If your are in Rome and haven’t decide yet what to do on New Year’s Eve, don’t worry the Eternal city has plenty to offer; from the classical music concert in piazza del Quirinale to the concert which Italian singer Claudio Baglioni will hold in the Imperial Forums, near the Colosseum. But if you don’t like Claudio Baglioni, well, you can always opt for another famous Italian singer, Antonello Venditti or go to the Rome Gospel Festival which has a really interesting programme this year. In addition to all this, poetry lovers will be glad to know that the poems of Gioachino Belli - set to music by Rossini - can be enjoyed at the Theatre of Tor Bella Monaca for a romantic evening devoted to poetry and music. By the way, on New Year’s eve night there will be a 24-hour subway service, so this time you can leave your car home!

Foto: Flickr

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If you want a treat for your shopping in Rome, you should check out the boutique shop Candle’s Store located in the San Lorenzo district, in via dei Campani. Giving candles as a gift has taken off in many countries, and with Christmas coming up, what better place to get some shopping done as well as exploring Rome?

The shop offers traditional candles as well as more authentic pieces, with candles in the shape of animals, glasses for tealights and bowls for other scented decorations. The shop belongs to the Moraes family who have dedicated their family business to the shop.

The story goes that one day Andrea said to his brother Antonio: “Do you remember that when we were children I used to call you ‘Vela’ [the Portuguese word for candle]? Well, I believe that everyone has a divine purpose in life, or at least I like to believe it…. How about we make candles from now on?” And since then, they haven’t looked back.

Continue reading: Shopping in Rome: boutique candle store

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Based on the song Abba recorded in the 1970s, the musical Mamma mia has been seen by over 42 million people, taking in more $2 billion dollars worldwide! Now the Mamma mia fever is getting higher by the minute here in Italy too; the musical will in fact open at the Teatro Nazionale in Milan at the end of September. Translated into several languages the musical has been a hit everywhere, breaking records all over the world. No one can resist that catchy melody. No one can stand still when listening to the Abba songs!

The Italian cast includes Chiara Noschese, Lisa Angelillo, Giada Lorusso and Luca Arcangeli.
Italian lyrics by Stefano d’Orazio

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Cats has been performed around the world so many times that one can’t keep track of it; it has been translated into more than 20 languages, Italian, of course, included. Actually the Italian version has been one of the longest shows in musical theatre history, but now it’s the time to say goodbye to the audience - the final curtain will come down at Palalottomatica in Rome on February 12 -13.

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Campo dei fiori- One of Rome’s most picturesque piazzas - has always been popular with tourists. Its name which literally means field of flowers was first given in the Middle Ages when the place was just a meadow. Its fame grew over the centuries and during the Renaissance period Campo dei fiori became also famous for being the square where capital punishment took place (here Giordano Bruno was burned alive in 1600). Now, of course, things have changed and the square is a rather fashionable spot with lounge bars and elegant pubs where people can have an aperitif or a cup of Italian coffee. Every Sunday Campo dei Fiori also hosts a market famous throughout Rome.

Foto | Flickr

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Aqualandia is an aquatic park designed for swimming and other water activities. In short, everyone can have fun and learn how to thrive in the water while playing in the wave pool, participating in water fitness classes, or swimming laps. Located in the lovely town of Jesolo, the aquatic park is divided into seven zones and features the world’s highest water chute!

Prices: season tickets can be purchased for 75 euros; ordinary tickets for 26 euros!The park will close for the winter (beginning of September onwards)

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Rome is a continuous surprise and this time I’m not talking about monuments but public parks! Bordering with Villa Pamphili, the Valle dei Casali is an amazing 450 hectare park where people can enjoy nature at a leisurely pace; hectares and hectares of rolling green meadows, lovely hillocks and beautiful trees. The area is dotted with picturesque old farms and luxury old villas such as the famous Villa York. The valle dei Casali also features an elegant café called La Casa del Parco where people can relax while sipping a cup of coffee or a glass of iced lemonade! The second Sunday of every month the park turns into a lively market. with many stalls to browse around! For more information please visit the RomaNatura website!

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If you have a passion for street art you will be glad to know that the Ferrara Buskers Festival is not the only event dedicated to this form of art here in Italy; in fact every year the small town of Pennabili in the Marche region organises an International festival which never fails to draw thousands of talented artists from all over the world; from Japan and America to Mexico and Iran. This year more than 300 artists will perform at the festival Internazionale dell’Arte di Strada which, as I have just said, will take place in Pennabili (the town is located near the beautiful Natural Park of Sasso Simone) from 17 to 20 June! Don’t miss it!

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Buskers from all over the world will gather in Ferrara for the Ferrara Buskers Festival from 20 to 29 August. This year Stefano Bottoni, organiser of this extraordinary event which has reached number 23 and still has no rival in the world, has travelled far and wide in search of the most original street artists the market can offer. Actually many of them come from France (Marseille, Paris, Cavaillone, Avignon and Paris). This festival give us the chance to listen to young talented musicians who can turn streets and squares into a stage in the open air, with thousands of men and women from very different backgrounds enjoying the bohemian atmosphere and becoming acquainted with people they have never met before!

Continue reading: Summer in Italy: Ferrara Buskers Festival 2010

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The city of Rome will celebrate its 2763rd birthday on April 21st (Ab urbe condita). While waiting for this important event, why not explore Roman cuisine and find out more about the exotic tastes and aromas of the ancient Rome? A sumptuous banquet has been organised by Italian Fulbright Association and Circolo Montecitorio on April 16. Guests will have the unique opportunity to choose from a superb menu which includes aperitifs made of nectar and exquisite Popppaea Sabina cassatas (all recipes are from such important books as Marco Gavio Apicio’s De re coquinaria, Catone’s De agri cultura liber Marco Terenzio Varrone ‘s De re rustica). Maybe it’s too late to book a table now but you can always cook a Roman meal for your friends and hold a party at your home. All recipes are available online!

Photo: Wikipedia

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