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My Perfect Morning in Rome
Written by Collective Member: Lacey Moore Find Her at www.lacesplaces.wordpress.com Hey all! I’m here with some super fun little insight into what my perfect morning in Rome consists of! As you’ll soon come to learn, Rome is one of my all-time favourite places in the world. I truly love the history, architecture, art, the locals, not to mention all that amazing food and wine! I’ve been to Rome about six or seven times now, with many mornings spent wandering over those ancient cobbles, so I like to think I’ve pretty much nailed how to spend a perfect morning in the eternal city… Wake up early Piazza Campidoglio That’s right! In my opinion, the best (and only) way to get a true feel for a destination is to be up with the locals! If you’re right in the city centre, it’ll be difficult for you to sleep past 8am with all the hustle and bustle, not to mention smell of fresh coffee and bread, wafting through your window. I love a lie in as much as the next gal, but there’s something enchanting about being out and about, getting lost between the locals before the hoard of tourists head out and swamp the streets for the day. Besides, there’s plenty of time for sleep when you get home! For me, I’m up at 6am and out of the door for 6:30. Whilst you may have a hard time finding anything open at that time, it doesn’t bother me since I really love just taking a bit of time to enjoy the sights and empty roads, as well as that fresh morning air that still has a bit of a cool nip to it (it’s also a great time to get some solo pictures without some tour group destroying your photoshoot). You’ll also beat all the queues at those museums you’ve been dying to visit! The Pantheon My favourite things to see first thing in a morning are the Trevi Fountain, Vittorio Emanuele II monument or Vatican City (although I will admit it took me way too long to choose just three)! Thankfully, the last time I was in Rome I was only a short walk away from all of them, which was perfect! I stayed at Private Luxury Suites on via del Corso – the main shopping street in the city. Let me tell you, it was my favourite place I’ve ever stayed in Rome. The location was absolutely amazing; right in the middle of the action and surrounded by fabulous restaurants, and the room itself was so beautiful and fresh. We managed to get an absolute steal through booking.com, so I would 100% recommend the place! You can check it out here. At one end of via del Corso, you’ve got Piazza del Popolo, and at the other you’ve got the Vittorio Emanule II momument! Antipasti at a cute little ristorante near Private Luxury Suites While you’re wandering the shady streets one morning, take a moment to really take note of what’s going on around you. Sure, there’s hardly any people around, but what are your other senses telling you? You may be lucky enough to hear a local gent playing the radio while drinking his first espresso of the day with his wife, maybe an elderly lady is walking her old dog, or even a young couple smoking a cigarette and watching the world go by. Wherever you go, I’m sure you’re going to see something amazing! Food! Pizza Bianca with mortadella and Nutella. Credit: @Gino_1950 on Instagram My favourite bit! Breakfast dates are the unsung hero of my life. However, when you’ve a city full of art and history to explore, the dates will have to wait until later in the day. When on a city break, I don’t tend to eat a lot of breakfast since in the summertime it’s way too hot to eat, and I’d rather just grab a bite while out and about. Not only that, but Italians aren’t massive breakfast eaters anyway; you’ll be lucky with a pastry and coffee. With that being said, there are some really amazing, authentic little sandwich and gelato bars which you can takeaway food from, and sometimes restaurants even have a little deli counter too. Another thing which you’ll notice is the vast number of little bibite vans at all major tourist spots, selling everything from fresh sandwiches to frozen bottles of water (a God send in the height of summer) for as little as one euro. Don’t worry about not finding anywhere to eat