Zoom Link for Tonight’s Rome Destination Deep Dive

Why Rome Is so much more than the Colosseum, Vatican, and a quick plate of cacio e pepe

Rome is eternal, yes, but also infinite. It’s a city that can never be fully seen or known, no matter how many times you return. So what happens is the opposite — visitors rush through with a quick stop at the Colosseum, the Vatican, a Trevi Fountain selfie, and a plate of cacio e pepe, and they’re on the train to Sorrento. Rome deserves better than that.

The Catholic Church answered the rise of Protestantism with the drama and excess of the Baroque, and Rome is the best place to see it. Baroque architecture said, We’ve still got the power and the glory, folks, and minimalism is so not us. This is the Church of the Gesù.

In the last few years, the city was trash-strewn, and nature seemed to be reclaiming the architecture. Then, suddenly, it was covered in scaffolding as Rome prepared for the 2025 Papal Jubilee. But on both visits this year, I found Rome renewed, full of fresh energy and great vibes as people seem genuinely happy about the new American Pope Leo. I just spent five days in Rome, walking 18,000 steps a day and testing the best (and worst) of what the city has to offer, both to prepare for tonight’s Deep Dive and for my off-season tour in Rome next November.

Though editing down Rome’s infinite wonders is an absurd exercise for a history nerd such as myself, I’ve designed a five-day itinerary that does the city justice: you’ll see the essentials, plus get a feel for ancient Rome, early Christian Rome, and baroque Rome. Naturally, there will be plenty of talk about food because, honestly, for every perfect veal saltimbocca (my favorite Roman dish), there are twenty tourist traps that will make you think the food in Italy is meh at best.

And just a few minutes ago, I added a “bonus round” to the presentation: a slide with random tips like “Don’t wear a sundress” and the name of my favorite vintage jewelry shop near Campo de’ Fiori.

If you’re a free subscriber and want to join the full session (with replay access for two weeks), consider upgrading to a paid membership. The link is below: