Free Ben Harper Concert in Piazza del Popolo Wednesday, April 22

National Geographic is hosting a free concert in Piazza del Popolo tomorrow in honor of Earth Day. Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 will be rocking out in Rome at 8 p.m. You can watch the concert online on National Geographic's World Music site from 2-6 p.m. EST. If you are in Rome tomorrow, be sure to take advantage of the chance to see this great singer in an even greater venue!

Villa Laetitia-The Fendi Family Designs Again

Anna Fendi's mansion along the Tiber River came with a guesthouse that was perfect for a small hotel. The Fendi matriarch and her daughters and granddaughters (including Delfina, who has her own jewelry store in Rome) transformed the foresteria into the 15 room Villa Laetitia (Happiness House), each room mixing modern flair with the traditional architectural forms of the house. All rooms have a kitchenette and many have direct access to the gardens and grounds. The hotel is just a 15 minute walk from Piazza del Popolo, and to be fair, is almost reasonable with rooms starting at 180 Euros. The hotel is on Conde Nast Traveler's Hot List 2008, along with the famous J.K. Place hotel on Capri.

Caravaggio in Rome

It is possible to enjoy the works of the great master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (the other Michelangelo) without paying museum entrance fees. Three churches house several of the painters works and all are free to visitors. At Santa Maria del Popolo (in Piazza del Popolo) you can see The Crucifixion of St. Peter and The Conversion of St. Paul. The Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, near Piazza Navona, has three Caravaggios dedicated to St. Matthew. Also next to Piazza Navona is the church of Sant'Augostino whose facade is made of travertine from the Colosseum. Inside you can see the Madonna of the Pilgrims (pictured), which is remarkable for its realistic portrayal of common people. Caravaggio is known for his heightened use of shadows and light (chiaroscuro) and was once a pupil of the great Venetian painter, Titian. At one point, Caravaggio was the most renowned painter in Rome.

The Pincio

Perched above Piazza del Popolo in the center of Rome is a charming park called the Pincio. From the Piazza Napoleone on top of the Pincian hill you can look out at the "skyline" of Rome-countless church domes, with St. Peter's the most prominent. The Pincio is a perfect place for a spot of shade on a hot summer day or a leisurely stroll at sunset. If you head south from the park along the ridge of the hill, passing the Villa Medici which is now the French Academy in Rome, you will eventually reach the top of the Spanish Steps and the Church of the Trinita dei Monti.