Category Archives: The Places I Go

Tuscia – Not Tuscany – Day One: Viterbo

MANY people say that teachers have great holidays. I am not here to stand on my soap box and tell you about all the times I spend my holidays working. I am not doing this because, this time round, I prioritised that millennial notion of “self-care” and did nothing. Nothing. Well, nothing except leave RomeContinue reading “Tuscia – Not Tuscany – Day One: Viterbo”

Hidden histories around the Colosseum

8 January I don’t blame people for coming to Rome for the sole purpose of seeing the Colosseum. Just for your tourist ears, it is also known as Anfiteatro Flavio, which is the surname of the Roman emperor who commissioned its construction. I should probably get around to writing about this iconic Roman stadium. MaybeContinue reading “Hidden histories around the Colosseum”

To Trastevere – literally “beyond the Tiber”

7 January 2021- Do not fritter away your time perusing this post if you envision the wonderfully romanticised Trastevere of a pre-COVID world: the kind where, for some reason in everyone’s imagination, Spring and Summer are the only seasons. The streets are vibrantly splashed with bohemian Italians, market stalls and tourists thinking they have foundContinue reading “To Trastevere – literally “beyond the Tiber””

Piove- It’s raining

Before reading this post, I want to set up a mood: Have a listen to this to this folk track by Roman artist Mannarino (“Me so’mbriacato – I got drunk”). No, I will not be blogging about alcohol induced adventures, but the song was in my head as I wandered around the streets on aContinue reading “Piove- It’s raining”

Pre-lockdown promenades

Italy has been declared a “red zone” for the Christmas (Natale) and New Years (Capodanno) periods. This means you can only leave the house for “essential reasons”. I knew this was coming and, although not daunted at the prospect of spending the big holidays indoors, I did make the most of the days leading upContinue reading “Pre-lockdown promenades”

Rione Ponte – Little-known hood of Rome

Walking tours are often hit and miss. I find that there are times when I “zone out” and focus properly on my surroundings, imbibing every nuance. What I do love about being chaperoned with an army of headphoned fanatics is the fact that they start to train your eye to siphon for beauty. I alsoContinue reading “Rione Ponte – Little-known hood of Rome”

Autumnal weekends

There is something hearty and warming about autumn in Rome. Maybe it is the spectrum of toasty hues that adorn the cobbled footpaths: bright orange, carrot and nutty browns. Despite the unfolding choas of this world, it is easy to be transported by the dull glow of the streets. Last weekend, I wanted to focusContinue reading “Autumnal weekends”

Terme di Caracalla – Solo strolling

The new decree in Italy has lead to the closure of all archeological parks. How do I find my way around this rule? I don’t. Simply, I have been exploring churches of Rome as places of worship are still open (for now) as well as doing official and self-guided tours around different quartieri (neighbourhoods) andContinue reading “Terme di Caracalla – Solo strolling”