Hotelrome.net Blog : A guide to news and events in Rome

 

13-21 october 2006 :  A first time in Rome for this major international event  that will take place at the Auditorium, Rome. This is first of all a Cinema contest, and 3 italian movies will take part : “A casa nostra�, “L’Aria salata� and “La strada di Levi� and there will also be the premiere of “N� with Monica Bellucci. Sean Connery will be telling us some of his life and will  collect his Acting Award, and Nicole Kidman will open the very glamourous  Premiere. The Auditorium is a multi-activity mall with 4 movie rooms, offices and different areas.

 

 

 

 

The Festival will also be present in other areas of Rome. To name a few :  Piazza del Popolo, Via del Corso and the Trevi Fountain  will be showing movies  and will have  information desks.  Via Veneto will be revamped for the occasion and one look at it you would think we are back to  La Dolce Vita and Federico Fellini era ! Suburban Rome and the famous Cinecittà area will also have  workshops. For this special occasion which a cinema lover cannot miss we recommend a good hotel and hostel in central Rome.

 

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The museum of the Scuderie del Quirinale has very special guests: the famous army of terracotta soldiers buried over 2000 years ago by the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huangdi (221-210 BC). These statues representing soldiers, their horses, and all the necessary equipment of an army, wereburied together with the emperor, who during his reign had conquered huge territories to form an enormously vast empire.

The exhibition named “China. Birth of an Empire” presents chinese art and culture starting from the Zhou-dynasty (1045-221 BC) to the Han-dynasty (206 BC – 23 AD). It consists, in addition to the famous terracotta soldiers excavated only recently, of 350 extraordinary works of art, brought together from 14 different Chinese museums.

 

The exhibition was opened to the public on the 22nd September, and will continue until the 28th January 2007. For information on opening hours and ticket prices see the site of the museum. For instructions on how to find your way to the museum check the site of the local transport company ATAC and last but not least, to book your hotel in Rome

 

 

 

 The small town of Castel Gandolfo is famous for being the pope’s summer residence, and is only 20 kms south east of Rome off the Appian Way.
The summer palace of the actual pope Benedict XVI was originally a castle, built in the 12^th century by the Gandolfi family. In 1624 pope Urban VIII turned  it  into the official summer residence of the popes,  and had the palace extended and had the wonderful gardens created. In spite of all these efforts Urban VIII never lived there but dwelt in in the nearby Villa Barberini.  In the latter part of the 17^th century Bernini was designated the architect for further extensions, of which the famous square and its fountain in central Castel Gandolfo.  The buildings and garden, damaged during the French invasion  in the 17^th century were refurbished and eventually Villa Barberini became part of the popes’ residence. More recently, since 1936 an observatory is part of the palace, and works in partnership with the Tucson observatory in Arizona.

 

Culturally speaking Castel Gandolfo has had a very lively  exchange with the small French town of Chateauneuf du Pape over the last decade.

At its origins lays the fact that between the 14^th and 15^th century the headquarters of  the  Vatican had been shifted to Avignon in France, and Chateauneuf du Pape was the summer residence of the popes during that period. Nowadays this little French town is mostly  famous for one the best French wines that is produced. After your day trip we recommend you a comfortable hotel in the centre of Rome which you can book now
 

 

Friday the 23rd September 2006 saw the finals of the new Miss Italia for 2006. The famous Italian beauty contest presented by Carlo Conti has always been a huge success and as the years have evolved so has the nature of the programme and the selection process. Running over 4 evenings the miss from all regions of Italy grouped together at Salsamaggiore to begin the elimination process! The public at home watched on as each candidate was interviewed personally and demonstrated their passion ranging from singing, dancing and even demonstrating their goalkeeping talents!

And…… the winner is…… Claudia Andreatti who beat the venetian Elisa Silvestrin in the grand finale to become the new Miss Italia, with a striking difference…… she has short hair. In fact she was the only candidate participating with short hair. Already Miss Novella 2000 and Miss Dermogella the future looks rosy for Claudia who has already been offered a job as an interviewer to the stars with Novella, and in preperation for her new role she had a taste of the celebrity life when she was crowned by the well renowned movie star Sylvester Stallone.

 The recent success of this annual event doesn’t seem to be wavering with 7 million viewers in front o the television with a share of 37,50%. This is good news but doesn’t come close to last years recorded share of 47.04% and already Rai will be planning new ways to keep the show popular and up with the times and who knows maybe 2007 will see the record beaten? For the latest on the Italian beauty contest of the year you can log in to Miss Italia – the official web site.

 

Incredible as it may be since nowadays Campo de Fiori is such a lively place for party-goers at night and a market in the morning, but you should know that back to the times of papal rules, the area was the site of countless executions. Thankfully now the only corpses that litter the piazza are those of the fish, vegetables and flowers in the bright morning market ! Behind the piazza, and always in the historical centre of Rome is the Palazzo Farnese, that overlooks Piazza Farnese. Pope Farnese (in the ‘500s) had the palazzo built  by the best architects available at that time and since 1635 the French Embassy has been renting the palazzo for …. 1 lira a year !

