I am extremely happy to see Le Guide Repubblica – Italy’s premiere city and food guides by national news outlet, La Repubblica – move into the English market. The release of their first English-language guide, Maxima demonstrates that Rome is becoming more and more cosmopolitan and international by nature and La Repubblica is leading the way in being responsive to this.
Group photo by the talented Rowena Dumlao-Giardina, The Chosen Table
At the direction of Giuseppe Cerasa, they have been one of the only Italian news outlets in Rome – if not Italy – who have made it a priority to collaborate with and involve foreign bloggers, press and influencers to expand their network and audience. To that end, I was invited to a special dining event at Achilli al Dom, with many of my English audience colleagues to welcome and celebrate Maxima.
(Note: the boutique Hotel Dom is located on the pretty Via Giulia and the restaurant menu has been designed by Michelin Star chef Massimo Viglietti. It’s listed in Maxima on page 56 and you can watch a video of the event right here) 
While the guide has not been written or translated by native English speakers, the quality is where it needs to be for a very local guide; a guide that focuses not only on what to eat and where to stay but provides itineraries, shopping, lifestyle and cultural tips and even ideas on where to head for a day trip.
I have to say, I’ve lived in Rome for almost 7 years and known it for over 20 and I still found things I didn’t know about. It’s an all-encompassing guide to the eternal city and with tips by people who live in and know the city inside out, rest assured – Maxima is like having a local hold your hand on your very own Roman Holiday.
Here are 5 Maxima entries that are new to me or I haven’t had time to try yet:
Biblioteca Angelina
Have heard about this library because it’s one of the oldest public ones in Italy, but I’ve never gotten around to visiting. With thousands of engravings, books and manuscripts in Latin, Greek and more it’s on the top of my to-do-list. Piazza di San Agostino www.bibliotecaangelica.beniculturali.it (Maxima: page 26)
Cereria Di Giorgio
A handmade candle shop in my very own neighbourhood of Trastevere and I have never heard of it! Now with a catalogue of over 5,000 candles (all shapes, sizes and scents), the shop started out as a liturgical candle making outlets. Via di San Francesco di Sales 85 www.cereriadigiorgio.it(Maxima: page 111)
Little London
I still haven’t managed to see this strip of about 20 numbered (real) houses that resemble a London street scape. Located in the Flaminia area of the city (just north of Piazza del Popolo), Little London is home to some famous Italian actors and artists. (Maxima: page 179)
Namastey
Tea rooms and patisserie located right by the Pantheon where owner Daniela Ferraresi claims to stock over 160 brews of tea, collected mainly from her travels to China. Green, white, jasmine and rose petals. Apparently there’s a tea for everyone here. Via della Palombella 26 www.namastey.it(Maxima: page 33)
Sabaudia
One of the Lazio beach areas I’ve never visited is Sabaudia. In Maxima there is a complete 10 page guide on what to do, where to eat, where to shop and sleep in this coastal town less than 100km from the centre of Rome. (Maxima: pages 363-73)
TO BUY YOUR COPY OF MAXIMA
Roma Maxima: Stories, Places and Secrets – Guidebook to an Eternal City / 2018 Edition / 454 pages / Text in English
Price: €12.90 – CLICK HERE to buy
Maxima is also available online here via Amazon and in newstands across the city.
Signing off from Trastevere,
Baci Maria
Disclaimer: I was a guest of Achilli al Dom & Le Guide Repubblica but all thoughts and words expressed are my own. Nobody tells me what to write.
