Travel Guide: Best Cafes in Rome

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Travel Guide: Best Cafes in Rome

Regardless of where they venture to, caffeine junkies will always find it hard to kickstart their day without a cup of coffee. We have crafted this post specially for coffee addicts travelling in Rome – begin your days on the right note by getting a cuppa at one of these cafés, for they are known to serve up some of the best coffees in the city: 

Guests who arrive at Bar del Cappuccino will find the tiny café bustling with a lively buzz, for its fantastic brew, excellent espresso and winning service draws in plenty of customers. 

[ROMAN-HOSPITALITY https://www.bonappetour.com/s/Rome–Italy?lat=41.90278349999999&lng=12.496365500000024]
 

Caffé Tazza D’Oro has earned a reputation for offering one of the best boutique coffee in Rome. Be prepared to wait when you arrive at this charming café, for it attracts a long, snaking line of customers keen on getting a cup of their favourite espresso or cappucino. Once you have laid your hands on your long-awaited cup of coffee, you may opt to enjoy it at the spacious bar, or venture to one of the outdoor tables laid out along the corner of Via Pastini. 

Art lovers will enjoy savouring a cuppa within the ornate interiors of Canova Tadolini. Previously used as an atelier by an artist, the café is packed with stunning statues of classical busts, fountains and chevaliers on horses. Customers can feast on the sight of these striking works of art, as they enjoy their coffee in a fine setting containing furniture such as leather chairs and tables draped with pristine white cloths.

We have some advice for first-time visitors unsure of which beverage to order – you will not go wrong with the flavourful espress 'marocchino', a decadent drink containing a delightful combination of chocolate cream, coffee and cocoa powder. 

The excellent coffee at Giolitti draws an eclectic crowd of customers, ranging from coffee-loving travellers to politicians. Make a stop by for coffee, and you might end up rubbing shoulders with President Giorgio Napolitano. Apart from getting their fix of caffeine, customers have another reason for making repeated visits to Giolitti – this café is well known for serving a selection of award-winning ice cream. 

Coffee-making is a serious business at Il Caffé Sant’Eustacchio. Its owners travel to Brazil to source for the best coffee beans, so as it export it to Rome. This classic Roman bar may be small, but its coffee sure packs a punch. Guests will find the aroma and flavours of coffee to be present in just about everything sold at the café, ranging from its frappés and slushies, to luscious chocolate bars and cookies. These pastries have earned rave reviews from hordes of customers, so be sure to sample these sumptuous treats when you make a stop by at the café.

Find out more about the unique coffee culture of the Italians

Image credits: Finedininglovers, Wikipedia, Mangiaebevi, Zeroprophet, Expressioncoffins

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Travellers Tips: How to Eat on a Budget in Europe

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Travellers Tips: How to Eat on a Budget in Europe

Dining on the cheap does not have to be a stretch for budget travellers in Europe, for the region presents an array of inexpensive dining options. 

Here's how you can be a money-savvy foodie during your sojourns: 

  • Do Your Food Shopping at Bakeries and Sandwich Shops

Bakeries and sandwich shops are great spots to grab a quick and cheap meal for your breakfast and lunch. In most stores, you will find an array of sandwiches, pizzas and local eats commonly consumed within the region. For example, you are likely to come across a wide selection of croque-monsieur sandwiches in France, or chance upon an array of pizzas and pastas in Italy. If in doubt, just follow the lunch crowds, and they are likely to lead you to an eatery that offers hearty bites at affordable prices.  

  • Cook Your Own Meals

Rent an apartment or reside in a guesthouse that provides cooking facilities. In this manner, you can whip up a feast of delights at a fraction of the price that you would be paying if you dine in a restaurant. 

