Young in Rome is what you need to make you want to travel to Rome right now. It takes the chaos out of the equation and in Rome, as you may have heard, it's the equivalent of magic.

Flavia and I crossed paths while I was writing the book thanks to our common friend Gabriella Contestabile of www.sumisurajourneys.com We have this thing for Italy, books, the power of the written word and some genuine curiosity for all things beautiful.

This post is all you need to read and memorize if you want to walk around the Eternal City as a local, because who wants to be a tourist?

Your tickets are bought, pet-sitter found, and time off work approved—you’re finally taking the trip you’ve been waiting for and heading straight for the Eternal City. You’re wondering, of course, about what to see, where to eat, but most importantly, what to wear. Rome has its own gusto, or flavor, and you want to tap into that Italian flair, strutting down the street and holding your own with all the fashionable Italiani. To help you with that, I’ve compiled a short list of tips ‘n tricks for you, from what clothes you may want to pack to a couple of the must-see sites, and of course, some foodie recommendations!

1. Style like a Roman. A good rule of thumb is to always add in your own flair, your pièce de résistance. Even if you’re just wearing jeans and a t-shirt, throw on something that makes you want to dance a little down the street: a colorful scarf, an amber necklace or a turquoise ring, fuchsia sandals. Romans love to celebrate—we love life, we love color, and we love to dare, so this is absolutely the place to pour your joyfulness into your outfit!

2. Caffè. It’s a serious thing, and for the Italians, it’s almost a religious one. Not only is caffeine essential, your morning espresso in the local bar is an important social ritual, a chance to people-watch and gauge the “temperature” of the day: you’ll find people chatting about the day’s news, covering everything from international politics to “can you believe she wore that to the baker’s daughter’s wedding?” As we say in Italy, tutto il mondo è paese, meaning that some habits (in this case, gossip) are common all around the world.

Wherever you are staying in Rome, find a local spot to have a hot coffee every morning, and please remember that one does not partake of a cappuccino outside of breakfast hours. If you must have something milky in the afternoon, allow me to recommend a caffè Marocchino, consisting of a shot of espresso, cocoa powder and a touch of hot milk/froth. Oh, and of course, no matter where you are staying in the city, you must visit the Antico Caffè Greco, one of Rome’s most famous coffee bars, located a few steps from Piazza di Spagna.

3. Explore. In Italian we say Roma, una vita non basta—Rome, one lifetime is not enough. Rome is a jewel, and the best way to see her is by getting lost wandering her cobblestone streets. If you’re looking for a fun, easy way to see the city, check out Young In Rome’s audio walking tour: it’s a 50-minute, 1.25-mile walking tour of our favorite ancient spots that are linked to the greatness of Emperor Hadrian’s Rome, hosted by none other than Antinous, the best tour ghost from the times when Rome ruled the known world. He’ll take you from Castel Sant’Angelo to Piazza Navona, to the Pantheon, the Temple of Hadrian, and on to Piazza Venezia!

If you’re setting out to explore the city on foot, read this article on the top 10 free things to do in Rome, a short guide on how to find everything from the Caravaggio paintings scattered around the city to killer views and the vintage market.

4. Eat. There are endless opportunities for delicious food in this city, but the best advice is always to head away from major tourist destinations when you’re hungry, and find a tiny little spot, preferably run by an Italian grandma, where you can settle in for delicious carbonara and vino bianco served by her gorgeous nephews. Ahem. Short of this, head to the Testaccio neighborhood to eat at Flavio al Velavevodetto, or if you’re in Trastevere, scoot on over to Paris in Trastevere.

5. Fill your eyes with beauty. Depending on the time of year, there will be something amazing to do, whether that’s getting the chance to have a night tour of the Colosseum, going to the opera (which during the summer months moves to the Terme di Caracalla, an experience I’d recommend to anybody), or going to a summer concert in Borromini’s courtyard. Depending on the season, have a look at what’s available: in Rome, adventures are year-round.

All that’s left to do is to climb aboard that plane and be on your way! And, of course, here’s the most important tip of all: do your thing and be yourself, because the Italians will love you for it, and in today’s world, it’s becoming even more important that we travel and celebrate each other’s cultures. So wrap that scarf fashionably about your neck and tie up those sandals—let’s go!

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The 5 ways to do it like the Romans do