Dear rest of the World: an open letter from Italy

Italy here! As you might know, it’s been a week since our government decided to put the country on lockdown due to the novel Covid-19 outbreak. People are staying at home, museums and schools have closed down, shops and stores are closed, and our cities have never been so empty.

I know what you’re thinking: the end of the world is near considering that even the Pope is staying at home. But please, friends, don’t be so dramatic. Leave that to us, Italians (LOL).

Since the declaration of national emergency, the country’s been so quiet, it’s scary. No traffic in the cities, no children laughing and playing in parks, no couples taking romantic promenades along the rivers that contour our peninsula. However, people are keeping themselves busy! Social networks are invaded by pictures of families baking sweets together, musicians sharing their art with others to keep them company, kids studying online with teachers and their fellow classmates. Even though our daily lives have been drastically changed, we still haven’t forgot how to laugh, love, and live.

Every day, around 6 pm, balconies are filled with people singing the same tune (be it the national anthem, or other songs). The idea behind it is to preserve the sense of community and to underline the importance of staying at home to prevent the outbreak in all regions and cities. To be honest, 6:00 pm is the highlight of these long and excruciating days. It’s the moment when we are all reminded that we are all in this together. That this too shall pass and end.

What I realized is that the air is much cleaner than before. You can hear birds chirping, water running, dogs barking, with no disturbance whatsoever. The level of pollution went down, and the only thing we are breathing now is love. There’s something romantic about this quarantine. My people are divided and far apart. Nevertheless, the desire to reunite with the loved ones, grows bigger by the second. People are much kinder one with the other, they’re more responsible towards their civic duties, and filled with a great will to live.

The world is looking at us with hope and admiration, as well as compassion and brotherhood. And we thank you for that! We know that many of you had to cancel their trips to our beautiful country, and we are very sorry for that. We want you to know that we miss you. We miss our streets being filled with tourists and travelers, we miss being able to share our love for our country with you, and we miss being able to make you fall in love with our art, culture, and especially food. But one needn’t to worry: soon, very soon, we will all be together again.

As the spring brings the rebirth of nature, Covid-19 will bring the rebirth of Italy. In the meantime, stay home, be safe, follow our daily updates, and keep us in your thoughts!

Yours truly,

Italy

Blog categories

* All categories

* Travel in Catalonia

* Travel in Italy

* About Barcelona

* About Vatican

* About Venice

* About Florence

* About Naples

* About Rome
our top tours
Vatican
“Best of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel Small Group Tour” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/upload/CONF87/20171108/xBest_of_the_Vatican_Small_Group_Tour_vatican_museums-tSa-350X120.jpg.pagespeed.ic.OCeuo45W5V.jpg)

Best of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel Small Group Tour
* #Small Group Tours

* #Vatican
https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/star.svghttps://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/star.svghttps://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/star.svghttps://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/star.svghttps://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/star.svg

(9)

From 115€
Book now https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg
Rome
“Colosseum group tour with Forum and Palatine Hill” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/upload/CONF87/20191107/xAdobeStock_140364571-tSa-350X120.jpeg.pagespeed.ic.gC8zmeQn8L.jpg)

Colosseum group tour with Forum and Palatine Hill
* #Small Group Tours

* #Rome
https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/star.svghttps://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/star.svghttps://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/star.svghttps://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/star.svghttps://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/star.svg

(4)

From 55€
Book now https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg

related articles
Travel in Italy “Summer 2025 in Italy: Rome to Florence Private Tour Highlights” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/upload/CONF87/20250708/xsummer-2025-in-italy-tSa-350X280.jpg.pagespeed.ic.IVqNnHvd0p.jpg)

Summer 2025 in Italy: Rome to Florence Private Tour Highlights
Experience the magic of Summer 2025 in Italy with unforgettable private tours from Rome to Florence…
08-07-2025
Read more”Read more” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)
Travel in Italy “Ancient Rome: a journey into the heart of the Roman Empire” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/upload/CONF87/20250108/xancient-rome-tSa-350X280.jpg.pagespeed.ic.b47rK8Uw7O.jpg)