The search for fresh ingredients to make your meal is not a difficult one, for Europe is home to a wide array of outdoor markets. Exploring these markets will be a joy for foodies, for the market is often buzzing with a vibrant vibe, filled with a myriad of cheerful colours, lively chatter and diverse tastes. Travellers are likely to find a variety of fresh produce, as well as freshly-baked breads, cheeses and spreads – items perfect for a satisfying breakfast or a delicious picnic lunch outdoors. 

  • Savour the Unique Flavours of Street Eats

Mhmmm street food!

Apart from being cheap eats, street food also allows travellers to savour local flavours that are unique to each country. During their sojourns, Europe travellers will find a multitude of stores selling crisp pizzas in Italy, flavourful souvlaki in Greece, piping hot crepes in France and tasty bratwurst in Germany. You cannot go wrong by following the crowds – be sure to make a beeline for stalls with a lively buzz and a queue snaking around it. 

  • Restaurants: Dine Where the Locals Eat

Make each and every meal at a restaurant count by getting the best bang for your bucks when you dine outdoors. The key to doing so is to follow the locals. Make your way to off-the-beaten-track joints that are not frequented by tourists. Venture a few streets away from tourist attractions, or explore the streets close to residential neighbourhoods, and you are likely to find a selection of restaurants that the locals head to. 

In most instances, the menu is a good indicator – restaurants with menus written in multiple languages are likely to be touristy joints that you would want to avoid. 

  • Eat with the Locals

Eating can offer a unqiue travel experience of its own…particularly when you are eating with the locals, in the comforts of their cosy homes! 

These fun-filled experiences do not cost an arm and leg. We have a handpicked selection of budget-friendly dining experiences listed below:  

Tagliatelle alla Bolognese with Giorgia

An Original Taste of Italy with Giorgia

Tasty Crescentine with Giorgia

A Traditional Dinner with Andrea

Savour Tuscan Flavours with Lilia

International Breakfast with Emma

A Picnic by the Sea with Francesca

A Hearty Breakfast with Cristina

All-You-Can-Buffet with Cristina

Eat What You Like with Magherita

Asian Fusion Flavours with Poom

Mediterranean Magnificence with Steven

Brazilian Delights with Erika

Swiss Fondue with Erika

Image credits: Flickr, La Pensione Hotel, Land of Travel

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Best Desserts In Rome: 7 Sweet Spots Not to Be Missed

Best Desserts In Rome: 7 Sweet Spots Not to Be Missed

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Dessert-lovers in search of a gastronomic heaven will find their slice of paradise in Rome. Home to not just savory goodness from pasta and pizza, but also a myriad of best desserts that will surely leave the inner sweet tooth satisfied.

There is an incredible array of best dessert places, pastry shops, and bakeries in Rome that will definitely excite enthusiastic foodies keen on embarking on an Italian sweet treats culinary exploration, leaving them spoilt for choice.

No one wants to complain about having too many desserts, but there are only so many sweet treats that someone can stomach. You will have no regrets when you feast on the best, so be sure to make a stopover at these seven spots offering some of the best desserts in Rome.

[irp posts=”38″ name=”Italy’s Must-Eat Foods: 12 Delicacies Not to Be Missed”]

1. Pastiera Napoletana

Originating from Naples, the pastiera Napoletana is an Italian tart made with eggs, boiled wheat and ricotta cheese. The crisp pastry of this dessert hides a soft stuffing in a shade of golden yellow. Classic versions of the pastiera Napoletana are flavored with cinnamon and orange flower water, while modern twists to the original version incorporate unique flavors.

Try it: Savour this dessert in the most authentic way with BonAppetour’s Italian host, Simona – a slice is sure to leave you yearning for more! As a home chef, she enjoys whipping up regional Italian dishes and taking her guests on a culinary journey to Napoli.

Find out what is Simona up to in her own kitchen now: Pastiera Napoletana with Host Simona

2. Tiramisu

Mmm… the tiramisu. We could go on forever about this delicate dessert that one can never get enough of – how its soft creaminess melts in your mouth, and how the hint of liqueur adds a kick to its rich coffee flavor.The cake, made from ladyfinger biscuits dipped in coffee, is layered with a filling made of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese. It is definitely a crowd pleaser!

