Rome Travel Blog

Ben Hur Live is racing through Rome from now through December 4, 2011 at the Nuova Fiera di Roma (midway between Fiumicino Airport and the city of Rome). Those familiar with the late 19th century novella made popular by Charlton Heston’s 1959 film will find the 21st century take a fast paced, eye-catching...

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...

  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,...

Guest writer Brian Zygo on Rome and football: Although it has been over sixteen centuries since gladiators in the Colosseum, gladiators and the other blood sports of the Roman Empire continue to hold a fascination in western popular culture, from movies such as Ben Hur and Gladiator to the Starz network...

Martedì Grasso is in less than five days, announcing the arrival of more leaner times– but there are still four days of  carnival season in Rome.  This Saturday March 5 through  Tuesday Tuesday March 8, Rome shows off its carnival best with Carnevale Romano with festivities, parades, and musical...

Think the Roman Forum is so old, it can’t get anything new? Think again!  Adding more punch to the block buster Roman Forum/Palatine/Colosseum billing is entry into the Atrium Vestae, House of the Vestal Virgins , a first century AD priestess-only grounds that is now open to visitors after a twenty...

So you’ve planned your vigilia, Christmas eve, with a whopping feast in a posh ristorante or traditional trattoria.  You’ve organized Santa to scale the palazzo walls for Christmas day.  What’s on the agenda for the 26th? In Italy, December 26 is the feast of Santo Stefano, an official holiday...

Rome for the Holidays? The Eternal City was designed for winter holiday celebration thanks to its beautiful architecture, the open and festively decorated piazzas, the not-too-chilly weather and most importantly, the century-old traditions and celebrations during the holiday season.  If you are lucky...

Get ready to go behind the scenes of the world’s biggest arena.  Finally, the Colosseum‘s hypogeum (underground) is open for public, guided visits, along with the ancient arena’s third level seating tier.  Visitors have the opportunity to experience what it may have been like to literally...

Villa Borghese is the place in Rome to run to when you need to unleash your child or inner child.  Sprawling over 148 acres of meadows, Villa Borghese is one of Rome’s largest parks.  Formerly the private estate of the Borghese family, the late 19th century Italian unification transformed the...