because there are literally hundreds on the streets, and so many amazing options that aren’t on Google maps or Instagram. One place I would recommend is Gino on via del Corso. This little place was an amazing find, right next to our accommodation! It’s just a little counter facing out onto the street and a tiny waiting area next to it, and all they sell is pizza bianca with either mortadella or Nutella. If you’re not familiar with pizza bianca, please don’t be fooled into thinking you’re about to receive a fat slice of pepperoni pizza – it’s really just a type of light bread, drizzled with olive oil and salt, kind of like a ciabatta (but better)! The shop’s concept is just super simple but they absolutely nailed it on the service and execution; we must have gone back about 3 times! You can check out their website here and next time you’re shopping down via del Corso, remember to check it out! Panoramic views View from inside The Vatican Museums Duh! No city break would be complete without an opportunity to overlook the whole thing! These can be beautiful at either sunrise or sunset, and I couldn’t possibly chose between them. On the one hand, in a morning you can watch the city wake up and experience the rise in excitement and busy-ness. But in an evening you get to wind down, maybe after a glass or two of Aperol spritz, and truly embrace the beautiful romantic atmosphere that the city provides. My favourite viewpoint in the whole of Rome is from the terrace of the Vittorio Emanuele II monument. You truly don’t understand the sheer size of the monument once you walk up the façade’s stairs (yep, you feel like a bad bitch) and once you work your way through the war museum on the marble interior, you can go up to the terrace in a glass elevator! From there, you get a 360 view of the whole of Rome, and it’s even more spectacular than you can imagine! So there you have it! Remembering my trips to Rome have given me so much bittersweet nostalgia and just makes me miss it even more! I hope you find how to make your morning perfect in Rome – maybe I’ll see you around! Lace x
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Listen: Yseult
Matt C. This week I've been diving into French singer-songwriter Yseult. Her rise began after she was crowned the runner-up of the French reality competition series, Nouvelle Star in 2104. Since, she released her self titled hip-pop debut album Yseult, and a trilogy of extended plays, Rouge (2019), Noir (2019), and lasts years' more 'stripped back' BRUT. For the release, she said to Enfnts Terribles, “I will not go back to the music I made in the beginning and will develop the newfound style more in the future.” And she does just that - with the piano-ballad opener INDÉlÉBILE, she works through high-notes and pierces right to the heart (even if you have no idea what she is actually saying). Other highlights include the lo-fi half-english SEXE, and the almost 7 minute ghost-y feature with S.Pri Noir, 101 Regrets. Take a listen to BRUT, here.
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First Stop: LA
Bethany S. Los Angeles was the first stop on my Husband and I’s honeymoon before heading on our road trip through Arizona and Utah. And although the rumours were true about horrendous traffic and that nobody seemed to walk anywhere – we were in heaven. WARMTH IN OCTOBER!! The cafes are cute, especially Cafecito Organico in the Silver Lake neighbourhood with the coziest outdoor seating that seems like you’re just hanging out in someone’s backyard. The Mexican food was delicious. Our favourite place to hit up on a daily basis was Las Glorias Del Buen Comer for pork tacos and guacamole – Yum! The Arts District was also a fun place we found ourselves exploring different breweries, riding electric scooters and seeing a show. Oh – and of course Venice beach! There’s just something about LA that’s vibrant and strange all at once and we loved it. So, whatever reason you’re in LA you’ll definitely find yourself amused. What’s your favourite thing about Los Angeles? Let us know in the comments below! Las Glorias Del Buen Comer The Arts District
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Road Trip Ready?
