La Piazza Dario's top 5 things to do when visiting Rome, Italy.

You know the saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do!" If you have a trip planned to Rome, while you will most likely tour the most famous spots of Rome, such as the Colosseum and Pantheon, there are several other experiences we think are well worth having while in this grand city. Granted, some of our top five things to do when visiting Rome are just as famous, if not more so, than the aforementioned sites. However, others things that we suggest doing while in Rome are more about the experience than the place.

It can be easy to sign up for a sightseeing tour in a foreign country and forget about allowing yourself to fully experience what it's like to live in that country. However, experiencing Italy like a Italian is half the fun! With that said, below is a list of our top five things to do in Rome, from sightseeing, to meal suggestions. Enjoy!

Top 5 Things to Do "When in Rome"

1. Eat like an Italian: Indulge in the magnifico tastes of Italy, such as gelati and pasta fresca, all while dining out late (nobody eats dinner in Italy before 8:00 pm!), and enjoy the ambiance of la piazza!
2. Make a wish at the Fontana di Trevi: When in Rome, making a wish at the Fontana di Trevi, in English the Trevi Fountain, is a must. Legend has it that those who toss a coin into the fountain while making a wish, will one day return to Rome - and who doesn't want to return to Rome!
3. Enjoy the local spirits: Although drinking Italian wine, such as chianti, barolo or pinot grigio, may be a no brainer while visiting Italy, don't let the local Italian liquers pass you by either. Even if indulging in an afterdinner nightcap isn't something that you usually partake in, allow yourself to get lost in the flavours of Italy with Italian digestivo favourites, such as limoncello, amaro, or grappa.
4. Take a day trip to Pompeii: Discover a place frozen in time by the natural events that occurred because of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Although this trip will have you venturing outside of Rome, the historical impact it has to those who visit, make it worth leaving the city for a day.
5. Visit the Vatican: Even if you're not a religious person, a visit to the Vatican City is well worth it. Beautiful solid gold lettering can be found within the city, along with gorgeous architecture, history galore, the Swiss Guard and - need we say more? To top it all off, perhaps you'll see the Pope! Plus you'll be able to say that you've been to the world's smallest state.

Have you been to Italy? Share your favourite things to do when in Rome in the comments below!

If you're unable to get away to Rome, or Italy in general, in the near future, allow us to help satisfy some of the cravings! Join us for lunch or dinner and enjoy an authentic Italian meal by our head chef, Chef Claudio Ranallo, who was born and raised in Abruzzo, Italy.

(Image via Pixabay)

End your meal with the bitter-sweet digestivo, amaro.

Many people enjoy ending their dinner meal with the occasional digestif, or digestivo in Italian. However, not everyone is overly fond of the sweet liqueurs, such as the Italian favourite limoncello. If this sounds like you, do not despair; we think we may have just the drink for you: amaro!

What is Amaro?

Amaro, which is Italian for "bitter," is another option for your after dinner digestivo. An Italian herbal liqueur that ranges in colour from gold to dark brown, amaro is bitter-sweet and is typically made of herbs, roots, flowers, bark and/or citrus peels! These ingredients are softened in alcohol, which can be wine or other spirits, and then the pieces of herbs, flowers, etc. are strained out. Sometimes a syrup will be added to the amaro to sweeten the taste a bit (but not too much!).

Learn more about other Italian digestifs.

Join us for dinner this week and and cap your meal off with some not-too-sweet amaro. We look forward to seeing you! Book your reservation online or call 604-430-2195.

(Image via Pexels)

Celebrate the warmer weather with chilled Italian lemon liqueur!

The weather is warming up here in Vancouver and, as the skies become sunnier, our craving for refreshing, citrus-infused digestifs is growing! One of my personal favourite digestifs, especially during the warm evenings of spring and summer, is the Italian lemon liqueur known as limoncello.

Made from lemon zest that is steeped in grain alcohol, and then added to simple syrup, limoncello is served chilled in small glasses, made of ceramic or glass. It is mainly produced in regions found in Southern Italy but it is enjoyed throughout the entire country.

I first enjoyed limoncello one hot summer evening while visiting Rome. After our meal, my dinner party and I were offered complimentary glasses of this particular liqueur and, upon my first sip, I knew it would become a staple throughout the remainder of my trip. All at once, refreshing, sweet and tangy, limoncello is the perfect digestivo to sip on after having enjoyed a delicious Italian meal.

Come join us at La Piazza Dario and end your meal with this light, citrus liqueur!

(Image via Pixabay)