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Tour Rome Golden Treasures Exhibition | Rome Art Exhibitions of 2011

ItalyTravelista — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:10:03 +0000

Rome visitors in 2011 will enjoy a great deal of art exhibitions ranging from Van Gogh to contemporary art, from Palazzo Farnese Renaissance art to futurist artist Pablo Echaurren via Teotihuacan City of Gods at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni and the amazing Golden treasures from Romania’s Museums at the Imperial Forum museum. 2011 is going to be another year of unforgettable shows in Rome.

Ancient Treasures from Dacia in Rome at the Imperial Forum Museum

Until April 3, 2011 the ancient ruins of the Trajan’s Market form the backdrop for the exhibition of over 140 gold and silver priceless artifacts all discovered within the territory of Romania, known as Dacia during ancient Rome times. Famous for its goldmines since prehistoric times the Dacia region became known throughout the world for its goldsmiths and this exhibition features gold spiraled bracelets (2^nd Century B.C.) each one weighting 2,2 pounds, a ceremonial sword (17^th Century B.C.), religious artifacts, exceptional treasures like a beautiful Greek-style helmet (4^th Century B.C.), and little gold plaques (2^nd Century A.D.) together with jewels from the tombs of the Barbarian princes and the Pietroasa treasures that belonged to the Ostrogoth or Visigoth (5 Century A.D.) royal family.

On display abroad for the first time in more than 30 years the artifacts of this priceless collection are on loan from the National History Museum in Bucharest and seven other Romanian museums. In hosting the show the Imperial Fora Museum is also displaying for the first time 6 sculptures of Dacians that used to be standing in the Trajan’s forum almost 2000 years ago. Due to the stunning settings this exhibition is especially suitable for families visiting Rome with children who want to get out off the beaten path and enjoy a day in the life of ancient Rome.

Eat, drink and relax in/around the Trajan’s Market in Rome

Next to the Monti district this area offers a lot of foodie options from a quick sandwich to a gourmet lunch or dinner. Rome food lovers can enjoy a set menu lunch ($) or gourmet dinner ($$$) at Open by Antonello Colonna, exceptional Roman and Lazio food at the Provincial wine bar right in front of the Trajan’s column, a sandwich at Tricolore (haven’t tried yet), a glass of wine with cheese platter at 313 Cavour ($/$$) or even Indian fares at Maharajah ($$) along with Urbana 47 ($$) and the several grocery stores and pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) places located on Via dei Serpenti, Via Urbana, and Via del Boschetto.

Tickets and Info

Official Website: www.mercatiditraiano.it

Call Center 060608 (Daily from 9.00 AM to 9.00 PM)

Nearest Metro Station: Line B Cavour

Opening hours

Tuesday- Sunday: 9.00 am – 7.00 pm
December 24 and 31: 9.00 am – 2.00 pm
(last admission 1 hour before closing time)

Closed: Mondays

Entrance Fees

Adults: € 11,00
Concessions: € 9,00

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in personalized Italy travel services and private guided tours designed for the independent traveler visiting Italy. Nancy Aiello Tours offers a wide range of top quality Italy travel services for the demanding guest who wants to enjoy Italy art and history, Italian food and made in Italy shopping in comfort and style. We are glad to offer our privileged guests private Italy transfers by fully insured a/c Mercedes Benz limo and minivans, Italy V.I.P. concierge services, Italy accommodation tips, Italy tour planning services, private guided skip the line tours to explore Italy museums and exhibitions. Tour Italy at Your Own Pace with Nancy Aiello Tours!

Ciao from Rome

Nancy Aiello

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Tour Rome Contemporary Art Exhibitions | Rome Art Exhibitions of 2011

ItalyTravelista — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:10:09 +0000

Rome offers art lovers visiting Rome in 2011 a remarkable list of art exhibitions ranging from Van Gogh to Italian contemporary artists, from Palazzo Farnese Renaissance art to futurist artist Pablo Echaurren via Teotihuacan City of Gods at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni and the Golden treasures from Dacia on loan from the Romanian History Museums at the Imperial Fora museum. For the Eternal City of Rome and its guests 2011 is going to be another year of unforgettable shows.

MAXXI Museum of the 21^st Century | Italian Contemporary Art | Nervi at the MAXXI

The MAXXI museum is a stunning piece of architecture and an amazing venue for exhibitions of contemporary art but it is also a place to experiment innovative visual and linguistic forms of art. Until March 20^th 2011 Maxxi hosts an exhibition of works by the 4 finalists of the Italian Contemporary Art Award. These four young Italian artists bring to life with their art recent Italian events from the so called “anni di piombo” in the 1970′ to the current immigration concerns offering the opportunity to discover some of the new creative talents of the under 40′s generation.

Until March 20^th 2011 the Maxxi Museum dedicates a deepened show to Italian architect and engineer Pier Luigi Nervi focusing on Nervi’s works for the 1960 Rome Olympics. Out of curiosity do not miss the nearby Corso Francia Bridge designed by Nervi in the late 50′ best viewed from the nearby Ponte Milvio Bridge.

