A resident's month-by-month journal skips the standard tourist board traps to explore the quirky realities, Vatican gossip, and slow-living secrets of the Eternal City.
Former New York Times bureau chief and thirty-year resident Paul Hofmann offers an intimate look inside the daily life of Italy's historic capital.Strolling through bustling piazzas, he moves far beyond standard tourist itineraries to capture the real community hidden within the ancient streets. Hofmann introduces readers to neighborhood characters, shares morning espressos with locals, and tracks the daily interactions that define the city. He shares authentic local secrets, from the idiosyncrasies of the gattare—the city's dedicated cat women—to the volatile patterns of the local government and playful Vatican rumors. Merging historical context with personal anecdotes, the journal explores how a grand, imperial past intersects with the modern, vibrant habits of modern residents. It offers a warm, clear-eyed profile of a legendary destination through the eyes of an insider who understands its true character.
Why You’ll Love This Book
Paul Hofmann provides a refreshing, deeply personal perspective that makes you feel like a seasoned resident rather than a passing tourist. His conversational, unhurried prose brings the hidden alleys, local cafés, and neighborhood traditions to life with comforting clarity. It is the perfect, restorative armchair escape for anyone wishing to experience the authentic everyday rhythm of the Eternal City.
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