Luisa Testa

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  • Rome by night

    Rome by night

    ROME BY NIGHT

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    On this half-day, guided evening tour, you’ll beat the rush of the daytime crowds and discover a more intimate side to the Eternal City. See Rome’s top monuments illuminated at night, from Baroque-era Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps to ancient sites like the Colosseum and Pantheon. Tours include comfortable, air-conditioned transfers in a private vehicle. A half-day nighttime tour of Rome The ideal introduction to the city, you’ll see the top attractions in a few hours of sightseeing Evening schedules are ideal for business travelers or anyone wanting to skip the crowds Relax with front-door pickup, and enjoy comfortable ground transportation between sites 


    The Roman Forum at sunset
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    Castel Sant'Angelo (Adrian's mausoleum)
    The Trajanocolumn at the Imperial Forum

    Itinerary

    Stop At:  Colosseum A beautiful amphitheatre built by the Flavian Emperors in the firts century after Christ to entertain the citizen with gladiator combats.

    Duration: 30 Minutes Admission Ticket Not Included

    Stop At:  Trevi Fountain A spectacular water exhibition of a roman acqueduct whose tradition has it that whoever toss a coin will return to Rome.

    Duration: 30 Minutes Admission Ticket Free

    CONTACT ME
  • Rome private food tour

    Rome private food tour

    Rome private food tour

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    Enjoy a private food & wine experience with a food and wine expert

     

    Stroll around the Jewish Quarter and taste the greatest Jewish-Roman delicacies

     

    Come on an empty stomach – tour includes full meal, tastings & wine

     

    Walk & talk to your next  stop, learning about Roman history along the way

     

    Taste one of the best gelatos in Rome and finish your meal off right

     

    My Rome Private Food Tour teaches you about Italian traditions through your 5 senses!

    Food is an integral part to understanding Italian history and culture. Italians pride themselves on their local cuisines and Rome is no exception. What is more fun to do in Italy than to explore its food? On this tour you will learn about the history of Italian cuisine and how it evolved through the ages. We will also explain why the food is so different and unique in each region of Italy. And of course we will taste  important staples of the Italian diet accompanied with different local wines!

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    A lot of Rome’s food has Jewish origins. What better way to begin than in the Jewish Ghetto? This is an often missed but beautiful area right in the city center. Before we sit down to eat we will take a brief tour of the area. After your new found understanding of the traditions of Rome, we will sample  fried artichokes (alla Giudia)and fried baccala (fish) …  Afterwards we will move on to our next stop. We will try what most Italians refer to as street food – pizza!

     Take a delightful stroll through the streets of Rome to our next delicious stop. Here we will sample Roman dishes at a restaurant that has been open for three generations. Steps away from the awe-inspiring Pantheon, this locale has been open since 1934. In fact, it continues to be an important Roman staple and has officially been declared a historical site by the city of Rome! Here we will try a typical Roman pasta dish. As you eat, you will learn the rustic origins of these tasty pastas. Allow your guide to persuade you to try some of the more adventurous pastas as well! We promise, you will not be disappointed.

    Our final stop is for gelato or coffee. Learn how to decide which gelato makers are top-notch as your private guide explains the makings of a perfect gelato! We will take you to a gelateria that uses only organic ingredients. This way you can see for yourselves what gelato with no additives tastes like!

    This dinner experience promises to leave you full and satisfied. Leave me with the new knowledge of how to choose the best restaurants, gelaterias and wines in the Eternal City!

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    tour of the Jewish quarter

    kosher artichokes

    Typical  Roman starters
     

    Pizza

    Traditional Roman dishes
     

    Organic local wine

    Wine
     
    Organic gelato
     
    Historical explanation about the food
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    CONTACT ME
  • Wine tasting

    Wine tasting

    Wine Tasting

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    Show room
    Grotte e bicchieri
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    What’s Included

     

    Over 5 different wine tastings
     
    A private expert guide and sommelier (me)
     
    Wine, apetizers
     
    Walking tour
     
    2 hours in an ancient roman cave 
    CONTACT ME
  • Trains

    Trains

  • Metro, Buses & Trams

    Metro, Buses & Trams

    … The Metro

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    The Roman metro (called Metropolitana by residents) goes around rather than through the historical city. It has only two lines, Metro A (red) and Metro B (blue), which intersect at Termini Central Station. While the Metro C (yellow) is for the most part still under construction, some stations are already functional.

    Trains run approximately every 4-10 minutes, from 5:30 am to 11.30 pm every day (until 0:30 am on Saturdays).

    click here for a map of the metro lines or here for a complete list of metro, bus and tram ticket pricing

    …Buses and Trams

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    There are hundreds of bus lines, running from 5:30am till midnight. All buses and trams travel in both directions.


    In an effort to minimize pollution in the small backstreets of the historic center, the city has established several electric bus lines to navigate alleyways barely wide enough for a Vespa.

    After a late night out there are taxis as well as 20 night bus lines which run from 00:30 am to 5:30 am. The main terminal stations are Termini (Piazza dei Cinquecento) and Piazza Venezia. Buses leave from these two piazzas into all directions every 30 minutes. Night bus stops are marked with an owl and you can purchase tickets on board.

    Click here for a complete list of metro, bus and tram ticket pricing

  • Airports & Transfers

    Airports & Transfers

    Rome has two public airports – Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) and Ciampino.

    …Fiumicino Airport

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    This is Rome’s main airport and is is well-connected with the center during the day by train, bus or taxi.

    …Train Transfers from Fiumicino Airport

    leonardo-express-overview-1You can find standard Regional Trains (FLI) departing every 15 minutes from Monday to Friday and every 30 minutes from Saturday to Sunday. They stop at Rome Tiburtina, Rome Ostiense, Rome Trastevere and reach Rome Termini (central train station) in 55 minutes.

