Rome is full of vintage treasures, if you know where to look. From tiny shops packed with jewelry and one-of-a-kind finds to beautifully curated boutiques specializing in designer pieces, the city has something for every kind of vintage lover. You’ll find them scattered across the city, but some of the best are in Monti, the neighborhood next to the Colosseum and Rome’s unofficial vintage shopping hub. These are some of our favorite places to start.

There’s really no bad time of year for a day at one of the lakes surrounding Rome. In summer, they’re the perfect escape from the heat, while spring and fall are made for long walks and lunches by the water. Even in winter there’s something pretty wonderful about settling in for a cozy lakeside meal by the fire, with a plate of fettuccine ai funghi and a glass of red wine.

And if you have a little more time, why not stay the night? The countryside around many of these lakes is dotted with agriturismi, traditional farm stays where you can experience the rhythms of rural life firsthand. Many produce their own olive oil, eggs, jams, fruit and other local specialties, which often make their way straight from the farm to the table from breakfast through dinner. It’s an easy way to slow things down, linger a little longer rather than heading straight back to Rome, and experience another side of Lazio.

Whether you’re looking for a quick change of scenery, a full day in the countryside, or a relaxing weekend escape, these are five of our favorite lakes near Rome.

While Rome’s ancient monuments deserve plenty of attention, I always recommend setting aside time for aimless wandering. Some of my favorite afternoons are spent strolling through the city’s streets, peeking into shop windows, and discovering the independent stores that make Rome feel so special.

If you’re looking to bring home something more memorable than the usual souvenir, these are the places I always recommend—whether you’re searching for handmade ceramics, beautiful linens, antique treasures, a secondhand book, or a gift with a story behind it.

Tourist traps abound on the streets and squares surrounding the Vatican, and after spending hours traipsing through the museum, it would be easy to fall into one. But trust us, it’s worth walking a few extra blocks for genuinely good food. These are our top picks for where to eat in the area, from one of the our favorite markets in Rome to a glamorous restaurant that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a film.

Everyone knows about gelato, and it often gets all the attention. But when the Roman summer heat really kicks in and temperatures climb into the high 30s, there are days when even gelato isn’t enough.

That’s when we reach for something even more refreshing. The city has a whole world of frozen treats that locals have been enjoying for generations, from Sicilian granite to fruity cremolati and old-school Roman grattachecche.

Although they may all look similar, each has its own character. Granita is made by slowly freezing water, sugar, and fresh fruit (or ingredients like coffee, almonds, or pistachios), giving it a delicate, crystalline texture. Cremolato is made with much more fresh fruit and very little added water, making it denser, smoother, and more intensely fruity. Grattachecca, meanwhile, is a true Roman classic. Ice is shaved directly from a large block, then topped with (sometimes homemade) syrups, fruit juice, fresh fruit, or a combination of all three.

Here’s where to find some of the very best frozen treats in Rome.

As Rome settles into its long, hot summer and the city begins to feel like one giant pizza oven, there is one thing we start thinking about almost daily: gelato.

During the warmer months, it’s not unusual for us to have gelato once a day. Sometimes twice. Whether it’s a mid-afternoon break, an after-dinner stroll through the neighborhood, or simply an excuse to cool down and end the day on a sweet note, gelato is woven into daily life here in a way that few other treats are.

Of course, not all gelato is created equal. While you’ll find a gelateria on almost every corner in Rome, many of the brightly colored displays aimed at tourists have little in common with the home-made gelato artigianale that Romans seek out. The towering mountains of pistachio, banana and bright blue “smurf” flavors may look impressive, but good gelato is usually much more understated.

One of the easiest things to look for is the way the gelato is stored. Many of Rome’s best gelaterias keep their gelato in covered stainless steel containers known as carapine, which help maintain the correct temperature and texture. Even when displayed openly, quality gelato tends to sit relatively flat in the tray rather than piled into dramatic peaks.

People often ask what the difference is between gelato and ice cream. Italian gelato is churned more slowly, so less air gets whipped into it, giving it a denser and silkier texture. It also contains less fat and is served a little warmer than ice cream, which lets the flavors really shine. If you order pistachio, it should taste unmistakably of pistachios and be a muted green with slightly brownish tones rather than an eye-popping shade, and fruit flavors should taste like biting into the fruit itself. 

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite places in Rome to enjoy the real thing.

If you ask us, the best way to learn about the food culture in any city is to visit its markets. It’s one of our top must-try food experiences in Italy and an integral part of our tours. More than just an errand, shopping at the local market is a ritual—a chance to chat with the vendors, exchange cooking tips or recipes, and find inspiration to use in the kitchen. In Rome, where our team is based, there are dozens of markets where locals go to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, bread, and other items. From a farmers market near the Circus Maximus to a gourmet food hall inside Termini Station, these are the best markets in Rome.