Italy: Art and Culture

Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Italy has been witness to the birth of two of the most powerful and influential forces in not only Europe, but the Western World. The mark the Romans left on the world is not only cultural but the evidence of their highly sophisticated society is no more abundant than in the heart of the former Empire itself, Rome.

Almost 1000 years after the fall of the ancient Roman Empire, Italy again (this time with Florence leading the way) became the cultural capital of the world, the Renascence (not just an art movement, but an intellectual awakening, an explosion of science, technology and discovery that changed the way the people of Europe operated and saw themselves) flourished here.

Florence is still today the undisputed capital of Renascence Art, fueled by the Medici Family in the late 1400’s and into the 1600’s the city was host to Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello and a who’s who of art science and philosophy legends . People still visit the city today to witness for themselves the beauty and perfection in painting, sculpture and architecture that was created during this time. Some of the cities most famous and visited museums include the Accademia and the Uffuzi.

Rome was never far behind Florence in this cultural awakening and is home to the Vatican City, home to the Vatican Museums and the roof of the Sistine Chapel so famously painted by Michelangelo as well as his ‘Last Judgment’. People also flock to Rome from every corner of the globe for religious pilgrimages, to St. Peters Basilica, home of the Catholic Church and the Vatican City, located in the heart of Rome.

Venice also provides a totally unique experience with it’s canals, bridges, gondolas, the Basilica of St Mark and the square, reputed to be one of the most beautiful and romantic in the world.

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Rome Travel Facts

Posted on Friday, August 26, 2011

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do”– delve into the city’s many formidable museums and basilicas, tantalize your taste buds with the unparalleled flavor of Italy and surround yourself with the pervading sense of history that is the Eternal City.

The range of landmarks within the bounds of the city is staggering: there is the grand Colosseum and lavish Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel and so much more. “Roma” is a magnificent combination of old and new, and positively hums with lively markets, cheery cafés and of course, traffic. Rome is testament to the momentous Italian past - whichever way you look, Rome will mesmerize, amuse and enlighten… and have you planning your next visit before you’ve even left.

Quick Facts:

Population: 3.8 million
Language: Italian
Currency: The Euro 1€ =100 Cents
Time Zone: GMT +1

Weather: The weather in Rome is generally pleasant due to the mild Mediterranean climate, however summers are hot and spring and autumn, sunny.

Average January Temperature: 8ºC / 46ºF
Average July Temperature: 25ºC / 77ºF

Most Popular Sites:

The Vatican City - The Vatican city is not only a truly spiritual place but is impressive for its grandeur, art and of course
St Peters – the biggest church in the World. Also not to be missed is the Sistine Chapel, whose ceiling is home to Michelangelo’s mural masterpiece.
Colosseum - Known to the Ancient Romans as the “Flavian Amphitheater” this symbol of the Roman Empire was host to 450 years of gladiators, lion feedings and “games”. It is a truly impressive sight.
Trevi Fountain - A beautiful rococo design, the Trevi Fountain is the place to stir romance. Legend has it by throwing a coin over your shoulder, into the fountain, you will return to Rome.
Pantheon - Nearly 1900 years after its construction this 2nd century AD pagan temple to the gods is remarkably still intact. Converted to a church in 608AD, Marcus Agrippa’s extraordinary dome is the largest masonry vault ever built.
Spanish Steps – Nicknamed Rome’s living room, the Spanish Steps are the perfect place to sit and people watch. Both tourists and locals can be seen sitting and relaxing on the steps that overlook the piazza.

Shopping:

The Italians smooth sense of style has made Rome a center for chic shopping. The many different districts provide ample opportunity to wander down the street looking for antiques, sunglasses and shoes.

Italian shoes are world famous and leather goods also are a great buy. At the base of the Spanish steps, in the Piazza Di Spagna, you’ll find Italian designers like Armani, Versace, Prada and Gianfranco Ferré. Be advised that shops generally do not open on Sundays.

Food:

Eating in Rome is a truly communal affair and eating out is a crucial part of Roman life. Neighborhood Trattorias are the cornerstone of dining and you’ll often still find them still run by families with Mamma in the kitchen.

