AltaRoma in Rome

AltaRoma is a biennial event that is held in January and July. The locations of this festival are the Auditorium Parco della Musica and in Piazza di Pietra. The aim of AltaRoma is to combine elements of traditional fashion shows with eccentric events and experimental performances. Clothing, art and spectacle are being combined. The aim is not only to provide opportunities but also to encourage the growth of the fashion sector, to be a driving force of innovation and creativity.

AltaRoma was founded in 1998 by Agenzia per la moda spa, which was created by the Rome Chamber of Commerce and the Muncipality of rome, to promote the city of Rome on the Italian High Fashion Circuit.

There are several brand designers showing their creations to the public in great fashions houses. Besides that, there are photo expositions and discussions about fashion. AltaRoma has one competition too, which is called “Who is on next?”. This is organized in cooperation with the Italian Vogue. With this competition, they hope to find and discover new models. Some academics are participating such as Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne from France, Flanders Fashion Institute and Royal Accademy of Fine Arts from Belgium and the Accademia di Costume e di Moda from Rome.

This year the second event of AltaRoma will be held on the 12th of July until the 16th of July.

Coming to Roma cinema festival 2009

This year is the 4th edition of the Festival Internazionale del Film di Roma. The festival will be held in Rome from the 15th of October and will lasts for 8 days untill the 23rd of October. The previous 3 editions were very popular and that is why the have decided to organize this festival again.

The fourth edition of this festival is put on by the Fondazione Cinema per Roma and is promoted by the Fondazione Musica Per Roma, the Municipality of Rome, the Province of Rome and the Rome Chamber of Commerce.

During this festival, a lot of international films are shown such as ‘Pride and Glory’ with Colin Farell and Edward Norton and ‘The Duchess’ with Keira Knightly and Ralph Viennes. Besides that there are concerts, exhibitions and a lot of celebs. Last year, the festival began with the distinction of one of the greatest actors of all time Al Pacino.

This Roma cinema festival will be held in the Auditorium Parco Della Musica which is designed by Renzo Piano. Many conferences, exhibitions and events are held in this place. For Festival Internazionale del Film di Roma, 5 theatres are reserved for the showcases; The Sala Santa Cecilia, The sala Sinopoli, The Sala Petrassi, The Teatro Studio and Studio 3.

They are all outstanding locations for film festival exhibitions. The access to the theatres is changed in a Red Carpet. During this festival, there are a lot of areas where you can buy food, including bars, refreshment points, pizzerias and stand for sponsors.

The Golden Gala of Athletics in Rome 2009

On the 10th of July, the Golden Gala of Athletics 2009 takes place. This event will be held in the Olympic Stadium of Rome. The convention of athletics from the highest level join this three hour during Golden Gala. The Golden Gala of Athletics is voted ‘the best meeting on the planet’ in 2005.

The Golden Gala started in 1998 and is a height of the Golden League. The best athletics of the world come to this convention. In 1998 the IAAF, the International Association of Athletics Federation, brought the seven most prestigious meetings in Europe together and called it the IAAF Golden League.

The only thing that the Athletics have to do is win their own competition in all the categories and receive the jackpot of 1 million dollar. The categories of the competitions are 100 meter, 100 meter hurdles, 400 meter, 3000 meter, 5000 meter and javelin throw.

The tickets for the this events are now available. So buy your tickets, go to Rome and join the Golden Gala of 2009.

Celebrating the Eternal City

Rome is found by Romulus in 753 before Christ and known as the ‘Eternal City’. For the birth of the Eternal City, the Romans celebrate this date annually. The annual event is organized by Gruppo Storico Romano and will be held on the 21st of April and includes events throughout Rome.


Romans today celebrate it by lightning many candles all over the Aventine Hill and there is a spectacular firework above the Tiber. Besides that there are public speeches, gladiator shows, traditional Roman banquets and parades. Everybody is enjoying friends, family and children and everybody is dressed as Caesar, Augusto, Seneca and many other big characters. There is also a dance group that will entertain and show the public different types of dancing such as Il gioco, I veli, Nell’arena and Augurale.


During this day, archaeological sites and museums are also open and the entrance is for free. To see ancient Rome there is the Capitoline Museum. It is located on the Capitoline Hill, next to the Roman Forums. The Aventine Hill is the main site that is used for this event and to have a good view over the fireworks, the Campidoglio and Giardino degli Aranci are the best places. Small local societies and clubs which are specialized in the history of Rome, stage their own events and celebrations.


The party lasts all day into the evening and this celebration day has no entrance price.

Marathon in Rome - Maratona della cittá di Roma

The “Maratona della cittá di Roma”, what means Marathon of Rome takes place on the 22nd of March. It is an annual event and this year is the 15th edition. The track is 42,2 kilometers long and the start and finish are both in the centre of Rome near the Coliseum.

The route goes over the Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican, the Tiber, the Piazza del Populo, along the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. These are some of the highlights that can be seen during this marathon.

People who wants to participate, can register on the website of Maratona di Roma. The register fees are ranking from 32 to 60 euro. All the athletes that will complete the race will receive an official medal. The minimum age for participating this marathon is 18 years.

After the main marathon there is a Stracittadina Fun Run. 45.000 children, adults and seniors enjoy this Fun Run. It is a non-competitive run that is 4 kilometers and it starts at the Coliseum and the finish is nearby the ruins of emperor Nero’s Golden House.

There is been said that the priest and the cardinals will be among the cheering crowds when the runners are passing the St. Peter’s Church.

Wine Bar Cruise in Rome

Agrippina Maggiore is a Tiber cruise teaching you about the historical sites of Rome while sipping on the best wines Italy has to offer. What could be more relaxing after a day of sightseeing, then to get onboard this boat , while enjoying a glass of Amarone or a Saint-Veran.

