Live and Travel Like a Local in Rome, Italy: Podcast Show Notes
I interviewed Sarah Mikutel from the Postcard Academy Podcast about living like a local in Rome. When we say live like a local, we mean staying in Rome for an extended period, a month or two, or more. I’ve never been to Italy (it’s on my bucket list), but Sarah gave the complete rundown of top places to eat, stay, and culture tips.
Listen to the episode above to experience Rome (at least in your headphones). While you’re thinking about it, also subscribe to Experiences You Should Have on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Get to Know Sarah from Postcard Academy Podcast
Sarah hosts the Postcard Academy podcast, a weekly travel show sharing the best food and culture tips from expats living abroad.
She got the travel itch at 18 when she spent a summer in England’s Lake District working as a waitress/chambermaid. She wanted to stay in Europe forever, but it seemed impossible for Americans. Years went by. Finally at some point, while living in New York City, she realized she might be eligible for Italian citizenship due to her Sicilian ancestry.
She started gathering all the documents she needed to apply for Italian citizenship while she lived in New York. But then the American woman translating her documents suggested another route: move to Italy and apply there. Like Sarah, she had the right to apply for dual citizenship thanks to jus sanguinis — the right of blood — and she received her Italian passport a month or two after applying there.
So, on this advice of a stranger she met on the internet, Sarah left New York, moved to Italy, became a citizen, and has had the time of her life living and working abroad, traveling around Europe, and forming amazing friendships with fellow citizens of the world.
Why Should You Travel to Rome?
Rome is so beautiful and it is especially great if you love history. There’s something about walking through the ancient sites of Rome; it feels like you’re living in a museum. You add that to the food scene, it’s a match made in heaven.
Let’s Talk Food: What to Eat and Where to Find the Best Pasta & Pizza in Rome.
Pizza! Naples is famous for its pizza, but Sarah actually prefers the Roman version, which is thinner. Everyone orders their own pizza in Italy and they eat the entire thing in one sitting. At first, this seemed crazy to Sarah, but now she eats pizza like a local. Go order your pizza from Ivo a Trastevere, which is in the very popular Trastevere neighborhood by the river.
Cacio e Pepe is another must-try. It’s a simple pasta dish made with black pepper, pecorino, and tonnarelli (like spaghetti). Try it at Velavevodetto.
What is Italian Dining Etiquette?
Spaghetti and meatballs do not exist in Italy, so don’t bother trying to order it. They also use a lot less cheese in their pasta dishes — they like to experience the true flavor of their foods without mixing a bunch of extras into it.
Even though there are public fountains all over Rome where you can fill up bottles with quality water, tap water is not a thing in restaurants. Be prepared to order still or sparkling. You’ll get bread on your table and will likely be charged a cover charge for this, about 1-3 euro a person.
Drinks during the meal are usually water or wine and sometimes beer if pizza is involved. Never coffee during a meal. In fact, cappuccino is considered a drink for breakfast and Italians don’t drink it after noon. Sarah does, though, because she loves cappuccino and they haven’t run her out of town yet.
Sarah’s Favorite Day in Rome
But one of Sarah’s favorite memories was what they in the U.K. call a ‘city break,’ a 3- or 4-day weekend. Sarah had been working long hours in London and flew to Rome to take a break and reunite with an Italian friend. Her friend was from the north and had never been to Rome, so Sarah became her tour guide.
It was a warm spring day — not boiling but no jacket needed. Perfect. They mostly meandered through the stone streets of one of her old neighborhoods (Monti), making stops for gelato, wine, and pizza. Oh, and cappuccino, of course. Sarah took her to her favorite piazza (Piazza Navona) and to Le Domus Romane, one of the less-known museums. They use multimedia to show what an ancient Roman home was like. Some the best days have a little bit planned, with lots of time for aimless wanders and discovery.
Sarah Mikutel wine tasting in Rome with sister Rachel
Top 3 Experiences You Should Have in Rome
A tour that will take you to all of Rome’s top sites: Colosseum, Forum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps. You should also do an organized tour to the Vatican Museum so you can skip the line, which can take hours.
Galleria Borghese – At this museum, you’ll find all the masters from Bernini to Caravaggio. The audio guide is well worth it. Visiting availability is in two-hour slots (you need to book tickets in advance).
Go for aperitivo. This involves buying a drink at a place and then you can eat the food they spread out for free. It’s kind of like Italian happy hour, but less about getting bombed and more about enjoying a drink or two before dinner. Aperitivo generally starts around 6 or 7. Freni e Frizioni is a popular option.
Let’s get into logistics:
How much money do you need per month to stay/live in Rome as someone who wants to experience food, culture, and live?
Sarah suggested $1500, but this depends on your tastes in food, housing, and if you stay with roommates or not. Budget accordingly.
What neighborhoods do you suggest for people to stay in (and why)?
Monti or Testaccio. Right now Testaccio is Sarah’s favorite neighborhood because of its arty neighborhood feel. Much less touristy than Trastevere, which is nice to visit in the day but is too mobbed with tourists at night.
Testaccio, street art, wolf, Rome
How can you find places for rent (Craigslist equivalent there)?
Craigslist exists in Italy, but you won’t find much luck there. If you’re staying for at least a month, a good place to search is a Facebook expat forum. Airbnb is also an option if you plan ahead. Sarah had good luck with EasyStanza, which is now called Roomgo.
Is There a Tipping Culture in Rome, and What are Other Cultural Differences?
Italians don’t generally tip. Maybe they’ll leave a euro each, but that’s about it.
They dress up when they go out to eat — no shorts and flip flops — and eat dinner later than Americans. Food is served one course at a time, and they do not mix food on their plates. So if you order pasta and salad, expect that salad to come after your pasta unless you say you’d like it at the same time.
Is it Safe for women to travel by themselves in Rome?
Rome is safe for women, but make sure your purse has a zipper as pickpocketing is a problem. Be especially careful with your bag on the bus or train.
Final tips for listeners/readers
Shops are generally closed on Sunday and museums are closed on Monday, so plan your time around that. If you think you’ll go to many museums, buy the Roma Pass, which is also valid for transport.
