Summer Nights at Villa D'Este

Rome is full wonderful sites, from archaeological areas to the lovely piazzas and dramatically beautiful churches, but every once in a while it is nice to get out of the city and enjoy the breeze of the countryside.
So last friday Ms. A , her wonderful parents and I hopped on Mimu's super car (there is very little super about it) and headed out to Tivoli's Villa D'Este. For the summer, the 16th century mansion of the exiled cardinal Ippolito d'Este is open late at night on fridays and saturdays.

I had visited Tivoli before, during the day, but I had never experienced such fantastic experience! The night visit really allows you to fully enjoy the magic of this place, with the fountains on and the water organ playing. I felt like I had been transported back in time to the 16oos!

Needless to say, the lovely parents had packed a delicious picnic that we sneaked into the villa (without authorization) and enjoyed while looking at the fountains.

For more info: http://www.villadestetivoli.info/

The beauty of Rome

A few days ago, while sipping prosecco and eating figs, I was reminded of the beauty of Rome.
We were with a group of friends, celebrating a happy moment and in front of us, was the most beautiful city in the world.


I know I am bias, I know I Rome has its defects, but when I looked out from the tarrace at Mr. P's house, I could not help but fall in love with my city again.

at the beach

Ostia is the local beach of Rome. It's only 20 minutes by local train. It's close to the archaeological site of Ostia Antica and for me it's the perfect getaway from the busy streets of Rome.

I am amazed by how quickly the scenario changes, the atmosphere is more relaxed, the air cleaner. I particularly enjoy going to Ostia during the off season, in May for example, when the beach is not crowded and you can walk around catching the breeze and maybe stopping for some fresh fish..

Here are some pics:

summer bbq

August in Rome can be quite fun. Even though some shops are closed and the heat can be unbearable; AC , friends and a good dose of food can make this time of the year just about perfect.
Leave alone the fact that there is no traffic, that the streets are strangely quiet and shops are selling things at 1/4 of their original price, a good BBQ and the right group of people can really make your August special.

Just like the past few summers, this August I have been dog-sitting for lovely Pico. Pico lives in a great house, the perfect apartment, in the center of Rome, with cable tv, super comfortable beds,
a great bathtub and AC. I have wonderful memories linked to this place.
For the first time this summer, the house was not complete. Pico's mommy decided to redo the kitchen so Pico, myself and my boyfriend were "stuck" with a no-sink,no-kitchen house (still a pretty nice house, nevertheless). Luckily we dicovered a portable BBQ on the terrace. This functioned perfectly, and it ended up being the mean of many delicious dinners in the house.





Among other ingredients for the riuscita perfetta of the BBQ, were the organic tomatoes kindly donated to us by our friend Sienna. She had just returned from a holiday in the countryside, and brought back these wonderful vegetables!