Local Expert
Chiara
She flew off to the US in search of a degree in marine biology, but that was never to be. Instead, she left the Florida shores with a BA in Linguistics, and headed to Japan to teach English to sleepy…
She flew off to the US in search of a degree in marine biology, but that was never to be. Instead, she left the Florida shores with a BA in Linguistics, and headed to Japan to teach English to sleepy students. Two years later, she took the Trans-Siberian to Moscow and a plane to London where she'd find several jobs to pay for her rent. After a year of many rainy days and hot English breakfasts, she decided to go back to her hometown of Rome, Italy where her family and friends live. She loves dining out, dancing till 7am and flannel pajamas, and recently got married....
She has visited 144 cities and 27 countries, and will never stop counting.
More
Bargain! Bargain! Bargain!
As August continues to bring hot and dry weather into the city, Romans are taking their cars and speeding off to summer homes, beach resorts or cool mountains. Not only is the city's hustle and bustle disappearing, but all the stores, cafès, movie theatres and bars are shutting down too for a well-deserved vacation, only to return on Sept. 1st. So what's a person to do if stuck in the Eternal City? Well, there's one place which will satisfy all, from the shopaholic to the gourmet. Porta Portese Flea Market is only open on Sundays, from 6am to 2pm, in the neighbourhood between Testaccio and Trastevere, and is 2 kms long. This is shopping mecca. Men and women shout prices out, old women fight over a cheap shawl, kids cooing over puppies..There is no other place in Rome where you can find 5 euro Ralph Lauren polos, albeit used, or a WWII jacket, a brand new Honda motorcycle, new lingerie, antiques and puppies. Yes, there's an animal section, too. Don't be surprised to find tiger cubs, dogs of the purest breed or ducks. If you get a little hungry but still manage to reach the end, there are plenty of food stalls to choose from.
Word to the wise: the main street can get very crowded and pick-pockets abound. Don't carry your wallet in your back pocket, always keep your backpack on the front.
Take the tram 3 from the Colosseum, San Giovanni or Circus Maximus to reach PORTA PORTESE. You'll see the crowds!!