Revealed Rome

No (Fiscal) Receipt? No Party: How Tourists Can Help the Campaign Against Tax Evasion in Italy

Everyone knows that tax evasion is one of the biggest issues facing Italy's economy. But very few tourists to Italy know that they have the power to do something about it.

And should.

That's because tax evasion in Italy doesn't just happen in accountants' offices behind closed doors. It happens every time a product, meal, or coffee is sold. Why? Because Italian stores and restaurants have a book of "fiscal receipts" issued by the government—and legally, they need to give the customer a fiscal receipt (ricevuta fiscale) for each interaction. Each time they use a ricevuta fiscale, the government knows about the purchase... and the interaction is taxed.

Without issuing that ricevuta fiscale, it's like the interaction never happened. And, therefore, it's untaxed.

And so, guess what: You hardly ever see fiscal receipts in Italy. Especially if you're a tourist.

Restaurants and stores know that tourists have no idea what a fiscal receipt looks like versus a non-fiscal receipt. They also know that tourists have a tendency to think it's "cute" when their waiter does something like, say, scribble the total on the tablecloth or a napkin. Guess what? That's not a fiscal receipt. And that's not cute. It means that your meal isn't being taxed. It's going right into the owner's pockets, tax-free.

Can You Guess Where, and What, These Little Bits of Roman Antiquity Are?

It's no secret that Rome is a city chock-full of the ancient past. Reminders of a city, and empire, of 2,000 years ago aren't just rife in the Forum, Palatine and Colosseum, but beneath churches like the Basilica of San Clemente and San Nicola in Carcere, acting as the main event in open spaces like the Park of the Aqueducts, and even serving as forums for everything from ballet and opera to light shows and displays. In short, ruins are everywhere.

Maybe that's why some of my favorite ancient ruins in Rome aren't the big, famous monuments. They're the little bits of antiquity that you simply stumble across: an ancient column sunk into the wall of an otherwise-unassuming apartment building, a still-running fountain with a wornaway face that you just know must be 2,000 years old. These can be tough to find. That's part of the fun.

Here, I'll share with you my favorite "secret" bits of antiquity, tucked into street corners and buildings all across the city.

Can you guess where—and what—they are?

I've now published all of the guesses in the "Comments." To see how close you were, scroll to the bottom of this page for the answers!

Ready? Set? ...Go!

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Weekend Trip to Verona (Maybe for Valentine's Day?)

Verona—an easy day trip from Venice, or a weekend trip from Rome—just happens to be one of the most romantic cities in Italy. And not just because Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliet there. It boasts everything from gorgeous scenery (hello, sunset over the River Adige) to atmospheric ruins, medieval palaces to what might just be the loveliest piazza in Italy.

Out today in the Guardian, here's my pick for 10 of the best hotels, restaurants, and activities in Verona.

By the way: Yes, you can get there easily from Rome. The fast train, which takes just 3 hours, costs 63 euros on Trenitalia's MINI fare or 70 for full-price. Valentine's Day escape, anyone?

 

The Tombs of the Scipioni Reopen in Rome

Excellent news: After being closed for 20 years, the 2,300-year-old tombs of the Scipio family have been reopened to the public. More over at my post for the New York Times here.

Two More Art Opportunities in Rome

A fan of art? And of Rome? Then you'll be happy to know that two new opportunities for viewing some of the city's best pieces have just opened up—on both the modern and Renaissance sides.

Check out my two latest pieces, "Palazzo Farnese Now Offers English Tours" and "A Home for Art Reopens in Rome," for the New York Times. (Photo: Massimo Siragusa for the Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Roma Capitale).

Obscured Frescoes See the Light in Rome, for the NYT

A fan of restorations that reveal art as it was meant to be seen? Me too. So I'm liking the "big reveal" that took place this fall at the Palazzo Quirinale, unveiling decorations by Cortona and his students for the first time in 200 years. For more, check out my latest In Transit post here. (Photo: Palazzo Quirinale press office).

Christmas in Rome: Some Serious Lights

This year, Rome is celebrating Christmas with some of the glitteriest, prettiest lights I've seen. Ever. And since that includes the decorations that glitter-bomb American shopping malls and cul-de-sac neighborhoods every year, that's saying quite a bit.

Here, just a few twinkly tastes of the most Christmas-sy corners of Rome. Photos—and even a couple of short videos—to follow.

Prepare to be dazzled.

    Piazza Venezia

Via dei Coronari

Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina

In the NYT: Show Explores Rome's Role in the Renaissance

Turns out, it's not all about Florence: A show at the Fondazione Roma proves just how much of a role Rome played in the Renaissance. Learn more by checking out my post on the "Renaissance in Rome" show over at the New York Times' In Transit blog.

10 Things to Do This Christmas in Rome

If you're in Rome for Christmas, you're in luck! As always, there are absolutely tons of ways to get into the holiday spirit.

Here, the best of what to do.

1. See the Pope. Over the Christmas season, you've got lots of opportunities, from midnight mass (although getting tickets can be tricky) to "Urbi et Orbi" on Christmas Day (no tickets needed). Here's more on how exactly to see the Pope throughout December and January, updated for 2011.

2. Celebrate Christmas at the Auditorium. Like last year, Rome's Auditorium hosts a number of Christmas-themed events (link in Italian), running from Dec. 8-Jan. 8 (with some events running later, too). Goings-on include a Christmas fair, ice-skating rink, and lots of concerts, from Christmas Italian music to gospel.

3. Head to a Christmas market. They pop up all over Rome this time of year, the most famous being, of course, that in Piazza Navona (both at top and below). Here's a list of other Christmas markets in Rome (be aware that they're farther afield, and the list is in Italian). 

Looking for Leather in Rome? Head to Armando Rioda

It's the perfect gift from Italy: a handmade leather wallet. Or purse. Or passport-holder. But in Rome, figuring out where to go for an artisanal leather souvenir can be tough. There's not even a leather market here, like there is in Florence (not that most of the leather there even seems to, ahem, be from Italy).

Enter Armando Rioda.

Although it's in the heart of the Spanish Steps neighborhood, Armando Rioda is a molto local secret. It's hidden on the second floor of a residential palazzo, and you have to ring the buzzer to enter; its name doesn't even hang outside the building's door. But it's where leather-lovers in the know go.

Since 1949, the workshop (above... and below) has been turning out handmade leather goods by request. As proof of Armando Rioda's craftsmanship, well-heeled Romans come here to get their Gucci purses and Prada jackets repaired (talk about trust!).

For 50 euros and up, you can get a wallet handmade here; for 100 euros and up, a purse. They also do luggage, tote bags, even jackets. Pricey, perhaps—but for a unique, handmade leather gift, hardly unfair.