Happy Easter and Buona Pasqua

April 7, 2012 By Andrea

Happy Easter and Buona Pasqua from Rome, Italy! We hope everyone is having a lovely Easter holiday weekend.

In Rome for the holiday? Click here for details on religious services, click here for festival info, and click here to learn a little about a few Easter traditions (chocolate eggs and cake) in Italy. Saint Peter’s Basilica at dusk

Why Rome?

Free Museums and Sites in Italy with Spring Open Days

March 24, 2012 By Andrea

If you are in Italy this weekend, then you’re in luck! Italy is celebrating the arrival of Spring with free museum openings this Saturday and Sunday, March 24th-25th. The 20th annual Spring Open Days is sponsored by FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano), the largest non-profit organization for the preservation of Italian historical and natural heritage. During the weekend, approximately 670 cultural and historical sites throughout Italy will be open to the public free of charge. The sites include museums, palaces, churches, gardens and libraries, with many not normally accessible to the public. For more information, and a list of participating sites, check out the event website.

Also, the Vatican Museum is open free of charge on the last Sunday of every month (which happens to be this weekend) from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, with the last entrance at 12:30 PM.

So, if you are in Italy this weekend and looking for something to do, why not take advantage of the free admissions and treat yourself to a little history and culture. We’re planning to do just that, and celebrate Spring’s arrival with a weekend filled with picnics and museum visits.

How about everyone else … any weekend fun planned?

Why Rome?

Rome Marathon Takes Place This Coming Sunday

March 11, 2012 By Andrea

The Rome Marathon, Maratona di Roma, is held annually in March, and is scheduled to take place this coming Sunday, March 18th. The competition is hosted by the city of Rome. The course, which seems to have been designed by Rome’s tourist board, will lead runners by many of the city’s wonders and sites. The competition seems to be held in an outdoor museum, as the starting line is placed in front of the Coliseum, with the course continuing past Saint Peter’s Basilica, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Venezia, Theatre of Marcellus, through narrow, cobblestone streets, past other magical sites of the Eternal City, then crossing the finish line as runners return back to the ancient Coliseum.

Last year’s Rome Marathon had a record number of almost 13,000 runners cross the finish line. This year will likely boast another record breaking turnout.

If the marathon course of 42 km is a little much for you, the city also sponsors ROMAFUN – ‘La Stracittadina’. It is a non-competitive 4km fun run. More than 80,000 children, adults and seniors are predicted to take the streets to participate. It begins 15 minutes after the start of the 42km race, and the two races share the same starting line. You can run or walk along at a leisurely pace. Feel free to also bring your furry friends along to this race, as pets are welcome to participate. Just be sure to leave the bicycles at home, as they are not allowed along the course.

Even if you do not wish to participate in the marathon or the fun run, you can always come out to show support and cheer on all the runners. The city is planning to have music, food and fun available all throughout the day. For information on the events, and for a map of the race course, click here.

For more information on the Rome Marathon and ROMAFUN, please visit the official website of the Rome Marathon (available in English).

Are you planning to participate next week? If so, will you be going the distance in the 42km, strolling along in the 4km fun run, or cheering on runners from the sidelines?