Try it: We are quite sure that you do not just want to hear all about how good this dessert tastes – Learn the recipe and try it for yourself when you dine with our host Francesca in Rome! Apart from desserts, she loves hosting and preparing traditional Italian meals for her guests. She believes that the wide variety of Italian food reflects her country’s cultures, dialects and heritage, which she is so passionate about.

Find out what is Francesca up to in her own kitchen now: Tiramisu with host Francesca

3. Sweet Salami with Hazelnut Cream

A glance at this dessert from afar, and one might be fooled into thinking that this log-shaped treat is a smoked meat meant to be served alongside a platter of savory cheeses. Peer closely, and you will find that slices of this dessert are colored in a deep, chocolate-brown hue, and studded with light brown flecks. Rome travelers who do not want to miss out on this.

Try it: Sample this intriguing treat will have your sugar cravings satisfied at a sumptuous dinner with our BonAppetour host, Alessandro! Experienced as a host, he is known to whip up a wide variety of dishes and desserts that will satisfy everyone’s craving. Did we mention that he serves wine at his dinners too?

Find out what is Alessandro up to in his own kitchen now: Sweet Salami with Hazelnut Cream at Alessandro’s

4. Gelato

Rome travelers with a love for icy treats must not miss out on making a stop by Fata Morgana. Located in the neighborhood of Salario-Trieste, vacation makers will find the store situated along a street from the popular Villa Ada park.

Gelato lovers who are adamant about sticking to traditional flavors will not be disappointed with the classic choices available at Fata Morgana, for you cannot go wrong with chocolate or pistachio and cream. Those with an adventurous palate will be keen to try a range of exotic flavors, such as a refreshing mojito mint and lime, tart blueberry cheesecake and intriguing-sounding rice pudding gelato.

Gelato from Fata Morgana does not only taste good – it is also made with wholesome ingredients. No colorings, gluten or chemicals are used in making its selection of top-quality gelatos.

Find out more now: Gelato at Fata Morgana

5. Ricotta Cannoli

Looking for a dessert to complete your meal? Everyone in Rome has to try this traditional Sicilian pastry dessert – Cannoli. The tube-shaped shells of the cannoli are made from frying pastry dough, before being filled with a sweet ricotta cream. The Ricotta Cannoli at I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza has proven to be a huge hit with locals and travelers. It is not overly sweet and the crisps of the pastry complement the dessert just nicely. Made in bite-sized portions, one is never enough.

Nestled in the corner by the road, the store is located at a perfect spot for anyone looking for a small snack while traveling around. So, be sure to make this place one of your must-try stops.

Find out more now: Ricotta Cannoli at I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza

6. Torta Caprese

Chocoholics will find their slice of paradise at Said. Located in the San Lorenzo district of Rome, this chocolate bar has a longstanding history. Starting out as a chocolate factory dating back to 1923, Said has not stopped producing a fine selection of decadent treats ever since.

Be sure not to miss out on savoring a slice of delicious Torta Caprese, a rich cake made from chocolate and almonds. Do leave some space in your dessert stomach to savor the variety of truffles and torrones sold at the store.

Find out more now: Torta Caprese at Said

7. Cornetto

We are not quite sure if we would call the cornetto a dessert. A popular breakfast item among the Italians, the cornetto is the Italian variation of a croissant. Compared to the french variety, the cornetto is less buttery and flaky and has a greater density. This simple and delicious treat comes in many forms – it may be dusted with a sprinkling of sugar, glazed with a sticky syrup, or stuffed with Nutella, pastry cream or marmalade.

Travelers in Rome in search of a lovely cornetto to kick start their mornings should make a stop by Caffè Barberini. Do not let the nondescript setting of the cafe fool you, for it serves up one of the best cornettos in the city. Be sure it enjoy this delight the Italian way – order a plain cornetto, and dunk it into your cappuccino. Yum.

