Rome Wine Tours

If during a stay in the city of Rome you are looking for a break from looking at the historical sites then a perfect way to get away from the city and see the surrounding area is a wine tour and tasting afternoon.
As well as visiting a beautiful and long-established vineyard situated in the Frascati region you will also be able to see some of the stunning Castelli Romani region on a scenic drive around the area that surrounds the city. This will give you the opportunity to see a side of Rome that many others may not get during their stay in the city.

A tour to a vineyard will include a guided tour of the vineyard and estate from a hugely knowledgeable guide who will talk in detail about wine production in the area as well as some of the captivating history and culture of wine production from Roman times. After being talked through the modern methods of harvesting the grapes and the production for the wine it is a chance to taste some specially selected samples of the estates products.

This not only includes the wine but also some of the freshly pressed olive oil that the estates also produce with some freshly made and baked bread.  These tastings are usually taken by a professional sommelier or a member of the family that owns the estate and they will explain exactly what you are drinking and what you should be looking for in taste and on the nose of the wine.

If you stay within the city if Rome, there are plenty of opportunities to taste the finest wines from around the region, with most restaurants and hotel bars stocking the finest wines from the local vineyards. If you have the time though, head down to the concierge in your hotel and ask about half or full day trips to one or more of the local vineyards.

How to Taste Wine

Interested also in wines in Venice, Italy?

Heading to the Pantheon, Rome

What to expect - seeing the Pantheon

Amongst all the historical buildings throughout Rome the one that has been maintained the best is the Pantheon. The Pantheon was built as a temple by Hadrian around AD 120 and its main role was as a monument to the 12 of the prominent gods followed during the time. The excellent condition of the building can be put down to it conversion to a Christian church in the 7th century when Byzantine Emperor Phocas presented it to the Pope.

Although some of the bronze cladding and decoration have been removed over the years, the beautifully simplistic exterior remains intact along with the original doors made from bronze and are the originals from Roman times.

The true glory and beauty of the building though is in the dimensions of the building as put forward by the Roman architect Vitruvius. The domes’ diameter is equal to the height of the rest of the building, which means that a perfect sphere could be placed within it. On the dome, in its very centre is the oculus which is a hole with a diameter of 9m that is the buildings only source of light and symbolises the link between the building and the heavens.

Today the Pantheon is still used as a church, with several important people from Italian history buried within its tombs, including the first king of the united Italy Vittorio Emanuele II and the artist Raphael.

Video on the Pantheon in Rome

Useful information on the Pantheon area

You can choose to stay in the Pantheon area and one company who provide a wide choice of holiday apartment rentals in the area are holiday-velvet.com and they are fairly affordable when priced against other companies offering a similar service. You can find out some handy information from rome-culture.com on the Pantheon area including restaurants and nightlife. Also interested in more Rome attractions?

Reasons to visit Piazza Navona

My favourite part of Rome without a question is the centrally located Piazza Navona. This Piazza at Christmas time has a lovely market and it is also a great time all year round for relaxing in.



There is a marvellous toy shop on one end of the Piazza and this shop will interest both children and adults, given the unique toys on sale. Make sure also to take a look in the art gallery just across from the toy shop.

You can find Piazza Navona accommodation online and more information specifically on the Piazza Navona, Rome. See Piazza Navona also listed in our Rome's romantic locations list.

5 Great Pizza Restaurants in Rome

Italy is the home of Pizza and a visit to Rome is a great opportunity to experience pizza in its best form. Below are some of the best pizza restaurants in to try in the city.

O Pazzariello
This is a small restaurant which provides a big experience. The chef is positioned in the middle of the restaurant meaning that the customer can watch them create the pizza from fresh. The skill demonstrated to create so many pizzas to such a fantastic standard is a joy to behold.

Est! Est! Est! dei Fratelli Ricci
Having served deep pan food since the 1930s this restaurant is well versed in providing high quality pizzas to locals who have high expectations. The decor is traditional Italian which adds to the experience and makes it more authentic.

