Travel Guide: Breakfast Spots in Florence

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Travel Guide: Breakfast Spots in Florence

Rise up folks, and make time to enjoy the best meal of the day. In Florence, this means letting a cup of well-made coffee warm you up on a cold morning, and sinking your teeth into an enticing pastry… 

Cantinetta Verrazzano

Cantinetta Verrazzano is a heaven for bread and pastry lovers. Step into the bakery, and you will find a lengthy display filled with a diverse variety of baked goodies. Those who like it sweet will dive straight in for the flaky cornetti or buttery crostata, while the tasty focaccia will please visitors with a taste for savoury delights. 

Pasticceria Nencioni

Cosy Pasticceria Nencioni dishes up a delightful selection of sweets and pastries. Stop by on a cold morning, and warm yourself up with a frothy cappuccino. Next, decide on your breakfast pastry for the day – if you are in the mood for something sweet, a tantalising tart will suffice. Vacation makers with a savoury palate will be keen on tucking into one of the puff pastries available. Takeaways are advised, as there is little seating space in this compact cafe. 

Gelateria Carabè

A good selection of intensely-falvoured gelatos at Gelateria Carabè leaves visitors making rave reviews and yearning for more. Traditional Sicilian flavours inspire the creation of the gelato flavours at this gelateria. The creamy ricotta-based gelato, studded with candied orange peel and citron is an innovative spin on the Neapolitan ricotta cake. Traditionalists will want to stick to a good ol' favourites, like the pistachio gelato. Stop by at breakfast time, and do as the locals do – order a refreshing breakfast granita made from almonds, mulberries and lemons. Mhmm.

News Cafe

Coffee and art merges together in a seamless combination at News Cafe. Here, you will never fail to order a picture-perfect cappuccino, with its froth presenting an intricate design by the baristas. The beverage may look too pretty to drink, but when you finally take a sip, you will be captivated by its strong aromas. Apart from dishing out cups of well-made coffee, News Cafe also offers a selection of buttery croissants, pastries and sandwiches. 

Caffe Scudieri Firenzi

Coffee drinking at Cafe Scudieri is a grand affair. Its well-decorated interiors and beautiful glassware creates an atmospheric setting, putting you in a luxurious mood as you take sips of your coffee. Place an order for the Tuscan-style espresso dolce, for it is a beverage worth savouring. One will discern a milky sweetness and nutty aroma, and enjoy itsbuttery-smooth texture. A lengthy pastry case reveals rows of beautifully-made pastries, leaving you fighting hard to resist the urge of ordering one (or many more). 

Caffe Donnini

Excellent coffee, amazing tasting pastries, and a gorgeous setting featuring rich colours and hanging chandeliers. 'Nuff said. 

Now that you have ironed out issues of where to go for breakfast, it is time to start planning your meals for the rest of your day. Why not try out a home-dining experience in Florence?

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Table for Two: Romantic Meals in Rome

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Table for Two: Romantic Meals in Rome

Traversing through romantic Rome with that special someone? You'll want to make a booking for a table, perfect for only two…

Aroma

When a restaurant offers an unobstructed view of the majestic Colosseum, there is no doubt that it cinches the top spot for providing one of the best views of the city. Dining becomes a magical experience here at Aroma – take a sip of your wine and nibble on the starters while you watch the sun set behind the structure, painting the sky in a wash of mesmerizing hues. The innovative menu will not fail to please either – the mint-flavoured roasted scallops is a great dish to kickstart your dinner, continuing on with mains such as a tender veal fillet or a rich panzerotti.

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

Restaurant All’Oro

Situated within The First Hotel, elegant All'Oro charms diners with its classy setting and sumptuous offerings. The chef often adds in playful tweaks to spice up a traditional Roman fare and is known to camouflage his dishes, masquerading them as another. One example would be the coda alla vaccinara , an oxtail stew that appears as a Ferrero Rocher chocolate. During the summer, be sure to reserve the small terrace located above the hotel's rooftop terrace. There, you can dine in an intimate setting that seats six while feasting on alluring panoramas of the city. 

La Matricianella

A dining experience at La Matricianella brings back memories of the olden days. The restaurant's quaint setting is reminiscent of scences right out of a 1950s postcard featuring customers dining shoulder-to-shoulder, tables covered with checkered cloths and friendly waiters who address you by name. You will find a selection of traditional Roman delights and Roman-Jewish dishes on the menu. Crowd pleasers include the fried antipasto, artichoke alla giudia, and meatballs. Booking is recommended, for the tables at this popular restaurant gets filled up at a rapid rate. 

Home-dining Experience with the Locals

If dining out at a restaurant does not sound quite like your cup of tea, opt for the unique experience of eating with the locals. At Alessandro's, you will enjoy a Roman feast overlooking the Vatican City. Amiable and affable, Alessandro's charming hospitality will set you and your partner at ease. Your meal will likely include starters such as crostini romani, a pasta dish, a second course such as a tender meat loaf or pork steak, crisp salads and a tantalizing dessert. We understand that some of us are die-hard fanatics of meats and grilled items, so a barbecue experience close to the Pope will suit the carnivorous palates of these diners to a T.

Travelers with a taste for Neapolitan cuisine will find an irresistible spread at Simona's. The Gold of Naples promises to be an unforgettable dining experience, featuring a five-course meal of dishes such as Rustico Napoletano, scaloppine al Limone, zucchine alla scapece and torta caprese. Ooh la la!

On certain days, with certain people, only a very special meal will do. When the occasion calls for this, you will not go wrong with a rooftop dining experience in Rome. A decadent dinner, gregarious host and a beautiful view over the picturesque city make for a very memorable night. 

Find more home-dining experiences in Rome here. 