Alongside these works the museum is inaugurating a new archive project to document and promote the materials preserved in the collections of MAXXI Architecture that will be made available on-line in the Study Room of the Central Archives.

If you need any additional reason to visit the Maxxi Museum in Rome just consider that the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona just declared Zaha Hadid Architects’ MAXXI “Building of the Year 2010” defined by the jury of the WAF as an “Unwound Guggenheim”.

Eat, drink and relax in/around the Maxxi Museum in Rome

Foodies visiting the Maxxi after a tour of the museum should head straight to the nearby Ponte Milvio district (photo gallery) just across the river Tiber to enjoy a tasty thin crust pizza at Il Grappolo d’oro, a cheese platter paired with a glass of wine at Peccati di Gola or just a great simple sandwich at Gondi’s.

MAXXI Tickets and Info

Official Website: www.fondazionemaxxi.it/en/index.aspx

Call Center 06 32810

How to reach MAXXI

Metro A stop Flaminio followed by tram n. 2 stop Apollodoro
Bus n. 53, 217, 280, 910

Opening hours

Tue-Wed-Fri-Sun 11.00-19.00
Thur-Sat 11.00-22.00
The ticket office is open until 1 hour before museum closing

Closed

Mondays | 1 May | 25 December

Ticket prices

Adults €11
Concessions €7 for groups of 20 to 30 people and associate groups; 2×1: 2 young people between 15 and 26 years of age may enter by purchasing just 1 €11 ticket (not valid for groups);
€4 per student (over 14 years old) for class groups (first and second level secondary schools, universities) acquiring educational activity packages (excluding bank holidays);
Free under 14 years old, disabled visitors requiring accompaniment, companions of disabled visitors, employees of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, Lazio Region tour guides and couriers, 1 teacher per class group, ICOM members, AMACI members, adults over 65 (Tuesdays only)

Ciao from Rome

Nancy Aiello

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Farnese Palace Exhibition in Rome | Winter in Rome

ItalyTravelista — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 13:40:32 +0000

As 2010 draws to an end and 2011 begins Rome offers art lovers visiting Rome this winter an exceptional array of exhibitions ranging from Van Gogh to Italian contemporary artists, from Palazzo Farnese Renaissance art to Pablo Echaurren via the City of Gods and the Golden treasures from the National History Museum in Bucharest and much more this winter well into 2011. Let’s begin with Palazzo Farnese and its five hundred years of history between art and politics to discover the colorful history of the “fasti farnesiani”.

The doors of Rome’s Palazzo Farnese just opened last week on December 17th for a landmark exhibition to celebrate the Farnese building’s 500 years of history: from the Renaissance to the French Embassy. “The most imposing Italian palace of the 16th century”, according to Sir Banister Fletcher, it was designed for the Farnese family in 1517 and later expanded when Alessandro Farnese became Pope Paul III in 1534. Built and decorated by the most important and famous architects of the Renaissance age, including including Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, Giacomo della Porta, and Michelangelo who redesigned the courtyard and the third story of this monumental building adding an architrave to give a central focus to the facade, above which is the largest coat-of-arms with papal tiara Rome had ever seen. While admiring the Farnese palace facade do not miss the two large granite basins moved here during the 16th century from the Baths of Caracalla to stand as fountains in the Piazza Farnese. Palazzo Farnese housed the famous Farnese family collection of classical sculptures, including the famous sculpture from Greco-Roman antiquity known as the Farnese Hercules, paintings and frescoes, precious gems and other treasures. Most of the Farnese collection ended up in Naples at the National Archeological Museum and at the Capodimonte Museum but are now back in Rome for the exhibition to be displayed on their Renaissance settings. French museums like Louvre, Chambord and Ecouen along with other Italian and international art galleries have also contributed to the 150 paintings, statues, drawings, tapestries and coins included in this remarkable exhibition that runs until April 27, 2011.

Please be informed that booking is mandatory.

Address:

French Embassy in Italy

Palazzo Farnese, Via Giulia 186 – Rome

Info and bookings:

Tel. 06.32810

Palazzo Farnese Exhibition Official Website

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in personalized Italy travel services and private guided tours designed for the independent travelers visiting Italy. Nancy Aiello Tours offers a wide range of top quality Italy travel services for the demanding guest who wants to enjoy Italy art and history, Italian food and made in Italy shopping in comfort and style. We are glad to offer our privileged guests private Italy transfers by fully insured a/c Mercedes Benz limo and minivans, Italy V.I.P. concierge services, Italy accommodation tips, Italy tour planning services, private guided skip the line tours to explore Italy museums and exhibitions. Tour Italy at Your Own Pace with Nancy Aiello Tours!

