Rome
As we all know, Veteran’s Day was recently celebrated in the US, honoring the many veterans who have fought in wars in order to protect the freedoms of others. In view of this, we’re running a two-part series on the various locations in Italy that have been witness to significant events during one of the major wars of the past century, World War II. In this part, we’ll be talking about the route that the Allied forces took as they made their way to Rome in order to recapture the capital from the dictator Benito Mussolini. For travelers, retracing the steps of the valiant troops, and visiting these various historical sites in Italy will allow them to relive some of the key moments of this huge event. Due to its role in the Second World War, Italy’s landscape is dotted not just by ancient Roman ruins, but also by structural […]
By Priscila
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Posted in Rome, Sicily, Sightseeing in Italy, Tour Italy
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Tagged allied forces, army, historical event, history, Italy, Italy Tour, Italy Tours, Italy Travel, Italy Trip, montgomery, patton, Rome, Rome Italy, Sicily, Tips for Italy Travel, Trip to Italy, veterans, world war, world war 2, world war II
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A quick heads up, travelers! As the title of this article reads, the city of Rome in Italy has recently implemented a new Tourist Accommodation Tax (also known as “tassa di soggiorno” in Italian, and “bed tax”, “guest tax”, or “hotel tax” in English) as of September 1, 2014. This tax has been around for several years now, and is also being implemented in other major tourist cities such as Florence and Venice. This year, however, Rome has updated the rates of its tassa di soggiorno. To help avoid any confusion, especially when you’re at your hotel and you are handed a bill with this extra amount on it, here’s a guide on what these taxes are, and how they work. What is the tax for? This tax is being implemented by the city’s tourism authority as a way to help raise funds to further improve tourist services, as well […]
By Priscila
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Posted in Italy News, Italy Travel, Rome
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Tagged bed tax, guest tax, Hotel Tax, Italy, Italy Tour, Italy Tours, Italy Travel, Italy Trip, Italy Vacation, Italy Vacations, Rome, Rome Italy, tassa, tassa di soggiorno, taxes, Tips for Italy Travel, Tour Italy, Trip to Italy
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Recently, we at Tour Italy Now have launched a contest asking our fans and readers to send us their best photos of the Eternal City, Rome. All the entries we received for the Rome Photo Blog Contest were absolutely stunning, and we would like to thank everyone who participated. So without further ado, here are the winners! Each of our winners will be receiving a batch of goodies from us as a thank you for their efforts, so to all of our winning contestants, just hang tight and please wait for the email we will be sending you regarding your prize. Once again, congratulations, everyone! In the meantime, watch out for more contests and giveaways from us here at Tour Italy Now!
By Priscila
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Posted in Rome
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Tagged contest, eternal city, Flavian Amphitheatre, giveaways, Italian Vacation, Italy, Italy Travel, Italy Trip, Italy Vacation, Italy Vacations, Rome, Rome Italy, The Colloseum, Tour Italy Now
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The eponymous phrase La Dolce Vita – The Sweet Life that is ascribed to Rome with both affection and irony can also be taken quite literally. Sugary sweets that start your day, provide a late afternoon pick me up or end your evening meal abound in the Eternal City. These are our favorite 7 desserts you shouldn’t miss in Rome. Maritozzi con la Panna. This just barely sweet yeasted roll is split and filled with freshly whipped and sweetened cream and is most easily found in local Roman bars first thing in the morning. The name is derived from the word marito meaning husband. The word maritozzi means almost married and these sweet cream filled buns were traditionally presented by young grooms to heir brides just before the wedding. Gelato. You can not visit Rome and not try this famous frozen treat. Hopefully more than once. Made with less air and […]
Ask anyone what they know about the Vatican City, and you’re probably going to get some very familiar answers: “It’s the home of the pope,” “it’s the world’s smallest country,” or “it’s where Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Catholic Church’s mother church, is located.” True enough, the origins of the Vatican City, a walled compound within Rome, is where the pope lives, and it is indeed the world’s smallest sovereign state, being only 44 hectares in size – that’s about one-eighth the size of Central Park in New York! But did you know that Saint Peter’s Basilica is not actually the official ecclesiastical seat of the pope, hence it is not the ecumenical mother church of the Catholic hierarchy? This honor belongs to the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, which is one of the four major basilicas of the Catholic Church, the others being the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the […]