Rebecca L. Your vacation, your concerts, your parties, your birthday, your fun and your whole social calendar got cancelled last year and you’re just about ready to pack up the car and go see the country in time for the season? You’ve been eagerly anticipating the sunshine, and you finally feel like you might just about be able to plan a local road trip soon. Enjoying the scenic highway landscapes, the must-see roadside lookouts and the cute small-town coffee stop is just about as perfect as it can get. Whether you’re off on a long-weekend camping trip, or a long-haul adventure just make sure to ask this before you set off – are you ready? I’ve seen my fair few of roadside mishaps whilst travelling around on the thoroughfare, so before you set off, take a look at a few of these road-trip tips... CHECK YOUR CAR You’ve got the tent, the all-weather wardrobe, the picnic essentials, the bear spray and just about everything bar the kitchen sink! But have you prepared the car? We have to learn about it before we pass our test, but do we actually do it ever? Purchase a trusted tire pressure gauge and make sure your tires are good to go. Whilst you’re at it, check your spare tire too. Check out the fluid levels, the battery, the oil and the lights. Make sure she’s ready to roll before you set off…seems pretty standard, but is it pretty easy to forget? Maybe even take your vehicle in for a once over before you set off. Oh, and don’t forget to check the car keys are still good for battery!Here’s a helpful video to check out too - https://youtu.be/VZiy84UmN1U CHECK YOUR PAPERS It might be a good idea to check out your insurance policy is up to date, paid for and physically in your glovebox! Make sure you have your license, and whatever other documents or decals you need for your vehicle. If you’re setting out through a few National Parks, make sure to check if you need to display a pass before you go too! PREPARE FOR THE WORST Okay, seems dramatic…but until you end up stranded at the side of a very long, very quiet road without a bottle of water to your name, you might not think of how important it is to have some extra supplies – trust me! Get a little kit together – an extra phone charger, a flashlight, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, some necessary tools, car fluids, water to drink, some snack bars, even a spare gas canister…and (as old-school as it may be) maybe a road map! It doesn’t have to be the most elaborate set-up, but it’s worthwhile having something to help you out if you get stuck. BOOK AHEAD It’s always a hassle winging a trip, you never know if you’re gonna find a camping spot, or a hotel room where you want too. But, now especially, it’s important to plan ahead with your accommodation. Some parks, hotels, campsites, motels will have limited capacity, pre-booking only reservations or may not even be open at all. It’s a good idea to do lots of research before you head out on your trip. Same goes for the parks and other sight-seeing destinations too – be sure to check before you rock up. As much as I love the excitement of a “let’s just go” attitude, it’s not exactly always reliable, so try to avoid disappointment by planning ahead. Let us know any of your road-trip tips below : )
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Poke Party!
Rebecca L. Spring is officially around the corner…finally! As soon as the brightness is back in sight, it’s time to spend less time in the kitchen and more time in the sunshine. If, like me, you want a quick, simple, super tasty meal full of goodness, then a Poke bowl is the way to go. Here’s a link to a 15-minute twist on the Hawaiian classic, by the absolute babe, Nadiya Hussain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsWK0skZ0S8 Let us know in the comments what quick meals you love in springtime…
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What's Your Favourite Coffee Shop?
Bethany S. Before working at TC, I spent the majority of my working life in the coffee world. Although I don’t necessarily miss the hustle and bustle of the morning grind, I do miss the smell of delicious coffee and the peace that came from quiet evenings closing the shops and getting to know new people who trickled in. Working in a coffee shop can feel a lot like travelling in that way and eventually it will feel like you’re working in a small town where you know everyone’s name. Recently we sat around at the office talking about the best cups of coffee and our favourite cafés that we’ve been missing. Below you will find a list of the ultimate fav’s of the TC Fulfillment crew! My favourite coffee is from Drumroaster and my favourite café would have to be Hey Happy that I spoke to in my previous blog post: My Perfect Afternoon in Victoria: Lower Johsnon & Market Square Jas: Algerian Coffee Stores and favourite cup of coffee from Cà Phê VN. Matt: Nelson the Seagull Rebecca: Bold Street CoffeeWhere’s your favourite coffee shop? Let us know in the comment section below!
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The Dream and Reality of Full-Time Travel
‘Tide Knot Travellers’ are pursuing the ultimate dream – full time travel. We got the lowdown on how, and why!
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Watch: Nomadland
Matt C. The film follows Fern (Frances McDormand), as she packs up her life into a van and hits the road seeking a life outside of conventional American society as a modern-day nomad. Through filmmaker Chloé Zhao's own brand of docu-realism, real-life nomads are peppered in amongst Fern's advisors and new friends during her expedition through the sprawling landscape of the American West (which is beautifully captured by Zhao's partner and cinematographer Joshua James Richards). Thoughtful and subtle, the film's ability to capture the small but profound joy of human connection is deeply moving. You can stream Nomadland here.
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