G'day! I'm Chris. I left my home in rural Australia back in 2007 to pursue a life less ordinary.
I specialize in ambitious travel - bucket list worthy journeys such as the Great US Road Trip, the ultimate African safari, and following the length of the Silk Road.
The Italian capital is one of the most popular and sought after travel destinations in not only Europe, but also the world. With such a huge demand from tourists, there is no shortage of Rome tours and travel options that take a lot of the guess work and stressful planning out of your hands.
Even so, there are some tips from locals that ought to help make your trip to Rome the best it can possibly be. I’ve compiled some of the best tips from the locals who know the city better than anyone below.
1. You don’t need to tip in Italy
That’s right, tipping in Italy is not necessary. Of course, if your experience was phenomenal, sure, it’s good to leave a little something. For example, if it’s a birthday dinner with a lot of guests, leave a tip. Often your bill will arrive with a service charge (servizio) included meaning the tip is already taken care of.
2. Avoid asking for peperoni on your pizza
The peperoni in Italy is not the same pepperoni you expect to find on your pizza. Peperoni in Italy are actually the bell peppers (capsicum) you might put in a salad so unless you want peppers on your pizza avoid asking for peperoni.
However, if you want pepperoni (notice the difference in spelling) on your pizza simply ask the waiter for salami picante!
Another tip: avoid asking for a cappuccino or a spaghetti carbonara… you’ll get a nasty look otherwise!
3. Take the metro or walk
Taxis will charge you a fortune in the city. The drivers can spot tourists from miles away and your short journey will end up costing a lot more than you had anticipated. Instead, try jumping on a bus or walking. Or for something slightly more healthy, try renting a bicycle and going around the city that way. You’ll see more to Rome than you thought and it’s cheaper!
4. Don’t sit on a terrace
If all you’re in need of is a quick drink then one thing to avoid doing is ordering something at a terrace. You will be charged a lot of money for the privilege of sitting outside. When you’re in Rome, you’ll notice that most people (most locals at least) are crowded around the bar in the cafés. Now you know why everyone basically does everything standing up in Rome.
5. Go early to avoid lines
This one may seem like a no brainer but in fact many people forget that if you want to get into somewhere free, the price you pay is a few hours of waiting in line. The right thing to do to avoid waiting hours upon hours is to go as early as possible to beat the queues or go late when they queues have all died down. After all, who really want to spend two hours in a line? No one!
6. Try something off the beaten path
Yes, Rome is home to some of the world’s most recognizable monuments. They’re absolute must-sees but there’s a whole lot more to the Italian capital than its monuments. Try something off the beaten path in Rome whether it’s horse riding in the countryside or hiking along the Appian Way, there’s always something to discover away from the noise of the tourist hustle and bustle.
7. Eat gelato like a local
Coming to Rome and not eating the famous gelato should be a crime. The city is known for ice cream however there’s no better excuse to take part in the Italian gelato culture than taking a cooking class. Learn how to make this tasty treat the real way and you’ll go home having learned something a little unique to tell your friends!
8. Don’t go during summer
OK, so Rome during summer is busy. Very busy. The climate is hot and everything looks beautiful in sunshine. However, this also means prices rise. If you go in late summer and early autumn you will be surprised at the savings you could make on your hotel and your flights. Sometimes it pays to go when there’s no tourists around.
Article written by trip4real. Trip4real connects people from across the globe with local people offering truly unique & authentic travel experiences.
Your Say
Have you been to Rome? What are your insider tips?
A few years ago, a good friend of mine got it into his head that we’d use our upcoming Chinese New Year vacation to rent motorbikes and travel the length of Vietnam. I think he got the idea from watching Top Gear.
At the time, I was put in a position of very mixed feelings. On the one hand, taking a motorcycle trip across a country is an item on my bucket list that I’d sorely like to check off. On the other hand, my experience on the back of bikes includes three things:
Riding bitch behind said friend around the streets of Nanjing on our way to totally heterosexual man-dates;
Doubling with Nomadic American on the back of a local guy’s bike at 5am in Shanghai after four hours of trying to find a taxi;
One uneventful but slightly wobbly day spent riding around El Nido in the Philippines.
