Rome v Lazio - the local Derby

If you live in Rome you already be aware of the prominence of the local Derby between AS Roma and Lazio for what is called calcio in Roma and football around Europe (soccer for Americans).

This year for 2009, 6th November is the day to be in Rome (or not to be if you are not a football fan) and if you can get tickets then this is one of the most competitive games in the Italian Seria A calendar. Other games perhaps of the same level in terms of competitiveness are:

• Inter Milan v AC Milan (in Milano)
• Palermo v Catania (in Sicily)

To try and get tickets for the Roma v Mazio game at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome two avenues to try are 1) The official Roma site and 2) the main tickets site TicketOne. For accommodation if you have not already booked it, Rome apartments can be booked online with several companies including Holiday-Velvet.com

Best restaurants in Rome, Italy

I have been busy with business and friends visiting me in Rome, Italy lately and for that reason I have been easting out a lot lately. This has resulted in the discovery of some excellent restaurants that I had not got around to trying before.

San Lorenzo - The area of San Lorenzo is one of my favourites because of its vibrancy. 'Il Pommidoro' on Piazza dei Sanniti was excellent and served quality food at affordable prices. Quite a classy place, do not be put off by the pink table cloths!

Piazza Novana - 'Tre Scalini' was the restaurant I tried and took friends to and everyone ended the night quite impressed. The food is not necessarily cheap but this is Italian food at its best and this place is great for a special occasion.

Pantheon area - 'Terra Di Siena' on Piazza Pasquino was another restaurant which offered excellent food. Real Italian cooking, good service and nice venue.

Start of the football season - Serie A 2009-10

It is that time of year again and the start of the football season is almost here. Here in Rome we call it Calcio and there is a lot of excitement about the start of the 2009-2010 season - as season which will culminate in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

In Rome A.S. Roma and Lazio are the 2 main Rome football teams although both teams do not usually play in the city on the day, due to the rivalry between the two teams.

For tickets there are a few options: http://www.ticketone.it/ offer tickets normally or you can buy direct from the clubs via the AS Roma website and the Lazio website.

Best Rome Guide Books

There are a number of excellent guide books out there for most major cities these days and Rome Italy is no exception. I have been checking out the various choices and my Top 3 Rome travel guides are as below:

1. Rome Lonely Planet travel guide - in my opinion is about as good as it gets. This guide is compact and thus easily fits in a handbag or small backpack and it is jammed with up-to-date and spot on information. This is my favourite.

2. Rome Top 10 Eyewitness Guide - if you go to any city worldwide then try and get the Eyewitness Top 10 guide. this book literally fits into your trouser pockets (if you wear jeans) and is a quick fire look at the top 10 of everything in a city. This guide pays for itself with the handy tips and information it holds.

3. Time Out Rome - is set out quite a bit differently from the two guides above but is a close alternative if you are not a Lonely Planet or Eyewitness series fan.

And for a great Online Rome Travel Guide check out the Holiday Velvet guide.

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?