Ancient Rome: a journey into the heart of the Roman Empire
Rome, the Eternal City, is a treasure trove of ancient sites, and for those who wish to immerse …
28-11-2024
Read more”Read more” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)
Travel in Italy “Trevi Fountain: legends and myths of Rome’s most famous fountain” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/upload/CONF87/20250108/xfontana-trevi-tSa-350X280.jpg.pagespeed.ic.zEhV0uVDJP.jpg)

Trevi Fountain: legends and myths of Rome’s most famous fountain
The Trevi Fountain is not only one of Rome’s most iconic symbols but also a treasure trove of legend …
20-11-2024
Read more”Read more” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)
Travel in Italy “THE ART OF LIVING IN FLORENCE: SECRET GARDENS AND HISTORIC CAFES” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/upload/CONF87/20240118/xflorence-tSa-350X280.jpg.pagespeed.ic.4JKgMe0rJ9.jpg)

THE ART OF LIVING IN FLORENCE: SECRET GARDENS AND HISTORIC CAFES
Today we will go over the beauty of living in Florence and explore some of its hidden gems like its …
14-01-2024
Read more”Read more” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)
Travel in Italy “Sistine Chapel ceiling: Michelangelo’s masterpiece revealed” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/upload/CONF87/20231121/xsistine-chapel-tSa-350X280.jpg.pagespeed.ic.jU6lo23i6g.jpg)

Sistine Chapel ceiling: Michelangelo’s masterpiece revealed
Considered to be one of the most important masterpieces in the entire world, the Sistine Chapel …
26-11-2023
Read more”Read more” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)
Travel in Italy “Exploring the Uffizi Gallery” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/upload/CONF87/20230920/xuffizi-gallery-tSa-350X280.jpg.pagespeed.ic.rTgOlivlOK.jpg)

Exploring the Uffizi Gallery
The city of Florence is filled with many great buildings, monuments and art and museums that focus …
19-09-2023
Read more”Read more” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)
Travel in Italy “The magic of Venice’s carnival: history, masks and celebrations” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/upload/CONF87/20230811/xvenice-carnival_1-tSa-350X280.jpg.pagespeed.ic.Was6-6Uyrs.jpg)

The magic of Venice’s carnival: history, masks and celebrations
The city of Venice is worldwide known and loved for its beauty and romantic sites but, one of the …
19-08-2023
Read more”Read more” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)
Travel in Italy “A Guide to Authentic Carnival Foods in Italy” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/upload/CONF87/20230208/xcarnival-foods-italy-tSa-350X280.jpg.pagespeed.ic.Ny1nf-gTDf.jpg)

A Guide to Authentic Carnival Foods in Italy
Carnevale is one of the most popular winter festivals in the whole world. The Carnival is celebrate …
09-02-2023
Read more”Read more” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)
Travel in Italy “Epiphany feast: between legend and traditions” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/xb-box.jpg.pagespeed.ic.iOTgBhvWac.jpg)

Epiphany feast: between legend and traditions
The Epiphany is a Christian feast celebrated on the 6th of January that commemorates the arrival of …
22-12-2022
Read more”Read more” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)
Travel in Italy “Typical Italian Easter cakes and the tradition of Chocolate Eggs” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/upload/CONF87/20220408/xcolomba-pasqua-tSa-350X280.jpeg.pagespeed.ic.4bCnUCbHwz.jpg)

Typical Italian Easter cakes and the tradition of Chocolate Eggs

08-04-2022
Read more”Read more” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)
“Rome Private Guides” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/rpg_logo_white.svg)

* “TripAdvisor” (https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/img/cdsi/img2/branding/150_logo-11900-2.png)
Phone: [+39 329 447 8183 +39 320 882 2894](tel:+39 329 447 8183 +39 320 882 2894)