Ciao from Rome

Nancy Aiello @ ItalyTravelista.com

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Tags: 2011 rome exhibits, farnese palace exhibition, rome exhibitions, Rome Travel Tips

Traditional Rome Restaurants and Trattoria | Quality Rome Restaurants | Tour Rome Like a Local

ItalyTravelista — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:09:54 +0000

“What’s your favorite Italian restaurant in Rome?” I am asked often by friends and guests looking for the ultimate food experience in Rome.
There are several restaurants in Rome that have been serving traditional Roman recipes for generations caring about their customers and seasonal ingredients rather than blindly following food critics and trends.
Most of these neighborhood restaurants in Rome have been run by the same families for the last 20, 30 or even 40 years thriving on very genuine good food, old-school waiters and great value. I love these family-run Roman restaurants because here I can really enjoy authentic Roman food and never left disappointed over the years as these traditional Roma restaurants maintain their standards high year after year. With the emphasis on freshness and seasonality combined with attentive waiters and great value that’s the list of my favorite traditional Italian restaurants in Rome suitable for the gourmet traveler looking for excellent Roman food and fine wines in Rome but also for families visiting Rome with children looking for a nice and relaxed family dinner in Rome.

Girarrosto Toscano | € 40 | Prati
Settimio al Pellegrino | 117 Via Del Pellegrino | Tel 06 68801978 | € 30 | Campo dè Fiori Area
Il Caminetto dal 1959 | € 35 | Parioli
La Scala | € 40 | Parioli
Cesare dal 1965 | €30 | Prati
Nino | 11 Via Borgognona | Tel. 06 6795676 | € 35 | Spanish Steps
La Nuova Fiorentina | 51 Via Angelo Brofferio | Tel. 06 37516181 | € 30 | Prati
Da Roberto e Loretta…Quelli di via Gabi | € 25 | San Giovanni
La Villetta dal 1940 | €30 | Piramide
La Pollarola | € 30 | Campo dè Fiori Area
La Campana | €30 | Campo Marzio

What’s your favorite restaurant in Rome? Please write us your comments and suggestions! Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello
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Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in personalized private guided Rome and Vatican City tours and offers private culinary tours and private hands on cooking classes in Rome, Florence and Venice designed for Italy food lovers.

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Tags: neighborhood restaurants in rome, rome delicious food, rome for families, rome trattoria, traditional rome restaurants

Tour Italy Bomarzo Park 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go

ItalyTravelista — Fri, 21 May 2010 15:11:48 +0000

As the owner of an Italy based tour planning company I happen to read a lot of Italy travel books and Susan Van Allen‘s Italy travel book “100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go” is an informative, fascinating, entertaining book, and certainly a must if you plan to visit Italy. I am glad Susan accepted to offer offer my fellow Italy lovers the opportunity to read her take on the most amazing park in Italy.

The Park of the Mosters in Bomarzo, Italy.

In 1564 when his wife died, Prince Vicino Orsini dedicated this place to her. He called it his Sacred Grove. In 1954, Giovanni Bettini found it abandoned, cleaned it up, and renamed it The Park of the Monsters—better for marketing. It’s actually a combo of the two names, which is what makes it so uniquely alluring. It’s set on a wooded hillside where you meander along gravel paths under sun-dappled light and then along the way, popping up in haphazard places, you come upon immense bizarre statues of mythological creatures.

There are about two dozen of these creations in all, most carved directly from the hill’s rocky outcroppings, which explains the unplanned arrangement. There’s a winged mermaid, a sleeping nymph, a sphinx, a colossal Ceres, a tortoise, a whole house that’s set up purposely tilted to astonish you. The most famous of all is a giant screaming monster’s head—so giant you can walk into its mouth, where you’ll find a tongue turned into a picnic table. The inscription carved into this sculpture sums up the park’s surreal atmosphere: All Reason Departs. There’s a lot of mystery surrounding what the heck Orsini was thinking when he created this place. Some look at the statues’ tortured faces and say it was his expression of grieving for his wife, Giulia Farnese. But Orsini began this project before she died.

Their marriage was a good one. He was a military officer, gone a lot while Giulia took over the small town Bomarzo reins. He, of course, had his share of other women, during the marriage and after she died. As far as he knew, Giulia was a perfect, faithful wife. Twenty years after the Sacred Grove was completed Orsini built a temple in her honor that’s the most logical structure in this whole place. The Sacred Grove seems to be more of an expression of Prince Orsini’s intriguing, artsy character. While everybody else in those High Renaissance days was building grand, structured gardens to flaunt their wealth, the Prince turned his back on all that, wanting to create something that was not at all pretentious. It’s not even attached to his castle, but farther down the hill.