So, while I was excited by the idea, I hadn’t the faintest idea of how to prepare for such a monumental undertaking. Had I had this helpful article from my from Jane at the time, I might have been less daunted.
Planning your own motorcycle trip? Here are a few handy things to consider before hitting the road.
What You Should Know About Planning a Long Distance Motorcycle Trip
Who says that a road trip has to be done on four wheels? If you’re planning to get away on your own or with a group of friends and you know how to ride a bike, why not take the trip on a motorcycle? Weather permitting, this can be a great way to experience the country.
Editor’s Note: My ex-girlfriend’s father and his best friend used to take regular long distance motorcycle trips, and I was always envious of the freedom this allowed them. With only their own whims to answer to, they’d stop wherever and whenever they liked. My own father has recently fallen back in love with the open road, and I’m itching to get my own motorcycle license so we can do a long overdue father-son trip together.
If you’ve never traveled long distance before however, there are some things you’re going to want to keep in mind to make sure that your trip is all it’s meant to be.
Here are a few basic tips on what you’ll need for the ride:
Choose the Right Set of Wheels
When traveling long distance over various types of roads and terrains you want to make sure that you have the right type of bike to get you where you’re going. At the top of the list I’d simply suggested you consider which bike is best suited for you. You’re going to be traveling for long periods of time and comfort along with reliability are essential.
If your bike is in pretty good shape then there’s no issue with taking your own. However, if your bike is a bit worn down, you may want to either invest in a new one or consider renting one for the trip. If you’re investing in a new one, be sure to review the terms of your motorcycle loan. Most motorcycle loan providers also offer extended warranties that provide additional coverage while you’re traveling.
One of my Dad’s two bikes. Someday he might even let me ride one of them.
Get the Bike Serviced
Whether you’ve just recently purchased the bike or you’ve had it for a while you want to make sure that it is reliable for a long distance trip. Have your motorcycle mechanic check out everything. Getting a quick tune-up is a small investment – and beneficial. It ensures that you don’t end up on the side of the highway waiting for a tow truck to haul you in.
Know What to Wear
One of the “downsides” of taking a road trip on a bike is that your body is completely exposed to the elements. This means you’ll want to dress the part as you travel. There is nothing worse than being wet or cold while trying to get to your next destination. There are plenty of options you could consider including dressing in layers, or investing in a waterproof riding suit which will keep you warm and dry.
Also consider local laws in this regard. Some countries (such as Australia) have much stricter laws when it comes to appropriate motorcycle attire.
What not to wear when on the road. Photo by James Hogg.
Pack Light
Once you’ve done all of the above, all that’s really left to do is pack. You’re going to want to make sure that you have road trip essentials like a great soundtrack to listen to and some snacks for your pit stops. However, as you’re packing remember the lighter the better. Having too many things on your bike will simply weigh you down. Try packing only what is necessary and dressing in layers. You can always find a local laundromat and wash out clothing or underwear if necessary.
Invest in Luggage Racks
You’re going to need somewhere to keep all of your personal belongings. If they’re not going to all fit into a backpack, then you’ll need to consider investing in attachments for your bike. You can typically find a luggage rack that will allow you to store your things. Make sure that you properly review instructions so that you don’t install it improperly. You don’t want to be picking up your personal belongings on the side of the highway.
Map it Out
Last but certainly not least, you want to map out your road trip as accurately as possible. Mapping everything out ahead of time allows you to determine how many stops you’ll make along the way, what the weather will be like where you’re going, and if you’re taking friends along for the ride, it will ensure that everyone ends up the same place.
