Rome: Day #2

So I thought I'd make a one-post compilation of days 2 & 3 in Rome - FAIL. I took far (far, far, faaaaaaaar) too many pictures because left, right & centre, there was always something I wanted to capture. With rather a lot of difficulty, I managed to whittle down my photos to a meagre errrr.... 20 for day 2. Now, incase you missed it, I went to Rome. And I loved it. Enough to chatter on about gelato. And on and on about pizza. And still be going on about it now. 

Day #2 was Mission Vatican. I swear we would have walked but as we overdid it a little the previous afternoon (there's too much Rome, too little time!), we took the hotel manager's advice to 'subway' it. I refer you on to the map of Rome before you judge us for chickening out - it is far! When he handed us the map, I did have to turn it over and around a few times just to check we hadn't been given half the story - its simplicity ('A' and 'B'!?!?!) is shocking when London is what you're used to. We jumped on at Piramide, changed at Termini, tried (but failed) to people-watch inconspicuously and arrived, at Ottaviano, 40 minutes, a heat-stroke and one complete make-up meltdown later. Totally worth it. 

We proceeded to Castel Sant'Angelo for views over the Tiber and St Peter's Basilica before crossing the bridge (Ponte Sant'Angelo) you see above to meander our way through the cobbled streets back to the city centre and, of course, The Trevi Fountain. Majestic. Just majestic. 
SL x

Rome: Day #1

Following a gruelling 4am wake-up, a two hour commute to Gatwick Airport and then the (fortunately very smooth) plane journey, it's fair to say that by the time we'd figured out which train to take from Fiumicino to Ostiense, and dragged our suitcases down the platform and onto the carriage, bedraggled is the only adjective that summarised our state. It was hot, we were tired and my stomach was growling. The train provided some respite though (take note, England, it was a double-decker - so much more space!) and we were, quite honestly, awash with anticipation. Upon disembarking, and subsequently realising I'd forgotten at home the print-out detailing our route from station to hotel, we resolved to the excessive use of hand gestures and map-pointing in order to gain some guidance. Having circled the station some three times in the scorching 32°C heat, we finally found someone who understood our phrasebook Italian (somehow Spanish and French came leaping out of my mouth first?) and rocked up at our abode one straight, three-minute walk later *sighs*.

It wasn't long after depositing our baggage that the bustle of the street below beckoned. We asked in the lobby how far The Colosseum was, and, ignoring advice that a train would be easiest, picked up the map, commencing our pursuit for perfect pizza and a first gelato. Now, I know a map chopped in half is hardly ideal but it was a real lifeline in our navigation of the city and its sites so it's important you can see (vaguely) what I'm blabbering on about. 

Wandering a city is, quite possibly, the best way to absorb it - its pace, lifestyle, vibe, aura, routine and peoples. You can miss a lot in dimly lit subways and dingy trains. Ostiense is not actually on the map; it's south-west of Circo Massimo (labelled) but a long street lined with quaint gelaterias, cafeterias, pizzerias & panetterias made for a dazzling first insight into the suburban side of this city. 

More tomorrow. SL x
P.S. Happy Friday! 

Do As the Romans Do

You didn't honestly think I was going to start with anything BUT the food, did you?? Of course not. This is Italy we're talking about and quite frankly our days were planned around pizzeria perching and punctuated with stop-offs at various gelaterias. A typical day, really, went something like this:  
Breakfast. Coffee. Gelato. Pizza. Gelato. Gelato. Pizza. Gelato. I'm going to come to the pizzerias another time (trust me, they deserve an ENTIRE mention of their own) because today I want to focus on ice-cream, ice-cream and only ice-cream. Luckily for us it was a scorching 32°C throughout the holiday - even luckier, then, that our daily route from Ostiense (where our hotel was) to the Colosseum and beyond (Via Del Corsa, Trevi Fountain etc) was lined with quaint little ice-cream parlours vending every variety of gelato under the sun - from pecsa to panna cotta, limone to liquirizia, they had 'em all. 
What's baffling, though, is that no two gelaterias seemed to have the same selection - some favoured sticking to the traditional recipes (like hazelnut, coffee, chocolate & strawberry) whilst others' USP was innovation and invention. The prize for the wackiest we found goes to The Gelateria Punto Gelato...

I can imagine some of you recoiling at the very thought of this curious concoction, but, I tried it (how could I not?) and I assure you, it was the lightest, most refreshing sorbet I could've ever imagined. Sure it was peculiar, distinctly tomatoey and bordering on savoury... but it had a subtle sweetness and... well, it was just delicious really! 
I made a point of not having the same flavour twice and boy was that a good call 'cause I can't remember disliking a single one of them. Here are a lot of pictures of gelato for you. Try not to drool. 

SL x
Gelateria Punto Gelato, 00186 Via dei Pettinari 43, Roma, Italy.

When in Rome

It seems, given the opportunity to gallivant for a few days, I'll end up in Italy 9 times out 10. Let's face it, I think I've been to Italy as many times as I have India. I don't know if it's the warmth, architecture, people, culture or simply the Italian way of life in its entirety (most probably the pizza and gelato actually) but its appeal grows with each successive trip. I s'pose it's a bit like a kid in the park - never wanting to go home once they're there ("just five more minutes mummy, please please please?").

Alas, less than a week was all I had this time. As I was a little young to have much recollection of the last time I was in Rome - the only resonating memories being of sweet watermelon, coconut gelato, a lot of steps (y'know, the Spanish ones), the Vatican City and, of course, the Trevi Fountain - it was somewhat alarming when a strong sense of deja vu took over whilst wandering the streets. I've some spots worth sharing with you and also a few... well, mini-minute-revelations if you might. For now though it's time to enjoy what remains of the weekend. Stay tuned. 

SL x

Yes, I know...

...I've been AWOL yet again, but if the sunshine arrives when you least expect it (remember July in England last year...?!) and with no promise as to how long it might stay.. well, you just have to get out there and make the most of it really, don't you? London is glorious in the summer, beguiling in this heatwave. The river glistens, the pace of the City seems more languorous and alfresco dining, whether a rooftop BBQ or a waterside lunch, seems obligatory. 

But, I do indeed have a lot lined up to share with you so when I'm all sunned out (read fed up) and this, what appears to be a temporary phase of writer's block, evaporates into non-existence, I promise this time we'll hit the ground running. Stay tuned. Happy Summer days guys. 

SL xx

Whooooooooah...

...what a weekend ey?!? Warm evenings, Wimbledon and {albeit way too much] work; they definitely don't get much better than that. It is officially THAT time of year again - deep summer heat and long balmy nights filled with BBQs and mango gorge-fests. Who thought I'd ever say this - Happy Monday guys! 

Sl xx

Well...

...in case you didn't catch it, a BIG hello to all you lovely people! How have you you all been and what what can I say other than how time just seems to fly on by?! First half of the year's all but done, dusted, brushed under the carpet and... I pretty much left y'all hanging for most of it didn't I? 
Fear not, for I am back for bigger and better things - and this time for keeps - it is summer after all and whether it's a BBQ on the beach or a picnic in the park, a holiday from heaven or a garden party to gloat about, whether it's sandcastles or sunglasses, ice-creams or iced coffees, there's something we all love about the sunshine finally being around! 
So here's hoping you've started your summers off with a bang - 'til t'morrow, xoxo
SL xx

Summery Saturday

It's been unseasonably warm in London these past two weeks; sunny, mellow and just generally lovely. Perfect for lazy picnics, long walks, summery cocktails and general summer gallivanting - we're thinking Brighton Pier tomorrow. How's your weekend looking?

xxx