For generations the Italians has mastered the art of winemaking due to the number of grape varieties and blends. Just as the historical sites, an Italian wine is best tasted in Italy than any other place in the world. Italian wines are blended to compliment Italian food, so you have only tasted it once tasted in Italy. For less than 40 Euros per person, you can enjoy a cruise onboard the Agrippina Maggiore. This cruise takes about 2 hours and includes a welcome drink, fresh seasoned cheese, Italian ham and a bottle of wine per person.

Remember to visit Agrippina Maggiore and enjoy the wonderful tastes of Italy.
Phrases to help you, when visiting your Italian wine bar:

English: May I see the wine list please
Italian: La lista dei vini per favore
English: White wine
Italian: vino bianco
English: Red wine
Italian: vino rosso
English: Can you recommend a good localy made wine?
Italian: Ci può consigliare un buon vino locale?

Roman ghosts assure you a good holiday

Looking for something more interesting, and something different than the ordinary touristic tour? Rome offers a Ghost and Mystery Walking tour. This tour is highly entertaining and unlike any other. These tours are guided and famous around Rome. From chapels decorated in bones to underground catacombs, you will surely experience Rome from a different angle.

Here you will learn more about the supernatural mysteries that lies hidden in the soil of Rome.
The most interesting part of these tours, would be the visit to the ¨Church of Death¨, which stands as a monument to Rome´s brutal history.

Be sure to take full advantage of the supernatural tours in Rome, and experience Italy with all it has to offer. Please note that these tours are guided by professional guides, and information can be found in any tourist information office.

New Year in Rome

New Year in Rome or "La Festa di San Silvestro" is a fabulous way to experience this city. Rome offers wide-ranging restaurants to a variety of religious and cultural activities to celebrate the New Year. In the past, the Romans celebrated New Year by eating traditional food like fish and pasta. Over the years this has changed and now Rome has exploded to be an exciting way to see in the New Year including dancing, eating, drinking and party hard with friends and family. Rome is lit up by fireworks with hundreds of people in the streets celebrating with each other.

The main piazza where people head to is Piazza del Popolo where there's fireworks and live music well into the night. On New Year's day, children are entertained in the square by performers and acrobats.

Recently the celebrations are also being held at the piazza in front of the Quirinale off Via Nazionale where you can see concerts playing Classical music followed by fireworks. If you're lucky, you might see the Italian President and other important members of the Italian government attend to this event. The main event the next day is the New Year Parade procession. Thousands of people wait anxiously to receive the Pope's blessings in Rome. The parade passes through the historic Castel Sant' Angelo then down Via della Conciliazione and ends in St. Peter's Square.

Dining in Rome (Part 2)

Ristorante Pierluigi:
(Piazza dé Ricci 144 06 68 61 302)
Pierluigi's restaurant is situated in one of the most pleasant squares of Rome amidst beautiful renaissance buildings, including the Ricci palace, famous for its splendid sixteenth century fresco. Fish here is excellent, the crowd is mostly Roman and middle-aged. It's a little bit more expensive but on a sunny day and for a true Roman lunching/dining experience, there is no better spot than this one!

F.I.S.H:
(via dei Serpenti 16 06 47824962)
F.I.S.H is a modern seafood restaurant with fabulous sushi, and fusion cuisine, excellent wine list in a beautiful atmosphere.

La Taverna di Lucifero:

(Via dei Cappellari 28 06 68 80 55 36)

Enjoy a fantastic fondue at this lovely small restaurant just off Campo dei Fiori. Their cheese fondue and beef fondue are just to die for and make an excellent experience for a bunch of friends going out together. Try the fried eggs with tartuffo as a primo. The pasta is delicious too. Best to book ahead in the winter and at week-ends.

via Governo Vecchio No. 19.
A real local establishment visible through curtained windows. Courses change daily and each daily, you'll get served fantastic dishes at great prices.

Le Mani in Pasta:

(Via dei Genovesi 38 06.5816017)

Fabulous Trattoria, modern Italian cuisine, waiters speak some English, great service - excellent Fresh pasta, grilled fish and meat, wonderful deserts. Reasonable prices. Open for lunch and dinner.

Dining in Rome (Part 1)

It's not hard to eat well in Rome and in fact it's almost criminal not to. People generally accept that falling into the trap of paying for over priced mediocre restaurants is part of traveling but in Italy, this can't be the experience.

There are also so many guide books around to ensure that you're not sent to the wrong restaurant by some inscrupulous tout but as you're welcomed by the wonderful aromas filling the air, it's pretty easy to let your nose lead you instead.

The fantastic smells that float around between the hours of 12:30 and 3pm and from around 8pm to around 11pm indicate the hours for lunch and dinner in Rome. Rather than walk around hopefully trying to find that true local gem, this small guide will help you achieve the best eating experience of your life, and at very reasonable prices.

L”Orso ‘80 Via dell’Orso: 33
(Tel 6864904 Closed Mondays)
This restaurant is worth going to just for the antipasti. Prodciutto con melon, aubergine, roasted peppers topped with tomatoes with parmigiano, delicious meatballs, beans, salads, porcini and much much more. It's located a few minutes from Piazza Navona and it offers a dining wonderful.

Pizzeria “Baffetto”: Via Governo Vecchio 2

(Closed Sundays. NO credit cards)
The queues outside should give you some indication of how good this pizza restaurant is. Seating both inside and out, this is fast food at it's best.

The large pizzas would feed a small village and the wines not too bad either - all this for as little at 7 euros for a meal.