All posts tagged touring rome
Rome by night by bicycle
Summer in Italy’s capital of Rome marks a hot and busy city until the locals start to head for the seaside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy things from a different point of view. In fact, the eternal city offers some great experiences in summer, and it’s the perfect time to discover Rome by night.
Our colleagues at 06blog suggest hooking up with the Biciebike association to tour Rome by bicycle on Sunday nights, taking in the historical areas of Testaccio, Aventino and San Lorenzo, and of course the essential historical centre, Tevere and the areas of Prati/Delle Vittorie.
If you’re game, check out the Biciebike site, or even have a go yourself. It sounds like something romantic to do in one of Italy’s most romantic cities and is the perfect chance to avoid the traffic and pollution of Rome during the day.
Photo | Flickr
Rome's task force against art vandals
Touring Rome is more than enough for us to realise the historical and cultural patrimony of the city, but what we don’t always realise is how much Rome’s monuments and artworks are the subject of vandalism. Now, in the height of summer with more tourists and locals with nothing to do, Rome has instigated its new task force against such vandalism.
In the past, many of Rome’s monuments and statues have been vandalised, including Ponte Milvio, the Fontana della Barcaccia in Piazza Spagna, the fountain of the four rivers in Piazza Navona and even the Trevi Fountain itself. Rome even had the sadness to see swastikas and celtic figures graffited onto one of the fountains of the Villa Borghese after Italy’s World Cup game against New Zealand. Given the sheer number of historical and artistic monuments in the city, it seems vandals are spoiled by choice.
The cultural task force of the provincial Carabinieri command will be back this summer in both undercover and uniform operations to discourage and catch vandals of Rome’s precious monuments. While the guys at 06blog say that it’s often locals who undervalue their city, and tourists from around the world who really appreciate, we’re hoping that Rome will be better protected from mindless acts of vandalism by anyone.
Photo | Flickr
iPhone app to jump entrance queues at Colosseum
Dream of touring Rome without the queues? Now you can with an iPhone app that lets you jump the queue at the Colosseum, which is particularly handy in the height of the Italian summer tourist season. The application ‘i-Mibac- Top 40′ is a free download that you can use to look at maps and find information for more than 40 museums and archeological sites.
It allows you to book and buy tickets, receiving a bar code that lets you skip the queue and enter straight away. The iPhone application is the first to have been released by an Italian ministry and will soon be available on a range of Apple products, as well as smartphones in English.
Tickets purchased via the iPhone can be booked up to 24 hours prior to the planned visit, and the ticket holder receives a confirmation email with the barcode mentioned above. The new system is now working for the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine and will soon be available for other entrances as well.
Photo | Flickr
Rome by horse and carriage: new rules protect horses' wellbeing
Being romantic in Rome could involve a horse and carriage ride around the city, but these days you’ll find your driver is more restricted in where he can and can’t go. The tradition of horses in Rome and their carriages called “botticelle” dates back to the days when they were used for the transport of wine barrells throughout the city. The barrells are known as ‘botti’, and the carriages get their name from this very purpose. After a battle has been waged between environmentalists and the tourism board, new rules now govern the use of the horse and carriage for tourists wanting to tour Rome.
Horse and carriage owners must now include a numberplate on the vehicles, and must not travel streets that are too steep to avoid the horses getting tired. The animals are not supposed to work more than eight hours a day. The university of La Sapienza is even studying the possibility of using a kind of electric cart which would be lighter and easier to drive.
The “botticelle” can only travel the pedestrian zones of the city centre, and the tourist districts of Trastevere, Testaccio and villa Borghese, with a few more streets exempt from the absence of horses: via Vittorio Veneto, viale Trastevere, piazza della Repubblica, via della Consolazione, via dei Fori Imperiali and via Petroselli. Other streets have seen horse and carriage traffic banned, included via Barberini, Crispi, Quattro Fontane, della Dataria, salita Del Grillo, via Panisperna and via San Sebastianello.
In addition to this, horse and carriage drivers have been offered the opportunity to swap their licence for a taxi driver’s licence. If that is a more convenient option, we could see the possibility of touring Rome by horse and carriage disappear. In the words of Lando Fiorini, protesting the move: “Let’s keep them [the horses]. They’re part of tradition - let’s ban the cars instead, maybe.”
Photo | Flickr
Tourist Angels in Rome help with rip-off schemes and travel tips
Tips for travelling in Rome are not always easy to come by which is why the tourist board of Rome has invented the “Tourist Angels” travelling tourist advisors. Their job is to answer questions such as how far the nearest metro station is, what time the museum or shops close and where to find various facilities.
They speak different languages and get about on the little Segway transport you see in the video. The other thing that the Tourist Angels are supposed to help with is tourists who feel that they’ve been ripped off in some way. The initiative comes after a Japanese tourist in Rome had to pay 695 euros for a dinner for two in a restaurant in which the meal cost 579.50 euros and the tip was 115.50 euros.
It’s a nice idea, though we’re not sure if the Tourist Angels are supposed to use the Segways to charge down swindlers taking advantage of unsuspecting tourists, or if they’ll just be a smiling presence around the Colosseum to make Rome look good. You thoughts?
Source | Travelblog.it and 06blog.it
Touring Rome: rare visits to art and archaeological sites
Some of Rome’s architectural and historic treasures are being opened for special guided tours run by Italy’s environmental organisation, FAI. Places such as the Temple of the “Ninfe” and “Porta Asinaria” will open for rare, free guided tours by FAI.
