Pick up designer favourites on Via dei Condotti in Roma, then join the style mavens in cool concept store TAD. Nearby, Via del Corso is packed with high-street clothing stores. For something a tad more retro, head to Via del Governo Vecchio for vintage leather jackets and 60s accessories. Mellow Via Margutta is filled with galleries displaying contemporary works of art, plus a few antique shops. Campo de' Fiori's daily flower and food market harks back to the days of the Renaissance. Head to Piazza di Testaccio for a more rugged, colourful flavour with local characters haggling over seasonal fruit and vegetables. Rise with the sparrows to snare antique bargains alongside fashionistas at Porta Portese flea market on a Sunday morning. Self-service is frowned upon in boutiques and independent shops and it is customary to let shop assistants know if you wish to browse. Shops are open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am till 7.30pm, plus Monday 4pm-7.30pm. Most of those in the centre do not close for lunch but outside of the main drag expect a lengthy mid-afternoon siesta.
The Voice of the Universe. A series of captivating experiments decipher and interpret signals from outer space, taking visitors onto a fascinating journey of scientific discovery. The exhibition in Rome, which is curated by the Italian Space Agency, the National Institute of Nuclear Physic and the National Institute of Astrophysics, explains the experiments, the telescopes and the detectors built in the most extreme environments on earth to capture and understand messages from the universe. The public is taken to the bottom of the sea, into the bowels of a mountain, onto vast desert plateaux and into space, where sophisticated observatories rotate in orbit around the earth, searching for waves or particles which could carry traces of distant events and past catastrophes.
When people think of Christmas Eve in Rome, they inevitably think of Midnight Mass at the Vatican. But there are so many places to worship - the Pantheon has a service featuring Gregorian chants, some churches hold services in English and there's a not-to-be missed mass at Rome's Santa Maria in Ara Coeli. Every Christmas Eve, the 124 stone steps leading to the Altar of the Heavens, or the Ara Coeli, are illuminated by flickering candlelight atop the highest point of Capitoline Hill in Rome. Traditional Christmas songs from leather-sandaled bagpipers weave their way through the crowds who ascend the seemingly never-ending stairs on a pilgrimage to Santa Maria in Ara Coeli. Upon entering, chandeliers and tapers welcome both visitors and locals alike into the warmth of the 7th century church, transporting the faithful to an era long ago. With candles blazing and anticipation rising, one of Rome's most venerated Christmas traditions begins.
Rome's new Planetarium shares space with the Museum of Roman Civilizations, an improbable partnership between two polar extremes. The museum of Roman Civilization traces the history of the city, and includes some charming scale models of Rome as it once was. The astronomical museum within the complex functions as a theatre, taking vistors on a tour that departs from earth, procedes to a moon landing, and is followed by a Solar System presentation, exploring time, space and chemical elements. Location: Piazza G. Agnelli, 10 in the Museo Civiltà Romana (EUR) Open Tuesday-Friday, 9 am-2 pm; Saturday-Sunday, 9 am -7 pm
The area is easily accessible from Rome and makes a perfect getaway for a weekend or mid week break from the hustle of the city or a great wind down stop after traveling through Italy. For travelers who seek the untouristy, off-the-beaten-track itineraries, this route from Rome through Sabina and eventually on to Umbria will offer splendid scenery, tranquil roads, rolling olive -lad hills dotted with tiny medieval hilltop villages, and small hidden treasures to discover and savour. The territory of the Sabine hills, perhaps more than any other area of central Italy, has preserved its original rural character. Rieti, capital of the province, marks the very center of the region, and is one of the least populated in Italy, notwithstanding its vicinity to Rome. The countryside explodes with color in spring and summer, with yellow broom and fields of sunflowers, as well as the green olive trees, which produce one of Italy's finest extra virgin olive oils with its DOP recognition. Many of the farms have been honored with prestigious annual awards. The oldest olive tree in Europe, two thousand years old, with a trunk measuring 7 meters in circumference, is one of the natural treasures of Sabinia. A surprising number of small hilltop villages remain unspoiled and authentic and although there are no “name brand” monuments, apart from the magnificent Farfa Abbey, and very few mentions in guide books, the area is steeped in history and medieval architecture. The Sabine hills offer the visitor a relaxing getaway, the chance to discover some of Italy's minor and secret treasures, meet local people in authentic surroundings, and savour the slower pace of life with traffic-free panoramic roads and plenty of silence.
