Experience Rome, Italy with a real local!

Meet Stefania

To bring you the best experience when traveling to Rome , Italy we decided to interview Stefania Troiani.

Tell us about yourself – where are you from and what do you do?

My name is Stefania Troiani I am from Rome,  Italy and  I am the creative owner and founder at Rome Shopping Guide.com  a custom tour planning business specialized in providing tailor made luxury services such as private shopping and wine tasting guided tours in Italy and especially in Rome and in the Tuscan wine area.These services cater to individuals or small group and to a wide range of companies in the travel and tourism fields included but not limited to tour operators, tourist boards, hotels and cruise lines. am extremely passionate, not only about showing you Rome’s treasures, but in providing the level of service usually tourists expect from the larger companies.
 I combine my strengths to bring you the best of both in terms of service and guidance/advice. My goal is to show you the place I love, the REAL ROMA.Come and experience the genuine hospitality of the Roman people. I promise you: you will come as a tourist, but leave as a friend.

When do you recommend travelers visit your location?

Rome is a fascinating place to visit at any time because most attractions are open all year round; Rome is actually an open air museum!
If you are interested in a trip to Rome then the best times to visit Rome is during spring and fall seasons,is sunny but not too hot and touring around would be fun and exciting.But if do not like crowds then I suggest off season when prices are those of the low season and there are no lines at museums.

How can a traveler avoid tourist traps and instead experience what local people do?

Private tour guides are the best for exploring the city. They give you a personal touch, answer all your questions and take care of your specific needs.In my experience hiring a tour guide will help to avoid tourist traps. If you interested in a trip to Rome I highly recommend hiring a private tour guide which is dedicated only to you and your party and will look after you all the time. A good tour guide will efficiently maximize you time and keep you away from tourist traps. You will have a local expert to work as your personal assistant that can help you in arranging your well deserved trip to be special.It would be an excellent way to see a place from a local perspective including the many hidden gems outside the usual tourist path.I will always make sure you are given the best attention and care and ensure you avoid tourist traps so that you would enjoy Rome as the Romans do.

What are several very special places or things to do which locals love but most travelers don’t know about?

Rome is the most beautiful place in the world, rich of history and art but also of amusement and fun!
If you like Italian culture then you can enjoy the best that the Eternal City has to offer for next to nothing. Rome tourist attractions around the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps area are simply marvelous and free of charge!The city houses countless churches, monuments and galleries that can be visit for free such as the Vatican Museums that on the last Sunday of every month, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (the last admission is at 12:30 p.m.) are free of charge.Also national museums and other major galleries have deals that change constantly, and if you feel you have exhausted those, then step just outside the city center and take a relaxing walk in one of the several park scattered around town. Just to name a few I would recommend the gardens at Villa Ada and at Villa Borghese.

How can travelers get the most out of these special places to see, or special things to do?

If you would like to maximize your precious time then I would be delighted to be your personal tour guide in Rome.Rome Shopping Guide.com explores both familiar and hidden sites, enabling travelers to experience many aspects of life in this beautiful city. I offer exciting tour services for travelers visiting Rome.Whether travelling for business or pleasure, I would arrange the ultimate travel for you. As a local expert I personally design and execute private customized tours throughout Rome and the Tuscan wine area.

What’s the best way for a visitor to experience the local culture?

A great way to experience authentic Roman culture is to meet locals, have roman cuisine and tasting local wines. You can actually learn Italy through tastes and flavors of its cuisine and of its long wine tradition transforming yourself from a tourist into a traveler living an unforgettable experience.Then if you are you willing to experience Rome from a local’s perspective be personally introduced to local people and go to places inaccessible to tourists, I provide personal introductions to local places and people, native guidance and knowledge, and private visits with an authentic cultural immersion that will enrich your travel experience.

What local foods or drinks should travelers be sure to try?

Italy means pizza, pasta and gelato, but it is also so much more. The history of Italian cuisine is ancient and rich of regional specialties throughout the country. Roman cuisine tends towards good, genuine ingredients and simple recipes. Romans are demanding when it comes to the freshness and quality of the dishes that are served. For the locals, a full meal will consist of a starter (antipasto) which are normally cold appetizers, next comes il primo, (a first course) which is pasta. Il secondo (the second course) which is meat or fish accompanied by side dishes (contorni). The best known wines are those of the Castelli Romani of the surrounding vineyard area.

How does the traveling experience in your area change throughout the year?

Spring time is best time of the year for visiting Rome and its surrounding. During this season you can better appreciate the ferment of the city, spring Break in Rome is incredible! Spending Christmas in Rome is also wonderful. Italy has a very romantic feel to it with its cobbled pavements, cozy cafes and historic landmarks. The Eternal City looks even better during the festive period, with beautifully adorned trees. There are also plenty of other things to see during Christmas time besides the landmarks, including choirs, Christmas markets, like in the breathtaking Piazza Navona and Catholic Mass on Christmas Eve at St Peter’s Square. Just a wonderful time of the year to be in Italy!

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This post involves:

antipasto, castelh roman, churches, custom tour, etarnal city, fall, gelato, Italy, local wines, loocals, museum, pasta, pizza, private tour, roma, roman curise, rome, Rome shopping guide, season, spanish steps, trevi fountain, Tuscan, vatican, villa ada, visit, wine

... and focuses on:

Food, Italy, Localyte, Meet the Locals, Places to Go, Tourist Trap, Travel Ideas, drink, when to travel

Posted by Localyte.com Team on February 1, 2009