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

Our Blogger: Stefano

The Ferrari SpA produces sports and race cars, and its symbol is the "rampant  horse".The company was founded by Enzo Ferrari, and starting on 1947 the construction of cars becomes the main activity . The real passion of Enzo Ferrari, despite the excellent business from the sale of cars, was always the race and, after the end of World War II, the Ferrari team appeared for the first time on the scene of the European Grand Prix.
The Scuderia Ferrari was born, then, in 1950 and joined the World Championship Formula 1 on their first year, making its debut at the Monaco Grand Prix. The first victory for Ferrari team in the Grand Prix of Great Britain came in 1951 with  Jose Froilan Gonzalez. The first title of champion of the world came the following year with Alberto Ascari.
Ferrari is the only team to have participated in all editions of the World Cup of Formula 1 and it is one that has the highest number of matches. The company holds as well the record of 15 titles of World Champion of pilots (achieved in 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1979, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007), the record of 16 titles of World champion constructors (1961, 1964, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008) and the record of 204 victories in a Grand Prix (updated 2 November 2008).
The Ferrarri team is also known as Red, or in Italian La Rossa by his fans, because of the characteristic color of its racing cars that’s recognized all around the world.

Despite being already retired, Michael Schumacher remains one of the icons of Ferrari

Over the Years La Rossa has had many famous pilots, among them: Tazio Nuvolari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alberto Ascari (the only Italian with Michele Alboreto from 84 to 88 and Lorenzo Bandini from 62 to 67), Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Michael Schumacher, Jean Alesi, Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen.

Currently, Ferrari has entered the World Championship Formula 1 2008, the only sporting competition in which currently is committed, under the name Scuderia Ferrari.

To discover more about Ferrari and Italy visit Rome and stay in Hotel Des Artistes or Yes Hotel!

Our Blogger: Raul

Once upon a time, Italy was ruled by kings. They all belonged to the Savoy (Savoia) dynasty, the only one to have reigned in most of the country. The Savoy’s raise to power was a peaceful one, not achieved through wars or military conquests, but through marriages and a shrewd use of diplomatic relations.

Fascism brought bad news for many, the Savoy among them. The king didn’t know how to deal properly with Mussolini and backed him, thinking the fascist party was a more reassuring option than socialism. After the end of the war the Italians were called to vote to decide whether they wanted to live under a monarchy or a republic. The republican government won 54 percent against 46, and that was the curtain call for the legendary dynasty.

After this, all the male descendants of the Savoy were forbidden to enter Italy and they lived in exile in Switzerland until 2002, when the Italians decided they could come back to their country.

The Italian media created a fuzz over the real family come-back, even though the Savoy didn’t seem to be very grateful: they tried to get a compensation for moral damage from the Italian government, along with some historical buildings like the Quirinale Palace, currently the official residence of the president of the Italian Republic.

The claim didn’t succeed, and afterwards the behaviour of the family hasn’t been exactly flattering: in 2006 the prince Vittorio Emanuele was involved in a public scandal that had him recruiting prostitutes for a casino and his son’s last public appearance was as a participant in a “dance with the stars” show.

For a chance to take a look at the Savoia, come to Rome and don’t forget to make a reservation at Hotel Des Artistes!

Our Blogger: Marcello

In the region of Lombardy during the middle ages it was discovered, by accident, how to prepare a cake that is now popular throughout Italy. At Christmas time it’s a typical dessert .Its called Panettone and its almost impossible to imagine Christmas without it.

Panettone is increasingly becoming popular in other countries in Europe, for example Spain. In Argentina its also very popular. This is because Italian immigrants during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries brought it to these countries. This is even why in the legendary Pampas its also present at the Christmas table.

Now I want to tell you how to prepare it. Here is the recipe:

(For 10 people)

250 g of raisins
1 kg of flour
Salt
350 g of butter
10 egg yolks
250g of candied fruit
350 g sugar
60g yeast

1. Knead yeast, dissolved in warm water, and one third of the flour until you get a soft dough.
2. Make a cross on the panettone and let it rise, covered, in a warm place for 20-25 minutes.
3. Resume the kneading with another third of flour and a tablespoon of warm water.
4. Cover again and let the dough rise in a warm place for 3 hours or until it has doubled in volume.
5. Do the same again, adding all the flour and water whilst trying to make the batter thicker. 