On five hectares of land overlooking Lake Bracciano, San Liberato is one of the estates owned by the noble Odescalchi family, who also own Castello Orsini/Odescalchi in the town of Bracciano. (Yes, it's the castle is the where Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were married.) For centuries, it was Bracciano family seat of one of Rome's most powerful families, the Orsini. Just outside Bracciano's historic town center, on one of the region’s most elegant country estates, San Liberato encompasses a splendid Romanesque church. Chestnut groves, planted in the 16th century, still extend the distance of the property as far as the eye can see. But the botanical garden didn't get underway until the land was acquired by the Countess Odescalchi and her spouse Count Sanminiatelli. The couple entrusted the design and creation of the garden to the celebrated British landscaper, Russell Page (1906-1985), who began planting in 1964. Less than a decade later, the property was lush with rare trees and imported plants: Canadian maples, Japanese cherry, Asian flowering and Central American liquidambar and parrotie persiche grow side by side with camphor, liododendri and nycee. A section of the garden is dedicated to acid-phile plants, beautiful compositions of camelias, rhododendron, fragrant three-leaved Choysia and black bamboo. San Liberato also boasts a paradisical rose garden with innumerable varieties and colors. Open Saturdays and Sundays from April 1st until the end of November.
The garden extends across the Viterbese (town of Viterbo) plain reaching from the last folds of Monti Cimini to the nearby Bulicame, ancient thermal sulphuric mineral waters. The area is rich in archeological remains dating from the Etruscan and Roman eras. It is said to have been a sacred place of worship for the Etruscan people. The Bulicame spring is cited three times in Dante’s Inferno, cantos XII and XIV. Officially inaugurated in 1991, the university botanical garden is comprised of sections devoted to a wide variety of plant species. A large section is comprised of green houses, open to the public, where plants , including a wide variety of African succulents, are cultivated expressly for research and study. Other greenhouses re-create a tropical environment, to comfortably house collections of orchids and passion flowers. The fragranced rose garden includes 250 varieties, and other parts of the garden are devoted to collections of irises and the various species of palm, as well as plants indigenous to the Mediterranean. Università della Tuscia, Località Bulicame, Strada S. Caterina (Viterbo) Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm tel 0761 357097
Ninfa lies to the south of Rome in the province of Latina, resting at the confines of the ancient city of Norba, and butting against Monte Lepini at the north basin, where natural springs produce more than 80 liters of water a second. The history that survives Ninfa takes in many legendary figures, beginning with the earliest documentation when the lands were donated by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine V to Pope Zachary, a diplomatic power play that placed Ninfa under papal dominance. In the XIII century, Benedetto Caetani, Pope Boniface VIII, encouraged his nephew, Pietro Caetani to purchase the territory, which was a strategic transit route for marauding gangs of mercenary soldiers entering from southern kingdoms of Sicily. During the next two centuries, Ninfa was slowly deserted. Internal feuding among Caetani family heirs and malaria from stagnant lake waters wiped out thousands of inhabitants. The re-development of Ninfa began in 1920 when Galasio Caetani began to plant his magnificent garden among ancient and medieval ruins. Spread over seven hectares, it’s a maze-like wonderland constructed around bridges, ponds and lakes. The garden has maintained its sylvan magic, reproducing it’s unparalleled beauty year after year. It makes for a wonderful day trip, a refreshing escape from the city. Ninfa Gardens, 40 km east of Rome can be easily reached by train to Latina Scalo (9km from Latina) From there, bus or taxi service will take you to the site. Gardens have limited opening days. From April to October, the 1st weekend and 3rd Sunday of each month.
