Return visitors to Rome may be aware of the fact that museums tend to close on Mondays in the city (The Vatican Museums, being in another sovereign country, are the most visible exception). Well, that is in the past: a fair number of museums has started to observe a different schedule for a few years […]
by C. P.
Many tourists visiting the Colosseum area walk by its entrance every single day, unaware that their exploration of Rome could include one more jewel. They climb through the Colle Oppio city park looking for a place to sit in the shade… or a photo opportunity, and lo and behold, they’ve got one just under them! […]
Whether you’re visiting Rome as a part of a longer travel through Italy and were not aware of the local Christmas tradition, or you got here specifically for the purpose of being a witness to it, the fact remains that the Roman cuisine at this time of the year is both an exception and exceptional. […]
There’s a misconception that Rome (and Italy at large) turns into a wasteland during the holidays, no matter when said holidays are – it is repeated when the month of August begins, in Easter, before May Day and again right now, at the end of the year. This was probably truer in the 1950s or […]
by C. P.
Whatever your views on animal rights are, there is no denying that the horse-drawn carriages you encounter while visiting Rome are picturesque and one of the old city’s most photographed scenes, as they take tourists from sight to sight. These particular vehicles are called “botticelle” in Italian, and they’re an attraction in their own right. Mind […]
Shopping for presents is the quintessential holiday activity, and one that goes farther back in time than most people imagine – the current tradition is one of the remnants of the ancient Saturnalia rites, a Roman celebration that was held at the end of each year and included, among others, the exchanging of gifts. Over […]
Whether you’ve already planned to be in Rome for the end-of-the year festivities or are considering to come in at that particular time, there are things you should know about how the city transforms during the whole of December and part of January. Having a clear idea of what is going to happen will protect […]
“Rome the Second Time” is the title of a well-known travel guide which offers, as per its cover, “15 itineraries that don’t go to the Coliseum”. This post takes a leaf from that book, by offering alternative, modern sights to return visitors as well as first-time tourists who may want to venture away from well-known […]
by C. P.
Thanks to the world-famous Palio, held two to three times each year, the perfectly preserved medieval town or the astounding Piazza del Campo, Siena is one of the most sought-after destinations for travellers visiting Italy, an unmissable place and one that can be easily visited even as a day-trip from Rome. How? Read more about […]
by C. P.
Whether you’re an “old school” kind of person and prefer the feeling of paper and pages rustling under your fingers, or you’re more practical and love to carry just a small amount of “entertainment weight” in your luggage, there is no denying that the holidays are a perfect time to do some catching up on […]