6. After about 9 hours of leavening the dough (leaving it to rise) add the melted butter and the egg yolks, one at a time, the sugar – which should be dissolved in water, salt, raisins and well strizzata lightly floured, and candied fruit.
7. Work long enough to get a smooth dough, you will maybe need a couple of hours.
8. Place the dough into the mold, anointed with melted butter and lined with paper baking foil, and place in a 170 degree oven.
9. After about 40 minutes, half cooked, brush the surface of panettone with butter, then put it back in the oven for another 40 minutes.
10. Wait for it to cool down and then push it out.

We hope you will enjoy it. If you want to know some more about this or another secret of Italian cooking just send an email to info@hoteldesartistes.com. You can even learn the secrets from our very own nonna.

Christmas in Rome is very special. This is why so many people come to visit Rome and decide to stay in our hotel…We do our best to make them feel like home.

Our Blogger: Jonah

Are you ready to go to the movies? Every year, a few days before Christmas, new festive films are released. These films are for the whole family, entertaining comedies and animated films much anticipated by children.

“Madagascar 2″ is released on December 19 for example. 
The protagonists are the same as “Madagascar 1″, Alex the Lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, Gloria the hippo, King Julien, and Maurice and the penguins. The story is based on an aircraft failure, repaired by the Penguins,who then meet the others in Africa to experience adventures.
Back on the big screen are the most beloved comic trio from Italy: Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo, with “The Chest of drawers in the universe”.

Don’t miss the cinepanettone with Christian De Sica, “Christmas in Rio”, which also includes actors Michelle Hunziker, Fabio De Luigi, Massimo Ghini, Ludovico Fremont, Emanuele propitious and Paul Conticini.

Here many funny misunderstandings and laughter are guaranteed. Christmas in Rio, yet another cinepanettone directed by Blacks Parenti, is a brilliant comedy, which is significantly better than the previous regarding braids, but still has some holes. However, it is the Italian offering this year. 

If you prefer something more serious, try “The boy in the striped pajamas.” Its based on the friendship between a German child, (the son of a Nazi official) and a jewish child prisoner in a concentration camp.
For romantic films try Richard Gere and Diane Lane, “Like a Hurricane.” The two actors are the protagonists of a love story while a hurricane is about to fall hit North Carolina.

Also consider “The Duchess” with Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes and the action film “The Spirit” with Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes and Samuel L. Jackson. So why not catch a couple of films while on holiday in Italy?

Our Blogger: Stefano

Ferrari is an Italian car manufacturer with the most famous symbol. The distinctive symbol is the “rampant pony,” used by the Romagna aviator during the First World War, Francesco Baracca. Baracca flew in 63 combat aircrafts, gunning down 34 enemy aircrafts. He died during a mission, killed by machine guns at low altitude above Colle Val Dell’Acqua, on Montello. He was probably shot down by a coup rifle fired from the ground, while his plane flew over the Austrian trenches during the Battle of the solstice (June 1918).
Afterwards his symbol (the famous horse) was handed over personally by his mother (Countess Paolini Biancoli) in 1923 to Enzo Ferrari, a racing driver. Since 1932, with the founding of the carmaker known as Ferrari, the symbol that the legendary aviator wore on the nacelle of his plane has appeared on the bodywork of Ferrari cars.

Today the symbol of the horse is both the mark of Ferrari and the Scuderia Ferrari.
Ferrari was founded by Enzo Ferrari it now produces high-end sports cars for races. Then there is the Scuderia Ferrari which is the most famous sports team engaged in the cars. The headquarters at Maranello, in the province of Modena. Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, a former president of Confindustria and chairman of the Fiat group, is the chairman. 
The passion of Enzo Ferrari has always been the race car industry. He was a race car driver, racing from 1920 onwards with an Alfa Romeo.
The Scuderia Ferrari was born in 1929: it was a team that ran with the Alfa Romeo while Ferrari ran the development of the cars.

Only after the crisis of 1933 which led then to the withdraw of the Alfa Romeo, Ferrari created Auto Avio Costruzioni based in Modena initially, which eventually moved with the start of the war (1944) to Maranello. Bosses worried that the factory would be bombed.
The Scuderia Ferrari as we know today, however, was only created after the War. That section of the sports car manufacturer is now currently the most famous team of world motor sports.

Our Blogger: Rhodora

Irene grandi, is one of the most talented Italian singers. She was born in Florence on December 6^th 1969. Her debut took place at the Sanremo Giovani Festival, where she won with the song “Fuori” (Outside). After her debut at Sanremo, everyone considered her as “The next big thing” on the Italian music stage. 

