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!

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!

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!

The Best Sandwiches in Florence

Students and locals alike adore l'Antico Noe, a sandwich shop just a short walk from the Duomo. Here you can have real Italian panini made with the best meats and cheeses (salami, prosciutto, bufala mozzarella!). The food is cheap and you can even order a glass of wine to wash it down. Next door is an osteria owned by the same proprietor serving slow-cooked steaks and Tuscan dishes. The owner, Massimo, makes the sandwiches and if you become a regular, he'll never forget you! Volta di San Piero 6r.

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!

The Frugal Traveler Visits Venice and Milan

New York Times blogger Matt Gross (a.k.a the Frugal Traveler) recently visited Italy with his wife and newborn baby girl. On the agenda were Venice and Milan. His posts last week were filled with all kinds of tips on visiting Venice with an infant and finding comfortable and stylish accommodations on a budget in Milan. If you are at all hesitant to take Junior on his first trip to Italy-don't worry! It can be done, even in winter, and you can still have a ton of fun. Remember, Italians love babies.

Budget Travel Answers Your Rome Questions

Do you have specific questions about visiting Rome that Molto Italy can't answer for you? Pop over to Budget Travel, where Kate Appleton, one of BT's editors, will answer your queries. Recent topics include where to stay and sightsee if you are a woman traveling alone, kid friendly spots, and how to save your Euros.

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!

Hotel Orientale in Palermo-Old World Splendor

The Hotel Orientale in Palermo is housed in a 17th century palace once belonging to Prince Alessandro Filangieri II. Now the baroque residence is crumbling a bit, but it still maintains its elegant atmosphere. With simply furnished bedrooms, the place is truly a budget hotel, with rates starting at around $90 a night. However, its location in the historic center and its frescoed ceilings will convince you that you are royalty too. Well, former royalty at least.

Rome on the Cheap

Budget Travel has some great suggestions for saving money in Rome (and in many other expensive cities). They suggest using public transportation, refilling your water bottles in the fountains (the water in Rome is pristine!) and eating pizza by the slice. 10Best.com has some great suggestions for pizzerias, many of them in Trastevere.

Colline Emiliane-Perfect Pasta near the Trevi Fountain

Locals and tourists love this family-run pasta spot just off the Trevi Fountain. The house specialty at Colline Emiliane is a truffle pasta made by the owner's wife and the menu, inspired by the proprietors' home region of Emilia-Romagna, will have you back again and again. The prices are a bargain (for Rome anyway!) with main courses running from 14 Euros to 18 Euros. Reservations are recommended and BE ON TIME!

International Herald Tribune's Tips for Avoiding Crime in Rome

Let's face it, Rome is a big city. And in big cities filled with tourists, petty crime is rampant. The writer of the International Herald Tribune's Rome Blog, Elizabeth Rosenthal, has a few tips for playing it safe in Rome. Among her pointers: Don't wear a backpack, don't leave your valuables on the table while you are dining outside, and don't keep your wallet (or iPod) in your pocket!

Take a Walk in Rome with the Washington Post

Giovanna dell'Orto, a former resident of Rome and well-known journalist, takes readers on a walk to her favorite (and mostly free) sights in Rome. She hits many of the Modern Traveler's favorite spots, like the Capitoline Hill, the Forum, the Pantheon, Tiber Island and Via del Governo Vecchio. Along the way she stops for pizza, gelato and pasta. She doesn't forget to stop at the Trevi Fountain to throw in her coins, ensuring that she will come back to Rome again.

Tod's Film Takes Gwyneth to Rome to Promote Pashmy Bag

Tod's, the Milanese shoe company famed for its driving loafer, recently released a film on its website starring Gwyneth Paltrow (who has her own website now-read a review here). The film, directed by Dennis Hopper, is dedicated to a new handbag, the Pashmy, and what happens when the celebrity loses hers in Rome. Campo dei Fiori and the Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati are the featured locations in this short film. Villa Aldobrandini is an incredible 17th century palace built by the nephew of Pope Clement VIII, Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini. The Villa is famous for its commanding view of the valley leading up to Rome, as well its water theater, park and Baroque wall-paintings. The Villa and the charming town of Frascati make for an excellent daytrip from Rome- and admission is free!
Watch the film here.

Ways to Save Euros

With the world economy crashing down around us, visitors to Rome will find themselves balking at the high prices of everything from cappuccino to cab rides. But there are deals to be had (see Ways to Save Euros).
Readers: What free-or almost free-activities have you found in Rome recently? And conversely, what expensive activities did you find were just not worth it?

La Notte Bianca-September 13

The Modern Traveler has searched and to the best of her ability has determined that White Night will take place on September 13th this year. There has been talk of lack of funding which may make the celebration a bit less grand-but plan on staying up all night with the Romans on September 13th!

Low Airfare to Rome from San Francisco in November

A recent search on Delta Airlines found an $853 airfare from San Francisco to Rome leaving Monday, November 10th and returning Thursday, November 20th. That's pretty much the lowest airfare the Modern Traveler has seen from this side of the U.S. to the Eternal City in six months. Act fast!

White Night Rome 2008-La Notte Bianca: What is the date?

Despite the Modern Traveler's continued efforts to find out the details, the specific date of Rome's La Notte Bianca is still uncertain. Does anyone out there know if and when the Roman city officials have decreed the date? The La Notte Bianca website is unfortunately still from 2007... Please comment with internet links, if possible!

A Restaurant with a View-Mirabelle at the Hotel Splendide Royal

If you are looking to spend a LOT of money (yes-250 Euros per person) you could do no wrong at Mirabelle at the Hotel Splendide Royal on the Via Veneto. The views from this restaurant are spectacular-the Villa Medici, the Pincio, the Vatican. The food is excellent as well. If 250 Euros per person seems a bit steep (and with the US dollar still weak, it certainly does seem steep) settle for a drink at the American Bar Mirabelle. There are a few tables on the terrace for patrons. The drinks won't be cheap-but definitely more affordable than dinner!
Readers: Which restaurant has the best view in Rome?

Low Airfare to Rome in January

If you're anything like the Modern Traveler (and my guess is you are) you are always planning your next trip to Rome. A recent search on United found a $615 airfare from JFK to Rome (through Washington DC) for January 14-21 of 2009. It's definitely not too early to start planning a winter trip to Rome. And remember-the crowds will be gone-you'll have the whole place to yourself!