How to keep busy and overcome boredom during the coronavirus quarantine in Italy
Italy is in lockdown–schools, universities, bars, restaurants and shops are closed and we are urged to stay at home as much as possible. While giving up our daily routines and spending these days at home hasn’t been easy, the reality is we have to. So why not make the most of this time? We’re always in such a hurry, it’s like we forgot how to stop and catch our breath for a second. But now it’s the only option. Here’s our guide on the best things to do in Rome you are stuck in quarantine for Covid-19, overcome boredom and make the most of this situation.
1. Go on a virtual tour of the museums you love
Art lovers, rejoice! Many museums have decided to deal with the coronavirus emergency by offering visitors the possibility of going on virtual tours of their museums. Not so bad, huh?
2. Watch tv series and movies you love
From Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to Sky and Raiplay, we’re filled with incredible platforms that allow us to watch amazing TV series and films! You were probably too busy to watch the latest season of your favorite TV series lately, or better yet, start a new one. And what about those movies you’ve always wanted to watch but never had the time to? Now is the time! If you’ve never seen La Casa de Papel, you better get yourself up to speed–the fourth season will be aired on April 3rd on Netflix. If you’re into thrillers and haven’t seen it yet, You is definitely one to start (or finish) watching. Peaky Blinders is another to put on your list if you’re into crime tv series. While if you’re fascinated by the United Kingdom and the royal family, you cannot miss the three seasons of The Crown. Ever wondered what would’ve happened in the world if Germany and Japan would’ve won the Second World War? It’s your chance to find out with the series The Man in the High Castle! For something light and funny, Sex Education is a great one, and let’s not forget our old time favorites: Friends, Scrubs, Grey’s Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother and Two and a Half Men! If you’re more into films, boy oh boy there’s a vast selection: The Report, The Internship, The Intern, The Lord of the Rings saga, The Great Gatsby, Forrest Gump and The King’s Speech for a start!
3. Take an online course for free (or at a bargain)!
Use this time stuck in quarantine to brush up on your skills, learn something new, and navigate the web, work and study. Many e-learning platforms are now offering their online courses for free (or at a bargain)!
4. Join a fundraising campaign
The coronavirus has had a very negative impact on our healthcare system. It’s a time to come together and help each other out, and monetary contributions help in purchasing new machinery, paying personnel and buying beds for intensive care units. Give your contribution, too!
Check out verified fundraisers
5. Donate blood
We are in desperate need of blood donations, which have dropped after the new measures adopted by the Italian government. But blood collection hasn’t stopped as 1800 patients need blood transfusions every day. If people keep on not donating blood, there could be a risk of blocking all surgeries. Money isn’t the only way you can contribute to ameliorating the situation in Italy, you can donate blood to help all those people who need it. You absolutely can leave your house to donate blood, it falls under the “situazioni di necessità”, or situation of necessity. Print your self-certified form, fill it out, and you won’t have any problems. Blood donation is extremely secure, you can donate blood at these centers in Rome.
6. Stay physically active!
Low levels of activity can have a negative impact on your health and wellbeing. Luckily, there are several fitness and yoga apps that you can download to help you stay fit!
Check out fitness and yoga classes
7. Get cooking!
Whether you’re stuck in quarantine with family members, your partner or alone, it doesn’t matter–cooking is essential and it’s good for the soul. Look up some tasty recipes on Giallo Zafferano, Cook Around, Agrodolce.it (they’re in Italian but check out their YouTube channels for videos or use Google Translator for recipes), try to recreate a dish from your favorite local restaurant and get cooking. For Food/Cocktail inspiration check out the hashtag #KitchenQuarantine: every day at 8pm you’ll find Massimo Bottura, the three Michelin-starred chef of Osteria Francescana, give out his recipes on Instagram while he and his family cook dinner. Another great one is the #Iocucinoacasa hashtag where you can find videos + recipes of delicious dishes by various chefs with restaurants all over Italy on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Gambero Rosso and La Repubblica offer some great videos. For a more international twist, #YoMeQuedoEnCasaCocinando is the perfect one to follow to get a taste of Peruvian cuisine with chef Castillo of the Isolina restaurant in Lima and chef Andoni Luis Aduriz of Mugaritz, to name a few. For grocery shopping, check out: Eataly, Esselunga, Coop, Carrefour, Conad, Supermercati24 and Todis. And for wine delivery: Bernabei, Enoteca Lucantoni, Enoteca Mostò, Fafiuché, Brylla, Roscioli, Magazzino Scipioni, SO2, Enoteca Verso, Vino al Vino. And while you’re at it, why don’t you join a live virtual cooking class with a professional chef?
8. Spice up your evenings with one of these food deliveries!
While we can’t physically go to restaurants, we can still enjoy some of our favorite dishes. Here’s a selection of some of the best restaurants in Rome that are offering food delivery!
Check out the restaurants to order from
9. Learn Italian!
If you still haven’t mastered Italian, now is the time to do so. Check out these great Italian online courses!
Check out Italian online courses
10. Concerts in streaming #IoSuonoDaCasa
We all have to stay home in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus. This includes singers, bands and artists, too. And what’s better to lift your spirits than some great music? Too bad all concerts have been cancelled till May 3rd. But lucky for us, there’s some good news, too! Many Italian artists have decided to stay close to their fans by launching an amazing initiative using the hashtag #IoSuonoDaCasa (translated: I play from home). Many Italian singers will do real live streaming concerts on Instagram and Facebook, directly from their homes, to keep their followers company with some good music. Which means you can tune it at the right time and listen to some great music. The initiative is in collaboration with Rockol, All Music Italia and Friends & Partners. The calendar is being updated continuously and new artists are joining the project. From Enrico Nigiotti and Gianna Nannini, to Francesco Renga, Modà and Marco Masini, check out the music calendar to stay up to date!
11. Plan your next trip
Time has stopped till May 3rd. But that doesn’t mean it will be like this forever! Once things go back to normal, you’re going to be so busy catching up on everything you’re going to look back at this time in quarantine wishing you had used your time more wisely. So let’s talk summer plans, long weekends and such! One of the best things you can do while you’re in quarantine is plan your next trip! While many countries have closed flights to and from Italy, these restrictions will be lifted eventually. But if you’d rather be safe than sorry, why not plan a trip around Italy? After all, it’s definitely more cheap to stay in Italy, transportation costs won’t be as expensive, and let’s say it, Italians really need it. We live in the most beautiful country in the world, it’s time to explore it! If you need tips on planning your trip in Italy, read our amazing content and check out our unique tours and experiences in and around Rome.
A bestselling family book (#1 Amazon New Release – Bestseller in Parenting and Child Development) is being offered free to help Parents and quarantined families with kids at home.
“Brilliant Screen-Free Stuff to do With Kids: A Handy Reference for Parents and Grandparents” will be a FREE download from April 2nd to April 6th, 2020.
We started writing this book months ago (before the Covid 19 issue ever arose) since we got tired of kids sitting around and vegetating on the couch with a laptop. We wrote it to give kids things to do indoors and outdoors for healthy things to do besides look at screens. We live in New Zealand and we are offering the book free Worldwide (4-2-20 to 4-6-20) to help families cope. We would sincerely appreciate your sharing this with your readers and anyone else in the world.
After April 6th, the price will return to its purposely set low price of $2.99. Please let all know about this free download during these difficult times. We attached a PDF copy of the book for you. See the book’s details here > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08685QQC8