Buon Giorno from Rome - Get Ready for 2026!

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE ACHTZEHNS

Arriving in Rome, you're immediately struck by the sheer amount of history surrounding you. It's impossible to look anywhere without seeing structures and monuments that are thousands of years old. It is both gorgeous and a bit overwhelming.

GRAFFITI

Now, let's talk about something that might catch you off guard: graffiti. Rome's ancient beauty is everywhere, but you'll also see a lot of modern-day street art. When I first arrived, coming from Chicago where spray paint is a no-go and graffiti is mostly seen as vandalism, it was definitely a bit jarring.

But here's the cool part: once you get past that initial surprise, you'll find it quickly fades into the background as you soak in all the truly breathtaking sights. And after chatting with some locals, my whole perspective shifted. While they're not necessarily "fans" of all the modern tags, they often view it less as vandalism and more as a way for people to express themselves or even communicate.

Turns out, this isn't a new concept for Romans! Think about ancient Pompeii – graffiti there was actually a form of literacy for everyday folks who weren't part of the educated elite. Understanding that historical connection really helped me see past what I initially thought was just destruction and appreciate another layer of Rome's incredible, complex story.

HEAT

Let me tell you, the heat in Italy is no joke! I've always known Italian summers get pretty warm, which is why I usually suggest clients aim for the shoulder seasons—think April, May, September, or October. Not only is the weather often nicer then, but you can usually find better prices too.

Even though summer is super popular for visiting Italy, the heat can feel like the hottest Chicago summer with almost no break. Especially in Rome, where there's so much stone and asphalt in the sidewalks and buildings, those materials really trap and radiate the heat, making you feel like you're practically baking in the sun. In the evenings when the sun goes down, the climate is absolutely perfect. So, if you do get caught in the summer heat, try to spend your time outdoors in the evenings when you can enjoy the outdoor dining, live music, and perfect weather.

AIR CONDITIONING

Let's talk about air conditioning in Italy, because it's a bit different from what most Americans are used to. The summer heat is intense, and honestly, there's not much relief from it. Beyond the direct sun and the heat radiating from all that beautiful stone and asphalt, you'll find AC is surprisingly scarce.

Even when it is available, it's often not the powerful, low-temperature kind we're accustomed to; think more like a modest window unit. I even found myself asking locals on public transport why the AC seemed so absent. It was wild to see Americans and Irish visitors visibly wilting while Italians around us looked perfectly comfortable, even in suits! Their ability to handle the heat is truly something else.

I learned that many Italians, across generations, have a genuine skepticism about air conditioning, with some even believing it can make you sick. I chuckled at first, but then I did a quick search, and it's a widely held sentiment! This experience has cemented my advice: if you're planning a trip to Italy, summer is definitely a time to avoid. While some places catering to tourists will have familiar AC, you'll still be spending most of your sightseeing time in the elements.

ICE & COLD DRINKS

If you're anything like me and enjoy a cold beer or iced coffee on a hot day, there's a little tip for Italy: always confirm the temperature before you order!

I love a good Peroni on a sweltering Italian afternoon, but since I usually stick to just one, I want it perfectly chilled. After getting a couple of lukewarm beers, I quickly learned to ask about the "freddo" (coldness) before settling down. The same goes for iced coffee fans; it's not as common there as it is in the US, so it's always best to check first to avoid any surprises!

COFFEE

Alright, coffee lovers, listen up! I'm a big fan of black coffee – usually a good medium or even light roast with excellent bean flavor (definitely not that burnt, ashtray taste you get from some big chains, if you know what I mean!). But in Italy, it's a whole different ball game.

If you like to sip and savor your morning cup, just ordering a "coffee" will get you a shot of espresso. Their Americano? Locals jokingly call it "dirty water," and honestly, it's not far off if you're used to a robust black brew.

So, I quickly learned to embrace the local way: multiple cups of cappuccino. It's the best way to get that same satisfying coffee impact without feeling like you're chugging an espresso or drinking "dirty water." When in Rome, right?

THE FOOD - ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE

Oh, the food! I honestly can't say enough about it. We ate so much delicious food in Italy, and I'm not kidding, we didn't have one single bad meal. We even started just wandering into random places, and the food was consistently incredible everywhere we went.

We always do food tours when we travel, and during one in the Trastevere neighborhood, we tried Cacio e Pepe for the first time. Oh my goodness, it's my new favorite! I'd seen it on menus before and thought, "meh, cheese and pasta, how exciting can that be?" But truly, when it's done right, it's magical. It's simply a thick-noodled spaghetti with Pecorino cheese and black pepper, and it is absolutely delicious! It's considered a truly Roman dish, originally created by shepherds as an economical meal.

APEROL SPRITZ - NOT ALL CREATED EQUAL

I have a friend who's been drinking Aperol Spritzes for years, but honestly, I always found them a bit bitter and just "meh." However, during that same food tour I mentioned, we stopped at a local spot and had an Aperol Spritz that was absolutely amazing!

They also drink Campari Spritzes in Italy, which tasted more like the Aperol Spritzes I'd tried back in the States. So, I had to ask our guide. He explained in great detail how an Aperol Spritz should be made and that if it tastes bitter, it's simply not mixed correctly with the proper ingredients. That explained so much!

SURPRISINGLY AFFORDABLE

One of the most delightful surprises was how affordable everything was! Even though 1 Euro is roughly equivalent to 80 cents USD right now, you get so much more for your money in Italy than you would back home. Those incredible meals I mentioned earlier? They were easily half, even a quarter, of what we'd pay in the US.