Also he didn’t have the money to compete with the Farneses and the d’Estes, so instead of grandeur, he went for shock and awe. Wherever a stone jutted out of the hill, he’d have his workers sculpt it according to his whim. He was a creative type who wrote poems and surrounded himself with the literati. This was his place for contemplation and meditation. It was his dream world where he mixed images from classical Greek, Roman, and Asian times. Like every other prince who had a garden, Orsini had illustrious guests come to visit. But he was always glad when they left, preferring the pleasures of simple country life and his shepherd girls. While other Renaissance gardens were kept up by families over succeeding generations, his was forgotten. Only the locals knew of it, and believed it was a haunted place. In 1938, Salvador Dali, in the midst of a creative crisis, heard about the Sacred Grove, left Spain, and cut his way through a tangle of weeds to see this “sleeping garden.” He became so inspired he made a film that included it and painted The Temptation of Saint Anthony that featured an image of an elephant— clearly inspired by one of the park sculptures. Giovanni Bettini bought the park in 1954 and restored it back to life. A visit here is a relaxing, enchanting experience, where you enter into the mythological dream world of the Prince.

The Park of the Monsters > Daily 8-1 hour before sunset

Golden Day > Wander around the Sacred Grove. There’s a camp lodge-style snack bar there, where you can get a caffè and panino. Eat and stay a short drive north at agriturismo Castello di Santa Maria, a beautiful former convent surrounded by olive groves that serves up exquisite meals.

About the author > Susan Van Allen’s love for Italy stems from her maternal grandparents, who emigrated from Southern Italy. She was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up on the Jersey shore amidst wonderful food and drama. When she first stepped off the train into Roma Termini in 1976, she got hooked on Italian travel. Since then she’s explored the country up and down the boot–visiting relatives, immersing herself in the country’s masterpieces and culture, taking language and cooking classes, and going on boating, biking, and hiking adventures. When she’s not in Italy, she is based in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband and makes scrumptious lasagnas.

Would you like to share your Italy travel tips and pictures with us? Please write us your comment and we’ll be happy to post it!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

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Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in personalized private guided Vatican, Rome & Italy Tours for Leisure & Business Travelers including underground Rome and her hidden treasures.

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Tags: 100 places every woman should go in italy, bomarzo park, Italy, Nancy Aiello tours, susan van allen

Rome by Night | Walking Tour of Rome | Free Rome Tour

ItalyTravelista — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:28:53 +0000

Explore Rome, the Eternal City after dark! Rome lovers think Rome is most beautiful at night when its ancient Rome landmarks, St. Peter’s Square and Rome’s magnificent renaissance squares and baroque fountains designed by Bernini and Michelangelo are illuminated in all their glory! Beside it’s another thing to do in Rome for FREE! ItalyTravelista has three walking Rome tours to suggest where parents and children alike can enjoy the charme and elegance of Rome at night at their own pace!

Tour Ancient Rome by Night

Start off your illuminated Rome tour at Piazza Venezia Square to enjoy the Vittoriano Monument and ask your kids whether the huge white monument looks more like a “Wedding Cake” or a “Typewriter”! Then proceed along Via dei Fori Imperiali where on your left is Trajan’s Column and on your side the ancient Roman Forum. In the background rises the majestic Coliseum and to its right the Constantine’s Arch built in 315 AD. Turn right and take Via di San Gregorio until you reach Via dei Cerchi. Turn right and on your left you will see the Circus Maximus where the famous chariot races depicted in the Ben Hur movie took place while on your right rises the magnificent Imperial Rome palaces of the Palatine Hill. Walk the length of the Circus Maximus and turn right onto Via di San Gregorio. On your left stands the Arch of Janus built around 356 AD by Constantius II just next to the beautiful medieval Church of St. George al Velabro and further ahead on your right take a peek at the unusual circular 6th century Church of San Teodoro. Follow around until you reach Piazza della Consolazione. Take the stairs leading up to the Capitoline Hill but before you actually reach Michelangelo’s square stop for the most stunning view over the illuminated Roman Forum!

Tour Christian Rome by Night

Begin your pleasant walk at Piazza Farnese square to enjoy the Farnese Palace lit up and wonder about the great artists of the Renaissance like Michelangelo and Della Porta who worked on this magnificent Renaissance palace now home to the French Embassy. Walk through Campo dè Fiori square lined these days with bars and restaurants but where on Feb. 17, 1600 Giordano Bruno was burnt for heresy onto Piazza della Cancelleria to admire the beautiful Palazzo della Cancelleria, the first palazzo in Rome built from the ground up in the new Renaissance style, and then across the main street to Piazza Navona the most baroque square in Rome. Cross the Tiber river on the Ponte Sant’ Angelo and look at the marvelous Saint’ Angel’s Castle. The highlight and end of your night walking Rome tour will be the breathtaking view of the illuminated St. Peter’s Basilica.

Tour Renaissance and Baroque Rome by Night

Your enjoyable walk starts at the charming Piazza del Popolo square designed by Valadier in the 17th century reminiscent of Bernini’s plan for St. Peter’s Square. Pass the two baroque twin churches and stroll down the antique dealer street of Via del Babuino (the Baboon) for a few blocks and then take a left onto the fascinating Via Margutta, home to several artists including the famous Italian director Federico Fellini. At the end of Via Margutta you reach the Spanish Steps. From Via due Macelli go down Via del Tritone and follow signs on your left for the most beautiful baroque fountain in Rome: the Trevi Fountain.

