Sant’Eustachio Cafè - Legendary Italian Coffee

The Sant’Eustachio Cafè down in Rome is something of a legend. This mythical coffee house located in Piazza Sant’Eustachio should be something of a Mecca for all lovers of Italian coffee.

This famous cafe, in which you may find yourself rubbing shoulders with the odd Italian senator or two, is to be found in front of the Italian Senate building, which in turn is pretty close to Piazza Navona and the historic Pantheon.

Most people who visit Rome end up in one or both of these places, so you can add to the Roman holiday atmosphere by popping in for a coffee. Next time find myself in the Eternal City, I certainly shall head for this place, being as I am, a lover of Italian coffee.

The coffee they produce and which is consumed on the premises is also available for export throughout the world. And orders can be made via an email from the cafe’s rather crude website. Still, the website is not the point - it’s the coffee they come for. In a funny kind of way the 50’s style website adds to the charm of the place and its reputation for producing what is possibly the best coffee in Italy.

For those of you desperate for Italian coffee, but lucky enough to be in the USA, Sant’Eustachio’s famous coffee can be ordered directly from the appropriately named ‘Gustiamo.com‘ site.

This coffee is by no means cheap, but then the best things in life never are.

UPDATE

By the way, a real Roman has already written about this place in his ‘Best Espresso in the World‘ post. To get the genuine Roman low down on this place, pop over and have a read. Incidentally, Man of Roma thinks that the best Italian coffee in the universe is to be found in Naples!

The Techno-Fashion Victims - Iphones and Blackberries

The lasted craze amongst the better heeled Milanese is the iPhone. This technological jewel and ultimate expression of cool has only just become available in Italy, semi-officially. A Vodafone shop near us has a few of the things in stock.

However, what the ingenious Italians have been doing is bringing these toys back from the US. Then they have been hacking and cracking the things so they can be used on Italy’s mobile phone networks.  I see the things everywhere. My other half wants one too, and guess what? Yes, she knows someone who heads Stateside quite often. Joe, could you do me a favour??!!

The in-crowd has certainly decided that the iPhone is in. Big time!

On the other hand, those who regard the iPhone as being a bit too trivial (or heavy), and who wish to give the impression that they are switched-on fully connected professionals, go for the mobile phone/always on email manager made by Blackberry.

Blackberry’s are all over the place too. Just the thing for ensuring that you get those all important Hotmail messages as soon as they are written.

I have no doubt at all that there will be a few Italians who have the best of both worlds - an iPhone and a Blackberry.

Funny thing is, that although many here love to have the latest and greatest, all singing (ringing!!) and dancing mobile phone, most people only actually use these fully featured multi-function devices for simply making phone calls.

Enter the techno-fashion victims.

Italy - Armani, Versace, Dolce e Gabbana, Blackberry and iPhone.

The Holidays are Coming. How about the Amalfi Area?

Well, almost. In fact there is still enough time to book somewhere for that summer break.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay, and you are thinking about heading for Italy’s famously fabulous Amalfi coastline, then Gaetano Salvo, Blog from Italy’s researcher, has a suggestion for you.

How about the Grande Hotel Tritone down in Praiano?

An Idyllic Location

This 60 room hotel enjoys the most marvellous location, as you can see from the photo. It is literally perched right on a coastal cliff top in true Amalfitanian tradition, and the view from the rooms which all overlook the Med must be glorious.

This well located family run four star hotel has all the usual facilities including a pool for lounging by, and maybe dipping into during those hot and lazy Italian summer evenings.

As already mentioned, all rooms have a sea view, but if you go for one of the ’superior’ quality rooms, or, pamper yourself in a suite, you will get your very own terrace with a view of the Med.

By the Sea and Boat Trips

Should you wish to dip your toes in the sea, you can either walk down the steps to the sea front or there are two lifts which will take you right down to the hotel’s ‘beach’.

No, it’s not really a beach in the traditional sense, rather it is more of a sort of platform on which you can sunbathe, eat, drink, or just laze away a few hours in front of the sea under the sun. Possibly not perfect for small children, but ideal for those who like a bit of a swim and who would like to test the warm clear Mediterranean waters. Children could use the second swimming pool which is located here. This pool stays open until 7pm.

Those feeling suitably lazy after a hard day’s relaxing on the sea front would probably opt for the lift to take them back up to their rooms, I’ve no doubt. I would!

Day trips by boat to Capri (well worth a visit - I’ve been, and I loved it!) are possible and the boat will pick you up directly from the beach area. Very convenient.

Weddings, and Honeymoons - First and Second, or Both!

Perhaps soaking up the seaside sun is not your only reason for selecting such a delectable location as this. In fact, the Grande Hotel Tritone would also make a great place for a honeymoon, or why not tie the knot right on the spot? For just this purpose the hotel has its very own chapel. By no means an everyday chapel, this is a structure which has been created from a natural cave. Not a bad way to make that memorable day even more memorable. The chapel seats 80 people, incidentally.

Those second honeymooners might also like to renew their vows in this charming location. Or how about getting married there, and then returning for your second honeymoon? That would give you both something to look forward to!

Terraces, oh Terraces!

However, one of the best features of this hotel are the terraced areas. There really is nothing nicer than dining while looking out over the sea, as I well know. Once you’ve done this, you’ll really feel on holiday.

Oh, and don’t worry, this hotel has an extensive selection of wines to choose from.

The Lemon Garden

For those wishing to go for a little wander after dinner, there is the Lemon Garden, which certainly looks lovely in the pictures.

Aside from being an attractive place to holiday, the Grande Hotel Tritone looks to be a place that encourages you to explore and discover its hidden, but charming nooks and crannies.

Internet

For the Internet addicts among you, wifi is available throughout the hotel, although a fee is payable.

Conference Room in a Cave

The hotel also has a very interesting 100 seat conference room which is in a ‘grotto’ or cave. So I was told when I spoke to the pleasant Carmen Galgiano, who deals with booking of this facility (+393358042210 - mobile phone).  Wonderful. It would make an interesting venue for one of those European management get togethers, one imagines.

Explore the Area - and Pompei!

Of course, should you actually tire of the hotel, then there is the small matter of exploring the rest of the Amalfi coastline. Positano is a mere 4km distant, for example. Even Pompei, which is a must visit place, is only 45kms away. Taxis (and water taxis!) and buses are available, so non-drivers can get by.

Having access to a car while staying in the area will make your life easier, and your stay more rewarding.

Book it!

Booking is possible on-line, and there is a .pdf brochure which can be downloaded too. However, the brochure is about 95% in Italian! If you visit the hotel’s website, and find everything in Italian - just click on the little Union Jack, and things will become English again.

The Opinions of Others

Any things worth watching out for? Well, this hotel receives generally very good reviews on the various internet sites I’ve visited, although some past guests have found the staff to be a little off hand at times. And others have said that the food in the restaurant is not always fabulous. Both of these criticisms are most probably down to the guests’ characters and a possible lack of familiarity with the cuisine in that area.

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