Tag: Rome Travel

View All Tags

/ / / / / /

What Everyone's Buying in Rome: A Pin-Up Calendar of Priests

Where: Rome, Italy
May 15, 2013 at 1:07 PM | by | Comment (1)

Welcome to "What Everyone's Buying," a new series on souvenirs, wherein we investigate what tourist trinkets are the hottest selling in hotspots around the world.

How could a simple black & white calendar, with the simple name "Calendario Romano" cause such a titter among tourists? Simple—by borrowing the pin-up concept and applying it to handsome Roman Catholic priests.

Spend enough time in Rome and you'll begin to notice they're everywhere—the fathers in their conservative black vestments—having un caffe e cornetto next to you in the morning, or petting a cat on a windowsill. The calendar selects 12 (having a chiseled jawline is more qualification than being actually ordained) and photographs them in innocent occupation, though their eyes betray less than innocent thoughts. Preview all 12 months on the back of each calendar.

more ›

/ / / / /

The Four Roman Churches You Must Visit to Complete a Papal Pilgrimage

Where: Rome, Italy
March 25, 2013 at 9:06 PM | by | Comments (2)


St. Paul's Outside the Walls, a basilica you should probably check out

It's a crazy time in the Catholic Church right now. There are two popes! It's almost Easter! Spring Break means Catholic school kids are misbehaving!

WIth all the hubbub surround the Vatican of late, maybe it's time to go old school and score you some Indulgences, AKA "Get Out of Hell Free" cards. Indulgences were once granted by the Catholic Church for good deeds done and acts of humility, but eventually they became a commodity sold or gifted to those held in favor by a corrupt church, centuries ago. If you've seen The Borgias, then you have some idea of what we're talking about. Indulgences technically don't exist anymore, but they sorta still do.

In any case, there are a few ways of going about earning indulgences, if you're into that. One is to climb the steps of the Scala Santa on your knees and reciting the correct prayers, the Scala Santa being a marble staircase supposedly brought to Rome from Jerusalem, where it was the stairs on which Jesus met Pontius Pilate.

Another way of earning an indulgence is to visit Rome and make a pilgrimage to each of the four "major basilicas," all which happen to be within a quick walk or subway ride of each other in la città eterna.

more ›

/ / / / / / /

The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Reopen to Tourists After Conclave

March 18, 2013 at 9:35 AM | by | Comments (0)

There’s a new pope in town, but that doesn’t mean that pope-a-palooza is winding down anytime soon. If you’re lucky enough to be in Rome there are many opportunities to check out the goings on around the arrival of Pope Francis, and you’ll even be the first to score some fresh-out-of-the-box papal souvenirs. However, the whole conclave thing was an inconvenience to those looking to check out some of the Vatican’s best tourist attractions: the Musei Vaticani.

Beginning today—Monday—the Vatican Museums are once again open to the paying public, and that includes access to the Sistine Chapel. Visits to the Borgia Apartment as well as the Collection of Modern Religious Art are available too, so once again you’ll be getting your Euro's worth when you check things out.

more ›

/ / / / /

No Snack for You! Rome Threatens €500 Fine for Street Eaters

Where: Rome , Italy
October 8, 2012 at 1:15 PM | by | Comments (0)


Illegal snacking in Piazza Navona

What's the Italian for "no snacking?"

We have no idea, but travelers are about to find out as Rome has enacted a new law banning the activity of eating snack foods within the historic center city.

Si, vero.

Chow down on some cioccolato in vicino of the cobblestoned streets and you'll be liable to pay a fine, which ranges from €25 to €500, though what exactly you'd have to do to warrant the €500 penalty is not stated (perhaps pour a banana split on Neptune in the Fontana di Trevi and then lick it off?!)

It's a law that specifically targets careless tourists, and Telegraph UK explains where you'll have to keep that gelato gluttony in check:

more ›

/ / / / / / / / / / /

'Molto Bene' for Alitalia's Upgrades

Where: Italy
July 26, 2012 at 10:03 AM | by | Comments (0)

Lots of new changes coming to Alitalia over the next few months. From a full fleet renewal, more transparent fares on their most popular flights, and even a very generous offering for their passengers from young to older. In true Italian fashion, they have named their newest classes of services super romantic names.

In the past 3 years, the Italian airline has spent a considerable amount of time, not to mention, euros, on creating a more pleasurable experience for all of their passengers. In a quest to fly the youngest fleet in the world, they have bought new planes and refreshed existing planes. By the beginning of next year, the entire fleet will be an average of about 6 years old.

more ›

/ / / / / / / / /

Three Must-See Filming Locations in Woody Allen's 'To Rome With Love'

Where: Rome , Italy
July 6, 2012 at 1:56 PM | by | Comments (0)

With his latest movie, To Rome With Love, Woody Allen is once again proving he's the master of turning a film's location into another character, just as he did with two of the most travel-inspiring movies of the past decade: Midnight in Paris and Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

To Rome With Love follows four different characters—a well-known American architect reliving his youth, an average middle-class Roman who turns into a celebrity, a young married woman drawn into an affair, and an American opera director endeavoring to put a singing mortician on stage—finding their way through Rome.

Check out three of our favorite Eternal City locations prominently featured in To Rome With Love:

more ›

/ / / / / /

Is Rome's Famous Trevi Fountain Really Crumbling?