When visiting Rome do tour Rome by night! Pretty much all of the major attractions that you see in Rome during the day are lit up at night. And yes, definitely worth seeing again, and again.

Ciao from Rome

Nancy Aiello

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Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in private family oriented Rome and Vatican tours led by friendly and entertaining official Rome tour guides designed to satisfy the curiosity and attention spans of the whole family visiting Rome.

New articles are published on our site weekly, sometimes daily. To keep up to date with our news, tips and current events, please sign up for ItalyTravelista free RSS feed.

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Tags: children activities in rome, family rome tour, free rome tours, illuminated rome tour, Rome Walking Tours, rome with children, Rome with Kids, tour rome by night, visit rome with children

Rome for children | Family Oriented Rome Tours | Kid friendly activities in Rome

ItalyTravelista — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 00:48:06 +0000

Summer is approaching fast and Rome, Italy is the ideal place for families with kids to spend their holidays. Rome’s rich archeological, artistic and cultural heritage are so remarkable that Rome’s historic centre has been listed by UNESCO as World Heritage site. Rome is a wonderful and very safe place to visit with kids, with lots of fun and informative family oriented activities bound to keep the troops entertained. What are the secrets behind a memorable Roman trip with children? Get every family member involved when planning your trip to Rome, keep your schedule loose as there are so many things to do in Rome, and to get the most out of your Roman Holiday when in Rome allow quality time at quality venues to enjoy Rome at your kid’s pace. Here is Italytravelista‘s list of child friendly activities and sights to be visited in/around Rome that will keep the whole family happy and entertained without breaking the bank!

Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

When you look down at the Roman Forum from the terrace on the Capitoline Hill you see the center of the world and the world’s biggest and most ancient jungle-gym. Kids can hide behind the 2000 years old ruins, run on the grassy mounds near the temple of Julius Caesar and have fun at the Farnese Gardens, the first botanical garden in the world. Remind your kids that all the palaces in the world are named after the Palatine hill because the Emperors built here their Palatial houses.

Colosseum

In the Colosseum tell your kids the tales about gladiators and wild beasts. Manned elevators could bring up to 1,000 warriors at the same time or else hundreds of hungry lions…or both! Superb engineering went into the Coliseum. 50,000 spectators could be seated to enjoy the ugliest show of all: death to men and beasts. Tell your children the thumbs up or thumbs down that originated here as the Emperors decided freedom (up) or death (down) for the gladiators.

Gladiator School in Rome

Kids will love a day at the Gladiator School and learn how to become a Roman gladiator. During this two-hour lesson, a gladiator instructor teaches kids and adults how to fight with authentic weapons used by the gladiators of ancient Rome. Lessons are organized and led by members of the Historic Group of Rome who specialize in the re-enactment of Roman life and gladiatorial combat.

The Baths of Emperor Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla were the largest thermae in the world when completed in 217AD whilst today is a huge playground largely neglected by the hordes of tourists where to enjoy a sunny day with the dramatic Roman ruins in the background. A short stroll from the Caracalla’s Baths leads to the very off the beaten path museum of the Walls of Rome. Located just inside the Porta San Sebastiano kids can march along the Aurelian Walls, just the way the ancient Roman Legionaries used to do.

Early Christian catacombs

There are 69 catacombs on the outskirts of Rome and thousand of tombs but only 5 of the catacombs are open to the public. These underground dark labyrinths are spooky enough to delight and perhaps even frighten most kids!

The Mouth of Truth (Bocca della verità)

Remember the scene with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in the film Roman Holiday? For fun show the kids the original lie detector which is located in the portico of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin, one of my favorite medieval churches in Rome. According to a medieval legend if you put your hand into the mouth and tell a lie you’ll be bitten!

Church of the Immaculate Conception or Capuchin Kript

A spooky place which just might fascinate the older kids! The bones and skulls of thousands of Capuchin monks have been crafted into decorative tableaux. No photos allowed and small donation is appreciated by the friars.

Piazza Navona Square

The joyous curves of this sensuous square typify baroque Rome with masterpieces by both Bernini and Borromini. In 86 A.D. Emperor Domitian built a long U-shaped stadium here and since then Piazza Navona Square has served as a glorious outdoor theater. There is much street entertainment going on in this beautiful square including mimes, puppet shows,caricaturists and painters. A great spot for a tartufo ice cream gelato.

Saint Angel’s Castle

Castel Sant’Angelo is just like Rome, layer upon layer, building upon building. This is the most magnificent of all the Roman Imperial tombs that became a fortress in the Middle Ages, a Papal Castle in the Renaissance, and a museum today. Kids can visit the papal prison complete with winding dark scary corridors, secret passageways, real cannons and cannon balls. The view from atop the castle is terrific!

