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

The Teatro dell’ Opera was originally known as the Teatro Costanzi. The Teatro originally opened in November 1880. It was built within eighteen months on the site where the house of Heliogabalus stood. It was established on 27 November 1880 with a performance of Semiramide by Gioachino Rossini.At present the capacity is 1,600.The post-war period saw celebrated productions including Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro in 1964 and Verdi’s Don Carlos in 1965, both conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini and directed by Luchino Visconti. On January 2 1958 the Theater was the venue for a controversial performance of Norma starring Maria Callas that was given in the presence of President of Italy.
The theatre is located at Piazza Gigli, and is five minutes walk from Repubblica Metro Station (Linea A), and close to Stazione Termini, which is only few minutes walk from Hotel Des Artistes
Students, and those under the age 25, and over-65 qualify for half-price tickets, but not for first nights or low costing seats. Holders of some train tickets are also eligible for discounts.
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The Roman Forum in Rome by the Colosseum is one of the most fascinating sites in Rome. The Forum was the central area around which ancient Rome developed in which commerce, prostitution, cult, and the administration of justice took place. It is located in central Rome close to our hotel Yes Hotel Rome

The communal hearth was also located here. Within the forum you will find the remains of ancient Rome such as: “Temple of Vestaâ€? “House of the Vestalsâ€? “The Temple of Antoninus and Faustinaâ€? Basilica di Massenzio e Costantino and Arch of Titus. The temple to the Divine Julius, dedicated in 29BC to the deified Caesar the first case of political deification in Rome, it was built in a Hellenistic style, and is located in the background, towards the Vestal Virgins, “the guardians of the everlasting flame, who were the only priestesses in Romeâ€? The podiums of the temples of Caesar and the Dioscuri were often used as orators’ platforms and it is in this part of the Forum that the meetings of the comitia took place.

On the far right is the Basilica Julia built by Caesar in 54 B.C which occupies the entire south side of the Forum. When the Roman Empire fell, the Forum became forgotten, buried and was used as a cattle pasture during the middle Ages.

The Roman Forum is opened from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, On Metro Line B (Colosseo) 3 Stops from Castro Pretorio Station where Hotel Des Artistes is located.

Alternatively if you wish to have a full informative tour you can book our Roman forum Tour which also covers the Colosseum, the Trevi fountain and the Pantheon.

At the thought of Italy, we think of eating well. A long multi-course dinner chatting with good company and enjoying a robust bottle of wine. Although typically, the main course selection is divided into two categories, meat or fish. For the health-conscious travellers, eating vegetarian may seem nearly impossible. However, there is always the famous caprese salad of buffalo mozzarella, tomato, and basil or perhaps a variety of vegetable sandwhiches, called panini, or vegetable topped pizza. Although when the selection of vegetable panini and pizza has been exhausted and a craving for one of those notorious long sit-down italian dinners arises, not to worry, there are plenty of modern vegetarian restaurants popping up all over Rome. For a general list of some vegetarian restaurants click here A few favorites are listed below.

One vegetarian restaurant, Il Margutta RistorArte, was born in 1979 where the quality of life and respect for nature and animals was put together with the appreciation of art. This harminous blend offers a wonderful array of colorful vegetarian dishes in a brilliantly artistic ambient. The walls are covered in art while live music plays frequently. This local restaurant truly provides a full dinning experience. The restaurant is between the metro stop Piazza di Spagna and Flaminio on Via Margutta 118, approxiamately a 20 minute excursion from the elegantly decorated Yes Hotel.

Another popular spot called ‘Arancia Blu’ is found in San Lorenzo, the neighborhood near the University where the students stroll the streets discussing their recents subjects of study. ‘Arancia Blu’ has an abundant selection of wines to coordinate with your favorite vegetarian dish. They also teach cooking classes, wine courses, and cuisine education. In addition, musical performances may be seen during weekend evenings; call ahead to confirm +39 4454105. The address is Via Dei Latini 65, which is merely a 15 minute walk from My Hotel.

For those travellers who are on a budget, a visit to Rome staying at Hostel Des Artistes may enjoy the economically priced Taverna Vegetariana where one may find a menu offering the typical Italian dishes made for the vegetarian appetite as well as a large selection of fresh salads. This fun casual restaurant is near the Vatican on Via Trionfale 94.

For any one in Rome, visitor or resident, Piazza Navona always will have an enchanting atmosphere, and if you wish to know all about it then a tour is in order. The Navona Piazza follows the plan of an ancient roman circus which used to be called the Stadium of Domitian, then was later used as a market place and nowadays is the pride of the Baroque Rome.

This walking tour starts indeed in Piazza Navona, where both Bernini and Borromini have left grand masterpieces of architecture : Mainly the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi by Bernini placed in the middle of the square, and across the church Sant’Agnese in Agone by Borromini. The square is near the Spanish Steps and Via Veneto, close by Rome B&B De Cappuccini and the Rome American Embassy.

You will start off with the visit of the Dome of Santa Ivo alla Sapienza, which was realised by Borromini then you will stroll towards the Saint Louis of the French where Caravaggio has famous canvases.

The tour ends in The Pantheon, one of Rome’s major architecture prowess of the ancient times, located in the historical centre of Rome, in easy reach from your Yes Hotel Rome. It was originally built as a temple in 27 BC and had adjoining baths and gardens. The Pantheon then became a christian church as from the 7th century still running nowadays. 2 kings of Italy are buried : Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I.

The tour is daily and lasts about 3 hours and you can book your Piazza Navona Rome tour here.

from 9 march until 1 july 2007.

Chagall is one of the most independent painters of the ‘900, born in the ex-USSR (now Bielarussia) in 1887, and lived to be 98 years old.

