ROME - ITALIAN TARTUFO ICE CREAM @ Tre Scalini

Next time you visit Rome, try the Italian Tartufo Ice Cream Dessert from Tre Scalini!

It's not just a dessert, its an explosion of chocolate flavors in your mouth - a real treat for the chocolate lover. Tartufo Ice is chocolate ice-cream covered with thick, dark chunks of chocolate, topped with fresh whip cream and a cookie - a totally decadent and delicious treat that will be hard to share. I tried, I promise and I failed.

"Beware of imitation" warns the sign at Tre Scalini ...

So where is Tre Scalini? Not far from our layover hotel, thank god! In Piazza Navona and the corner of Via Di S. Agnese In Agone (photo enclosed).

The good news is that you won't need to sit down in an expensive cafe in Piazza Navona to try this delightful treat. Just walk inside the Tre Scalini bar to purchase your Tartufo Ice Cream "to go" for only 5 Euros. They will dress it up with fresh whip cream and a cookie while you wait and in minutes, you'll be walking out the door with your prize dessert in hand. Yum, yum, delish! I wish I could have one right now.

Do you have a favorite dessert in Rome?

ROME WITH A VIEW

During my travels to Rome, I've discovered a few spots worth a visit where one can take in some fantastic scenic views of this gorgeous city. For those interested, here is my list:

1- Climb to the top of the Castle St. Angelo. This small castle structure sits right on the Tiber river, near the Vatican (photo enclosed above). It houses a small cafe, some scenic balconies and a roof top deck with a stunning panoramic view of Rome that will knock your socks off. It's specially beautiful during sunset hours when the city is glowing in gold colors. The cost to climb to the top of the Castello is five Euros and it's worth every penny! Don't forget your camera. Last to leave, closes the door. Just kidding, but do get there before 6pm, because the doors close by seven pm.

VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE CASTELLO ST. ANGELO - ROME

2- Climb to the top of The Vittoriano building - a large, white monumental structure located on one side of the Piazza d'Italia. This is the building that is better known as the "typewriter" or the "wedding cake" by Romans, because of its size and shape. The Vittoriano's scenic elevator is best accessed through some stone steps located on the left side of the building - Left, if you're coming from the layover hotel via the Piazza d'Italia and Via del Corso. Once you reach this (left side), climb the stone stairs to a second floor lobby of a military museum. At the top of the stairs, look to your left for a door that leads you to the first level open deck. You're not quite there yet, just half way.

This level houses a nice outdoor cafe/bar, nice viewing decks of the city with maps that describe what you see in the distance. Once you're done with your viewing in this level, proceed to the famous "elevator to heaven". Yes, that's the real name and it will take you further up for a better view of the city. Access to "heaven" will cost you around 5 Euros. Once again, worth every penny! Bring your camera and enjoy the glorious views from "heaven". Best times to visit, at sunset and at night when the whole city is covered with tiny lights!

VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE VITTORIANO BUILDING/MONUMENT

3- Views from the top of the Piazza del Popolo - Climb to the very top of The Spanish Steps, then veer to your left following the path that borders the city's elevated ledge. Keep walking past the Cassina Valadier Restaurant (a period house converted into a restaurant set on your right) until you reach a scenic area with an overlook deck on your left side. You are now in this perfect spot to view the Piazza del Popolo and the city from a high point. Get your camera ready. Once the sun begins to set, the colors will be spectacular and this show is all for free!

VIEW FROM TOP OF PIAZZA DEL POPOLO

4- Last but not least, I've hear the view from the top of the St Peters Cathedral's dome in The Vatican is worth the difficult climb to the top. I have not done this yet, but I hear it's worth the effort. If you go, please share the details of your visit with us. I will try this climb on my next visit to Rome. Hope you get there soon.

Enjoy!