The second album “In vacanza da una vita” (On holiday from life) published in 1995, confirmed the talent of the singer, who sings a range of genres from sophisticated pop of ” Dolcissimo amore” (Sweet Love) to the energetic rock of “Bum Bum”. In the same period, Irene worked with another famous Italian Artist: Pino Daniele in a duet “Se mi vuoi” (If you want me). Irene and Pino also did a concert tour together the same year.

The single “Che vita è” (what a life), was on the top of the charts for more than a month. In 2000 the singer participated again at the Sanremo festival, but this time between against the big stars. She came second place with a song written for her by Vasco Rossi – “La tua ragazza sempre”. This artistic collaboration with Vasco Rossi continued in 2003 with the album “Prima di partire per un lungo viaggio”. Irene also had the possibility to lead the concert of Vasco Rossi at the San Siro stadium.

2006 was a sabbatical year for the Florentine artist, but she participated in the compilation “Innocenti invasioni” (innocent evasion), dedicated to Lucio Battisti. Subsequently, a concert for the deceased artist was also held in Rome.

This Year, for Christmas, Irene grandi had a big gift for all her fans. In fact on November 28^th she published her new album where she sings all Christmas songs , from “Bianco Natale” (White Christmas), to Silent Night. Among the guests on the disc, in addition to the pianist Stefano Bollani, is actor Alessandro Gasman, who performs a duet in “Something stupid”, and also Jovanotti and Luca Carboni, who wrote two beautiful Christmas songs for her.

Here’s the track list of her new album:

1. Bianco Natale

2. O è Natale tutti i giorni

3. Qualche piccolo ti Amo (Somethin’ Stupid) feat. Alessandro Gassman

4. Canzone per Natale
5. Buon Natale a tutto il mondo
6. È Natale
7. Silent Night
8. Christmastime
9. Wonderful Christmas
10. Happy Christmas
11. Oh Happy Days
12. Wishing on a star

Our Blogger: Jonah

THE BOLOGNA Motor Show 2008 is part of the OICA calendar that brings together the key parts of the world automobile industry. Staged in Emilia Romagna, northern Italy , it comes at the end of a difficult year for the European car market: a state of decline in the preference of ordinary designs, obvious economic problems, the expensive cost of fuel, and the general decline in buying. But taking this into consideration, the Motor Show offers a brand new project – Innovation Cube, an exhibition that combines passion, emotion and innovation. Thanks to the help of GL events, Innovation Cube further enriches the program of the exhibition. In addition to the traditional distinctive character of the event there are: new interior car products, insights into the economic and scientific issues of the automotive sector, and the momentum built on areas with external test drive and sports competitions performances.  Innovation Cube is set to exclusively reveal new technology to the public, showing how it will change the present and the future of motor driving regarding mobility and style.

 The 2008 edition of the Motor Show has 140,000 square meters of exhibition area and discovery, with 320 exhibitors – of which 74 are from 19 different countries. Of the 51 car companies present, there are around 107 new cars, including eight world and eleven European. The seven motor racing circuits will welcome 300 top drivers, including seven world champions. They will compete for 22 titles overall.
To date there have been around 970,000 visitors and more than 22,000 business representatives. Members of the press total around 24,000.

The show takes place between December 5^th and December 14^th 2008 at the BolognaFiere Exhibition Centre.

Our Blogger: Marcelo

According to the fourth edition of PhoCusWright’s European Online Travel Overview, the total number of bookings on line in Europe came to 42 per cent in 2008. This is an increase of 19 per cent. And Italy is still  the most popular destination on the continent. The mix of history, culture, food and sport attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

The United States had already reached 56 per cent during 2008 (it is expected that that will exceed 60 per cent in 2009). For the European market, in the near future, the percentage of travel booked online compared with total purchases will exceed its target by 50%.

This research also shows that while Europe is still chasing the United States in terms of online penetration on the market, some are more mature than others. The United Kingdom and Scandinavia are clearly heading the pack. In 2008 the Scandinavians booked more than 40 per cent of their trips on the Internet.

Nowadays online bookings for leisure or business individually represent 29 per cent of 246 billion euros of European tourism at the close of 2008.

The online booking channels continue to gain market share. Carroll Rheem, director of research for PhoCusWright.: “Consumers use the Internet to find the best value for money, operators to minimize the costs of distribution.’’