Remo
There can sometimes be a bit of a wait here unless you book in advance, but it is well worth it to experience the wide thin crust pizzas which have been attracting people for decades. There is a loud and happening atmosphere inside the restaurants and outside seating is also an option.

Da Vittorio
A visit to this restaurant will enable you to experience some of the most unique pizzas anywhere in Rome. The chef prides himself on creating traditional pizza from Naples which is soft, thick and very filling, yet extremely pleasant to eat.

You might also be interested in:

• More great Italian restaurants in Rome, Italy.
• Roma apartamentos for Spanish travellers.

Travelling from Rome Airport to the City Centre

The main airport in Rome is around 30km outside of the city centre, but travel to and from the airport is made easy by the public transport networks in the area.

Possibly the easiest and most direct way of travelling from the airport to the city centre is the rail link which runs directly from the airport into the Rome’s central train station, a journey which is not affected by traffic and generally takes about fifteen to twenty minutes. There is also the option to get a train which stops at various stations on the way to the central station, and this is a popular option with many as it is a few Euros cheaper.

If you are travelling on a budget and do not mind the journey taking slightly longer, you can opt to take the airport bus. This costs around half the amount of the train equivalent and run as much as every half an hour. The bus runs to and from the central train station, making ongoing connections extremely easy.

As would be expected from a major international airport, there is a good network of taxis which trawl the airport to city centre route. These taxis are ideal for those who are in a rush but do not come recommended in general due to the fact that the prices can be quite high.

Lazio vs. AS Roma – The Ultimate Sports Experience

The city of Rome is blessed with having two top class football teams, AS Roma and Lazio. Both clubs play in the top flight of Italian football and appear in European competitions on a regular basis. Both clubs have a large fan base of passionate and colourful fans that create a unique atmosphere in the stadium that they share, the Stadio Olympico.

When visiting Rome it would be shame not to indulge in the one of the many sporting events which take place in the city, and the twice yearly fixture between AS Roma and Lazio are the most passion driven and anticipated occasions. There are two reasons that the fixture is so highly anticipated, the first being that both clubs boast a full rota of international standard players who produce the highest level of football which is on a par with anything that can be experienced in Europe, and the second being that both sets of fans are hugely passionate and create a cacophony of noise, with both sets believing that they support the best side in the city.

When the two sides come together the combination of noise from both sets of fans is quite unbelievable, and the passion felt by the fans spills onto the pitch ensuring a wonderful game of Rome football which never fails to disappoint.

Tickets for the derby games in Rome can be acquired from the ticket office in the stadium and from various ticket vendors around the city, although it is recommended to purchase early as this game tends to sell out quickly. More on the Rome v Lazio local derby game. Interested also in Barcelona football tickets for sports in Italy when travelling?

A Guide To Rome Termini – Rome’s Main Train Station

Rome Termini is the main train station serving the city of Rome, and with Rome being one of the most visited cities in the world the numbers of passengers who pass through this highly important portal is phenomenal. In fact, Rome Termini is one of the largest train stations in Europe with an impressive 29 platforms at present. Despite having been built in the mid 20^th century the station is highly modern as a result of a renovation which was completed in 2000.

The majority of traffic into Rome Termini comes from all of the major cities in Italy, with many people commuting into the city daily for business purposes, whilst many others travel here for the historical, cultural and entertainment features. Aside from the domestic trains Rome Termini has daily services to various major cities from around Europe, including Paris, Vienna, Munich and Geneva. International travel can be in high demand so it is recommended that passengers hoping to use such a service purchase tickets well in advance, an option which will also prove more economical.

The commercial opportunities at the station are vast whilst there are various passenger resources including bars, restaurants, banks, travel agencies and even a chapel.