The long season awaited is here again, Christmas time. If you are planning to spend your Christmas in Rome, consider yourself lucky. Spending Christmas in Rome gives one an exceptional feeling which cannot be easily forgotten. If you are thinking of where to spend this year’s Christmas holiday, think no further than Rome. Rome gives one an experience to discover and explore a world of ancient traditions mixed with colourful symbols and Christmas folklore. In Rome Christmas holidays start from the Christmas Eve and ends at 6th January. During the Christmas in Rome, the cultural tradition takes the stage. Family members and friends come together with a variety of foods being served. During this festive season, the centre of attraction lies on a Christmas tree and a Nativity crèche. Whether you are a Christian or not, I assure you a Christmas spend in Rome is incredible. You will be exposed to the Italian lifestyle and the religious activities being performed. Rome is not only a top city in Italy but it has also a reputation to be the city where the celebrations for Christmas started. Christmas markets in Rome During this enchanting season, several markets are open in readiness to usher in this important occasion. Some of the Christmas markets in Rome include Piazza Navona, Ice Park Christmas Village, among others. The Ice Park gives you an opportunity to taste all kinds of the typical products. The shopping place is warm characterized by the joyful atmosphere. Tourists can not only shop in this place but will also have a lifetime event in sporting activities such as ice skating. Besides this they will also experience stunning world class performance which is aimed at making them stay entertained all through. Navona square is also a Christmas market in Rome. It’s one of the most famed and well known in the city. It’s open from early December till Epiphany, 6th January. This market is characterized by beautiful squares in Rome. One can buy gifts, sweets, toys, typical foods and coloured lights in this market. Piazza Re di Roma is another Christmas market in the area. It opens from early December till the Christmas Eve. Things you can buy here include decorations, toys, gifts, Christmas lights, typical foods and Christmas sweets. Piazza Caprera is another Christmas market in Rome. It’s founded in Piazza Caprera square and one can buy things like gifts, typical foods and lights here. Other Christmas markets include Mercantino Natalizio di Fiumicino and Flamino Stadium. Traditions Christmas in Rome start as early as December 8. The events are kicked off with decorations. In Rome although gifts are given out on Christmas day, most of them are given out on Epiphany, January 6. Christmas trees and decorations mark the peak of the celebrations. The lights can be seen as early as December or late November. The Nativity crèche is also a centre of attraction with many people around the globe travelling to witness it. The family eats the meatless dinner on the Christmas Eve and thereafter a midnight mass is attended. The most famous traditional food in Rome is fish. Christmas Eve mark the time when the meal is served. Traditional bonfires highlight the celebration of Christmas. They bonfires are lit on the square of town (main). Rome’s tradition is not so much diversified from the rest of Italy but its stands as one of the unique cities in Italy due to the size of the Christmas market, the Christmas trees which are many, and nativity displays. Why visit Rome at Christmas The history of Rome coupled by the religious festivities makes Rome astounding place to spend your Christmas. The worshipping, ice skating, nativity scenes, Christmas lights, Christmas trees, delicious traditional meals, seeing the pope, Auditorium celebration of Christmas among other reasons makes Rome the place to be. The city’s buildings are exceedingly beautiful. Comfortable temperatures give you the serene environment to spend your Christmas holiday. Touring Rome can add value to your life and trust me it will be a memorable event.