The first, which started in October, will be followed by one on November 21st to “La Sala degli Stucchi del Teatro Marcello” (Marcello Theatre), then next year in February a visit to the Argentina Theatre will be conducted. That will be followed by the last tour to “La Casina del Cardinal Bessarione” in April.
For full details on how to see these rare examples of art and archaeology in Rome, see the FAI website.
New area of Palatine Hill in Rome opens to public: Vigne Barberini terrace open
A new area of Rome’s Palatine Hill has finally been opened to the public, providing a new viewing platform from the “Vigna Barberini” terrace. The name comes from the Barberini family vineyards that would have once adorned this area of the Palatine Hill, and the terrace is situated on the part of the hill overlooking the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine.
It is the first time in history that this part of the Roman ruins of Palatine Hill has been opened, and now from the Vigne Barberini you can pass through to the Arch of Titus. The ‘Vigne Barberini’ has been left mostly as is, and provides another little secret garden in this corner of Rome.
Access to the area has been reinforced with the rebuilding of wall that was unsafe, and no bookings are required. It is open as part of the normal entrance fee to Palatine Hill. A combined ticket to the Roman forum, Palatine Hill and the Colosseum costs nine euros.
Source | Travelblog.it and 06blog.it
Photos | Flickr
Exploring Rome's districts: Garbatella and St Paul's outside the walls
If you’ve been to Rome, you’ve probably toured the area of Garbatella without even knowing it. This area of Rome is home to the lovely basilica of St Paul’s outside the walls, or “San Paolo fuori le mura”. If you’ve never been, this is one Italian church you don’t want to miss for its stunning mosaics. There are many churches to visit in Rome, but if you’re prioritising this should sit somewhere high up the list.
The area of Garbatella has a mixed history, and no-one is really sure of the origin of the name. The most popular theory is that it was named after a woman, and a fountain in Piazza Ricoldo da Montecroce would seem to attest to this. The fountain has since been rebaptised “the fountain of lovers” and is topped by a statue of a woman.
The Garbatella district was originally a “garden city”, planned by the king in 1920 to house the workers that would be building the new city port. Much of the green space and small villas then gave way to fascist buildings and architecture. Using the old theatre cinemaTeatro Palladium as your landmark, you can almost lose yourself in this corner of Rome.
Continue reading: Exploring Rome's districts: Garbatella and St Paul's outside the walls
Touring Rome: the gardens of Sallust
Touring Rome can take in many hidden secrets of the city and today we explore a less well known area of Rome: the Gardens of Sallust also known as Horti Sallustiani. In ancient times, the gardens belonged to Roman historian Sallust who used the wealth he had hoarded as governor of Africa Nova to develop them; located in the northwestern sector of Rome, in what would become Region VI, between the Pincian and Quirinal hills, the gardens were regarded as one of Rome’s largest parks. The area in which such important Roman Emperors as Augustus and Adrian lived still retains the aura of another era; many of its monuments have survived the invasions of barbarian hordes and the passing of time, and the famous obelisk which used to decorated the gardens is now on display at Trinità dei Monti, at the Spanish Steps.
Touring Rome: cycling the Appian Way
Cycling in Italy, particularly in Rome, obviously has its romantic pleasures, and in the eternal city you can only imagine the stunning streetscapes and history you can explore when cycling. The Appian Way is perfect for a cycle in Rome (if a little “offroad”) where you can visit the various mausoleums, villas and marble monuments of Rome’s most famous street.
The Appian Way and “Regina Viarum” are part of a park area which you can enjoy at your leisure, away from the life threatening traffic. We recommend a helmet, due to the slightly rough footpaths, and some water. If you can pack your own lunch, do that too, because sandwiches are pricey in this part of town.
Photo | Flickr
Boating and tourism on Rome's River Tiber
Rome’s tourism board is working on an ambitious project that aims to restore boating to the Tiber River, in a project that should see genuine attempts to return to tourism on the river.
The boating and tourism project should see small beaches and pools constructed along the river, although it won’t be the traditional “bagno nel Tevere” or bathing in the Tiber, from times gone past; that will probably be reserved for the more courageous.
Other aspects to the Rome tourism project include a cycling path around Ponte Milvio, and “terraces” on the Tiber, corresponding to the pedestrian areas that already exist around the Tiber Isle, Castel Sant’Angelo and Ponte Milvio. Lifts for wheelchair access are also being considered.
Source | LaStampa.it
Photo | Flickr
Visiting Rome: no snacks at the Spanish Steps, please!
Rome’s city council has banned eating snacks on or near monuments, meaning some tourists on a budget can kiss goodbye to the bread, cheese, wine style of touring. Perhaps not a bad thing though as firstly, you can enjoy the sights without seeing McDonald’s, Spizzico or Autogrill rubbish floating around, and two, we might be more encouraged to enjoy some of the greener areas for picnics in Roman parks.
Whichever you choose, you can face up to a 50 euro fine as the city council seeks to protect its precious historical monuments, and an environment in which everyone can enjoy them. The homeless and night-time party goers are also being discouraged to loiter, in attempts to limit effects of mass tourism on the city.
The ban is in place until October so remember if you’re travelling to Rome in summer, you are a guest in the city and should show due respect to the sights you’re seeing. After all, it’s too easy to become blasé about yet another thousand-year-old monument.
Source | The Sydney Morning Herald
Photo | Flickr
Follow us
blogdolcevita is part of the Blogo.it network of blogs. Contacts About us.
© 2005-2010 Blogo.it, P. IVA 04699900967, some rights reserved under a Creative Commons license.