Rome Travel Blog

With the upcoming weeklong celebration of National Zoo Keeper Week, July 17-23, 2011, it’s worth taking a peak at the Bioparco di Roma, Rome’s century-old zoo and biopark. Located on the edge of Villa Borghese, the Bioparco di Roma is one of the oldest zoos in Europe, a conservation center...

One of beloved and stereotypical American summer memories for anyone, whether tourist or resident, is the quest for a July 4th celebration– a barbecue with fireworks, hot dogs, cotton candy,  slushies and beer, in no particular order, in honor of America’s rebellious and revolutionary history....

Though many look to Italy for its prolific bouquet of  wines, there is a subculture of travelers whose Eat-Pray-Love experience must be frothy and by that, I mean beer.   Beer travelers are perhaps the most friendly breed of tourists always on the hunt for a bit of culture on tap.  Even with hundreds...

With a fisted salute during Europride 2011, Lady Gaga has officially kicked off the summer  concert series in Rome.  Though many concerts are a pagamento, a small treasure trove of free concerts can be still be found– included the much heralded July 3 Colosseum concert by Biagio Antonacci. Though...

I’ve always said that May is a great month to visit Rome for all the amazing events.  If contemporary life is not what you are looking for, grab your phone and make resevervations for Roma Nascosta, ten days (May 25-June 5) of special visits to archaeological sites usually unavailable to the public. ...

“What happens at the Vatican (Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, et al) when it is not open to public?” may be one of the more popular questions I am asked throughout the year. Though I like to imagine the Pope sliding through the halls in his red velvet slippers with his white frock sailing...

It’s the end of the world as we know it.  If you haven’t had your head in the clouds, then you know that today, May 11, is the day an earthquake will hit Rome, rendering the city eternal no more.  Though I would be devastated if the Colosseum were to complete its collapse (in 1349 most...

Sharpen your pencils and get ready to take notes.  Your May calendar is going to be busy.  May in Rome means the city is bustling with flowers, fashion and outdoor events.  Here is a listing of what to add to your overly ancient and ridiculously Renaissance itinerary for Rome in May. Back to the Future,...

Kate and Wills’ wedding buzz got the best of you and you want to continue the information high throughout the weekend?  It’s time to tag along to the Vatican and the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Rome is already filled with hundreds of thousands of tourists and pilgrims, plus left...

  A long time ago, my only goal when in Rome was to find a red convertible Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider so I could repeatedly re-enact Brigitte Bardot’s final scene in Jean-Luc Goddard’s 1963 film Le Mepris (Contempt), shouting “get in your Alfa, Romeo”.  Le Mepris was my world,...