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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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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.

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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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Foodie Guide: 5 Unique Dining Experiences in Italy

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Foodie Guide: 5 Unique Dining Experiences in Italy

Dining in a fancy, bustling restaurant may not quite be your cup of tea. Perhaps, you have a preference for off-the-beaten-path dining experiences, such as dining with the locals and hanging out at hidden local food haunts, frequented only by those in the know.

If you are a foodie traveller in search of intriguing food and cultural experiences during your travels in Italy, be sure to check out our list of unique dining experiences below:

1. Agriturismos: Feasting in a Rustic Farm

How does feasting on a spread of traditional dishes in a cosy farmhouse sound?

If this dining experience appeals to you, be sure to include a stay at an agriturismo a part of your Italy travel itinerary!

Agriturismos, a combination of the words ‘agriculture’ and ‘tourism’, refer to farms in Italy offering accommodation for vacation makers. The amenities at the farms can vary, ranging from basic lodging in a rustic setting, to luxurious villas by a vineyard.

Guests will look forward to meal times during their stay at the agriturismo, for an excellent spread of crusty breads, fragrant pastries, fresh dairy produce and wholesome dishes awaits.

2. Culinary Classes: Whip Up a Storm of Italian Delicacies!

A trip to Italy is not complete without savouring the excellent thin-crust pizzas and pasta dishes widely found in local eateries lining the streets. Apart from these well-loved favourites, there is also an array of must-try local delights, such as the crispy arancini and hearty ribollita, that travellers should not miss out on.

However, feasting on these delicacies alone may not be enough. Would it not be a better option to try your hand at cooking up a storm of Italian dishes in the kitchen?

Sign up for a culinary class, and learn the art of Italian cooking from your gregarious and enthusiastic instructor. Apart from gaining a wealth of handy cooking tips, you will also garner insights on the fascinating history and food culture of the locals.

3. Mealsharing: Dine with the Locals!

Browse through a social dining platform, and you will find a wide selection of passionate cooks who are eager to open up their homes and hearts to you. These chefs, skilled in the art of whipping up authentic Italian cuisine, cordially invite travellers for a feast in their homes.

Tucking into a scrumptious spread is only a part of the dining experience. Guests will also enjoy a night of fun and laughter, engaging conversations and forging cross-cultural friendships.

4. Picnicking: Savouring Italian Goodies Outdoors

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Take a leaf out of the locals’ books, and pack yourself a delicious spread for a picnic outdoors!

Filling up your picnic basket with delicacies is a simple task. Stop by the deli stores lining the neighbourhood streets, and you will easily find loaves of freshly-baked bread, rich cheeses, savoury prosciutto and a fine bottle of wine.

The next step to undertake is to hunt for a picturesque picnic spot. You will be spoilt for choice, for beautiful Italy presents a myriad of gorgeous outdoor settings.

If you are residing in charming Rome, make your way to the stunning gardens of Villa Celimontana. Travellers who fancy dining with a sweeping views of the Tiber river will find Giardino degli Aranci to be an ideal picnic spot.

Holidaymakers in search of a fine picnic location in sophisticated Milan will be delighted with settling snugly into a spot at Parco Sempione, an expansive city park containing a serene lake.

Picnic-goers in Florence can make their way to Cascine Park, a spacious park containing monumental statues, civil infrastructures and sports amenities.

5. Walking Tours: Discover the Best Local Food Haunts

The cobblestoned streets and bustling outdoor markets of Italy promises to be an enticing sight. Discover these streets through the eyes of a local by embarking on a walking food tour!

Led about by a knowledgeable guide, you will be brought along to a series of food haunts to savour a diversity of sumptuous food items. All that is needed is a good pair of walking shoes, and an insatiable appetite for sampling the local fare!

Image Credits: PrWeb, Simply Sandwiches, Notes of Nomads, Arbite

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