During the Roman Empire, Rosalia or Rosaria was a festival of roses celebrated on various dates, primarily in May, but scattered through mid-July. The observance is sometimes called a rosatio (rose-adornment) or the dies rosationis, ‘day of rose-adornment’. Flowers were traditional symbols of rejuvenation, rebirth, and in Greece and Rome, wreaths and garlands of flowers and greenery were worn by both men and women for festive occasions. [...]
Flowers are all around us, in stone, frescoes, and marble. Here are a few of our favourite around the city.How gorgeous are these stones that form the shape of a flower at the fountain @ Piazza Mazzini, in the Prati neighbour, a ‘stones’ throw from the Vatican City. A great space to sit and enjoy a gelato in the [...]
June is such a fab month to see Italy, it is literally a full on festival of flowers in Umbria and Lazio. In Umbria, the stunning medieval town of Spello celebrate Corpus Domini (Latin for the body of Christ) with their ‘L’Infiorata di Umbria Festival’. Floral carpets (Infiorata) are laid out on the streets of the historical centre. Florists and artists [...]
Michelangelo’s marble masterpieces The Pieta Michelangelo was in his early 20’s when he carved this beautiful statue depicting Mary mourning the death of her son Jesus. Upon witnessing this masterpiece, the Pope Julius II was so blown away by how life like it was, that he was moved to tears. It was this meeting between the two men that would change [...]
When tourists visit Rome and book a tour, one of the most asked questions we get asked is ‘Where did they film Roman Holiday?’ Why? Because Audrey Hepburn is to Rome what Jackie O was to Capri or what Elizabeth Taylor was to Acapulco. She was the epitome of elegance without excess. Little did she know that one walk in the [...]
The Vatican is a sovereign state, and the smallest state in the world, just less than half a kilometre squared. It is a theocratic monarchy, meaning it is run by a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God. And the state is heir of the ancient Pontiff State born following the Treaty of Lateran, [...]
The Macro, Rome’s MOMA if you will, has a fab new exhibit ‘Cross the Streets’ looking at 40 years of street art and writing. The importance of street art as a unique avant-garde is explored in it’s different mediums, such as advertising, fashion, music, and film. Techniques and styles discussed are graffiti, pop-surrealism, stencil art, photography, and film. As the main curator of the [...]
All roads lead to Rome and the Romans were known for their gigantic freeways, one of their many engineering inventions. One such road is the Via Appia, also known as the Appian Way. Locally known as ‘the Queen of the roads’, it stretches all the way to the harbour of Brindisi. The mega road was originally constructed to connect Rome to Southern [...]
Rome has so much offer, but where to begin tour wise when it comes to teenagers. Well, a good place to start is at the beginning!Palatine Hill This is where it all began, where the world’s greatest civilization was founded by Romulus and Remus. We recommend a visit of this incredible hill on day one or two, as part of [...]