Janiculum Hill

Above Trastevere on the rim of the Janiculum Hill in front of the statue of Garibaldi, is one of best places to view Rome. Pony rides and merry-go-round are near. A puppet show in Italian runs every afternoon and donations are welcome. At noon sharp kids will be amused by the firing of a cannon just below this lofty square, a tradition dating back 100 years when it signaled lunch time for the workers.

Villa Borghese Gardens

Cardinal Scipione Borghese did for Rome what the Medicis had done for Florence. Villa Borghese was the show-place for this 17th C. artistic flowering. The cardinal invited Jacob More from Edinburgh to landscape this vast area. The English style park is 4 miles in circumference and contains statues, green trees, bike friendly itineraries and a small lake. After a tour of the Borghese Gallery these gardens are the perfect spot for a family picnic.

Rome’s playgrounds for young children

Rome offers various opportunities for a day out or nice break from ancient ruins and baroque churches. Villa Celimontana, right up the street from the Colosseum, Villa Ada, to the north of central Rome, and Villa Pamphili, the largest park in Rome not far from the Janiculum Hill, are the perfect spots to enjoy walking, biking or perhaps a soccer game with the local kids. Again perfect for picnics.

Rome day trips

Leave the Eternal City behind for a day on your family Roman holiday and visit Tivoli to enjoy Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’ Este with its impressive concentration of fountains, nymphs, grottoes, plays of water, and music. Peek into Roman antiquities at ancient Rome’s port at Ostia or visit the hilltop town of Orvieto with its fabulous 14th century Roman Catholic cathedral and Etruscan underground passages.

“For a great selection of places to stay with discount prices visit Rome Hotels for more information.”

Would you like to share your Italy travel tips and pictures with us? Please write us your comments and we’ll be happy to post them!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

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New articles are published on our site weekly, sometimes daily. To keep up to date with our news, tips and current events, please sign up for ItalyTravelista free RSS feed.

If you are interested in publishing a version of this article please contact Nancy Aiello Tours.

Tags: baths of caracalla, colosseum with kids, day tour from Rome, family oriented rome tour, family rome tour, family visit rome with children kids rome tours, mouth of truth in rome, private rome tour, rome activities for families, rome family tour, Rome with Kids, summer in rome, tour rome with kids

Caravaggio 2010 Rome Exhibition | The Dark Genius of Caravaggio

ItalyTravelista — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:05:27 +0000

Caravaggio Exbition in Rome

Opens today at the Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome an amazing Caravaggio exhibition to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of the great baroque artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, hailed by many as the father of modern painting.

The Caravaggio exhibition in Rome brings for the first time together from galleries and museums across the world only those masterpieces historically verified to be by Caravaggio. Thus visitors will enjoy one of Caravaggio earliest masterpieces “The Boy with a Basket of Fruit” (1593) alongside his famous “Bacchus” (c.1595) from the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and the lesser known still life “Basket of Fruit” (c.1599) which has never before traveled out of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan.

Among the 24 masterpieces art lovers visiting Rome will admire “David with the Head of Goliath” (c.1610) from the Borghese Gallery in Rome, the “Musicians” (1595) from the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the “Lute Player” (c.1596) from the Hermitage in St.Petersburg, “Amor Vincit Omnia” (1601-1602) from the Staatliche Museum in Berlin, and the newly discovered “Taking of Christ” (c.1602) from the National Gallery of Ireland. Unfortunately due to disagreements won’t be part of the show “Saint Catherine of Alexandria” from the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid and the huge “The Burial of Saint Lucia” from the Santa Lucia Church in Siracusa.

Caravaggio exhibition at the Scuderie Papali del Quirinale is open every day with the following opening hours until June 13th 2010:

Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 8:00pm
Friday 9:30am to 10:30pm
Saturday 9:00am to 10:30pm
Sunday 9:00am to 8:00pm

Admission is allowed until one hour before closing time.

Caravaggio All Night Long

12-13 June: Caravaggio All Night Long

To mark the last weekend of the Caravaggio exhibition, the Scuderie del Quirinale will be open without a break from 9 am on Saturday morning to 10 pm on Sunday evening.

Reservations can be made for night time visits (from midnight on Saturday to 8 a.m. on Sunday morning). A single admission price of € 7.50 will apply.

Tickets cost Euro 10,00 and Caravaggio Card E.20,00

When in Rome if you are planning to enjoy more Caravaggio gems visit The Casino di Villa Boncompagni Ludovisi in Porta Pinciana to admire “Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto” the only mural ever done by Caravaggio, the Church of St. Louis of the French to admire the cycle of paintings in the Contarelli Chapel, painted by Caravaggio in 1599-1600 about the life of St. Matthew, and the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo to visit the Cerasi Chapel and admire the “Crucifixion of St. Peter” and “Conversion on the Way to Damascus”.