Editor’s Note: This is always a tough one for me. On the one hand, I like to be prepared and have an idea of where I’m going. On the other, I do love the idea of being free to just go wherever my whims and the road take me. I guess it depends on how much time you’ve got and what you’re looking for in your trip.
My ridiculously good looking brother managing to make a pink scooter look acceptable.
Well, that’s all there is to it. Once you’ve completed all of the above, you’re ready to hit the road and experience the great outdoors in a way you never have before. Remember to always wear your helmet and safety gear, stop frequently, and of course have fun. Check out this guide on the best motorcycle gear to ensure you’re safe and comfortable while riding.
Your Say
Have you ever taken a long distance motorcycle trip? What tips would you give a first timer such as myself?
Byron and I had no idea what we were on for, else we’d not have looked so happy.
There are countless lists out there describing some of the weirdest, strangest, or most gross foods in the world, but I’ve chosen to write solely about those I’ve had the (dis)pleasure of trying myself.
Some of the below were surprisingly tasty, while others were so revolting that the memory of consuming them haunts me to this day. I’m looking at you, #1. You still give me nightmares, you phallic son of a bitch.
#12 – African Game Meat – Namibia
Vegetarians and animal lovers might balk at the idea of eating animals as beautiful and exotic as the oryx, kudu, zebra, eland, or springbok, but Namibia has turned the eating of delicious game steaks and stir fries into an art form. With a sustainable mindset, the country has managed to foster large numbers of these animals for the purpose of exciting tourists as well as adorning plates.
The one thing all of these animals have in common? They’re delicious!
From mouth-watering oryx steaks to springbok stroganoff, I liked every one of the game animals I had the chance to try. Unlike other countries where such animals are endangered, Namibia’s wild and ‘farmed’ populations are healthy enough to make game meat a guilt free experience in the same way that kangaroo is a popular dish in Australia.
A delicious kudu and cream cheese panini in Windhoek, Namibia.
#11 – Witchetty Grub – Australia
Speaking of Australia, this one is one that always makes visitors squirm just a little. This creepy crawly is a traditional food among Australia’s indigenous people, and are a remarkably tasty treat despite their ominous appearance.
The larvae of a native species of moth, these guys crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside and taste vaguely like almonds. Although I haven’t eaten one since I was five or six years old, I still remember being surprised by just how good they were.
Serving Suggestion. Image from Wikipedia.
#10 – Haggis – Scotland
This one seems to be synonymous with ‘gross food’, which is absolutely mind-boggling to me. Haggis is delicious!
A mixture of heart, liver, and lungs minced with various vegetables and spices and then served inside the sheep’s stomach, haggis is a remarkably delicious meal commonly associated with Scotland. While my home-town in Australia has strong ties with Scotland, Australian food preparation laws make having the real thing illegal, so I had to make the trek all the way to Edinburgh to check it off my bucket list.
Totally worth it! Served with mashed neeps (turnips) and tatties (potato) as well as a dram of Scotch, it remains one of my most pleasant dining experiences.
A heaping helping of haggis, neeps, and tatties. Delicious!
#9 – Chicken Anus (Dalkttongjip)- South Korea
The last item on this list that wasn’t actually that bad, even if its name does translate into chicken shit house in Korean slang. The sphincter of the chicken is often served on skewers with a spicy dipping sauce, and it’s a chewy delight that tastes quite a bit like liver if you don’t slather it in suspiciously brown sauce.
One might imagine it tastes like shit (haha), but it’s surprisingly inoffensive.
One might imagine it tastes like shit (haha), but it’s surprisingly inoffensive. I ate it on more than one occasion in both South Korea and China.
Eating insects isn’t that weird in most parts of the world, but we in the west tend to avoid eating things that creep, crawl, or buzz annoyingly around our heads.
I was lucky (?) enough to try fried grasshoppers at the Arizona State Fair way back in 2009, but I’ve had them on a few occasions since in Yunnan restaurants across China.
Crunchy and not particularly flavourful, fried grasshoppers are best eaten with something to dip them in. In the US it was (unsurprisingly) chocolate, while the Chinese served them up with light seasoning.
A younger, less bald Aussie on the Road eating some chocolate covered grasshoppers.
#7 – Chicken’s Feet – China
A popular snack food in a few Asian countries, I managed to avoid trying chicken feet during the two years I lived in South Korea, only for drunk Chris to eat a whole fucking plateful of the shit one night in a Chinese night club.
While my western readers might blanch at the idea of eating something that has spent years trekking through mud and shit, chicken feet are a popular snack food available in many Chinese & Korean grocery stores, and served up in bars in the same way we might serve up peanuts in the west.
Flavoured with soy sauce, Sichuan pepper, and a variety of other herbs & spices, chicken feet are a flavourful if not slightly difficult eat. You don’t eat them so much as gnaw at them, much as you might eat only the skin of KFC chicken before throwing the ugly, grey mess beneath away.
#6 – Boiled Silkworm Larvae (Beondegi) – South Korea
If the smell of this Korean street snack doesn’t make you gag, the aftertaste almost certainly will.
While I came to love Korean street food and the many new flavours Korean cuisine had to offer, I never did manage to develop anything more than revulsion for this foul-smelling, foul-tasting cup full of horrors.
I never did manage to develop anything more than revulsion for this foul-smelling, foul-tasting cup full of horrors.
For those brave enough to try it, beondegi is (are?) served in a cup brimming with dead baby silkworm boiled in their own juices. Bon appetit!
Why one would want to eat a starfish, I’ll never know. They’re gorgeous!
But drunk and bored at the God awful Qingdao International Beer Festival, my friend and I decided to sample this unfortunate sea creature and lived to regret it.
My friend described it as:
“Like a stick of chewing gum made entirely from sand”
That’s pretty close to the mark, although I tore the shit out of my mouth trying to chew through the thing’s bone hard armour.
You can see why in the video below:
#4 – Dog Soup – South Korea
Before the bleeding hearts leap down my throat, I’d like to make you aware of two things:
a). I didn’t know I was eating dog at the time my friend gleefully placed it in front of me;
b). Don’t be so fucking ethnocentric. Different cultures eat different things. Many might grimace at Aussies eating kangaroo, but they’re perfectly happy to eat animals other cultures find sacred.
That being said, had I known what I was eating and how the Koreans typically butcher dogs, I’d have flung it in my friend’s laughing face and run for the hills.
I have no issue with people eating whatever animal they want, just as long as the animal is killed humanely rather than brutally beaten to cater to the Korean desire for more ‘men’s stamina’.
Not only is it a horrendously unregulated industry, but it tastes like fatty, less tasty chicken.
If having a soul doesn’t turn you off eating it, the fact it looks like wet cat fur might. Photo from Wikipedia.
#3 – Drunk Shrimp – China
I tried this Chinese delicacy for the first and last time while visiting Lianyungang back in 2013 and can’t say I enjoyed it.
Tiny freshwater shrimp ‘stunned’ by being poured into baijiu (a strong, foul-tasting Chinese liquor) and then eaten alive.
That’s right, the poor drunk bastards are alive (but paralysed) while you chew on them, spit out their shell, and swallow what little meat is left behind.
It’s like somebody crossed Attack on Titan with Mardi Gras, as poor drunk bastards are eaten alive.
Not only does the meal taste almost entirely like the aforementioned foul-tasting liquor, you’re also basically spitting out 80% of what you eat and putting yourself at risk of paragonimiasus by eating raw shellfish.
It looks far better than it tastes. Photo by Vinnie.
#2 – Sannakji – South Korea
I was exposed to this potentially scarring (not to mention potentially fatal) dish on one of my first night’s in South Korea. As a young and naive newcomer, I had no idea what I was in for when my boss ordered this raw Korean delicacy.
