Saturday, August 1, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
How to Order Coffee Like a Roman
Budget Travel's Kate Appleton has a quick instructional video on how to order coffee like a real Roman. Short, sweet, and filmed at Tazza d'Oro near the Pantheon, this video will definitely show you how to drink as the Romans drink.
Heidi Swanson's Roman Encounters
Heidi Swanson, the author of 101 Cookbooks, a fantastic San Francisco-based natural cooking blog, doesn't just write about food from all over the world-she actually goes to the source. Her beautiful blog is filled with food articles from her travels. Most interesting to the readers of MoltoItaly are her Italian trips, of course. Not only does she recommend restaurants, cafes and food shops, but she comments on the people and scenery as well-with stunning photos to illustrate. See her article on a trip to the Eternal City: 20 Things I Encountered in Rome.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Albergo del Senato at the Pantheon
The Pantheon is my favorite building in Rome and Piazza della Rotonda is the quintessence of the Eternal City. Albergo del Senato is located directly on the Piazza and from its rooms you will think you can actually reach out and touch the great dome of the Pantheon. This 3-star hotel occupies a 19th century palazzo that has been redesigned utilizing all the modern amenities while keeping its antique details. The hotel provides a beautiful breakfast (double rooms start at under 200 Euros in the high season) and has a breathtaking rooftop terrace bar from which you can contemplate the beauty of the Pantheon high above the crowds. Book a superior suite for a truly elegant Italian experience.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Vatican Museums Open from 7-11 pm on July 24
Next Friday, the Vatican Museums will be open from 7:00-11:00 pm (19:00-23:00). These evening hours, the first of their kind for the Vatican, have been in place at several other world-class museums (the Uffizi and the Louvre) and have been a great success. If it goes well on July 24th, this could be a regular occurrence. What a great way to entertain kids and keep cool at night in Rome!
Labels:
Kids,
Museums,
Nightlife,
Rome,
Vatican Museums
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Where to Buy Capri Pants on Capri
Yes, Capri pants really did originate on the island of Capri. Perhaps they were invented to make hopping from your yacht to the dock a little less hazardous. The place to buy them is La Parisienne in Piazza Umberto 1 (#7). Jackie Onassis bought them by the dozen here and Audrey Hepburn made La Parisienne's cropped pants part of her iconic style. Get them in classic white and wear them with big shades for that true casual Italian holiday look. (They even do custom orders!)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Jazz in the Villa Medici
Villa Medici, home to the French Academy in Rome, is hosting a small jazz festival this week as part of Estate Romana (June 24-26). While we missed the first two nights, Friday night's program is sure to be a great crowd-pleaser with Daniele Scannapieco on sax. The performances are outside in the Villa's famous gardens. Doors open at 7:30, music starts at 9:00. You can buy a reduced ticket with your RomaPiu pass!
Labels:
Estate Romana,
Music,
Rome,
Villas,
Ways to Save Euros
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Venice's Londra Palace Restored to Old Glory
Just down the "street" from St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, is the Londra Palace Hotel. With views across the lagoon, this hotel's location is incomparable. And now its interior has been painstakingly restored to reflect the grand history and beauty of Venice. The hotel's rooms are furnished with authentic antiques and its restaurants are light-filled and pleasant. The water-taxi stops right in front of the hotel so you will be able to see all of Venice from your doorstep. Be sure to ask for a room with a view!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Castiglion del Bosco: Ferragamo's Tuscan Retreat
Massimo Ferragamo has restored an ancient Tuscan estate in the heart of Brunello wine-making country. Castiglion del Bosco is a group of private villas for sale, all decorated with the finest materials. If purchasing an Italian villa is a little too rich for your blood, there are 26 suites and guestrooms available for short-term stays in the old estate owner's villa, called Il Borgo, along with a cooking school, restaurants and a spa (opening in 2010). Your own private Italy-in high style.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Food Wine Rome: A Foodie's Guide to Rome
Food Wine Rome, a new guidebook by David Downie (food and travel writer who has contributed to Gourmet and Bon Appetit and many many other food publications), is the food guidebook for gourmets who are visiting Rome. In his book you will discover the best restaurants, food shops, and wine purveyors. Even long-time residents of Rome will find surprises in this beautifully designed and illustrated book.
Labels:
Books,
Food,
Guidebooks,
Restaurants,
Rome,
Wine,
Wine Bars
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Estate Romana 2009 Calendar is On-Line
At long last, the Estate Romana (Roman Summer) calendar of events is live. Go to en.estateromana.commune.roma.it for all the details on summer concerts, exhibitions, and performances in Rome-many of them FREE!
