Dining in Rome

We have one dinner in Rome at an old favorite:  Trattoria Lilli.  But first, we explore food options available in the local markets, have an appetizer at Piazza del Popolo, and then wander along the River Tiber to the restaurant.  While exploring, we spot a food and wine shop and pop in to find an incredible selection.

Food and wine

From the Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna, we walk down via del Babuino to Piazza del Popolo (with the fountain Fontana del Nettuno on one side and, on the other side, Fontana della Dea di Roma).  We stop for cocktails (negroni and wine) and bruschetta.

Cocktails and snacks

After the short walk over to and along the River Tiber to Trattoria Lilli, we settle in and enjoy some incredible traditional Italian cuisine:  bruschetta con funghi porcini, tagliolini a caceio e pepe (pecorino cheese and black pepper), rigatoni alla gricia (bacon, pecorino cheese, and black pepper), and penne all'arabbiata (tomato sauce with garlic and chili pepper).

Bruschetta

Tagliolini

Rigatoni

Penne

What a great way to end another fabulous and memorable trip to Italy!

Dining in Rome

We start our culinary evening in Rome with aperitifs at Piazza del Popolo:  negronis and a limoncello spritz, accompanied by a plate of olives, potato chips, and tarallini (small knots made of flour, olive oil, wine, and a flavoring such as fennel seeds or red pepper flakes).

Aperitif

Dinner is at our favorite restaurant in Rome:  Trattoria Lilli.  We have a reservation and sit at a table outside.

Trattoria Lilli then and now

We start with prosciutto e melone, followed by bucatini all'amatriciani, spaghetti alla carbonara, and tagliolini a cacio e pepe.  And, of course, a carafe of the house dItalian wine (red).  Wow!

Prosciutto and melon

Pastas

Returning to our hotel by the train station, we stop in for a final cocktail at the rooftop bar and restaurant.

Rooftop dining

It's been great, but it's time to go home and early in the morning, we will catch a train to the Rome airport and start winging our way back to the US.

A Wander in Rome

Our flight home leaves from Rome and we catch a local train from Polignano a Mare to Bari and the Intercity train from Bari to Rome, spending an evening in Rome before flying out the next day.

Getting to Rome

Outside the Rome train station (Roma Termini), we find the impressive statue "Conversazioni" by Oliviero Rinaldi.

Conversazioni

Continuing down the street from the train station, we find creative parking solutions near the Fontana della Naiadi.

Park wherever it fits

Fontana della Naiadi

We stroll a few more blocks and reach the Spanish Steps, packed with tourists.

Arriving at the Spanish Steps

We continue down Via del Corso to Piazza del Popolo, a great place to stop for cocktails as the sun sets:  negronis and a limoncello spritz.

Piazza del Popolo

Negroni and limoncello spritz

Night arrives in the piazza

We finish up and head over to the River Tiber, which we will follow to dinner.

Down the streets to the river

Sidewalk bar on the river bank

We only have a late afternoon and evening in Rome, but we get the fabulous opportunity to walk through the city and enjoy the ambiance, the people, and the weather.

You Never Can Tell What You'll Find: The Pope

Wandering through Rome, as soon we we reach any elevation, the Vatican is in site.  It looks far from the magnificant Villa Borghese Park, but is only about 3km (1.9 miles) away, a 40 minute walk through Rome.

View of the Vatican from Villa Borghese Park

As we walk back to our hotel in the general direction of the Vatican, we see what appears to be a shortcut, down a street that heads in the right general direction.  At the end of the block,  there are a few policemen and an X-ray machine and metal detector, similar to an airport entry, at the passageway into the next courtyard.  It looks odd, but is still in the right general direction and we go through.

On the other side, we enter the courtyard from the side and find a large crowd.  Looking to our left, we realize we have entered St. Peter’s Square and there is the Pope, out in the square.  We later hear that he is greeting pilgrims from afar.

 We walk into the courtyard, only to find.

We can only hang around in the back for a bit, but it is thrilling to realize that we can just stumble on/into something like this.

View from the back

Keep wandering!