Rome Termini is conveniently located to reach all parts of the city, especially as the public transport links are so strong. There is a metro line at the station whist taxis and various buses wait outside.

Best Roman Attractions in Rome

The ancient Romans are amongst the best known of all empires as they stretched far and wide across the globe. Rome was the headquarters for the Romans and today you can still see a large number of surviving  artefacts. Below are some of the best genuine Roman attractions you would not want to miss on your trip to Rome.

The Pantheon

Religion played a significant role in Ancient Rome and this building was the temple to the many gods whom the Romans prayed to. The dome is wonderful to experience and the many tombs around the building are truly inspiring.

The Colosseum

This amphitheatre as the largest entertainment venue in Ancient Rome and was used to host events such as fights to the death and athletic competitions. Visiting today you can get a feeling for the size of the place and also take a guided tour.

Piazza Navona

The Piazza Navona area is steeped in history having originally been built by the Romans. You can still view some fantastic architecture and statues from over the years, but it is the knowledge that this place had such a vibrant role in Roman life which provides the real intrigue.

Baths of Diocletian

Roman baths were common around the empire and this site can be considered as somewhat of a flagship structure, and although the structure is largely now destroyed, one section of it has been preserved and provides a real insight.

If you are visiting Italy from abroad, Symondstravel.com is also worth checking for information on Italian and European travel insurance.

The Glory of St Angelo, Rome

Rome is one of the most historic cities in the world and among the flag-bearers is the glory of St Angelo, Rome.

Ancient Rome was the heart of the famous Roman Empire which was had such a dramatic effect on the world, and whose legacy still lives on. But which areas within the city of Rome are best to visit to experience the history within it? Well, it makes sense to have St Angelo as one of the best places to visit in Rome, and here’s why...

The glory of St Angelo, Rome – what gives?

St Angelo is a charming and genuinely enchanting area which is absolutely packed with some of the best architecture you will experience, both in terms of quality and in terms of mystery and wonder.

One of the most popular buildings in the area of St Angelo is the cylindrical shaped National Museum of St Angelo. This building has a vast and colourful past, which includes being a prison, a fortress and a mausoleum, and is now home to one of the best museums that the city has to offer.

When the sun is going down and the lights around these buildings come on, there are few better sights in Rome...

Interesting activities around St Angelo in Rome

Moving along from the St Angelo Museum, you can take a stroll along the famous bridge which extends from it and walk along the river Tiber enjoying the architecture which is located along the bank.

Along the streets branching out from the river bank you can find a range of authentic local shops and restaurants which enable you to gain a true insight into life in Rome.

Is that it then? Well, absolutely not! The glory of St Angelo has so much more to offer in person, and if going on a Rome holiday, the best justice you can do for yourself is to tour the area of St Angelo.

5 Reasons why Rome is a great Stag location

Each year thousands of groups of men depart the UK on stag do’s to celebrate the marriage of one of the men in the party. Traditionally stag do’s are a time for lots of drinking, showing ones affections to the groom and partaking in activities which enable group bonding and a talking point for the rest of the trip. Rome is a popular destination for stag do’s and below are 5 reasons why.

Weather - The weather in Italy is traditionally sunny and is certainly better than the often dour conditions that we experience here in the UK. This is especially the case in the summer time when temperatures are often around 35 degrees Celsius, which creates ideal conditions for a stag do.

Food and drink - It is no secret that the male of the species likes to eat and drink, and the city of Rome is one of the best in the world to engage in these activities.

Nightlife - Rome has numerous areas in which there are clubs and bars for the stag do to party the night away whilst enjoying the company of the local female population. Establishments range from small bars to large clubs.

Daytime activities - As with most modern cities, there is plenty to do by the way of activities in Rome. Whether you would prefer to do something adrenaline driven such as go karting or something more cultural such as visiting the Vatican, there is something to suit everyone here.

Travel time - Rome can be reached from the UK in only a few hours via plane - find Rome deals.