Started by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavia family, it was opened by his son Titus in 80 A.D. The highly ostentatious opening ceremony, lasted one hundred days during which people saw great fights, shows and hunts involving the killing ofthousands of animals (5000 according to the historian Suetonius). For the opening, the arena space was filled with water for one of the most fantastic events held in Roman times, naumachias – real sea battles reproducing great battles of the past. The Coliseum in Rome is one of the most imposing ancient structures. Imagine it all white, completely covered in splendid travertine stone slabs. It is elliptic in shape in order to hold more spectators. It had four floors; the first three had eighty arches each; the arches on the second and third floors were decorated with huge statues. What we see nowadays is just the skeleton of what was the greatest arena in the ancient world. Three-fifths of the outer surrounding brick wall are missing. In the Middle Ages, when no longer in use, the Colosseum was transformed into an enormous marble, lead and iron quarry used by Popes to build Barberini Palace, Piazza Venezia and even St. Peter's. The holes still seen in many columns are just the holes made to extract the lead and iron used by the Romans for the nails inside the marble blocks. The amphitheatre could hold up to seventy thousand spectators. The tiers of seats were inclined in such a way as to enable people to get a perfect view from wherever they sat. Entry was free for all Roman citizens, but places were divided according to social status, the seats at the top were for the people, the nearer you got to the arena the higher your social status.
The Vatican Museums begin just beyond a massive bronze door that, like magic, takes you out of Italy and into the smallest country in the world: the Vatican. There are priceless works of art here, collected by the popes or often expressly commissioned by them. More than 70,000 pieces are on exhibition in over 42,000 square meters, with another 50,000 pieces preserved in the vaults and storerooms. Forget about seeing everything in a single visit: it simply can't be done. To the millions of visitors that come here from every part of the globe to admire these marvels, the whole complex seems to be one gigantic museum but the Vatican Museums, with their full name "Papal Museums and Galleries", are the Museum of Museums, the result of the union of various collections, collections that often take the name of the pope that began them. The most sought-after stop on the Vatican Museum trail is without doubt the Sistine Chapel however every room is rich in history and precious examples of life from every era. The Museums as they appear today, were created in the second half of the 18th century and are made up of two parts: the actual Museum and the popes palaces, naturally only the portions open to the public. The visit is an incredible stroll through the history of art where you can meet the greatest artists ever, through their most important works.
All paths lead to Testaccio, where young urbanites look for fun. The sheer variety of ever-changing bars and clubs housed in ex-warehouses means there is always a new venue to discover in Rome. In the warren of streets behind Piazza Navona the beautiful people dance and play through the night. Dress to impress and swig cocktails and Prosecco under the night sky with an international crowd before cavorting in all the right clubs till dawn. Come nightfall, the cobbled streets of Trastevere bristle with the traffic of revellers enjoying a passeggiata (evening stroll) and ice cream, dining at a rustic pizzeria, or chatting over a glass of wine and waxing lyrical till late into the night. In the bygone days of dolce vita glamour, Via Veneto was the epicentre of Roman nightlife. The beat has moved on, but there are still a few classic nightclubs that relive the heyday for a mature and well-heeled champagne-quaffing crowd. Don't even think about hitting the clubs before midnight, but rest assured you can dance till dawn. Hungry clubbers head to cornettifici (bakeries) for freshly baked croissants before going to bed. Most wine bars in the centre stay open till around 2am, but once summer arrives, the big clubs transfer to the beaches of Ostia and Fregene.
Testaccio is home to the former slaughterhouse, many of the trattorie (typical italian restaurant) in this rustic part of town stick with tradition, cooking up dishes using butcher's cuts of meat known as the ‘fifth quarter' such as offal, tripe and the classic Roman oxtail. Rome's centre has an electric dining scene to sate all palates. See and be seen in the upmarket, silver-service restaurants near the Pantheon, or explore the winding streets behind Piazza Navona for a gourmet pizza topped with thinly sliced prosciutto and fragrant rocket. The run-down university quarter of San Lorenzo is packed with quirky, offbeat restaurants buzzing with leftfield character. Navigate the students and join the intelligentsia discussing lofty ideas over anything from vegetarian fare to gourmet game dishes. Wake up your tastebuds at aperitivo time, when many bars offer complimentary finger food with pre-dinner drinks. Lots of eateries are shut on either Sunday or Monday. Service is almost always included, otherwise a discretionary 5-10% is the maximum expected. Both bars and casual restaurants charge extra if you order at the table than at the bar.