Roman food is a hearty, rustic affair with bold flavors and inexpensive ingredients that have their history in a less prosperous time. Despite its meager roots, signature Roman cuisine is renowned the world over for its great taste, filling nature and classy aroma. These are our picks for the seven dishes you have to taste in Rome. Pasta is Italy’s staple food. Estimates are that the average Italian eats roughly 60 pounds of pasta per year. Each region has its own typical shapes and sauces. Pasta in Italy is cooked al dente, which is slightly firmer than you might be used to. 1. Buccatini Amatriciana. Buccatini is a long, hollow spaghetti-like noodle and is usually served with an Amatriciana sauce. This classic Roman pasta sauce is made with tomatoes, onions, pecorino cheese and crispy guanciale, which is similar to bacon. 2. Cacio e Pepe. Cacio e pepe means cheese and […]
By Priscila
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Posted in Italian Food & Wine, Rome
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Tagged Buccatini Amatriciana, Cacio e Pepe, Carcofi alla Romana and Carciofi alla Giudia, Cicoria, Coda alla Vaccinara, Fiori di Zucca, Italian Food & Wine, Italy, pasta, Puntarelle, Roman food, Rome
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The eternal city of Rome is a shopping mecca. From world famous designers like Prada and Gucci on grand boulevards to independent boutiques in hip neighborhoods to busy weekend markets, there is something for every shopping taste and budget. Here is a brief guide to our favorite neighborhoods for shopping in Rome. Tridente This elegant area beginning at the Piazza del Popolo gets it’s name from the three main streets; via Ripetta, via Babuina and via del Corso. This is where you will find the big name designers like Valentino and Bulgari and smaller boutiques like Gente, a collection of elegant smaller designer clothing and shoes and Gallo Rome” for colorful striped socks, tights and scarves on via Frattina. Don’t miss the via grand Condotti that ends at the Spanish Steps and the many small streets that criss cross the main avenues. Monti Rome first neighborhood, located a stones throw […]
The eternal city can turn infernal if you have cranky children traveling with you. Here are some of our best tips for enjoying Rome with kids and keeping everyone from the littlest tike to the too cool for school teenager, entertained. Roma Estate – Summer in the City The Miracle Players Fun for the whole family. Every Friday evening from late June to the beginning of August this hilarious troupe performs a family friendly romp through Roman history. The backdrop of the Roman forum is spectacular on a warm summer evening. Sit on the church steps and be prepared to laugh and learn. Lungo il Tevere From June 15 until September 1, all along the Tevere river bank and Tiber Island (Isole de Tevere) there are restaurants and market stalls that come alive after sunset.. You can have a sit down meal or take-away snacks and walk along the river. After dinner, there […]
You have seen the Colosseum and the Roman Forum and the Vatican museums, Now what? The Team at Tour Italy Now would like to share our picks for alternative things to do in Rome. Aventine Hill – Knights of Malta Keyhole High up on the Aventine hill a short walk from the Circo Massimo is a secret view that few get too see. Head to the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta and find the door with a small keyhole too peek through. The view, designed by the famous Italian architect Giovanni Battista Piranesi in 1765, will take your breath away. Who are the knights of Malta? Officially named the The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, but known as Knights of Malta, was created in the middle ages and eventually settled in Rome in 1834. In February 2013 the 900th anniversary of […]
Mausoleum – Prison – Palace – Museum: An Excursion to Castel Sant’ Angelo in Rome Through the centuries Castel Sant’Angelo has been all of these things. The approach to the Castel Sant’Angelo is one of the most striking in Rome. The second century pedestrian bridge that was constructed in 134AD is dramatically lined with ten statues of angles. The most famous Angel -Angel with a Crown of Thorns – is actually a copy by Paolo Naldini. The original angel was commissioned by Pope Clement IX and sculpted by Bernini, but was deemed too beautiful for the bridge and is now housed in the church Sant’Andrea delle Frate near the Spanish Steps. The circular monument now known as the Castel Sant’Angelo has had many functions over the centuries. It was originally constructed as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian in the middle of the second century. Once covered in bronze and […]
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