Posted by internetauthor on January 10th, 2012 — in Rome and Surrounding
The piazza has been the center of life in Italy for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. It stands to reason that these lovely squares located in the heart of the city are still much adored today. There are many different piazzas to enjoy throughout the city and not all are as crowded as you might expect.
Piazza San Pietro
St. Peter’s Square is the grand piazza that can be found directly outside St. Peter’s Basilica. Famous not only for its location but also its continued use today, Piazza San Pietro is a special place for tourists to gather on trips to Rome – especially those of a religious nature. The piazza is especially crowded around Easter, Christmas and other church festivals.
Campo dei Fiori
What used to a field of flowers, the official square of Campo dei Fiori has become a fun square (more…)
Posted by internetauthor on November 1st, 2011 — in Italy, Rome and Surrounding
If you’re planning to visit the Vatican, you’ll want to do so with a full schedule and some sturdy walking shoes. The Vatican and Vatican museums are among the most popular destinations in the world, you can expect things to be a bit crowded when you arrive – unless you’ve deliberately chosen to travel in the offseason of fall or winter. Navigating the Vatican is simple enough with some advanced planning, but there are some tricks to the smallest country in the world that make it even more enjoyable.
Bring Cash
There are ticket booths for the Vatican museum that take credit cards, but you’ll find or two at most and they might not be open when you get there – it’s sporadic. Bring cash instead and you’ll avoid (more…)
Posted by internetauthor on October 17th, 2011 — in Rome and Surrounding
If you’re only able to be in Italy for three days, the logical choice is Rome. In the heart of Italy, you’ll find a collection of art in many museums, ancient structures and ruins of early Roman times as well as outstanding accommodations and cuisine. With only three days to spend, you’ll need to hurry to get in as much as possible, but be sure to leave some time your schedule to just relax and let the city buzz around you.
Day 1 – Palantine Hill, the Forum and the Colosseum
The first day you’re in Italy, head over to the Colosseum to see one of the most famous landmarks in the world. Tickets for the Colosseum can be tricky to get, so research this stop ahead of time and either buy the ticket online or head to Palantine Hill first and buy a combination ticket for Palantine Hill, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on September 29th, 2011 — in Rome and Surrounding
If you’re looking for something a bit off the beaten track, try the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj . This art museum is open when many of the others are not, and it contains some impressive masterpieces of the seventeenth century as well as pieces from the Renaissance. Within the walls of the gallery, you’ll find works by Titian, Raphael and Caravaggio among many others.
Touring the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj
When you arrive at the gallery, the price of admission includes the price of an audioguide. Be sure to get to the museum early enough in the day that the audioguides are still available – they have been known to run out and the museum is nowhere near as enjoyable without the guide to help you understand what it is you’re seeing. (more…)
Posted by internetauthor on September 19th, 2011 — in Rome and Surrounding
Easily the most distinctive landmark in Rome, the Colosseum is truly iconic and is perhaps the most blatant reminder of the Roman way of life. Built between 70 and 82 AD, you’ll find the Colosseum in the same spot it’s been in since creation – directly in the heart of Rome. It’s one of the first stop on most tours of Roman landmarks and even if you’re trying to avoid the traps of a tourist in Rome, the Colosseum is a must-see.
The Colosseum Then
Thousands of years ago, the Colosseum was an arena large enough to hold most, if not all, of the citizens of Rome. They would pour into the Colosseum to see any number of contests including fights between gladiators, foot races and chariot races. At one time you could even visit the Colosseum and see a full naval battle when the floor was covered with water. It was a huge monument to the people and success of Rome. Entertainment was a way of life for the ancient people.
The Colosseum Today
Today the Colosseum is still just as impressive in size – it’s huge, but one of the most disconcerting things about it is the lack of floor. When you stare down into the impressive arena, (more…)
Posted by grazia on July 23rd, 2011 — in Italy, Rome and Surrounding
Roseto Comunale (Municipal Rose Garden)
The Roseto Comunale is one of the most romantic gardens in Rome, due to its location and to the abundance of one of the finest and most elegant flowers: the rose.
This lies at the foot of the Aventine and it is open only in spring to allow citizens and tourists to admire more than 1000 species of roses that fill with colour, elegance and fragrant scents the whole garden.
Walking through the garden is like walking into a fairy tale theme, where the delicacy of nature blends with the magic of the beautiful view of the Palatine and the Circus Maximus.
Parco Savello or Giardino degli Aranci (Savello Park or Garden of Oranges)
This is a small rectangular garden located in a castle that the Savelli family in the fourteenth century built on the Aventine.
The garden is still surrounded by the thick walls of the castle and it is famous for the splendid view it offers to tourists and visitors. From here you can embrace a very broad view of the city including the River Tiber and St. Peter’s Basilica. Savello Park is also known as the Garden of Oranges due to the orange trees planted by St. Dominic, who founded his monastery here.
Villa Borghese
Villa Borghese park is the most famous and popular of Rome. Even if it isn’t the largest (Villa Ada and Villa Pamphili are larger) it remains the most loved by Romans and the best known by tourists.
It is a green oasis in the heart of Rome and the Romans use it for running, walking, picnicking. But Villa Borghese is also rich in museums (the Gallery of Modern Art, the Etruscan Museum, the Carlo Bilotti Museum and the Museum and Gallery Borghese, rich in famous paintings and sculptures, including some by Bernini)
Inside the park there is also the Bio-park, a zoo housing animals of every kind, and the Globe Theatre, a Victorian-style theatre offering a major program in the summer.
There are also amusements designed for children, such as the recreation centre Casina Raffaello and the House of Cinema.
(more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on July 5th, 2011 — in Rome and Surrounding
If you had to pick only one museum in Rome to visit, many of us would have a hard time deciding between the Vatican museums and one that is slightly less well-known, the Borghese Galleries. After being closed for seventeen years, the Borghese Galleries were recently reopened and the collection of art, primarily paintings and frescos as well as the villa that houses the museum is absolutely breathtaking.
The Borghese Galleries
There are no walk-in visits to the Borghese Galleries. You have to have a ticket to get in, and even then you’ll need to play your hand carefully. Visitors with tickets are only allowed into the museum every two hours, so don’t be late – err on the side of early caution. Once you’re inside, you’ll be able to climb a beautiful set of spiral stairs to reach the actual art. (more…)
