When I arrive in Italy (apart from seeing friends) the first thing I want to do is enjoy a caffè (coffee or espresso) and if it is breakfast I want un cappuccino e un cornetto con la marmellata (a cappuccino and sweet croissant like pastry filled with jam)…yum!

In Italy having a caffè is a piacere (pleasure) and a ritual, whether with friends or by yourself.

It is less about the caffeine recharge and more about human contact with the world, as most caffè in Italy is enjoyed outside the home at a bar (an everything destination for coffee, breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks, an aperitivo, even phone cards and last minute gifts).

Whether standing at the bar, sitting down, reading the paper or having an argument over the Prime Minister’s personal life, bars are an epicenter of Italian life.

I love watching the action, listening to the spirited ordering and animated conversations while enjoying un bel caffè (a good coffee) and yummy snack.

You may not be able to get to a bar in Italy anytime soon but finding your local stop for a coffee or drink, alone or with friends, can create an enjoyable ritual to help slow life’s crazy pace just a little.

Or maybe these photos will transport you there for a few minutes…

Enjoy!

Leslie

Roma (Rome) is the antithesis of New York…streets have little organization, the pace is slow (other than cars and scooters zipping by), food is a constant topic of conversation and at times the city can be completely unruly.

Say Roma backward and you have amore (love)!

Rome isn’t for everyone, the lack of organization and efficiency alone could drive the average New Yorker insane, but the city’s long history, hidden corners, and delicious food keep me coming back.

As a visitor I rarely want to leave.

When starting a visit to Rome…the best is to start slow.

I hope these images of Rome will offer you a little escape to slow down your day… which is probably speeding by at warp speed.

Enjoy!

Leslie