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Travel Guide: Must-Do Activities in Rome

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Travel Guide: Must-Do Activities in Rome

A holiday in Rome is not complete without these must-see travel attractions and activities!

The vibrant outdoor markets of Campo dei Fiori provides a lively scene, filled with throngs of eager shoppers, friendly vendors and plenty of colours, flavours and scents. Holidaymakers on a budget will find a plethora of stores selling fresh produce perfect for a picnic lunch, or for cooking a delicious dinner back in their vacation rental.

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

Art lovers should not miss out on a visit to Gelleria Borghese. Housed in a villa in the middle of the Borghese family estate, the impressive collection includes works by neoclassical artists such as Antonio Canova, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. 

An exploratory stroll is one of the best way to discover the beauty of Rome. Venturing from vicolo to vicolo, piazza to piazza, you will set sight on an array of charming streets and quaint shops. Make time for a fascinating two hour stroll that will take you across Ponte Sisto and the magnificent Tiber River.  

Starting off from Piazza Navona, you will venture southwards through the lively markets of Campo dei Fiori, before arriving at Piazza Farnese. From there, head towards Ponte Sisto, where you will cross Tiber River to arrive at the captivating neighbourhood of Trastevere.

Now a state of ruins, the Roman Forum was once ancient's Rome majestic centerpiece, a striking district of temples, basilicas and public spaces. Countless of events, ranging from grand processions and key elections, to criminal trials, gladiator fights and prostitution have occurred at this historical site.

An exploratory walk along its cobbled streets is an activity not to be missed. Start off your expedition from the Capitoline Hill, before proceeding on to other points of interest within the site. 

The Fontana di Trevi, Rome's largest and most famous fountain, definitely earns a spot on any list of must-do travel activities related to the city. The fountain depicts a fascinating scene of Neptune's chariot being led by Tritons with sea horses. Extremely busy during the day, the attraction is crowded with hordes of visitors keen on following the belief that tossing a coin guarantees a return to Rome. If you do not plan on performing the conventional coin toss into the fountain, jostling with the crowds ceases to be a problem. Instead, sit back, relax and spend your time people watching at one of Rome's renowned sites. 

  • Eat a Roman Feast

Round off a memorable tour of Rome with a delectable feast of Roman delights. If you are an off-the-beaten-path traveller who is not keen on eating at touristy joints, you will enjoy eating as the Romans do at restaurants and food haunts frequented by the locals. Otherwise, you might want to try eating with the locals of Rome, for it is a unique travel experience that provides deep insights into the culture and cuisines of the Italians. 

You will not go wrong with opting to dine on a spread of Roman classics. Travellers in a mood of grandeur will find that a meal of imperial Roman fare will suit their palates to a T, while those with a taste for wholesome dishes will be sure to enjoy a vegetarian feast. 

Do not miss out on eating with the locals in Rome! Take a look at our selection of dining experiences in Rome here. 

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Where to Eat Like A Local in Rome

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Where to Eat Like A Local in Rome

When it comes to eating like a local during your travels in Rome, be sure to abide by the golden rule – stray off the well-trodden path, and shun the buzzing restaurants frequented by tourist crowds.

It is time to try out that nondescript-looking eatery dishing out plates of scrumptious classics, or trail steathily behind the lunch crowds in a bid to discover the locals’ dining favourites. Or, better yet, why not dine in the homes of the locals, and savour an authentic homecooked meal during your sojourns? 

Where to eat like a local in Rome:

  • Breakfast

When in Rome, eat as the Romans do. Start your day the Italian way by opting for a light breakfast of croissants and coffee at Caffé Sant’Eustacchio.

If you are in an indulgent mood, you will not go wrong with making a stop by Dagnino. Take your pick from the impressive varieties of breakfast pastries available. The only problem is that you cannot have them all, so you will have to make a choice – will it be that pretty cannoli, colourful cassata siciliana or flaky danish?

Vacation makers can be sure that they are eating like a local during their travels, when they dine on homecooked meals prepared by the locals. At Emma’s, you are sure to start your day on the right note by tucking into a delicious spread of croissants, brioche and breakfast pastries, as well as the essential cup of aromatic cappuccino. If being an early bird is not your cup of tea, perhaps making arrangements for a late brunch date with Veronica will float your boat.

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

  • Lunch

After a day of exploring Rome’s charming streets, be sure to fill up your rumbling tummy with wholesome and tasty fare. If you are in the mood for something light, make a stop by Zia Rosetta, and opt for one of the well-made rosetta sandwiches packed to the brim with fresh, quality ingredients. Vacation makers in search of heartier fare will be satisfied with the selection of main courses at the vibrant Necci 1924 or cosy Da Tonino.

For a unique dining experience, venture off the beaten path by trying out a meal at an intriguing location. A seaside picnic in a Roman castle or romantic lunch by the scenic Tiber River may wind up being one of the highlights of your trip.

  • Dinner

Rome presents an inexhaustible amount of dining options for dinner. Seafood lovers will be glad to make a stop by The Market Trastevere for a fishy feast. When a restaurant dishes out a fine selection of quality fare, a simple meal promises to satisfy. This is the case at The Market Trastevere, and you will not go wrong with sticking to classics such as good ol’ fried calamari and lemon, crisp garlic bruschetta and glasses of white wine.

A second option is to cosy up at the atmospheric Old Bear. Venture down a quiet alley from Piazza Navona, and you will stumble upon an inviting restaurant dishing up traditional favourites such as pasta, bruschetta, lasagne and Tuscan soups. If you seek a cosier dining experience, why not try a heartwarming meal by the fireplace at Alessandra’s? If the heat of the summer does not permit a meal by the fireplace, Alessandra would be more than happy to fire up an outdoor barbecue instead.

See our dining experiences in Rome here.

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