The Villa Borghese Card-More Ways to Save Euros

For the low price of 10 Euros you can purchase the Villa Borghese Card which will get you into one of the sites in the Villa Borghese for free, and the rest of the sites at reduced admission. The sites include the Galleria Borghese (you must book in advance), the Villa Giulia (Etruscan collections) and the Museo Carlo Bilotti. The card also gets you discounts at countless bookstores in the museums, the zoo, cafes, cinemas, parking and even scooter rental! You can even use the card for reduced admission to the Villa Medici, home to the French Academy in Rome. The card is good for one year and can be purchased at various points around Rome including Termini train station and Fiumicino airport. The Villa Borghese is the perfect place for kids in Rome. This card is definitely worth it!

Villa Giulia: Etruscan Treasures in a Papal Palace

On the edge of the Borghese Gardens is the former residence of Pope Julius III. Built in the 16th century, the palace was decorated by the most famous artists of the day, most notably Georgio Vasari and Michaelangelo Buonarroti. Today the palace, now known as the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia, houses the most extensive collection of Etruscan artifacts in Rome and includes famous works such as the Apollo from Veii and the Bride and Groom from Cerveteri. Be sure to visit the extraordinary collection of Etruscan gold and jewelry on the second floor. In addition, the first floor Portico painted by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola must not be missed. The museum is closed Mondays.

Most Romantic Walks in Rome

If you are on your honeymoon or you are just in the mood for romance, you will find unlimited opportunities for charming walks in Rome. The walk from the Galleria Borghese to the Pincio, one of the most famous strolls in Rome, should be done in time to watch the sun go down over St. Peter's (pictured). For you archaeology buffs, a walk on the Palatine Hill will take you out of the crowds and into shady paths with lovely views of the Forum (and some interesting ruins-like the house of the Emperor Augustus- as well). An evening passegiata in Trastevere will inspire you to move to Rome and become a starving artist. Don't miss the Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere and its namesake church, whose 12th century Byzantine mosaics are illuminated at night. If your legs are up to it, head up to Piazzale Garibaldi on the Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill) for the best view of Rome. Don't forget to linger by the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola. And last, if you need to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city for a day, take the train to Ostia Antica. Pack a picnic lunch and wander among the ruins for the afternoon. Be sure to visit the amphitheater, public baths and forum.
Readers: What's your favorite walk in Rome?

Italy is the Top Honeymoon Destination

Modern Bride magazine rates Italy as the #1 honeymoon destination in the world. And naturally Rome must be included in every Italian honeymoon. Brides.com recommends some great hotels and restaurants, including the recently renovated restaurant Casina Valadier in the Villa Borghese and the Exedra Hotel (which has a pool!). The website also recommends some fun activities such as the Casa del Jazz, a villa devoted to live music and the Citta del Gusto, a 54,000 square foot space that houses restaurants, riverside terraces, and the Gambero Rosso food TV channel-and live cooking demonstrations in a food theater!
Readers: Have you honeymooned in Rome? What were your favorite activities?

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.

Valentino: The Last Emperor

The Venice Film Festival was the site of the premiere of a new documentary about the life of fashion designer Valentino Garavani. Valentino retired last year but his designs are still going strong-and so is his influence. Rome, of course, hosted his retirement party last summer in full glory, with a retrospective of his designs in the Ara Pacis Museum (pictured) and a stunning party at the Villa Borghese. This fall, from September 3rd through September 10, Samsung is hosting a digital exhibition of Valentino's works during New York City's Fashion Week called "The Red Thread: The Inspiration and Passion of Valentino." There you can also see sneak preview footage of the new documentary, "Valentino: The Last Emperor."

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.

New York Times Article on Roman "House" Museums

A recent article in the New York Times Travel section highlights some of the incredible palaces in Rome that have been turned into museums for public viewing. More often than not, these palaces were built by popes or their relatives and house exquisite collections of classical sculpture and paintings and frescoes by Italian masters. Not only is the artwork contained in the palazzos a draw, but the gardens and architecture of the residences themselves are also worth seeing. Some of the palazzos are quite famous already, like the Galleria Borghese, but others are just beginning to be noticed by the amateur traveler, like the Palazzo Colonna and Palazzo Altemps (pictured). Mentioned in the article are also several artists' workshops, such as the Museum-Atelier Canova-Tadolini. You can use the Roma Pass to visit most of these "house" museums.

Rome-A Festival of Music

Martin Randall Travel, a UK based touring company, has an exciting package for travelers who love music. Seven private concerts in palaces and churches from February 3-9 of 2008 are available to participants in their "Rome-A Festival of Music" tour. The packages start at 1,990 British pounds and include flights from the UK, hotels, three dinners, all breakfasts, drinks during some performances, transport to and from the airport and to some concert venues, lectures on the music, tips, taxes and private views of galleries (most notably the Galleria Borghese and the Sistine Chapel-priceless). If you do not fly from the UK and make your own air reservations, there is a reduction of 120 British pounds. The company has a myriad of tours in Rome and Italy throughout the year, so if music isn't your cup of tea (or espresso) there is certainly something else for you.

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.

Travel and Leisure: World's Best Hotels-Rome

The January 2008 issue of Travel and Leisure lists the 500 best luxury hotels in the world. On the list are 5 of Rome' s most famous and elegant hotels. If you can't stay at these gorgeous establishments, at least pop in for a cocktail or dinner. The Hotel Hassler came in at Number 1 (and nearly the most expensive) in Rome and is located at the top of the Spanish Steps. Its attractions include celebrity sightings, proximity to the Borghese Gardens, and unbeatable access to the shops on the Via Condotti. Ranked number 2 in Rome is the St. Regis Grand Hotel (a Starwood Hotel), located near the Via Veneto. The Hotel de Russie, known for its gardens, came in at number 3 and is located conveniently between Piazza di Spagna and the Piazza del Popolo. Number 4 by a hair is the Rome Cavalieri Hilton which is located 3 miles from the city center but has a lovely private park and pool (perfect for summertime visitors). Its restaurant, La Pergola, has three Michelin stars. The Hotel Lord Byron came in at number 5. This hotel is located behind the Villa Borghese, so it's best to take a cab or be prepared for a leisurely walk through the Borghese Gardens to get to the historic center.