| The stereotypical image of Italian men; tall, dark | | | | these guys in "Anima" in the Historic Centre, they |
| and very, very handsome. Is this stereotypical | | | | had been to a wedding that day, and looked |
| image untrue, I ask myself? After spending 2 | | | | positively dashing in their suits. Marco, Luca and |
| enchanting weeks holidaying in the 'Eternal city' of | | | | Francesco were their names, it was hard getting |
| Rome, sightseeing with my friends, mingling with | | | | this out of them, as they spoke hardly any |
| the local hotties, I have to say this stereotype is, | | | | English, and we spoke next to no Italian, apart |
| in my experience, a definite 100%. Although many | | | | from my friend Becca who is studying it at |
| of them think they are God´s gift to | | | | university. The guys were from Florence but |
| women - for once, they're right... | | | | were staying in a hotel in Rome near to the |
| My two week holiday started when we arrived at | | | | Piazza Novona and said they would show us round |
| the most amazing Rome apartment, close to the | | | | because they knew Rome quite well. |
| Piazza de Popolo. We were really geared up about | | | | We spent the fifth day of our trip sightseeing |
| the holiday and all the great must sees; The | | | | together, they guys said they'd show us the |
| Vatican City, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps | | | | attractions in Rome such as; Capitoline Museums |
| but also and we couldn't wait to get onto the | | | | at the Piazza del Campidoglio, Fontana Dell'acqua |
| fantastic Piazza Novona, packed with people in the | | | | Paola and the Piazza Della Repubblica. We had a |
| restaurants, cafes and bars at night. | | | | great day together. The guys were really sweet, |
| We immediately noticed how dark, strong and | | | | opening doors for us, pulling out chairs, paying for |
| sensitive the men were, and so well dressed too! | | | | lunch - certainly something you wouldn't expect in |
| I had always been a fan of Italian footballers, | | | | England we laughed, - at home, a man´s |
| especially Manuele Blasi, Fabio Cannavaro, Gennaro | | | | idea of romance is normally more like 'Fancy a |
| Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Gianluca Zambrotta, and | | | | pint luv?' |
| in Rome I felt like I had a hundred | | | | Towards the end of the trip there was a lot of |
| Zambrotta´s all around me! Italian men | | | | romance in the air, I think it was not only how |
| seem to have a certain something about them, | | | | sweet the Italian boys were, but also just being in |
| I'm not sure if it's the way they speak English | | | | Rome itself. Although the city itself is loud and |
| with an Italian accent when you ask them for | | | | chaotic, (as is to be expected in 'the city that |
| directions, or the way they are so interesting to | | | | never sleeps'), the pretty sidestreets, boutiques |
| talk to, playful and funny. | | | | and cafes are filled with couples holding hands, |
| We met a group of men in a bar, they were | | | | children riding their bikes and old people sitting on |
| dressed very smartly. Some of the best bars I've | | | | the benches gossiping and watching the world go |
| ever been to were in Rome and I think we met | | | | by. |