All sweet roads lead to Rome

Source: ELEVATE, Air Serbia Inflight magazine

Where do they drink the best espresso?

According to Giuseppe Zaccaria, a journalist, publicist and, above all, a native of Rome, you will drink the best short, strong, delicious Italian café in the historic Sant'Eustachio café, on the square of the same name alongside the Senate building, where you can also eat the best roasted meat from a wood stove dating back to the year 1800. Whether you're a lover of fashion, architecture, fine art or good flavours, Rome offers the best of everything. It awaits you with warm colours of terracotta, mystical and ancient, but also high-tempo and always modern.

Rome is packed with sights, and there's nobody who hasn't at least heard of the Colosseum, the largest imperial amphitheatre ever built, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Catacombs of Rome, the Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità) where legend has it that the stone mouth bites the hand of liars, Trevi Fontana, the Spanish Steps and other enchanting places. And that's without even mentioning the Vatican and its treasures.

However, everyone's roads lead to these tourist attractions, so it's much better to know those little hidden gems of restaurants and taverns where you will truly feel the spirit of history and the spirit of Italy. That's why we were assisted in uncovering the side of Rome that typical tourists don't have a chance to see by our friend, journalist and publicist Giuseppe Zaccaria. And he says that those wanting to see a different Rome should visit its historic bars!

"It's good to start from the most famous, the Antico Caffè Greco at 86 Via dei Condotti, where artists, musicians and intellectuals have met since as far back as 1760. And you should hurry, because this gem will also soon be consigned to history. Another historic tavern is the Sant'Eustachio, on the square of the same name next to the Senate building, where the best roast meat has been eaten, roasted in a wood stove, since the year 1800. It is here that you will also drink the best espresso in Rome. The third legendary venue is Harry's Bar, at 150 Via Vittorio Veneto, which was Frank Sinatra's favourite hangout. Prices are certainly slightly higher, but the experience is unforgettable."

Among thousands of restaurants, our interlocutor highlights the Osteria dell'Angelo, where genuine ancient Roman cuisine is prepared, without reservations and at low prices (15-20 euros, but only cash is accepted). It is located in the Prati neighbourhood, at 24-32 Via Giovanni Bettolo. During the daytime this place is occupied by business people and lawyers, while in the evening hours it becomes a hub for local artists and celebrities.

Giuseppe highlights in particular the district of Trastevere, a famous part of the city on the other side of the Tibar that also includes the Testaccio district, which is less ancient but is vibrant and boasts very interesting venues. Another lesser known district that has become modern and popular, especially among young people, is the Pigneto neighbourhood, which is now very lively, particularly during the evenings.

A particularly interesting destination during summer is the ancient Roman complex of the Baths of Caracalla, where a beautiful open-air theatre is located today. During summers, it hosted grand performances of Guiseppe Verdi's opera Aida, and while we're on the topic of music, Giuseppe says that although Rome might not have a theatre with the history and significance of Milan's famous La Scala, it does have the Teatro dell'Opera, which is nearly two hundred years old and is known for having the largest crystal chandelier in Europe.