Where: Rome, Italy
June 22, 2012 at 9:59 AM | by | Comments (0)

We know the cash flow is tight over in Europe, but when it comes to maintaining some of the cultural treasures it’s probably a good idea to invest in a little upkeep. This seems to be especially the case in Italy, where we heard that the Colosseum is already feeling the wear and tear of over 2,000 years of tourist trampling, and now it looks like one of Rome’s other famous landmarks are beginning to show their age.

more ›

/ / / /

Are Bits and Pieces of Rome's Colosseum Starting to Crumble?

Where: Rome, Italy
January 5, 2012 at 9:53 AM | by | Comments (0)

If you’ve been thinking about visiting Rome in 2012 you might just want to confirm things sooner than later—especially if you want to visit the Colosseum during your trip.

It’s not like the ancient Colosseum is being relocated or demolished, but there is a little bit of a concern that the thing is starting to crumble. Obviously it has seen its share of history, and 2,000+ years of wear and tear is starting to show its effect.

more ›

/ / /

Keep the Gum in Your Mouth to Keep Rome Clean

Where: Rome, Italy
December 20, 2011 at 9:20 AM | by | Comments (0)

We knew that the City of Lights didn’t enjoy chewing gum, and now it sounds like the Eternal City feels the same way. Rome would love it if you’d dispose of your gum properly, but if you just need to toss it on the sidewalk—c’mon people—they’re planning a new initiative to clean it up.

Recently the cleanup started in and around Largo Argentina—that’s one of the spots with plenty of historic ruins (and feral cats)—as crews and volunteers hit the pavement prepared to scrape and scrub the sidewalks. According to some city officials responsible for garbage collection each gum removal costs like one euro—um, really—so it sounds like a pretty expensive undertaking.

more ›

/ / / / / /

It May Look Modest, But This Could Be the Best Gelato in Rome

Where: Via della Panetteria 42, Rome, Italy
December 19, 2011 at 4:41 PM | by | Comments (0)


When we’re in Rome, we like to do what the Romans do and eat a lot of gelato. In fact, one of the great things about Italy is the art the culture that eating ice cream isn’t just a tourist thing.

One place we’d heard a lot about, but never visited, was Il Gelato di San Crispino, tucked away on a back street behind the Trevi Fountain. When we say tucked away, we mean tucked away; there’s only a tiny sign announcing its presence.

But it’d probably be overrun if it was any more exposed. Because the gelato of San Crispino is superlative. Only fresh ingredients are used—no preservatives, nothing frozen, only seasonal things—and boy does it show.

more ›

/ / / / / / / /

Tips and Tricks for Fellow Newbie European Travelers

September 2, 2011 at 12:00 PM | by | Comments (0)

What would your life be like if you hadn't yet traveled to Europe? If you'd spent years reading travel novels and fantasizing over guidebooks, but hadn't made the big leap? This is the case for Andy Miles, who in his late twenties is embarking on his first trip to the continent and walking us through the emotions and observations of a true Newbie Traveler. Read his previous adventures and follow along all week as Andy takes us along on his inaugural Euro journey.

For my final installment of this Newbie Traveler series I wanted to pass along some tips that other newbie (or even seasoned) travelers may find useful. If you followed along on my journey this week, you'll see that I went to London, Paris, Rome, and Zurich and even though I know I have much more to see and learn, I feel that I'm pretty well versed in the intricacies of European travel.

1. If you plan to do a lot of traveling by train, and your pocketbook allows for it, I would always suggest trying to upgrade to first class. I know, this tip probably sounds as obvious as "when flying, try to sit in first class," but to be honest we never found it prohibitively expensive. It's something you can take care of right there at the train station even if you already have economy tickets. Just go to the train and look for someone in a uniform. Most of them carry mobile devices and can upgrade you on the spot!

more ›

/ / / / / / /

The Newbie Traveler Treads the Cobblestones of Rome

Where: Rome, Italy
September 1, 2011 at 12:19 PM | by | Comments (0)

What would your life be like if you hadn't yet traveled to Europe? If you'd spent years reading travel novels and fantasizing over guidebooks, but hadn't made the big leap? This is the case for Andy Miles, who in his late twenties is embarking on his first trip to the continent and walking us through the emotions and observations of a true Newbie Traveler. Read his previous adventures and follow along all week as Andy takes us along on his inaugural Euro journey.

I know Rome is a big deal, but having the opportunity to see it up close and personal gave me new perspectives on life, time, and how many things in this world are temporal. The Roman ruins have such a presence that they emit a feeling of history, and even if you didn't know much about Rome, you'd know that something very significant happened there.

After getting settled at the hotel, we decided to go downstairs to find something to eat. Instead of just winging it on our own, we figured it'd be a good idea to ask the concierge for a suggestion. I sauntered up to the desk and asked, "Is there some good Italian food around here?" As the words were leaving my mouth my own internal dialogue was "ARE YOU REALLY ASKING HIM THIS RIGHT NOW?!" Thankfully, he just laughed and said, "Of course!"

more ›

Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (effective 3/21/12) and Privacy Policy (effective 3/21/12). © Condé Nast. Your California Privacy Rights. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast.
Ad Choices