Sep 09

Rome Walking Tour | Ancient Rome and the Grand Tour

By ItalyTravelista Food & Wine, Italy, Rome, Rome Museums, Rome Walking Tours, Travel Italy No Comments »

Rome Walking Tour | Ancient Rome and the Grand Tour

A view of the Roman Forum from the Capitoline Hill

Beginning in the 17th century for many of those on the Grand Tour Rome was to prove the highlight of their journey. It became fashionable for young aristocrats to visit Paris, Venice, Florence, and above all Rome, as the culmination of their classical education. Italy was the primary destination for the Grand Tourist who was attracted to its cultural treasures, fascinating landscapes and historical cities. Thus was born the idea of the Grand Tour, a practice which introduced Englishmen, Germans, and later wealthy Americans to the art and culture of Italy continuing to this day as popular reference for travelers.

Start your walking Grand Tour of Rome from the outstanding Trevi Fountain, a famous gathering spot and an excellent place to enjoy a nice italian gelato. The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in Rome, although I personally really like the beautifully restored Bernini’s 4 rivers fountain located in the Navona Square. The Trevi fountain, built by architect Salvi in 1735, is not only celebrated for its excellent water but also for the legend that visitors throwing a coin in the Trevi fountain are ensured a return to the city of Rome.

Rome Walking Tour | Ancient Rome and the Grand Tour

Trevi Fountain in Rome

The outstanding dome Pantheon is a very easy 15 minute walk from the Trevi Fountain and offers another glimpse of the splendor of Rome. Originally built as a temple to all of the Roman gods, the Pantheon was rebuilt by emperor Hadrian around 120 AD. That structure is the same as the one you see today making the Pantheon the oldest intact structure still standing from the ancient Roman world. Since the 7th century the Pantheon has been used as a Christian church. Don’t miss the nearby Caffè Tazza d’Oro, Rome’s favorite place for its granita di caffè con panna (Coffee Granita with Whipped Cream).

A short walk from the Panteon and at the foot of the Capitoline Hill opens up Piazza Venezia which is the perfect spot to see how Rome over the centuries blended together Modern and Renaissance buildings with Ancient Rome relics and ruins. Another short walk where you will come across the amazing Area Sacra di Largo Argentina and you”ll reach the famous Piazza Venezia.

Piazza Venezia takes its name from the first great Renaissance palace of Rome commissioned in 1455 by the Venetian Pope Paul II. One side of the square is dominated by the neoclassical Vittoriano Monument devoted to the first king of Italy Victor Emmanuel II. Completed in 1935, it’s known to Romans as the ’typewriter’ or the ’wedding cake’ for its ostentatious design. Do not miss the small and beautiful but often neglected San Marco Basilica, dedicated to St Mark the Evangelist, patron saint of the Venetian republic, San Marco is one of Rome’s oldest churches.

Capitoline hill overlooking roman forum Rome Walking Tour | Ancient Rome and the Grand Tour

A view of the roman forum from the capitoline hill | Walking Rome Tour

The Capitoline Hill, the highest of the Seven Hills of Rome, was the religious centre of ancient Rome. The Cordonata is Michelangelo’s monumental stairway connecting the low-lying Campus Martius to the Capitoline Hill and the Piazza Campidoglio. In 1536 Michelangelo was commissioned to design the beautiful piazza on the hill overlooking the ancient Roman Forum and placed the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius on a new pedestal. The statue was removed in 1981 for restoration and it is now located in a newly-designed exhibition hall in the Palazzo dei Conservatori of the Capitoline Museums. A replica currently stands in the Capitoline Piazza. Michelangelo designed new facades for the two already existing buildings, the Palazzo Senatorio and the Palazzo dei Conservatori, and created a new building known as Palazzo Nuovo, to mirror the Palazzo dei Conservatori on the other side of the Campidoglio square. These three beautiful renaissance palaces are now home to the extraordinary Capitoline Museums, the most ancient publicly owned museum in the world dating back to 1471.

From the Vittoriano walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali and feel at the heart of the ancient Roman Empire! Walk and admire the Roman Forum and the the ruins of ancient Rome’s Trajan Market until you reach the world renowned Coliseum, the most famous monument and iconic symbol of the city of Rome.

Rome Walking Tour | Ancient Rome and the Grand Tour

Area Sacra in Torre Argentina, Rome

The Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, the ‘original Beverly Hills’ of ancient Rome, are now on a combo ticket for Euro 12.00. You get 2 days to see all three sites. Ignore the gladiators, who charge Euro 5.00 for the joy of taking their picture (with your camera). As for the vending trucks, they are overpriced. They will sell you a small bottle of water for Euro 3.00. Last are the souvenir carts, one by the entrance, and one by the exit. These souvenirs are much overpriced, but you can bargain with them or just avoid them altogether.

Walking Rome is easily manageable with comfy walking shoes and the desire to explore what the Eternal City has to offer, even if only have a day to spend in Rome!