    These trains take a little longer to reach Termini station but come at a convenient price of 8 Euros or 65 Euros for a package of 10 tickets (great for big groups!).

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    The Leonardo Express provides a direct connection from Fiumicino airport to Rome Termini Station and at only 32 minutes offers the shortest travel time of all (it’s also faster than bus or taxi). It goes every 30 minutes from 6:23 AM to 11:23 PM daily.

    For those of you in a hurry to get to Rome a one-way ticket will set you back 14 Euros or 115 Euros at a bulk discount for a package of 10 tickets (25 Euros Cheaper). Not the cheapest option but definitely worth considering if you’re only planning a short trip to Rome and want to make the most of your time.

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    You’ll also be glad to know that all children under 4 years of age travel free of charge on both regional trains and the Leonardo Express and of course both options are equipped with dedicated spaces for travelers with reduced mobility

     

    …Rome Airport Shuttles (private companies)

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    There are several private bus shuttle services you can take to reach the city of Rome which depart from just outside the terminal 3 Exit at the airport. They all offer daily connections (Sundays included) and are definitely a cheaper option. They take about 50 minutes to Termini station which of course is subject to the traffic situation. You’ll find them by following the blue and white BUS STATION signs at the airport and they’ll take you to:

    Termini Station and the Vatican area, Via Crescenzio . SIT shuttle, parking space 1.

    Termini Station and Ostiense station. T.A.M. shuttle, parking space 2.

    Termini Station. Either Atral or TERRAVISION shuttles, parking spaces 3 and 4.

    These buses are a convenient option and cost around 5-6 Euros per person for a one-way ticket depending on the company.

    …Rome Airport Taxis

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    A rather costly option but still convenient if you are several people or have a specific destination in mind which isn’t covered by trains or buses. However, make sure to catch the official, licensed taxis (white cars with a taxi number on the side) and that you are charged the fixed fares listed below.

    From Fiumicino Airport to:

    Any destination in Rome: 48 Euros

    Tiburtina Station: 55 Euros

    Ostiense Station: 45 Euros

    …Ciampino Airport

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    Ciampino is Rome’s smaller airport and is mostly used by charter flights and budget airlines such as Ryanair.

    Here you will find several private shuttles to Rome Termini that run approximately every 30 minutes, until 11pm at a price of around 5 Euros. The only way to get to Rome Termini after this time is to take taxi at a price of around 30 Euros. 

  • About Rome

  • Rome on Foot & Scooter

    Rome on Foot & Scooter

    …Renting bikes or scooters

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    Although many sights in Rome are within walking distance or accessible by public transportation, two wheels will give you the freedom to see exactly what interests you in less time.
    To really “do as the Romans do” you have to drive around on a Vespa. You’ll have no trouble finding rental places all around the city. The average rental prices are €40-€50 for a one day.

  • Map of Rome

    Vital Vocabulary

    I’ve added some vital vocabulary to help guide you through your search of sights:

    Citta del Vaticano (Vatican city)
    via (street)
    viale (avenue)
    piazza (square)
    ponte (bridge)
    clivo (hill)
    lungotevere (riverbank)
    autostrada (highway)

  • Wine Tour

    Wine Tour

    DSCN1073If you’ve read a little about me, you’ll know that I have a real interest in wine, from harvest to tasting and from red to white.

    I would have to say the reason I am so passionate about wines is due to my family background. I am responsible for my parents’  vineyard and it’s been a family tradition for 50 years now. Here is an older photo of them picking grapes.

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    Here is what a grape-picking session in my vineyard looks like today.

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    Of course at the end of a hard days work you might find me with friends and family, enjoying a glass of wine around some of Rome’s most beautiful and renown vineyards.

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    By now you might be wondering what kind of delicious wine-related excursions I can take you on so without further ado, here is a little about the tour:

      i quattro mori_424x600A wine tasting tour that takes you from the eternal city to the treasures of Italy’s oldest and most distinguished vineyards. Why not take a day-break from the city and discover Rome’s essence from the hilltops of the renown Castelli Romani, “Roman Castles” as you experience history over a glass of fragrance-rich red or white wine with me? You’ll find transport, tour and tasting all organized into a comfortable, full-packaged exploration of the wonders of Roman wine making.       Join me on one of my favorite excursions and together lets delve into:

    Scala entrataThe History of Wine

    You will discover the fundamental role that Imperial Rome played in the history of wine culture and how one of the most popular beverages in the world went from a status symbol of the nobles to a pleasure enjoyed by all. Of course, you will also be made familiar with each vineyards’ own background and techniques.  

    Barriccaia_320x213How Wine is Made

    From harvest to bottle. Learn the intricate and refined processes of how some of the worldsfinest wines are produced.                 You will be guided from the choice of grapes through to the harvest and into fermentation. From advanced technologies such as temperature-controlled steel tanks to the antiquity and uniqueness of the french oak barrel, you will discover how each and every wine is given the aromas and fragrances it is so applauded for. No aspect will be left undisclosed and you will leave the famous vineyards having something impressive to say over your next glass of Frascati wine.

     

    Show roomWine Tasting

    After you’ve been given an all-round tour of the vineyard, the wine cellar and its barrel room, you will be lead into the show room where you will be offered wines coming from a variety of local grapes ranging from the Malvasia del Lazio, Bellone, Trebbiano giallo,  Bombino to the Grechetto as well as foreign grapes such as Viognier, Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot.   Sala panoramica 2Savor your glass of red or white (or both;) with a side of oven-tarallini, Lariano bread and a variety of farm-made cold cuts and cheeses over a panoramic view of Rome.