Close User Name Password
Login Register
Travel alerts straight to your inbox:
 

Tags: / / / / / /

Finding The Illuminati in Rome...and Los Angeles

Where: Rome, Italy
May 15, 2009 at 1:42 PM | by cmb | 0 Comments

Like its predecessor, “The Da Vinci Code”, which created a tourism frenzy in Scotland and France, "Angels and Demons" already has tourists flocking to Rome, Italy. All this week, Ellen has been recapping her recent Rome Field Trip which is blessedly free of any "Angels and Demons" mentions. But we understand that there are some of you out there who need to retrace Robert Langdon's steps across the Eternal City.

But if you care less about where the movie is supposed to take place and more about where it was actually filmed, then you’re better off catching the next flight to Los Angeles then a flight to Rome. Most of the film was actually made on a sound stage in L.A., thanks to the Catholic Church’s hatred for all things Dan Brown.

The church refused to let Ron Howard film in the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the Santa Maria Del Popolo or the Santa Maria della Vittoria so these locations were all recreated in Los Angeles. But just because Opie couldn’t get an all access pass to Rome’s most famous attractions, doesn’t mean you should miss out too. Here’s our guide to tracking the “The Illuminati” in Rome.

Where to Stay:
According to Hotel Chatter, the Westin Excelsior has been named the official hotel partner for the movie. If you book the hotel's "Angels and Demons" package you get a private or group tour of important "Angels and Demons" locations and a 20% discount on the "Angels & Demons" theme menu at the Doney restaurant.

Where to Eat:
When you’re ready for a break from the Path of Illumination, check out Trattoria Monti, Via di San Vito 13, Monti, Rome. The restaurant has a moderately priced menu and serves cuisine of the Marches, an area to the northeast of Rome. They are known for their Timballo di Coniglio Con Patate (rabbit casserole with potatoes) which is said to be spectacular, if you can stomach eating Peter Cottontail.

What to See:
Just about every tour company in Rome is trying to cash in on the "Angels and Demons" phenomenon but our favorite tour is the The Illuminati because it "offers private tours which are named for the elements earth, air, fire, and water."

If you would rather go it alone, Roaring Forties Press has just published “Rome’s Angels & Demons: The Insider’s Guide to the Locations Featured in the Book and Movie” by Angela K. Nickerson that can be downloaded for free from their website. The guide includes information about important historical figures in “Angels and Demons”, The Vatican and The Path to Illumination.

Related Stories:
· Entertainment Spot: Lights, camera, angels [The Times]
· Opie Vs. The Vatican [Winnepeg Sun]
· Movie Set Travel: The Da Vinci Code [Jaunted]

[Photo: NY Times ]

0 Comments

Post a Comment

Return to » Finding The Illuminati in Rome...and Los Angeles

Leave a Comment

Not yet a member? Click here to become a member.

Already a member? Log in below:

Comment with your Facebook account.