Tickets, Location & Info:

Scuderie del Quirinale

Would you like to share your Italy travel tips and pictures with us? Please write us your comment and we’ll be happy to post it! If you missed the opportunity to enjoy Caravaggio don’t worry and enjoy Van Gogh when visiting Rome between October 2010 and February 2011!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

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Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in personalized private guided Vatican, Rome & Italy Tours for Leisure & Business Travelers including Caravaggio exhibition private guided tours led by qualified official Rome tour guides.

New articles are published on our site weekly, sometimes daily. To keep up to date with our news, tips and current events, please sign up for ItalyTravelista free RSS feed.

If you are interested in publishing a version of this article please contact Nancy Aiello Tours.

Rome off the beaten Path

Tags: caravaggio all night long, caravaggio exhibition in rome, private rome tours, rome 2010, rome 2010 caravaggio tickets, rome art lovers, rome exhibitions, rome private guided tours

Where to Stay in Rome | Bed and Breakfast Lodging near St. Peter | Italy Travel

ItalyTravelista — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:20:00 +0000

Bed & Breakfast in/around Saint Peter | Rome Travel

When visiting Rome why settle for a hotel room when you can experience the real hospitality of a home in Rome? From cheap to chic Rome offers a wide selection of bed & breakfast accommodations often preferred to hotels by the savvy Rome traveler not only for the quality and value offered but also for the opportunity of a cultural exchange with the host.

B&Bs located near the Vatican City and St. Peter are an ideal starting point to tour Rome and the Vatican treasures, explore Rome’s rich heritage and discover Rome traditional food.

Arches Bed & Breakfast |

Arches B&B is located in the Prati area a short walk from the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Square offering large rooms finely furnished at very reasonable rate. Two rooms (Blue/Green) have hardwood floors and overlook a vera nice veranda. Not all the rooms have en-suite bathrooms.

Arte & Studio Bed & Breakfast |

AeS B&B is located in one of the oldest areas around St. Peter’s Square but offers XXI century design and comfort from the elegant furniture and modern artworks to free wifi and TV Sat.

Excellent rates but closed February, October and November.

Best B&B Vatican |

Best Vatican B&B is conveniently located 50 meters from the Metro stop Ottaviano-San Pietro and a few minutes walk from the St. Peter’s Basilica. This small B&B, only 4 rooms, offers stylish accommodation in a very pleasant environment with all the tech amenities required by the twitter-era traveler including free Wi-Fi.

B&B Bibi & Romeo’s Home |

Bibi and Romeo used to run a very good restaurant in Rome but decided to take a new challenge and now own and operate this very nice Bed & Breakfast located just a short walk from the Vatican City offering 4 well decorated rooms all with en-suite bath and free internet access. Bibi and Romeo will let you feel at home in Rome with their hospitality and kindness.

B&B Nicolo III a San Pietro |

This newly renovated small B&B, 3 rooms all with private bath, located in a elegant street a stone’s throw from the Vatican is run with love and courtesy by Francesca and Stefano. Nicolò III is a very simple, cheerful and clean bed & breakfast where to relax after a long day visiting the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

The Pope’s Window B&B |

The Pope’s Windows is a new and charming bed and breakfast located in a early XX century building near the Vatican State. From its windows guests will enjoy a terrific view of St Peter’s colonnade and the window from where the Pope gives Sunday Blessing. In all rooms the ceilings are decorated with elegant and beautiful stuccoes and the floor retains the original tiles which together make up a mosaic embellished with beautiful patterns and colors. Only 3 rooms available.

Villino Cecilia B&B |

Bed and breakfast Villino Cecilia is a very nice 19th century villa located in a quiet and peaceful alley along the Vatican walls. Villino Cecilia offers 6 apartments tastefully furnished each one with its own kitchen ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms designed to welcome from 2 to 10 guests. Lodging at Villino is probably the best choice for families and small groups visiting Rome. Villino Cecilia near the Vatican offers lots of specials and last minute offers. Don’t miss the lovely garden where to enjoy a romantic Rome dinner.

B&B Liberty Rome |

The B&B Liberty Rome is located in a beautiful Liberty building designed renowned Italian architect M. Piacentini. The 3 rooms have all comforts to make you feel at home and are very well decorated. Lots of charme and an attentive service make this small B&B, located in a busy commercial street a great place to spot the locals and live Rome’s everyday life like a Roman.

Bed and Breakfast Bio |

Looking for a bio B&B in Rome? B&B Bio is located in a residential area rich with greenery gardens and parks and has been recently renovated using only natural paints. B&B Bio is the first Rome’s B&B certified by the Italian Association for Celiach and of course serves organic food for breakfast on its lovely terrace. The 3 bedrooms with en suite baths are very elegant and comfortable.

Looking to visit St. Peter and the Vatican? Visit my post A day at the Vatican for tips and suggestions.

Would you like to share your Italy travel tips or pictures with us? Please write us your comment and we will be happy to post it!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

Follow ItalyTravelista on Twitter

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours is based in Rome and specializes in Tailor-Made Private Guided Vatican, Rome & Italy Tours for Leisure & Business Travelers.

