Villa Torlonia Has Reopened

One of the most lavish of the private villas in Rome, the Villa Torlonia was closed for several years and has recently reopened restored to all its former opulence. The Villa is located to the east of the Villa Borghese along the Via Nomentana in the elegant Parioli neighborhood of Rome. The villa was redesigned in the 18th century by Marchese Giovanni Torlonia, who commissioned Giuseppe Valadier to renovate the main villa and build several outbuildings and gardens. These outbuildings included three major residences, stables, false ancient ruins, a small temple and later additions of a Moorish grotto, conservatory and tower, among other structures. Today the Villa Torlonia and its grounds, museums in their own right, house collections of stained glass, statuary, and archives from the Roman School era of painting from 1920-1940. The Villa was also Mussolini's primary residence 1925 until 1943, when it became the headquarters of the Allied High Command. The Villa Torlonia opens at 9:00 am and remains open until at least 6:30 pm year-round.

Piazzale Garibaldi-The Best Views of Rome?

There are two spectacular parks in Rome which offer panoramic views. The Pincio (near Piazza del Popolo) and Piazzale Garibaldi, on the Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill). From Piazzale Garibaldi not only can you see all of the historic center of Rome to the east-the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Forum, etc-but to the west you have an incomparable view of the dome of St. Peter's. The piazza, which contains a playground for children and hosts live puppet shows ala Punch and Judy, is dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian military and political leader who helped unify and liberate Italy in the 19th century. From the piazza it is an easy walk to the Fontanone (the fountain dedicated by Pope Paul V), the American Academy in Rome, and down into Trastevere for food and drink!

Italian Parks from Budget Travel

Last Friday Budget Travel's blog, "Affordable Europe," listed some parks in Italy that are perfect for walking (a favorite Italian pastime), lounging, picknicking and even watching theatrical and musical performances. Among the many Italian parks listed were two in Rome, the Villa Borghese, which the Modern Traveler has mentioned before, and the Villa Doria Pamphilj, which is located atop the Gianicolo Hill. The park itself is the largest within the city of Rome and contains a Renaissance palazzo surrounded by manicured gardens. Admission to the park is free (as is admission to the Borghese Gardens) but to enter the gallery in the palazzo there is a fee. For more parks in and around Rome, visit the Italian state website, www.parks.it.

Villa Borghese and Bernini

The Villa Borghese is located east of Piazza di Spagna and nestled in acres of incredible gardens. The Villa is home to the Galleria Borghese, a museum dedicated to the collections of Cardinal Scipione, the nephew of the early 17th century Pope Paul V. It was also the Cardinal's residence. The Galleria is most known for its sculpture and Renaissance painting collections, which feature some of the best works by Bernini, Canova and Caravaggio. Don't miss Bernini's Anchises and Aeneas (pictured) and his Daphne and Apollo. Visiting the gallery is by reservation only, so ask your hotel concierge to call ahead for you. The museum is closed on Mondays.