Posted by internetauthor on August 26th, 2010 — in Rome and Surrounding
One of the most popular attractions in Rome is one of the largest as well. The Roman Forum continues to expand with excavations and new discoveries of the ancient Roman city, but even today, walking through the Roman forum lets you experience a feeling of what life must have been like for those living in the prosperous town of Ancient Rome.
The Roman Forum
Located in a valley between the Palatine and Capitoline hills, the forum was developed in an area that was once a marsh. The Romans of old drained the marsh and the area became a bustling center of commerce and worship. The Forum officially contains the Roman marketplace, the business district and the civic center. It also includes temples, the senate house and the courts of the time. Following the fall of the Roman empire, the forum was reclaimed by the earth and covered in a grassy meadow. Cows even grazed over the forum during the middle ages. (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on June 11th, 2010 — in Rome and Surrounding
Save yourself a day while touring Rome to just go antiquing. If you’re already serious about collecting antiques, you’ll find a treasure trove of items that are truly one-of-a-kind and unavailable anywhere else. Even if you’re not serious about antiques, Rome is a particularly wonderful place to wander about looking for true treasures to take home as a memento or souvenirs for friends and family.
Antiques in Italy
As one of the oldest societies in Europe, Rome and other Italian cities have a love of antiques that date back centuries. This means the antique shops and bazaars will always turn up something fabulous. When shopping in Italy, you’ll likely run into some language barriers and everyone will want to haggle – it’s part of the deal. Take your time and don’t be rushed into a purchase. Use the universal numbers and a small pad of paper you bring along for haggling down prices and always have cash on hand – the tiny antique shops and street fairs won’t take credit cards.
The Best Antiques in Italy
The best antiques are the ones that you happen upon that suit your own decorating scheme or collection, but for a can’t miss antique opportunity, check out Via del Babuino-Via Margutta (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on March 30th, 2010 — in Rome and Surrounding
As wonderful and even romantic as a trip to Italy can be, it is almost certainly going to be expensive. The airfare alone is worthy of a day’s rest to recover, but once you arrive in Italy, you’re not totally committed to spending an arm and a leg to see some of the sights. The cities of Italy have many free attractions. If you’re a shoestring traveler, start with these and save those hard earned nickels for other must-see attractions. Even if price is no object, you might enjoy saving enough to spend more on some authentic items to send home.
La Bocca della Verita – Made immortal in Roman Holiday, the “Mouth of Truth” is free to see and you can even try your own hand at telling lies with your hand in the mouth. Do so at your own risk, of course.
Piazza Navona – Enjoy musical performances and the hob nob of the crowds in this popular piazza. There is no charge for people watching and enjoying the sights and sounds, but bring your own food because the neighboring café’s will cost you an arm and a leg. (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on March 12th, 2010 — in Rome and Surrounding
One of the most cultural stops in Rome, the Capitoline Museums hold treasures in art and archaeology dating back to the 15th century. The museums are situated at the top of Capitoline Hill in Campidoglio square, and this location is quite obviously responsible for the museum’s name. The museums are home to many of the city’s best treasures from centuries of research and excavation and are a must-see for visitors to the city.
Visiting the Capitoline Museums
The museums are housed in two palaces that face onto a central square. This piazza was designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti in 1536 and took more than 400 years to complete. In addition to the connection through the piazza, the museums are connected through an underground tunnel. This tunnel also leads to the ancient Tabularium – the offices and library of ancient Rome now located in the Roman Forum.
(more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on January 22nd, 2010 — in Rome and Surrounding
All four of the Papal Basilicas in the world are located in Rome. The Papal Basilicas include four of the most famous churches in the world – all of which are admired today for their architectural beauty as well as their artistic and religious elements.
Saint Peter’s Basilica
Many Catholics consider Saint Peter’s Basilica the faith’s most important church. One of the twelve apostles, St. Peter was close to Jesus Christ and following his death moved into the heart of Rome to spread the Christian faith. St. Peter was the first bishop or Rome as well as pope and was martyred during Nero’s reign. Saint Peter was buried with great secrecy and is now believed to be buried far from the main alter of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The current St. Peter’s Basilica is the second church built on its location. Construction began in the 16th century and was completed in the 17th century and is the product of many designs and ideas. Saint Peter’s Basilica is at the top of Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican City in Rome. (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on December 12th, 2009 — in Rome and Surrounding
While in Rome, do as so many other Roman tourists do. After all, this city is not one of the most heavily traveled tourist locations on the globe for nothing. The city is full of history and spending a few days in or just outside the city lets you hit the most popular and most significant locations in Rome first.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the few buildings in Rome that looks as though it did two thousand years ago. Wander across marble floors that were there millennia ago and enjoy the chills you’ll get from living history. Seeing a full building early on will give you a better idea of what the ruins of the city might have looked like before they became ruins.
Roman Forum
Walk along the cobbled streets of what was once the epicenter of a huge, thriving empire. The forum is ruined today, but there are guidebooks that can show you want used to stand where the piles of ruined stones are today.
Colosseum
A famous sight on the Roman skyline, the Colosseum has had a rough passage through the years, but with an active imagination and a great guide, you can see and sense the horrible entertainment that once went on in this great amphitheatre.
Vatican City
You can spend a day wandering through the Vatican City and seeing the treasures contained in the museums there. Be sure to find a terrific guide to be sure you don’t miss anything important in the maze of buildings and antiques. (more…)
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Posted by grazia on December 4th, 2009 — in Italy, Rome and Surrounding
The tradition of the Epiphany in Piazza Navona started almost one hundred years ago. Since the beginning of December, the beautiful square is transformed into an open market, where stalls are traditionally dedicated to children.
Here it is possible to find sweets of all kinds, even those we normally think are not sold anymore, like caramelized apples, the classic coal sugar, candy cane, the traditional 
giant donuts, and all sorts of existing goodies that can be used to fill the traditional stockings.
But there are not just sweets: the square is filled with stalls full of toys of all kinds, from the most traditional to the latest generation, including fascinating game like the wooden old puppets and horses.
It is also possible to buy a variety of decorations for the Christmas tree and the nativity scene. (more…)
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