National Gallery of Art: Pompeii and the Roman Villa

Pompeii and the Roman Villa opens tomorrow, October 19, at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. The exhibit makes public several artifacts from recent excavations never on view in the U.S. before, as well as many well-known works from earlier excavations. The exhibit will also focus on the mosaics, frescoes and sculptures from the villas of wealthy Romans in the Bay of Naples that influenced much of the art of the 18th century. With the economy the way it is, it may be that a trip to the nation's capital is the closest we can get to Rome these days!

THE "Gladiator's" Tomb Discovered

Archaeologists have discovered what they to believe to be the tomb of the man who inspired the movie Gladiator (which was really just a remake of the movie The Fall of the Roman Empire starring Sophia Loren, James Mason, Christopher Plummer, Alec Guiness and Omar Sharif!). An inscription on the tomb reveals that the monument belonged to Marcus Nonius Macrinus, one of the emperor Marcus Aurelius' generals. The tomb's location along the banks of the Tiber has made major restoration possible, as mud from centuries of the river's floods has preserved almost every piece of the marble structure. Read more about the excavation on Discovery News.com.

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.

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!

"Ancient Athens on Five Drachmas a Day" By Philip Matyszak

No, this book is not about Rome, but if you enjoyed Philip Matyszak's Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day, then you are sure to get a kick out of his newest "guidebook" to Ancient Athens. In Ancient Athens on Five Drachma a Day, you will meet the philosophers, orators and artists who made 5th century Athens so famous, and learn a few tips on avoiding bedbugs and streetbrawls while you are at it. The book will be released on October 27th, but you can pre-order it at Amazon for 32% off!

Luxury City Guides: Are They Worth It?

It seems to be a trend nowadays to publish luxury city guides "for the discerning traveler." There are at least three guidebooks out there now that claim to offer a more refined traveling experience. Not only do these guidebooks cover fine restaurants, 5-star hotels, and luxury shopping, but they really utilize the help of insiders to get the most exclusive recommendations. The prices of the books themselves are also exclusive. The Nota Bene Review requires a year membership (at 495 British Pounds!) which entitles you to their printed guides and access to their members website. The Louis Vuitton City Guides are $110 and include 30 European cities. The Luxe Guides, which are really glorified pamphlets, cost $26.99 for a 3-city guide (which includes London and Paris).
Readers: Are they worth it?

Maureen Dowd Shares Her Opinions in Latin

In an op-ed entitled "Are We Rome? Tu Betchus!" Maureen Dowd attempts to explain why the Republicans are losing this election-in Latin! It's funny, clever, and in near-perfect translation. Especially entertaining are the phrases that have no true equivalent in Latin, such as "lipstick on a pig" (lipsticka in porcam), "a little blow" (snifferendum cocaini minimi), and her inclusion of standard Latin phrases into English in a reversal of the Latin that we would include in our own rhetoric: "Oh bloody sight!" Be sure to read the comments of her readers. For more on Latin in present-day America, read last week's article in the NY Times "A Dead Language That's Very Much Alive."

American Academy in Rome Events

The American Academy in Rome, perched high atop the Gianicolo hill, is an institution devoted to the study of the art, architecture, literature, archaeology and music of ancient and modern Rome. To study there is a great honor and often unattainable by those of us who haven't determined to devote our lives to academia. But when you are in Rome, you are invited to attend events at the Academy. Films, lectures, concerts and exhibits are constantly happening at the Academy-and the good news is they are very likely to be in English! See their events calendar for more details.

Low Airfare to Rome in February from JFK

Iberian Airlines is offering a 681.00 airfare to Rome from JFK February 2nd to February 9th. Midwinter is a great time to visit Rome-you can see the city without the crowds. Be sure to bring warm layers as Rome does get chilly. Gloves are a must if you plan on consulting your guidebook at all when you are outside-and all that marble inside isn't very insulating, either!

Share Your Italy Travel Stories with Budget Travel and Win a Trip to Fiji!

Using their community feature, Budget Travel is looking for photos, videos, and Travel Journals from Rome, Venice, Milan, Siena, and Amalfi. To entice readers to register for their site, they will enter you to win one of three prizes if you contribute. The grand prize is airfare and seven nights at a beachfront resort in Fiji. See their most recent entries and register now.

New Museum in Egypt to Make Cleopatra's Palace Available to Visitors-Underwater!

Ancient Alexandria, the home of the Ptolemaic pharaohs in Egypt, has long been covered by murky brine. For decades archaeologists have been "unearthing" treasures from Cleopatra's sunken palace. Now archaeologists and the Egyptian government are planning to build a spectacular underwater museum to showcase this palace and other ruins in the port of Alexandria. According to National Geographic, the project is still two years from being fully developed, so construction is definitely several years off. But look forward to yet another impressive sight to visit in Egypt in the near future!