 

 

A couple of streets away begins the area best known as the Jewish ghetto.The Jewish community in Rome is known to be the oldest in Europe : The first Israelites came to Rome in 161 BC asking for imperial help against invaders. Today still many Jews call the Eternal City home. Back between 16 and 19^th century, Pope Paul IV confined the Jews in the Ghetto. The Sinagogue houses the Jewish Museum. And before your arrival you will want to book a comfortable and cheap hotel and hostel in the centre of Rome.

 

 

The Italian politics and Italian politicians seem to be constantly in the center of the attention – maybe because the Italians themselves love politics so much. They even, or especially, talk about it while having dinner, which the rest of the world tends to avoid, simply not to spoil their appetite. Therefore the government buildings of Rome, where it all happens, are definitely worth seeing.

 

The Italian president resides in the Quirinale Palace on the Quirinale-hill, the highest of the famous seven hills on which the ancient Rome was born. The palace itself is a magnificent 16^th century construction which used to belong to the pope and has been used by the president since 1948. The reception rooms of the Palace are open to the public on Sundays, from 8.30 to 12.30. And you shouldn’t miss the changing of the Guard of Honour, the favorite show of little boys and young women, every Sunday afternoon!

The Senate of the Republic operates in Palazzo Madama stands on the spot occupied once by emperor Nero’s baths, between the Pantheon and Navona Square.The oldest part of the building was constructed as early as 15th century  and it was already in govermental use in the end of the 18th century, long before the birth of the Italian national state in the modern meaning. The building is open for guided tours on the first Saturday of each month.

The liveliest center of the political life of Rome is the Palazzo Montecitorio, where the italian “MP”s work: it is the site of the chamber of deputies, often the destination of various processions and manifestations. The original building, much smaller than the current palace, is of the 16th Century, but in the mid-17th century a whole new facade was commissioned of the famous sculptor Bernini to join together a few adjacent buildings, even though these plans were never carried through according to Bernini’s design. The building, on Piazza di Montecitorio, was chosen to be the seat of the Chamber of deputies (Camera dei deputati) right from the beginning, from the unification of the Italian State in 1870. Guided tours are organised on the first Sunday of each month from 10.00 a, to 6.00 pm.

Around the corner from Palazzo Montecitorio, there’s the Palazzo Chigi on Piazza Colonna (practically on the main shopping street Via del Corso, but the way, should you want to end your tour with something slightly more fun…). This 18th century building is where the Council of Ministers resides. Palazzo Ghigi is not open to the public.

Last, but not least, is the massive bulding of the Constitutional Court, Palazzo della Consulta, on the slope of the Quirinal hill.This 16th century building was chosen to be the seat of the Constitutional Court in the 1955, and has been subject to a series of renovations since then. It is only open for touring on special occasions. The court hearings, however, are public and open for anyone to attend.

 

To book a hotel well connected with all of the abowe destinations see this site for your accomodation in Rome!

 

 

If you’ve already done some reading for your trip to Rome, you’ve propbably heard of Ostia Antica, one of the biggest and most important archaeological areas in Rome. Ostia (”ostium” is Latin for the mouth of a river, the point where it reaches the sea) was an ancient port, a lively and active center of commerce and sea transport and, as such, of vital importance to the Rome which was one of the biggest metropolis in the world at the time and therefore needed to import huge amounts of food and all sorts of merchandise imaginable.

The city of Ostia is proved to have been in existence as early as the 6th century B.C., and there are signs of civilization in the area even earlier than that. The golden age of Ostia was during the emperor Hadrian, when it could count more than 100.00 inhabitants! Being an important port, Ostia had a character typical of all the places frequently visited by sailors: it was crowded with all kinds of bars and tavernas for food, drink and fun as well as places to stay for the night. It also had several spa establishments, which offered experiences relax to the well-off business men of the place as well as to sailors off-duty. And naturally prostitution was as common as you can imagine in this atmosphere.

During your visit in Rome, you definitely should not miss Ostia Antica: for anybody interested in the past, it offers a huge area to explore with a wonderful wealth of archeaological material. And on a beautiful sunny day the place itself is just wonderful to spend some time in the middle of green trees, breathing in the fresh breeze from the sea. Besides, getting there is really simple: there’s a train from the Piramide line-B metro station towards Lido di Ostia, leaving about every 15 minutes. In less than 30 minutes you’re at the stop of Ostia Antica, where you just follow the signs for a couple of minutes walk to the entrance of the archaeological area. Of course, if you’re feeling lazy, you can always book a bus tour.

If you still haven’t booked your accomodation in Rome, click here and you’ll find options for all budgets for hotels, hostels and tours. 