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

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

NancyAielloTours.com

ItalyTravelista.com

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

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The capitoline museums are contained in three palazzi surrounding a central trapezoidal piazza del campidoglio in a plan conceived by Michelangelo Buonarroti in 1536 Rome Walking Tour | Ancient Rome and the Grand Tour

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Jun 14

First 5 things that spring to mind when you think about Italy?

By ItalyTravelista Florence, Italy, Italy Museums, Rome, Vatican, Vatican Museums 4 Comments »

ROME  PASTA  SHOES  ART  PAVAROTTI

rome coliseum 300x204 First 5 things that spring to mind when you think about Italy?Rome is the capital of Italy and one of the world’s greatest historic cities.
For hundreds of years, Rome was the supreme power of Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. Rome lies on the banks of the Tiber river in central Italy.
Ancient Rome was built on seven hills. Today the Eternal City encompasses about 20.
The Coliseum, a huge half-ruined amphitheatre, is one of the chief landmarks.
The Vatican City, in the centre of Rome is home to St. Peter’s Church, the world’s largest Christian church and impressive example of Renaissance architecture.
The Trevi Fountain, completed in 1762, is very popular with tourists as it is said that visitors who throw coins into the fountain will someday return to the Eternal City. It also features in a famous scene from Italian director, Federico Fellini’s film La dolce vita.
Throughout Rome there are many beautiful squares, connected by busy streets. The heart of Rome and its commercial centre is around the Piazza Colonna.
People-watching is a popular occupation here as Romans and visitors alike sit in outdoor cafes or stroll through some of the open-air markets.

Italy Pasta1 300x257 First 5 things that spring to mind when you think about Italy?Pasta. It is said that pasta was first brought to Italy by the ancient Greeks. The first form was called makaria, which is probably what we know as macaroni.

There are an estimated 400 known shapes in existence and a Spaghetti Historical Museum in Pontedassio shows the history of the food.

This all aside, however, pasta is not the staple diet of the Italians as its popularity portrayed. As in many other European countries each region has its own culinary specialty. The sausages of Bologna, the prosciutto (salted ham) of Parma and the minestrone of Milan are just few examples.

Most Italians would not order pasta when they go out to eat but take advantage of some of the finest fruits, vegetables or seafood in Europe has to offer, within their own country.

italy map 300x205 First 5 things that spring to mind when you think about Italy?Shoes. Italian have a reputation for being stylish and well-dressed.
Indeed they spend more on clothes and shoes than any other 27members of the EU. In fact it amounts to 10% of their total expenditure . It is no surprise then perhaps, that these industries are so important to their economy. Italy is Europe’s largest producer of shoes, and the world’s second largest (behind China). Coupled to this, is the industry’s reputation for quality and design. Shoes from Italy have a cachet that cannot be matched by any other country. Perhaps this is in part a reflection on how the Italian shoe industry operates. Traditionally, most firms are small and family run. Until recently, the Gucci firm was a perfect example of this. Their company was set up by Maurizio Gucci in Florence at the turn of the century, and it has grown and diversified ever since. Its famous loafers were worn by the likes of Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly in the 1960s, and in 1980s the firm reiterated its old philosophy of craftsmanship and quality to a new generation, and is enjoying continued success today.

sistine chapel michelangelo last judgment 300x184 First 5 things that spring to mind when you think about Italy?Art. Italy was the birthplace of some of the greatest names in art and sculptures.
Italian artists played important roles in early Christian art and in the style of the Middle Ages.
Giotto, an artist of the early Renaissance, was part of a revolutionary movement in painting which began showing the human body as three dimensional and did not limit the subject matter to merely religious themes. Renaissance painters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Botticelli also made their works more realistic and introduced changes in the use of colour. Many of Michelangelo’s greatest paintings decorate the ceiling and the front wall of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. He is widely regarded as the most eminent artist of the Renaissance. Among the best-known modern Italian artists are the painters Giorgio de Chirico and Amedeo Modigliani, the sculptors Giacomo Manzù and Marino Marini and the architect Gino Coppedè.
Every year, countless visitors come to Italy to see some of the priceless art collections and magnificent architecture, Rome and Florence being the two most popular destinations.

luciano pavarotti 300x199 First 5 things that spring to mind when you think about Italy?Pavarotti has become one of the most famous international opera stars this century. He has also helped to revive its popularity.
Born in Modena, Italy in 1935, Luciano Pavarotti made his professional debut in Reggio Emilia in 1961.

He was widely admired for the warmth and flexibility if his voice, the security of his high notes and the intensity of emotions in his singing. Pavarotti has concentrated almost entirely on Italian operas and songs and his most popular song is a version of Nessum Dorma.

One of the best-selling classical music albums of all time is a recording of the 1994 concert in Los Angeles given by Pavarotti, Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo “The Three Tenors”.

Ciao from Rome!

Nancy Aiello

www.NancyAielloTours.com

For more…Follow me on twitter.com/ItalyTravelista

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