Rome is full of bustling cafes, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and beautiful churches. I’ve been very thankful to have the resources of John Cabot University (my school) and SAI (the program with whom I’m studying) to show me great places in Rome! Here are a few of them.

The market

Piazza di San Cosimato Market – Every day, except Sunday, there’s a market that goes till a little past noon. The market itself is very small, but it’s full of beautiful fruit and vegetables that are by season. I’m definitely a “foodie” so being able to get such fresh, local produce every day is so amazing. I go so often that they know my name!

Dar Poeta – This pizza place is a popular spot for students. It’s located in Trastevere, in a small side street that is hard to stumble upon. But the pizza is incredible. It’s light and fresh, and once you start eating their pizza you won’t be able to stop! A normal person would maybe split the massive, pan sized pizza… but when in Roma, you might as well eat the whole thing ;)

Pumpkin Spiced Latte from Home Baked

Home Baked – Home Baked is well known among many study abroad students for their American “grandma’s kitchen” recipes and cozy bakery. They offer American favorites like nachos and Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, and serve American breakfast all day. The owners are the most hospitable and kind people who make you feel right at home!

Maria Del Popolo – This church is an Augustinian church in the Northern part of Rome, and was a crucial point in a pilgrimage journey. This is the first church the pilgrims would see when they first entered Rome, and they first church they would typically visit. Along with the pilgrimage significance, there are two very famous and beautiful Caravaggio paintings in this church.

Eating gelato at DaRe

Gelateria daRe – This gelato place is magnificent. It’s not in central Rome, but if you’re up for using the metro, this place is worth the trip. All of the ingredients are incredibly fresh and organic, which makes for some of the highest quality gelato you can find!

Villa Doria Pamphili

Villa Doria Pamphili – This park is an amazing open park, “a countryside in the venter of Rome” which is full of trails and amazing views!

Abbey Theatre Irish Pub – This is not the most “Roman” place I could have picked…especially because it’s an Irish pub, but it’s one of my favorite places to go on weekends. The pub is very low-key, they have amazing food, and plays sports! The latter is probably the greatest part of why I love the pub J.

Acai bowl

Acai & Friends Juice Bar – Again, not very Roman of me, but this place has amazing healthy juices, smoothies, and acai bowls. I really love healthy food, and stumbling upon this place was a great find.

Villa Borghese – This is another open park, behind Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. To be able to walk through a park surrounded by greenery and trees is a wonderful break from the crazy city life of Rome. It’s not as large as Villa Doria Pamphili, but it’s worth a visit!

Monte Aventino – Monte Aventino is an area south of the city center, but might be the most beautiful neighborhood in Rome. It’s not over-populated, like many of the tourist traps, and has amazing gelato, food, and views of Rome.

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Ellie is a current student at Baylor University studying at John Cabot University (JCU) in Italy during the Fall 2014 term.