 

Civitavecchia is much more than the mere port of Rome with its cruises : It is  also a place to be discovered for its history  and for those who prefer a relaxing day, beaches and spa are only steps away from the centre. The city is only an hour away from Rome and its hotels.

The Ancient Taurine Baths and its Villa : The baths were built 1 century AC and later redesigned by Trajan and also extended by Adrian. They were one of the biggest baths   during the Etruscan period and showed how important the roman society was at the time. They covered at least 2 hectares and there were different rooms of which a waiting room, but also hot and cold water baths, and even a sauna (laconicum). Ruins can be visited. The Villa, on the other hand, was a major trade centre during the Roman Empire and represented the importance of social and economic life of the region.

 

In the centre of Civitavecchia is the Michelangelo Fort, designed by Michelangelo in the 500s  under Pope Giulio II, which was to defend the then only Mediterranean port near Rome from foreign attacks.
If you are looking for some chillout we recommend the Baths of Ficoncella (Fonti di Ficoncella), north from Civitavecchia), which, unlikely to most baths, are odourless and are health wise.

For diving lovers, all you need is go south from the centre and you will be able to enjoy the Mediterranean underwaters or simply take a walk or some sun on the lovely beaches.

And for your stay in Rome hotel  book online our quality budget hotel and hostel right in the centre of Rome, which is near main attractions such as Colosseum and the Spanish steps.

The summer has come to an end and the temperatures are cooling down, but why not take advantage of the mild autumn weather in the eternal city of Rome. October and November in the historical capital of Italy is pleasant, the perfect time for sightseeing witout the humidity of the summer months but still being able to enjoy the outdoor cafè life which is Italy. Currently temperatures are approx. 25 – 26 degrees and as ever Rome is booming with tourists taking advantage of the fresh weather to visit some of the most famous sights in the world including the Colosseum and Roman Forum and the Vatican City. The question is……. How to enjoy all the joy that Rome can bring whilst staying in accommodation that does not compromise on quality and service but offers affordable rates for all budgets. Hotel Des Artistes and it’s fellow sister hotels cater to your needs ensuring that your stay in Rome is memorable and stress free.

Hotel Des Artistes has a great reputation as a leading 3 star category hotel in Rome and the prices are designed to not break the bank! Whether it be a business trip, family holiday or getaway break Des Artistes is sure to have the room for you. Centrally located it can be easily reached from the main train station Termini and local sights include the colosseum at a 20 min stroll or 3 stops on the nearby metro and the world renowned Roman Forum. Rooms are warm and inviting and the beautiful garden terrace really adds to the charm of the building creating a perfect retreat. But do not fear, if you are travelling on a lower budget the Hotel Des Artistes group has other establishments that could be of interest to you and understanding the budgets on which especially students and bakpackers travel you could try the sophisticated Nice Hotel – a small residence that offers great value rome accommodation at a price that you cannot refuse! Attention to details is the key and Nice Hotel is a small haven to retreat to after a busy day in the city. Large golden mirrors and wall lights illuminate the stylish entrance and  rooms are not lacking in services with electronic safety deposit boxes and televisions for your comfort. Bathrooms are located outside in the corridor to be shared with other rooms.

 

For any options within the Hotel Des Artistes group you can contact the central booking office info@hoteldesartistes.com for more information. Alternatively booking online has vìnever been so simple and for 3 star hotel options book online today at Des Artises Rome Hotels online booking and for Nice Hotel Budget accommodation in Rome bookings online.

 

The Roman neighbourhood of EUR, in the direction of the sea from the city center, was redesigned  in the late 1930’s to be the venue of the Universal Exhibition of Rome in 1942. The event actually never took place, because in the meantime the World War II had broken out. In fact, even the new layout of EUR was only completed after the war.

The layout and architecture of EUR represent typically the architectural ideology of the fascist movement, being based on ancient Greek, Etruscan and Roman models of a city layout.Some of the finest and most typical architectural wonders of EUR are the Palazzo dei Congressi (the Congress Building),the church of the Roman patron saints, Saint Peter and Paul (San Pietro e Paolo) 

and of course the very symbol of EUR or maybe even of the 20th century Italian architecture in general: the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana (that is, the “Building of the Italian Civilisation”) the  with its huge, square mass lightened by the rows of arches upon arches…

All these massive stone buildings might appear too heavy if it weren’t for the parks, broad and spacious street layout and big squares, such as the United Nations Square. In the nieghbourhood you can also visit several museums, for example the Museum of Roman Civilization on Via dell’Architettura.

If you’re visiting Rome and have at least a few days available, EUR is definitely not to be missed – after seeing all the ancient monuments of the historical center, comparing them with the achievements of fellow architechts of the same people, just created 2000 millenniums later, can open you a whole new view on it all! Besides, getting toEUR couldn’t be easier: just take the metro line B at Termini and get off at one of the 3 stations in EUR: Palasport, Fermi or Laurentina. For accomodation, you may be more comfortably off in the centre of the city, try this: Hotels in Rome