Please contact us by email: info@romeprivateguides.com

Local Vatican Meeting Point

Rome Private Guides

Via Vespasiano 28, Rome

00191 Rome – Italy
Privacy Policy(Privacy Policy ) Cookie Policy(Cookie Policy )
“California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out Icon” (data:image/svg+xml;charset=UTF-8,%3csvg%20version=’1.1’%20%20xmlns:xlink=’https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink’%20x=’0px’%20y=’0px’%20viewBox=’0%200%2030%2014’%20style=’enable-background:new%200%200%2030%2014;’%20xml:space=’preserve’%3e%3cstyle%20type=’text/css’%3e%20.st0%7bfill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:%23FFFFFF;%7d%20.st1%7bfill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:%230066FF;%7d%20.st2%7bfill:%23FFFFFF;%7d%20.st3%7bfill:%230066FF;%7d%20%3c/style%3e%3cg%3e%3cg%3e%3cg%20transform=’translate(-1275.000000,%20-200.000000)’%3e%3cg%20transform=’translate(1275.000000,%20200.000000)’%3e%3cpath%20class=’st0’%20d=’M7.4,12.8h6.8l3.1-11.6H7.4C4.2,1.2,1.6,3.8,1.6,7S4.2,12.8,7.4,12.8z’/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3cg%20transform=’translate(-1275.000000,%20-200.000000)’%3e%3cg%20transform=’translate(1275.000000,%20200.000000)’%3e%3cpath%20class=’st1’%20d=’M22.6,0H7.4c-3.9,0-7,3.1-7,7s3.1,7,7,7h15.2c3.9,0,7-3.1,7-7S26.4,0,22.6,0z%20M1.6,7c0-3.2,2.6-5.8,5.8-5.8%20h9.9l-3.1,11.6H7.4C4.2,12.8,1.6,10.2,1.6,7z’/%3e%3cpath%20class=’st2’%20d=’M24.6,4c0.2,0.2,0.2,0.6,0,0.8l0,0L22.5,7l2.2,2.2c0.2,0.2,0.2,0.6,0,0.8c-0.2,0.2-0.6,0.2-0.8,0%20l0,0l-2.2-2.2L19.5,10c-0.2,0.2-0.6,0.2-0.8,0c-0.2-0.2-0.2-0.6,0-0.8l0,0L20.8,7l-2.2-2.2c-0.2-0.2-0.2-0.6,0-0.8%20c0.2-0.2,0.6-0.2,0.8,0l0,0l2.2,2.2L23.8,4C24,3.8,24.4,3.8,24.6,4z’/%3e%3cpath%20class=’st3’%20d=’M12.7,4.1c0.2,0.2,0.3,0.6,0.1,0.8l0,0L8.6,9.8C8.5,9.9,8.4,10,8.3,10c-0.2,0.1-0.5,0.1-0.7-0.1l0,0%20L5.4,7.7c-0.2-0.2-0.2-0.6,0-0.8c0.2-0.2,0.6-0.2,0.8,0l0,0L8,8.6l3.8-4.5C12,3.9,12.4,3.9,12.7,4.1z’/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e) Your privacy preferences
Notice at Collection

* “Tours of Rome” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)Tours of Rome

* “Tours of Vatican” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)Tours of Vatican

* “Tours of Florence” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)Tours of Florence

* “Terms and Conditions” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)Terms and Conditions

* “Cancellation Policy” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)Cancellation Policy

* “Contact” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)Contact

* “Sitemap” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/angle-right.svg)Sitemap

VAT Number: 0950312107

Guide License n° 3195

REA 1167437

* “RPG on Instagram” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/instagram.svg)

* “RPG on Twitter” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/tripadvisor.svg)

* “RPG on Facebook” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/facebook-f.svg)

* “RPG on Youtube” (https://www.romeprivateguides.com/images/icons/youtube.svg)
© Copyright 2016/2023 – All rights reserved
Made with passion by Rekuest Web Agency