Hidden Treasures of Italy

What could be better than indulging in gelato for breakfast, lunch and dinner when in Rome? While on my first visit to Rome, I found love, in gelato!  This is a treat I have never had in the United States, or if I did, it didn’t seem to come close.  Could it be simply being in Rome made it all taste so good, or was there really a difference?  So I set out to find to explore and find my favorite treat of Rome. 

Each morning, I wandered the streets of Rome, off the normal tourist path.  This curiosity would help find the ideal place at that perfect moment that served Gelato. I started my quest with a taste of hazelnut and chocolate to see how delicious it was.  In the late afternoon, as I strolled the fabulous city, I would find a new tucked away spot and taste a few more flavors while I sat watched people go about their day.  There is something so special about those moments that I will never forget.  Was it simply the art of eating gelato? Was it simply being in Rome that made it taste so good? Or perhaps was it me fantasizing how much I would love to pack up and live in Rome that brings back such bold memories? 

For me, after several days I came to the conclusion that pistachio gelato is my favorite.  To this day, whenever I think or see pistachio gelato, my senses bring me immediately back to Rome and the glorious simplicity of it all.  Taking a turn down a narrow street, choosing a flavor, sitting down and watching the beauty and all of its hidden treasures.  

About the author:

Karen Titus has retired from Delta Air Lines and has a live long passion for travel, and is a fitness instructor, and an avid lover and advocate for animals. 

By Joanne Natale Spigonardo

On one of my trips to Rome, I was amazed to find 12 churches in a two-block radius. It was a beautiful October day, perfect for leisurely exploration. I though that if I took a full day that I could explore all of those 12 particular churches. I was looking to find how rich they were in history and in art. It was a revelation to know that so many renowned sculptors and painters were to be admired free of charge. I thought that I would start with the Church of the Gesu. I particularly wanted to visit this church because I so admire the Gesu Church on the campus of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia.

The Church of the Gesu on Via degli Astalli in Rome, is an amazing work of art in its entirity, from its façade to the tremendous paintings and altar pieces inside the church. It is of the Baroque style and was designed by Giacomo da Vignola in 1568. It is the mother church of the Jesuit Order. Jesuits are known for their devotion to education, beauty, and art. The ceiling is a masterpiece by Giovanni Battista Gaulli and is called The Triumph of the Name of Jesus. It was inspired by St. Ignatius of Loyola and his teachings.

Many of the tapestries, sculptures, and paintings have been on exhibition in the past years in various museums globally. I hope you get a chance to visit the Church of the Gesu on your next trip to Rome. It is one of the hidden treasures of Italy.

I didn’t get a chance to visit any other churches that day, as it took hours to fully enjoy the wonders of the Church of the Gesu.

About the Author:

Joanne Natale Spigonardo is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and has a long history of travel experience. Joanne admires the Renaissance, art-history, and women’s studies. She is also the author of the novel, White Widow, available on Amazon.