A live octopus literally has its tentacles cut off in front of you, and said tentacles continue to writhe and squirm for about half an hour. Looking like a seething mass of maggots, the only thing worse is the fact some of them look like they’re trying to crawl away from your fucking chopsticks. Jesus.
The taste is no different than if the poor octopus had been killed and dissected elsewhere, but you do have the added thrill of knowing a tentacle could potentially adhere to the inside of your throat and asphyxiate you.
It seems only fair that if you’re going to brutally murder the poor guy, he has a chance to get revenge.
#1 – Live Sea Cucumber – South Korea
By far the most traumatic dining experience I’ve ever had, it was perhaps made worse by the fact I had to eat it almost immediately after the above.
“It is a great honour to eat the sea cucumber,” my boss informed me, although to this day I’m not sure if he was being serious or just being an asshole to the new guy.
Even so, I picked up the live sea cucumber and deposited its entire length into my mouth. If this sound’s like I’m describing oral sex, it’s because it felt awkwardly like how I imagine giving a blowjob must be.
I could feel it’s pulse on my tongue.
It was soft on the outside with a hard core at its centre.
And it fucking squirted a salty brine solution down the back of my throat when I sunk my teeth into it.
I apologise to all of my ex-girlfriends.
Mmm… looks appetizing!
Your Say
What’s the strangest, weirdest, or most foul thing you’ve ever eaten?
One of the items on my Beijing bucket list was to eat Beijing duck in the city from which it takes its name.
In my time in China I’d eaten the delicious dish a few times in Nanjing, but it just didn’t feel right. Just as I ate blue crab in Maryland and overindulged in delicious galbi and kimchi in South Korea, Beijing duck just feels like it has to be done in Beijing.
With that in mind, my friend Corinne and I set about finding the best place to eat Beijing duck without breaking the bank in the process.
We looked at a lot of blogs on the topic before making our decision, but ultimately decided that DaDong had the right mix of positive reviews and prices that weren’t likely to break my budget for the travels to come.
We made the right call.
Corinne certainly thinks we made the right choice!
What Made DaDong Awesome?
We’d spent a long day walking around the Forbidden City by the time we stumbled in the great double doors of DaDong, but if the staff thought anything of our slightly disheveled appearances or the dust on our shoes, they made no indication.
Far from it, they descended upon us like over-affectionate aunts to quickly tie bright red scarves around our necks. It being Children’s Day, everyone in the restaurant had been given a complimentary ‘good student’ scarf to wear while they ate dinner.
My dusty old Croc thongs and slightly sweat stiffened t-shirt certainly felt out of place in the simple yet tasteful decor of the restaurant, but soon enough I was settled in at the table with an ice cold beer to soothe the pain.
The menu at DaDong is insanely big. Corinne spent the better part of twenty minutes not only leafing through the thing, but also snapping photos of the dishes she might want to choose.
For my part, I sipped my beer and thought about how hungry I was. A plate of cold noodles at lunch hadn’t really taken the edge off after skipping breakfast.
We finally settled on a few delicious delicacies (pictured below) to accompany our half order of Beijing duck. While I’d been a bit dubious on some of her selections, I was pleasantly surprised to find that each and every dish tasted as good (or better than) the dish before!
A delicious vegetable medley. The mushrooms were particularly fantastic.Cold noodles with a tasty meat paste.
The noodles were delicious, the vegetarian dishes were bursting with flavour, and even the tofu passed muster.
And the duck? The crunchy on the outside but wonderfully soft on the inside duck? Sweet Lord.
If my tongue had toes, they’d have curled. It would have needed a post-coital cigarette before the inevitable shame spiral following its tawdry one night stand with a Chinese beauty.
Preparing to eat my first bite of scrumptious Beijing duck.
When dinner was done, we decided we’d treat ourselves and order a dessert each. We’d covered over 20km on our feet on a 31C day, so a little indulgence seemed in order.