Find out more now: Cornetto at Caffè Barberini

Image Credits: Bash and Chop, Luciano Pignataro, My Italian Smorgasbord, Gialloza Afferano, From My Sweetheart, Kayture

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5 Budget Travel Blogs For Europe Travellers

5 Budget Travel Blogs For Europe Travellers

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Traveling on a budget in Europe is not an impossible feat, especially when you have access to tons of travel advice and tips from those who have been there and done it.

We brought together top budget travel bloggers who constantly share their useful tips with European travellers.

[irp posts=”973″ name=”Why Do People Travel? We Asked 14 Top Travel Bloggers, Here’s What They Said”]

BudgetTraveller

Who: Kash Bhattacharya

Europe travelers who are still in search of hostel accommodation for their upcoming vacation to Europe should not miss out on reading the BudgetTraveller, for they will find a useful section containing reviews on luxury hostels in destinations across Europe.

Holidaymakers will also discover a wide selection of posts related to traveling in Europe. Be sure to check out entertaining posts to find out how you can backpack in style across England over a duration of two weeks, embark on a self-guided walking tour of beautful Edinburgh or discover an array of cheap eats in Madrid.

Nomadic Matt

Who: Nomadic Matt

A trip to Costa Rica got travel blogger Nomadic Matt smitten with wanderlust. It was not until his travel trip to Thailand, where he encountered a group of backpackers, that led him towards making the life-changing decision of quitting his job to backpack around the world.

Avid travelers perusing his blog will find travel guide content on a whooping 59 locations. The section on Europe is particularly comprehensive and engaging, with travel tips related to costs, food, accommodation, travel attractions, and activities being presented in an informative and readable format.

Travelling Buzz

Who: Maria Stoyanova

Hailing from Bulgaria, twenty three year old Maria Stoyanova fuses her passion for travel and writing with her blog, Travelling Buzz. Focusing on destinations within Europe, she writes about her personal travel experiences and offers tips on must-see places and interesting travel activities in destinations such as Athens, Paris, London and other European cities.

Readers will also chance upon an in-depth guide about food, travel tips and culture of her home country, Bulgaria.

The Savvy Backpacker

Who: James, Susan, and Henry

The faces behind The Savvy Backpacker are a husband-and-wife team, James and Susan, as well as adorable Henry, their fluffy Maltipoo dog.

The blog was conceived after James returned from his backpacking trips abroad, and was constantly sought for backpacking travel advice from his friends. This gave him the idea of creating an informative site about backpacking in Europe, particularly as he had found it difficult to find well-research content on websites for backpacker travelers while doing his own research for his travel trips.

Browse through The Savvy Backpacker, and you will find a plethora of practical information to help backpackers through the entire process of planning for their travel trip. Travelers can start off by reading information under the planning and packing categories to help them define and plan their travel budget, make transport arrangements and ensure that they bring along the right clothing for their trip.

Next on the list is securing accommodations, and finally, gaining a wealth of useful travel information, such as implementing sightseeing strategies and discovering how to avoid tourist scams in Europe.

Young Adventuress

Who: Liz Carlson

After getting her first taste of travel at the tender age of sixteen, Liz has since ventured on to explore more than forty countries. Travelers who have included Spain in their list of places-to-visit will be delighted to know that Liz offers a comprehensive guide to traveling in Spain, as well as an intriguing Spain 101 providing fascinating insights into the food and culture of the locals on her blog.

Vacation makers itching to explore Europe will find a series of blog posts offering travel tips for destinations within the region. Be sure to browse through her postcards articles – filled with amazing pictures and nuggets of travel information, these posts are an interesting way for readers to gain quick insights into new travel destinations.

Image credits: Bridges and Balloons, SleevesUp Productions, Travelling Buzz, Pinkpangea, Alumnae Mtholyoke

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