New articles are published on our site weekly, sometimes daily. To keep up to date with our news, tips and current events, please sign up for ItalyTravelista free RSS feed.

If you are interested in publishing this article please contact Nancy Aiello Tours for consent and further info.

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Where to Stay in Rome | Convent and Monastery Accommodation in Rome | Travel to Italy

ItalyTravelista — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:59:02 +0000

Travel to Rome | Tour Rome with Nancy Aiello Tours

Convents and monasteries in Rome are blessed and restful alternatives to Rome’s hotels and B&Bs. These religious accommodations usually located in Rome’s historic center offer tight security, spic-and-span bathrooms, often some of the cheapest room rates in Rome plus a sense of spirituality and peace that more than reward for any inconvenience, making convents and monasteries in Rome an attractive budget alternative for lodging in the heart of Italy. Staying in a convent or a monastery offers Rome visitors the opportunity to experience an unusual Rome and make a Rome trip a memorable journey. Convents accept women, men and families with children, but make sure to check in advance if the convent enforces any night curfew.

Out of the 200 or so lodging and accommodations run by religious orders, monks and nuns in Rome this is ItalyTravelista list for a holy Roman holiday.

Casa Bonus Pastor | Vatican Area | No Curfew |

The Casa Bonus Pastor it’s owned by the Vatican but is in all respects a 3 star superior hotel located a short walk from St. Peter’s square. 88 well appointed rooms with only single beds available, a very nice garden and good Italian restaurant make this place an excellent choice to explore Rome and the Vatican without breaking the bank.

Casa di San Giuseppe | Trastevere Area | No Curfew |

The charming Casa San Giuseppe is located in the popular and very central Trastevere quarter, in the heart of historic Rome. It used to be a convent and after lengthy and careful renovations now offers very nice rooms, a spacious parking and free wi-fi at very reasonable rates.

Casa di Santa Francesca Romana | Trastevere Area | No Curfew |

The 600-year-old Casa di Santa Francesca Romana near the Ponte Rotto in Trastevere offers 37 clean and nice rooms in a quiet and stress free environment overlooking medieval buildings and the luscious garden where to enjoy breakfast in the warmer months.

Casa di Santa Brigida | Campo dè Fiori | No Curfew |

The fabulous Farnese Square hosts one of the most beautiful and expensive religious lodge available in Rome. The House of Saint Bridget, a splendid XV century building, houses people of all nationalities and creed but due to its antique furnitures, its lovely terrace and its rich library the 20 room convent could be mistaken for an up-market boutique hotel rather than a religious lodge. Be aware that Santa Brigida is not equipped for disabled guests.

Casa Suore Preziossimo Sangue | Vatican Area | Nightly Curfew |

The nuns of the Preziossimo sangue have recently renovated their convent offering 20 spotless rooms designed in a modern minimal chic style. Very clean rooms equipped with Internet connection, TV and A/C provide very good comfort a short distance from the Vatican. Guests can join the morning mass in the convent chapel but must be home by 11 PM in winter and by midnight in summer.

More Convents and Monasteries in Rome opening their doors to paying guests:

Monastero di Sant’ Antonio Abate | Aventine Hill | Nightly Curfew |

Via S.Sabina, 64

Tel. (011 39) 065745528

Rates: Double E.64

Suore Mantellate Serve di Maria | Navona Square Area | Nightly Curfew |

Via S. Giuseppe Calasanzio, 1
Tel. (011 39) 0668803344
E-mail: s.giulianafalconieri@virgilio.it

Rates: Double E.81

Casa di Accoglienza Santo Spirito | Vatican Area | Nightly Curfew |

Borgo S. Spirito, 41
Tel. (011 39) 066861076

Rates: Double E.81/Single E.35

Casa di Accoglienza Paolo VI | Vatican Area | Nightly Curfew |

Viale Vaticano, 92
Tel. (011 39) 0639091411

Rates: Double E.60/Single E.35

Villa Lante Istituto del Sacro Cuore | Trastevere Area | Nightly Curfew

Via San Francesco di Sales, 18

Tel. (011 39) 0668806032

Rates: Double E.80/Single E.50

To learn more about religious accommodations in Rome visit http://www.santasusanna.org/comingToRome/convents.html for advice and suggestions. To learn more about Rome visit Rome’s Tourism website.

To learn more about Rome hotels and B&Bs read Lee Marshall’s recommended hotels in Rome!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

Twitter.com/ItalyTravelista

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in Tailor-Made Private Guided Vatican, Rome & Italy Tours for Leisure & Business Travelers.

New articles are published on our site weekly, sometimes daily. To keep up to date with our news, tips and current events, please sign up for ItalyTravelista free RSS feed.

If you are interested in publishing this article please contact Nancy Aiello Tours for consent and further info.

St. Brigida Convent in Farnese Square | Nancy Aiello Tours Rome Travel

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