Traditional fare includes dishes like coda alla vaccinara (oxtail cooked with wine, tomatoes and peppers) and bruschette (slices of toasted bread with tomato or oil and garlic) on top of the normal pasta’s you know and love.

There are numerous Pizzeria and they are quick, easy and good value for money. Enjoy native pizza alla romana, pizzas with a thin crust and a crispy edge. Make sure however, it is from a wood fuelled oven for maximum flavor. Something to indulge at every opportunity is the very decadent Italian ice cream or Gelato.

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Italy Archeology and History

Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2011

Archeologists have determined that the first people settled on the Italian peninsula as early as 1,000,000 BC, in the Paleolithic era.  The famous preserved ruins of Pompeii, buried in the 1st century by an eruption from Mt. Vesuvius, enable us to see in extraordinary detail how ancient people lived, and fascinating ruins of Ancient Rome are situated throughout the center and outskirts of an otherwise modern Rome. Extant sights of Ancient Rome include:       

• Pantheon
• Roman Forum
• Palatine Hill
• Colosseum
• Circus Maximus
• Baths of Caracalla and Diocletian
• Excavated churches, temples and obelisks 

While today’s visitors to Italy can still taste that distant past, it is the later epochs of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance that have enriched this land with its greatest treasures.

Hotel d'Inghilterra, Rome

Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2011

Featured Hotel partner: Hotel d'Inghilterra, Rome

Hotel d'Inghilterra is part of the Chateaux & Hotels Collections, and is located very close to the majestic Piazza di Spagna and via Condotti with its fashionable shops, the Spanish Steps, the famous Cafe Greco and more. The hotel is famous for its authentic Italian atmosphere and long tradition of service.

Now offering a best available rate in all seasons for new bookings, including the following special amenities:

• Daily buffet breakfast in the Café Romano
• Upgrade upon availability
• A bottle of selected Italian Prosecco upon arrival
• Book a minimum 4-night stay in a deluxe room and up and Ensemble guests will get a 3-course dinner for two with a selected bottle of wine

Some restrictions may apply, please call for details.

The Roman Forum

Posted on Friday, May 20, 2011

Visitors can be a little confused by the Roman Forum while on an Italy tour. At first glance, it is a rather lifeless array of marble fragments. But we must remember that in ancient times, this space was far more than the temples and monuments whose ruins we can explore today. It was filled with bustling, noisy life as the popular crossroads of the city—the predecessor, in fact, of the modern Italian piazza.

Every morning at dawn, average Romans would escape their cramped, dark apartment blocks (called insulae or "islands") and spent their days outdoors. The Forum Romanum was the oldest and most crowded of their meeting spots. Back then, it housed structures from Rome's most ancient times, including the small Temple of the Vestae, where the Eternal Flame burned, and the old Curia (Senate House). Like an open-air art gallery, statues loomed haphazardly on every corner. Although these are displayed in museums today as white marble, they were originally painted bright, even garish colors; their lips brilliant red, they had expressively detailed eyes, and their clothing was of bold, striking hues. But far more eye-catching were the live attractions.

As in any piazza today, "people-watching" was a favorite pursuit. Ancient Rome was the world's first great immigrant city, and on a single afternoon you could see beautiful courtesans from Egypt, Syrians in magnificent silks, slaves from the Danube, boxers from Ethiopia, Greek language professors, German imperial guards with braided blonde hair, and Britons in outlandish trousers. Theatrical performers gave the Forum a circus-like ambiance—one could see animal trainers with dancing monkeys, acrobats, fire-eaters, and professional storytellers. "Give me a copper coin," was the standard refrain, "and I'll tell you a golden story." Actors declaimed lines. Poets read verse. Philosophers debated. Strange marvels would also be on display—the first Indian tiger seen in Europe was shown in a cage alongside "giant's bones" (actually dinosaur fossils from the East).

It was impossible to be bored in this tumultuous space. Over the centuries, the emperors would create other more spacious and opulent Forums. Today, we can see the Forums of Augustus, Trajan, and Nerva along the Via degli Fori Romani, but the original cramped and chaotic Forum Romanum would remain the most beloved.