Rome's Eternal Flavors: Roman Cuisine Tour

Photo: Kjell Brynildsen

The enticing displays in Roman food markets often stir up an "I want to live here" feeling. To satisfy that hunger, food writer Maureen Fant, an Eternal City resident since 1979, offers visitors an opportunity to spend the day with her, shopping, cooking and eating as the natives do. Her Roman Cuisine Tour, which is limited to six per group, begins with a walk through the working-class Testaccio quarter, where Fant, who was trained in classical archaeology, provides fascinating historical commentary. Next, she shares her culinary expertise at the neighborhood market, selecting the best seasonal offerings. With bags full of fresh goods, the group travels by city tram to Fant's apartment, near the Colosseum. There she conducts a cooking class with everyone pitching in to make age-old specialties like artichokes alla romana and spaghetti cacio e pepe. As Castelli Romani, the local wine, flows, lunch turns into a humble celebration of la dolce vita. Tours are offered most Tuesdays or by appointment. $183 per person or $575 per private group of up to six. 011-39-06-482-0911; www.contexttravel.com.