Posts by author Annie Shapero

Annie Shapero was born and raised in the cosmopolitan oasis of Columbia, Missouri. A call to the big city brought her to Chicago, where she pursued a degree at DePaul University's theatre conservatory. Four years of "rigorous, professional" training and a minor in Italian language led her to her next destination: Rome, a city of natural born tragedians with a flair for comedy. There she put her dreams of Broadway stardom on hold and took up a wild series of careers (including "marketing strategist" for an edible Egyptian insecticide). Eventually, she found her niche: writing for "WHERE Magazine Rome." When not in Rome, Annie hops about the Mediterranean, indulging in the local gastronomic and dance traditions. Ole´!

bus driving by bright blue waters
Get on the bus! Photo: Patrick Janicek
Nice, and the rest of the French Riviera, don’t typically make the cut when we think of a budget getaway. But, luckily for us Cheapos there are ways to make it so. When I was there this July, I found some wallet-friendly hotels, but once in the land of fois gras and rosé wine, Nice » Read more
A reader asks: “Do you have any advice for inexpensive, authentic Roman restaurants in the center of town?” Annie Shapero responds: Here’s the bad news: Rome is a gaping hell mouth of overpriced restaurants aimed at the hungry, innocent traveler. The good news is that real Roman cuisine is actually a cucina povera, or poor » Read more
line of people outside I Fratellini
A line of hungry customers at I Fratellini. Photo: Dan Costin
Florentines love their Viniai, and consider them among the city’s most authentic and beloved spots for a bite. And man, are these wine bars cheap! Though viniai are technically wine vendors, they’ve adapted to changing times and appetites, including the sandwich and snack craze. These days, a couple of Euros gets you a glass of wine, though » Read more
Photo or at the very least something requiring a fork—lunch is the way to go. Loads of restaurants knock down prices to as little as €5 for a plate of pasta, and around €6 or €7 for meat and fish dishes. Fiaschetteria-Trattoria Mario (Via Rosina, 2r. Tel. 055218550) is only open for lunch. Go early » Read more
  As most of you know, Annie spent the last week clicking and clopping through the precious, cobbled alleyways and bridges of Venezia, hunting down new hotels to recommend. We just weren’t ready to put Venice to bed with only 45 hotel reviews. All reports indicate that she outdid herself, easily adding a couple dozen » Read more