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Rome

Time for a Tour of the Sistine Chapel

Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Vatican City

Located in Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel is one of the priceless treasures in the world. It is the site where the papal conclave takes place (the process for electing the Pope). Sistine Chapel is a part of the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope. Originally the chapel was called Cappella Magna. The foundation of the chapel was led between 1473 and 1481 by the famous architect Giovanni dei Dolci. It was named after Pope Sixtus IV, who played a significant role in its restoration. The famed Sistine Chapel is known for its series of frescoes that adorn the interior and designed by iconic Renaissance artists. All the paintings were completed in the year 1482. However, the chapel’s ceiling was painted in the early 16th century by one of the greatest painters, Michelangelo Buonarroti. It took the artist four years to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. […]

8 Most Amazing Things To Do in Rome at Night

Colosseum, Rome

The nation’s capital Rome is arguably one of the most spectacular cities in Italy. Tourists flock to this region to admire the architectural masterpieces, taste the scrumptious food, wander around the bustling streets and witness the exquisite art. But have you ever fantasized exploring Rome at night? Georgina Masson in her 1965 guidebook ‘Companion Guide to Rome’ advised first-time visitors to explore this remarkable city at night. What exactly to do in Rome at night? Answer to this question is here in our list to make the most of your holiday in Rome particularly at night. From exploring iconic attractions to walking around friendly neighborhoods, there are some of the best things that you can do here after sundown. Explore Vatican City Getting a closer look at the Vatican Museums is a one in a kind experience and adds more meaning if you have already explored it in broad daylight. […]

10 Things You Shouldn’t Miss in Rome 2020

Fall in the Coliseum

The Italian capital of Rome is one of the world’s premiere tourist destinations for good reason: it’s full of ancient ruins, baroque treasure and a world-renowned brand of cuisine that will satisfy even the most discerning of tastes. It’s not called the Eternal City for nothing, too. Rome offers the perfect blend of Western civilization’s storied past and the modern world’s celebrated comforts. With everything there is to do in this city, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and use up all your vacation time without getting a taste of everything Rome has to offer. We’re here to help you set your Italian touring priorities right and with our list of the 10 things you shouldn’t miss while you’re in Rome. Here we go: 1. The Coliseum This ancient structure is one of the most recognized landmarks in the world. Also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, the Coliseum was built over […]

Pasqua – Easter in Rome

Considered to be one of the biggest events in the Catholic liturgical calendar, Rome certainly comes alive during the week of Easter. Tens of thousands of pilgrims and visitors come to attend the religious celebrations and to hear mass being said by the Pope. The three days leading up to Easter Sunday (from Thursday until Saturday) are some of the busiest times of the year for the Catholic Church in Rome. There are several important dates and things to remember when visiting Rome during this time. Here are some helpful reminders to help you get through this religious event. Important Events in Easter The Easter week starts on the Sunday a week before Easter, also known as Palm Sunday. During this time, thousands of pilgrims greet the Pope with branches of olive or palm as a symbol of peace. These will be blessed by the Pope as he leads a […]

Five Must-Visit Trattorias in Rome

Gnocchi

A trattoria in Italy is a casual eating establishment, one that serves mid-priced quality food and offers a comfortable retreat from the hustle and bustle of the world without. More often than not, trattorias (or trattorie) are family-run establishments, which makes them less formal than many ristoranti. A lot of visitors love them because they are unpretentious, providing a relaxed atmosphere to diners as well as a variety of dishes depending on what produce are in season at the moment. If you haven’t had the chance to visit Rome yet but you are planning to go there soon, do check out the trattorias we have on this list. Take note that it is always best to make a reservation so that you can be sure you’ll have a seat when you visit. Hostaria Romana The Hostaria Romana, located on Via del Boccaccio, is well-known among Romans, but it has somehow […]

Visiting the Vatican: Tips on How to Get Around

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City

One of the biggest things that draw people into Rome is the presence of the Vatican City. It is, of course, technically not part of Italy because it is the world’s smallest sovereign state, but historically, this seat of the Roman Catholic Church is part and parcel of the Eternal City. A lot of our customers at Tour Italy ask us for tips on how to go to and around the Vatican, so we really hope this article does not disappoint. Getting there By metro – One of the easiest ways to get to the Vatican City is by taking the Metropolitana or the Rome metro. The two nearest stations to it are the Ottaviano Station along Via Ottaviano and the Cipro Station along the Valle Aurelia. The former is nearer Basilica di San Pietro (St. Peter’s Basilica), and the latter is also a good option to alight from if […]

A Roman Holiday Tour

Classic films always have this timeless feel that give viewers a sense of wonder and awe when they watch it on the big screen.  To this day, movies made in the 50s and 60s are still regarded as iconic pieces of film history. They take a picture perfect shot of the local scene of where the film was shot, and provide us with a good view of culture during that time. In honor of classic films, today’s video will be looking at some of the famous places around Rome tied to the Roman Holiday movie. Filmed in 1953 entirely on location in Rome, “Roman Holiday” is a beautifully shot romantic comedy starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. It was Hepburn’s first film role, and won her an Academy Award for Best Actress that year. Additionally, it was nominated for 10 Oscars and won 3 of them. Films like this can […]

Natale di Roma – When Ancient Rome Comes Back to the Future

Everyone knows that Rome was once the center of the ancient world. In fact, movies like Gladiator and TV series like Rome teleport us back in time when the Colosseum was alive with the roar of crowds and the streets are busy with the footfalls of be-sandaled feet and the shifting of togas. Ancient Rome has capture our imagination and our minds keep coming back to its glorious heydays. What if there was a way to go back there and all it would cost you is a plane ticket? Every April 21st, modern Romans and historical interest groups all over Europe converge in the Eternal City in order to give us a taste of its old glory through the festivities of Natale di Roma or Rome’s birthday. The Backstory Part of the celebration always involves the re-enactment of the myth of how the city’s founders came to be and how they founded […]

Strolling Through Rome: A Walking Tour of the Vatican

According to Roman insiders, the best way to see the Vatican is through a guided walking tour. If you’re interested in history and art, a professional tour guide will be able to walk you through the highlights of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, among other attractions. These tours take up about three to four hours altogether. A professional tour guide will also be able to provide more attentive service and bring you around to certain sections of the Museums that are not typically offered in a standard itinerary. For instance, a walk around the Pinacoteca Vaticana art gallery is just one of these value-added services. Guides are also authorized to take guests from the Sistine Chapel directly into St. Peter’s Basilica, an option which is not made available to individual tourists. The Vatican Museums are a must-see for guests: there are several different sections available […]

World War 2 Historical Sites in Italy, Part 2: Italian Resistance

This is the conclusion to our two-part series about World War 2 historical sites in Italy. In the previous post, we discussed the route that the Allied Forces took as they made their way from Sicily, up to Rome and northern Italy, and finally to the Gothic Line. Today, we’ll be talking about the other important faction in Italy at the time, which was the Italian Resistance who opposed the occupying German forces and the Italian puppet regime of the Social Republic at the time. As mentioned in the previous post, World War II in Italy is often remembered by referring to the various phases of its development, which are “Il Ventennio”, the 20 years in which the Fascist Party was in power; “La Liberazione,” the arrival of the Allied troops and the liberation of Rome near the end of the war; and “La Repubblica di Salo,” the puppet government […]

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