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.

International Wine Academy-Educate Yourself About Italian Wines on Your Vacation

The International Wine Academy of Roma, located just off the Piazza di Spagna at Vicolo del Bottino 8, offers wine tasting events at least once a week. The academy is part of Il Palazzetto, a former home of Italian nobles that the owner of the Hotel Hassler turned into a wine club. Wine tasting events start at 20 Euros and feature wines from around Italy. There are often themes to the tastings, such as "The Wines of the Volcanoes: Etna vs. Vesuvius and others" (Saturday, October 11th). There is also a restaurant at the Palazzetto, so you can turn your wine tasting event into an entire evening. Buon Appetito!

Mario Batali's Lazio Red Wine Picks

While Lazio is best known for its white wines, the reds are beginning to make a serious impression on foodies everywhere. Mario Batali recommends a few rossi from the region. Try Colle Picchioni for a Bordeaux-like quality, I Quattro Mori by Castel de Paolis is similar to a Syrah, and the indigenous Cesanese is often blended with other grapes for a complex meritage. The 2007 growing year was considered very good in Lazio, so look for that vintage.

Weekend Trips from Rome: Pontine Islands

If the madness of Rome starts to wear on you (and in the heat of summer, it just may), do as the Romans do. Head to the sea for the weekend. About an hour from Rome is the Tyrrhenian coast near Terracina, an area much enjoyed by Rome's residents since antiquity and well-known in mythology (Circe, the sorceress in Homer's Odyssey is said to have transformed Ulysses' men into pigs here). About 15 miles off this coastline is a little-known archipelago, the Pontine Islands, named for its principal island, Ponza. These rugged volcanic islands are as beautiful as Capri, but are smaller, quieter and sometimes also less expensive. On Ponza, Anna Fendi has another Villa Laetitia with only 3 rooms and she also owns La Limonaia a Mare, a 5 room guesthouse with views of the sea. You can catch a hydrofoil to Ponza from Anzio, just south of Rome, and be sure to rent a boat when you are on Ponza (available in the harbor). The water is one of the main attractions!

Molto Mario: Trastevere on a Sunday

On November 3 at 10:00 am the Food Network will air Molto Mario: Trastevere on a Sunday. Join Mario Batali in Rome for a gastronomic stroll through one of Rome's most interesting neighborhoods-and learn how to prepare some of Rome's most interesting dishes. Fried zucchini blossoms are destined to make an appearance. If you can't wait for the show to try the recipes, see the Food Network for a preview.

Mario Batali's Lazio and Frascati Recommendations

Mario Batali,the famous Manhattan restaurateur whose newest project is a series on Spain with Gwyneth Paltrow, has an extensive website with recommendations for restaurants and hotels all over Italy. Of particular interest to the Modern Traveler are his recommendations for Lazio, the region around Rome. He touts two spots in Frascati, the site of the baroque Villa Aldobrandini (pictured). For gnocchi and views he recommends Zaraza and for a more upscale experience (with wine caves) Cacciani in the center of town. If you can't make it to Lazio, but you are in Manhattan and want a taste of Rome, visit Batali's Roman-style restaurant, Lupa.

Giada's Roman Favorites

Giada de Laurentiis has her own website and social network: giadadelaurentiis.com. Among the event calendar, blogs and occasional recipes are Giada's worldwide favorite restaurants and hotels. Naturally, the Modern Traveler is most interested in her Roman favorites. Three hotels that Giada recommends are the Hotel de Russie, Grand Hotel de la Minerve (near the Pantheon) and the Boscolo Hotel Exedra (Piazza della Reppublica). Her restaurant choices are even more interesting. For cafe life and excellent pastries, she recommends Caffe Greco on the Via Condotti. Ciampini is her choice for gelato and chocolate croissants, and Gusto makes her list for pizza and antipasti. Giada is never wrong when it comes to food, so Buon Appetito!

Practice Your Italian on FreeRice.com

If you're looking for a diversion at work or on a rainy day and want to do some good while you practice your Italian, go to FreeRice.com. For every Italian vocabulary word that you define correctly, 20 grains of rice are donated to the United Nations World Food Program to help end world hunger. Buona Fortuna!

Giada's Roman Recipes

If you missed Giada de Laurentiis' specials on recipes from her hometown this past May and July, you can get the recipes on the Food Network's website. The two episodes featured recipes from her childhood in Rome, including deep-fried artichokes and gnocchi and swordfish with citrus pesto inspired by the lemon trees growing in the backyard of her family home. For more recipes based on Roman standards and Italian favorites, see the Food Network on-line or watch her show, Everyday Italian, weekdays at 4:30 pm EST. A new show, Giada at Home, premieres October 18 at 1:00 pm, and will feature Giada's expansion into cuisines other than Italian.