A good 180 of his works are on display : paintings, drawings, sculptures, all borrowed from private collections and great museums of all over the world and you will travel through his artistic life over the years. Marc Chagall was a jewish artist whose real name was Moishe Shegal and throughout the journey of the gallery you will gradually discover his inner life through political influence as well as his historic and religious background. However none of these external factors took over his personality and he always remained a free spirit in his art.

His work refers a lot to his childhood and is also inspired from Belarussian folk life and portrayed scenes of biblical scenes based on his Jewish upbringing and his style was defined Avant-gardiste, Cubiste and Fauviste. He spent time in south of France and in the United States before eventually returning to France. He died in Saint-Paul de Vence where he is buried.

His works include : Young Woman on a Sofa, I and the Village, Birthday, Bella with White collar.

The Complesso del Vittoriano is right in Rome centre by Piazza Venezia and the Coloseum and only minutes away from My Hotel Rome by bus .

I know, you don’t visit Rome to buy a book in your own language, but this information may be useful if you lose your travel guide in the rush of the flight, if you suddenly feel like reading a good novel when you are not wandering in the eternal city or if you are a book-lover, just like me.
According to my experience there are three places you have to know in town if you want to find a good book in English. All of them are conveniently placed near some of the most interesting points of the city, so you can just drop by while visiting some of Rome’s wonders.

Our first bookshop is called Borri Books, and is located inside the Termini station close to Yes Hotel Rome. Its first two floors are packed with books in Italian, and the third one is dedicated to foreign publications, mainly in English. The approach of Borri books is rather commercial. You’ll find there the newest bestsellers and a nice collection of classics; not too much, but enough to find something entertaining to read. Its location in one of the most transited spots in the city makes it the ideal choice to buy when on the run.

Then, in via Vittorio Emanuele Orlando 84, really close to Piazza della Repubblica and the Trevi Fountain and in walking distance of My Hotel Rome you’ll find Feltrinelli International, a branch of one of the most popular Italian bookshops. The variety is wider here. You can buy the most popular and recent books, but there are also interesting sections about history, religions and biographies. The literature selection is really accurate and well organised, covering almost every genre. If you are nearby and feel the itch for a book don’t hesitate to make a visit, you won’t be disappointed.

Our last selection will be the thrill of my fellow book-lovers. I’m talking about The Anglo American Bookshop, located in Via della Vite 102, a couple of minutes from the Spanish steps, the Rome American Embassy and B&B De Cappuccini. The assortment is great, ranging from a very good selection of children’s books to scientific and literary publications. Besides, they have many books about Rome and about Italy and the Italian language that would make great travel mates. Finally, a juicy tip: visit their very useful site (www.aab.it) and take a look at the catalogue. You’ll realize that they give special web discounts. All you have to do to benefit from the discount is to make a printing of the page and present it to the bookshop assistant when making your buy.
Buona lettura!

If you happen to be travelling to Rome in May, do not miss the Rome Flower Fair! It’s an absolute must for anyone who appreciates beauty and nature, and of course no professional or amateur gardiner can afford to stay away!

The event is organised by Alfa International, and will take place in the Auditorium of Rome in the 18th-20th of May. The fair is an occasion that offers both the professionals and amateurs to show off the most beautiful and flourishing results of their hard work: you will see anything from orchids and azaleas to roses, water plants and bonsai…

You will also be able to buy the flowers, bulbs, gardening tools, and will find precious information and advise on gardening and flowers. There will even be gardening courses for the public to attend! Another special attraction is the possibility to observe young artists at work, expressing their creativity on garden furniture and other related objects…

The Fair is organised in the Auditorium “Parco dell aMusica”, one of Rome’s most modern and architectually most fascinationg concert/event halls surrounded by a beautiful garden, as is fit for the spirit of the flower fair. Getting there is easy: just catch the bus “M” from the Termini station, leaving every 15 minutes. The Fair is open to the public on Friday 18th May from 1.00 PM tp 8.30 PM, and on Saturday and Sunday 19th-20th May from 10.00 AM to 8.30 PM.

For additional information, you can contact the organisers by e-mail (info@fieradeifiori.it
) or visit the site dedicated to the event.

Also, be sure to reserve your accomodation in Rome in a hotel such as the new, elegant boutique hotel Yes Hotel in the Rome Termini station area. Other great choices are the three star Rome hotels Hotel Des Artistes and My Hotel, both centrally located near the Termini station.

If you’re interested in contemporary art, during your stay in Rome do not miss the new National Museum of 21st Century Art. The new museum has been planned and realised by the Ministry of Culture and the DARC – an organ for promoting contemporary art and architecture. The building was designed by Zaha Hadid, an architect with new and spectacular ideas, and the building is an artefact in itself.

Part of the exposition space consists of a former military base, restructured and transformed completely, while the new main building of the museum was still under construction. The new musuem building was finished ion 2006, when Maxxi had already been in action for more than a yer, on a smaller scale, in the restuctured part. The museum is located in the Flaminio neighbourhood, in Via Guido Reni, and is reached easily by the public transport: for example from the Termini station frist take the metro line A to direction Battistini, get off at Flaminio and then take the tram number 2. See the museum location on Rome city map.

Maxxi proposes to promote and conserve the art and architecture of the 21st century by organising expositions, seminars, various educational and multimedia activities and by offering financial support through competitions and prizes.

For an artistic traveller, the logical accomodation in Rome is of course the popular Rome Hotel Des Artistes, which is located just a short walk from the Termini station and therefore perfectly connected with all the main attractions of Rome. Another centrally located hotel worth trying is the brand new Yes Hotel, an elegant boutique hotel – see the special opening rates right now on the home page!