Top 10 Things To See:

Rome rustles up old gems in beautiful piazzas as well as new slants on “cucina”.

1. Fortunato al Pantheon
2. Ditirambo
3. Il Convivio di Troianai
4. La Tavernaccia
5. L'Archeologia
6. Roma Sparita
7. Toscano
8. Vascello
9. Il Tempio di Iside
10. Cecilia Metella

What's going on in Rome

You can find classical ruins and early Christian places of worship stand next to Renaissance palazzos and Baroque fountains.

There are also great neighbourhoods with great trattorias, quirky shops and a buzzing aperitivo scene. The city’s mild Mediterranean climate is another persuasive draw for visitors from the cool north.

Significant changes occurred with the discovery of the New World and the introduction of potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers and maize, now central to the cuisine but not introduced in quantity until the 18th century. Italian cuisine is noted for its regional diversity, abundance of difference in taste, and it is probably the most popular in the world, with influences abroad.

Italian cuisine is characterized by its simplicity, with many dishes having only four to eight ingredients. Italian cooks rely chiefly on the quality of the ingredients rather than on elaborate preparation. Ingredients and dishes vary by region. Many dishes that were once regional, however, have proliferated with variations throughout the country, so be ready to eat!