Author Gayle

The Romans were extraordinary road builders. Before the 4th century BC, many roads were poorly-maintained, meandering tracks connecting villages and towns. But Rome required a more efficient transportation network, a more effective means of deploying and supplying its armies, so… Continue Reading →

In 2015 a group of local and international artists descended on a social housing precinct in Via Tor Marancia, about a 20-minute bus ride from the centre of Rome. The aim of the urban renewal initiative was to breathe new… Continue Reading →

The Aventine Hill, a short walk south of the Colosseum, is one of the seven hills on which Ancient Rome was built. And on top of the Aventine Hill, in the Piazza of the Knights of Malta, there’s a quirky… Continue Reading →

As well as seeing and doing many wonderful things during our six months in Italy, we’ve also learned a bit about what it takes to make a good life here. While there have been no real surprises, it’s certainly true… Continue Reading →

Greg and I can scarcely believe it’s coming up to six months since we began our great Italian adventure. We’ve certainly seen and done a lot in that time. Despite that – or perhaps because of it – we’re also… Continue Reading →

Over the past couple of weeks we’ve been visiting some of Rome’s slightly lesser known, but nonetheless well worth seeing, historical sites. Remember all those months ago in Bologna when the magic of La Macchina del Tempo allowed us to step back in… Continue Reading →

From its earliest days Rome has been divided into a number of districts. In the 6th century BC the king Servius Tullius decreed the city to have 4 districts or rioni (from the Latin regiones) and for the next 2,500 years… Continue Reading →

Here’s a geography question for you. What part of Italy boasts rolling green hills and sparkling seas; sprawling vineyards and ancient olive groves; national parks and natural hot springs; the remains of Etruscan tombs and a Roman city; medieval castles… Continue Reading →

It’s been a pretty exciting week for us for a couple of reasons; firstly because we’ve arrived in Rome (more on that later) and, secondly, because there’s been an important addition to our travelling pantry … Vegemite! Since we’ve arrived… Continue Reading →