And the shopping! I did a lot of it, and it was unbelievably inexpensive compared to US prices. I'm usually a bargain shopper since I like to update my wardrobe often, only splurging on staples like handbags, shoes, and coats. But for everyday clothes, I'm always looking for great value. My daughter and I spent an entire day shopping and came back with bags full of beautiful, bargain finds. We later realized we'd been shopping on what Rome considers its "Rodeo Drive," Via dei Condotti – absolutely amazing!

FEELING SAFE

As a female traveler, I'm always mindful of my surroundings, especially in big cities where you can sometimes feel unsafe or watched when walking alone. However, I have to say, I didn't experience that once in Rome.

Now, I wasn't being reckless, and I always teach my daughters to be careful and avoid things like roaming unfamiliar streets at night. But even when we ventured into more local neighborhoods with fewer people around, I never once felt uncomfortable. It was truly a great feeling.

BRING ERUOS FOR THE RESTROOMS

Here's something that might be completely new for Americans: you'll often need Euros to use public restrooms in Italy. Unless you're a paying customer at a café or restaurant, you'll typically have to pay a small fee, usually 50 cents to 1 Euro, to use the facilities.

So, be prepared! If you don't have those coins handy, you might be in for an uncomfortable wait until your next bathroom opportunity.

FREE WATER EVERYWHERE!

Unlike the paid restrooms, Rome is incredibly generous with free, clean drinking water! You'll find what Romans call nasoni or fontanelle (drinking fountains) all over the city. These are actually part of the ancient Roman aqueduct system, which is still operating today – how cool is that?!

These aqueducts bring fresh, drinkable water from springs and rivers in the hills outside Rome. They were originally built between 312 BC and AD 226 to improve public health, and it's truly an impressive feat of engineering that they're still working. So, definitely bring your reusable water bottle – you can even Google their locations to find them easily!

DAY TRIPS

Day trips from Rome are surprisingly easy, thanks to Italy's high-speed train system and tour companies that understand families often prefer to base themselves in one city. We took day trips to both Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast from Rome, and while we were definitely exhausted by the end of each day, it was absolutely worth it. I've sent quite a few of you to those beautiful locations, and we'll definitely be back ourselves to spend more time in Sorrento, as well as Cinque Terre, Florence, and probably Venice in the future.

STANDARD ITALIAN LANGUAGE

Not all Italians speak the same language, and even if someone was born in Italy but hasn't been there in a few decades, they might have trouble communicating with locals. While Italian is the official language, so many regional dialects with significant differences have become predominant all over Italy. Our guide even confessed that when traveling outside of Rome, he sometimes has trouble communicating with locals in other cities, even though he was born and raised in Rome.

Here's an interesting bit of background I learned during my visit: Roman Italian, or Romanesco, is actually derived from Classic Latin, which was the language originally spoken in Rome. Standard Italian, the country's official language, is based on a Tuscan dialect that evolved from regional variations over centuries.

A TALLER PERSPECTIVE

As a woman who's a bit taller than average, I quickly noticed that Italians are generally quite small! My daughters, who are the same height as me at 5'11", joked about us "fee-fi-fo-fumming" our way through Italy. It was quite a contrast to our last trip to Ireland, where our hearty Irish/Viking ancestors seemed to look us right in the eye or even tower over us.

This smaller stature has a few practical implications. I often found myself in tight quarters with low ceilings and narrow spaces, especially in public restrooms. Also, when it came to shopping, many of those gorgeous "one-size-fits-all" silk dresses and skirts were simply too small for us. Generally speaking, clothing and shoes tend to run a bit smaller to accommodate the local build, so it's something to keep in mind if you're planning to shop!

HISTORY SO MUCH HISTORY

Last but definitely not least the history – there is so much incredible history in Italy in general but in Rome where it all started according to many Romans, our family was giggling about this by the time we left because there is so much pride.  The Romans do feel that everything literally everything in the world came from Rome 😊 and It was very endearing if not completely accurate.  It would be impossible to see all of the history in Rome in one trip, definitely not even the most well known sights in Italy. So whether you’re a history buff or not, prepare yourself to spend lots of time learning about the past and ancient Rome. Speaking as someone who is not a history buff I will say it’s definitely worth it.

IT TRULY IS A TRIP FOR EVERYONE

I know I've missed a few things, but I must say, overall Italy was an amazing experience, and I truly can't think of anyone who wouldn't love visiting this beautiful country. It simply has so much to offer everyone.

Since I have detered many from going to Italy in 2025 I want to address PLANNING YOUR 2026 ITALIAN JOURNEY.

With the Olympics drawing significant attention, certain areas and dates will be in high demand. Here's my advice:

• Book Early, Especially for February 2026: If you plan to attend the Winter Olympics, secure your flights, accommodations, and event tickets as soon as possible.

• Consider the Shoulder Seasons: For non-Olympic travel, the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) remain ideal for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

• Mix Iconic and Off-the-Beaten-Path: Combine visits to world-famous landmarks with explorations of charming smaller towns or rural areas for a more authentic and balanced experience.

• Embrace Slow Travel: Instead of rushing from city to city, consider spending more time in fewer locations to truly immerse yourself in the local culture.

• Consult Your Travel Advisor! This is where I come in! Navigating the nuances of Italian travel, especially during a major event like the Olympics, can be complex. I can help you:

• Secure the best flights and accommodations.

  1. Craft a personalized itinerary that balances your interests with logistical considerations.

  2. Advise on local transportation, dining, and activities.

  3. Provide insider tips to make your trip truly exceptional.

Italy in 2026 is poised to be an unforgettable year, offering a unique blend of sporting excitement, profound cultural experiences, and culinary delights. Let's work together to make your Italian dreams a reality!