We’d both settled on a little homemade yogurt with fresh berries, so were surprised when we were also delivered two other dishes: a cute little concoction that blended tofu, mint infused water, and pop rocks, and a plate of fresh lychees sitting atop a bubbling, steaming pool of dry ice like dragon eggs.
It’s all about presentation.
“We didn’t order these,” Corinne informed our waiter in perfect Mandarin.
“These are complimentary,” he assured us, gesturing to the other tables in the restaurant where children were clapping their hands with delight at the unexpected treats.
We didn’t need another invitation. We wolfed down all three of our desserts in short order.
Tofu, mint water, and pop rocks? A heavenly combination!Our homemade yogurt with fresh berries. Delish!
A Delightful Duck Experience
Given how much we’d eaten, we were a bit daunted by the prospect of our bill coming – but were pleasantly surprised to find that it had all come to only 400RMB or so. Less than $80 for a large meal, and once we’d split the cost it was only a tiny dent in our wallets. Score!
DaDong was an absolute delight. The staff were lovely, the food was flawless, and the nice touch of a few surprise desserts only made it all the more charming.
I’m sure there are plenty of opinions on where to find the best Beijing duck in Beijing, but DaDong has my vote.
What do you think, Corinne?
Your Say
Does your hometown have a signature dish? Where should I go to try it?
Have you ever had Beijing duck in Beijing? Where did you go?
While countries such as China and South Korea have a whole range of sites that are unique to them and fill the same purposes as prominent western social media sites etc, Australia has for the most part gotten on board with the major global players.
(Almost) everybody in Australia has a Facebook, we have our own version of eBay, and we all pirate our favourite TV shows from the same places Americans and our English cousins do.
But there are a few sites that visitors – short term or expat – should be familiar with.
Why it hasn’t been updated in some time, WhyGo Australia is still a pretty fantastic resource for those traveling in Australia. With a wealth of content ranging from engaging top ten lists to more mundane (but bloody useful) guides on certain facets of Aussie life, the page has content written by a number of bloggers including my sometime pie eating companion, Brooke vs. the World.
While sites such as eHarmony, OK Cupid, and Plenty of Fish are all popular in Australia and Tinder is – like everywhere else – getting singles swiping in their downtime, RSVP is an Australian owned and run dating site that many lonely Aussies swear by. Their site claims that 69% of Aussie online daters use the site, so that’s promising for those wanting to find their bronzed Adonis with a heart of gold.
Me? I’ll always use the free OK Cupid rather than let a super rich, multinational entity profit from my crippling loneliness.
If you’re a tech nerd like me, you’ll stumble across Whirlpool soon enough. It’s where internet users from across the country go to complain about their telecommunications providers or ask questions of the sagely nerds.
If you’re only in Australia for a short time, you’re unlikely to make use of the site – but if you’re temporarily putting down roots and need to know what ISP or mobile provider to go through, it’s a good place to stop in and do your research.
Australia’s two largest news providers are News Limited (owned by cartoon super-villain and Fox owner Rupert Murdoch) and Fairfax Media Group (less evil). Together, they’re responsible for most of Australia’s print media and the associated news sites that people get their information from.
Of the two, Fairfax’s Sydney Morning Herald is the more popular, with News.com.au being every bit as alarmist and biased as Murdoch’s Fox News in the US.
If you want the straight dope (albeit with a bit of a left lean), try the ABC – who are one of Australia’s two non-commercial networks and the best when it comes to calling our politicians on their bullshit.
Owned by eBay, Gumtree is a mix of the aforementioned online auction site and classified sites like Craigslist. Originally started for Aussie expats in the UK to connect, it has since become a giant in Australia – with people using it for everything from used cars to textbooks and from finding roommates to looking for work.
It’s a great place not only for meeting new people, looking for work, and finding essentials upon your arrival, but also a good way to make some money at the end of the trip by selling your stuff. The site has recently launched a price checker app that you can use to ensure you’re selling your stuff for the right amount.
Your Say
Did I miss any handy Aussie sites? What are some useful sites from your own country?
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