00 – 20:00, Tue – Sat 10:00 – 12:00 & 16:00 – 20:00