210. 48 Hours in Rome
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In this milestone 210th episode of Kimberly's Italy, hosts Kimberly and Tommaso celebrate five years of podcasting with a deeply personal reflection on their journey, from Kimberly’s initial voice anxiety to the global community they’ve built through their storytelling. The episode centers on their immersive 48-hour adventure in Rome, intentionally avoiding the usual tourist hotspots like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain. Instead, they explore the authentic, lived-in neighborhoods of Monti and Trastevere, discovering hidden gems such as the free Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli, home to Michelangelo’s powerful Moses sculpture, and the Chiostro del Bramante, where they experience a groundbreaking multimedia exhibit titled 'Flowers, Art from the Renaissance to Artificial Intelligence'—featuring a mesmerizing installation of bees building honeycombs on a mold of Emperor Hadrian’s face. Their journey is enriched by chance encounters: a Colombian bartender studying AI law, a craftsman restoring antique frames, and a surprise birthday celebration at a local osteria where the owner, upon learning it was Kimberly’s birthday, showered them with free dishes and a full room of singing guests. The episode culminates in a visit to the stunning Apple Store housed in the historic Palazzo Marinoli, a masterclass in blending 19th-century architecture with modern design. Throughout, the hosts emphasize the magic of slowing down, getting lost, and letting serendipity guide the way.
Avoid tourist traps by exploring lesser-known neighborhoods like Monti and the side streets of Trastevere for a more authentic Roman experience.
Many of Rome’s most breathtaking artworks and architectural wonders are free to enter—prioritize churches and smaller exhibition spaces like the Chiostro del Bramante.
On your birthday in Rome, eat at an unknown local restaurant and buy a bottle of wine—locals often reward the gesture with free food and heartfelt celebrations.
The Apple Store in Palazzo Marinoli is not just a tech retail space but a cultural landmark, blending 150-year-old architecture with modern design and acoustics.
Travel with curiosity: unexpected discoveries—like a craftsman’s workshop or a scraffito-covered building—often happen when you take the smallest, quietest streets.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Celebrating 5 Years of Kimberly's Italy
“The most fulfilling benefit has been basically befriending people from all over the world. They send us messages and emails or comments on Instagram or Facebook thanking us for what we have shared in each episode.”
Rome Off the Beaten Path: Monti and the Hidden Gems
“You feel it in your bones. You feel like getting a taste of something that the tour buses can't reach.”
The Birthday Journey: Libraries, Churches, and Serendipity
“This is what a birthday in Rome should look like. We walked toward the Pantheon at one point and when we got close, we saw the crowd. Enormous for a Wednesday in April.”
The Chiostro del Bramante: Art, Bees, and Timeless Beauty
“The bees, busy and methodical, covering a Roman emperor's portrait in honeycomb. It was without question one of the most innovative and interesting art exhibits, or any exhibit, in my opinion, that we've ever seen.”
The Apple Store in Palazzo Marinoli: A Design Masterpiece
“You're in Rome, one of the oldest cities in the world. And you're in an Apple store. You're in an Apple store. But it combined everything, design, history, architecture, elegance.”
“The bees, busy and methodical, covering a Roman emperor's portrait in honeycomb. It was without question one of the most innovative and interesting art exhibits, or any exhibit, in my opinion, that we've ever seen.”
“You're in Rome, one of the oldest cities in the world. And you're in an Apple store. You're in an Apple store. But it combined everything, design, history, architecture, elegance.”
“You feel it in your bones. You feel like getting a taste of something that the tour buses can't reach.”
Hosts
Guests
Kimberly
person
Tommaso
person
Apple Store Rome
brand
Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli
place
Michelangelo's Moses
other
Palazzo Marinoli
place
Chiostro del Bramante
place
EES (Entry-Exit System)
other
Monti
other
Colombian bartender
person
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