Labels:
Art,
Estate Romana,
Music,
Rome,
Ways to Save Euros
The Pool at the Hotel Caruso Belvedere
The Hotel Caruso Belvedere in Ravello (my favorite town on the Amalfi Coast) is so spectacular, Budget Travel has written a whole article about it. Well, part of an article, anyway. Read all about this infinity pool with the most incredible view of the Mediterranean at budgettravel.com.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Bir e Fud's Brewery Tour in Abruzzo
For you beer aficionados who will be in Italy on June 20th, Trastevere's Bir e Fud is planning a tour of Opperbacco di Notaresco, an artisanal brewery near Teramo in Abruzzo. For 20 Euros you will get a tour and beer tasting at the brewery along with a picnic lunch consisting of delicious antipasti. Make reservations through Bir e Fud by calling 39.06.5561677. Buon Apetito!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Saldi Calendar
After months of searching, I have finally found what appears to be a calendar of Italy's summer sale season. The website which has published the calendar, pricesharing.it, claims to be an on-line consumer review organization. Where they got their information, they do not say. But so far it's the only Saldi calendar I have seen on the web, so I'll take it. Rome starts its Saldi on July 4th, Venice on July 5th, and Florence on July 12th. The discounts on this season's fashions will be considerable, so be sure to save your Euros for some stylish new Italian clothes!
Labels:
Fashion,
Saldi,
Sales,
Shopping,
Ways to Save Euros
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Stay Up Late Reading
What to do if you can't sleep in Rome? Hit Via Veneto Libreria (owned by the local independent chain of bookstores, Arion), which is open until midnight on weekends. The massive store has a coffee shop and a great selection of foreign language books, including English. Yes, you can probably think of 100 things to do at night in Rome, but you never know when you'll need Henry James, do you? Via Veneto 42.
Monday, June 8, 2009
La Biennale in Venice is Here!
Venice's La Biennale, one of the world's premier cultural institutions, has begun. Films, dance, music and art are the focus of this century-old celebration of international creativity. At many venues throughout the city you can see the work of award-winning artists, directors, composers and dancers. This year, the artist Bruce Nauman has won the prestigious Golden Lion award for his design of the American Pavilion, a work entitled "Topological Gardens." To take part in the various events of La Biennale, buy tickets here.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
La Maremma-Tuscany's Mediterranean Coast
It's summer in Italy and the only place to truly cool off is the beach. The New York Times has an article on the Tyrrhenian coast of Tuscany, a.k.a. La Maremma. See Frank Bruni's suggestions for hotels, restaurants and things to do in this relatively unknown stretch of the Mediterranean. He even visits Elba, the site of Napolean's exile. If you love history, scenery, and delicious food, you will love La Maremma. It's just a short drive from Rome and Florence-perfect for a weekend trip.
Friday, June 5, 2009
More Ways to Help Abruzzo
The Slow Food Network is looking to donate $25,000 to help victims of the Abruzzo earthquake with basic necessities. Just $25 helps a local farmer pay for a table at the new market in l'Aquila. You can help by going to GlobalGiving.com and making a donation.
Ferragamo's Celebrity Handbag Auction to Benefit Abruzzo
Ferragamo and GlobalGiving.com have put a collection of handbags donated by celebrities (Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Eva Longoria, to name a few) on eBay. All proceeds go directly to benefit the Abruzzo region, which was devastated by an earthquake earlier this year. At last check, Madonna's Sophia bag was going for $2,235. Read more about it on eternallycool.net. Want to donate to the cause but aren't interested in fashion? GlobalGiving.com has an Italy Earthquake Relief Fund that you can donate to anytime you want.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Raphael, His Mistress, and Saltimbocca
Ristorante Romolo nel Giardino di Raffaello e della Fornarina, also known as Romolo, is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner in Trastevere. The restaurant, which serves typical Roman cuisine, was opened in 1950 and is located in the house and garden that supposedly belonged to Raphael's mistress, the daughter of a baker (il forno). While Raphael was working on the nearby Villa Farnesina, he would steal away to meet his lover and model, Margherita Luti. You won't find this restaurant and its very pretty garden in many of the tourist books (and hopefully you won't find many tourists either). Via di Porta Settimiana 8. Tel.065818284.
Labels:
Food,
Raphael,
Restaurants,
Rome,
Trastevere,
Villa Farnesina
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