Lucci Hotel Rome Blog

Romaeuropa, for the artistic traveler
Do you like art and are looking for different ways to explore Rome? Well, we have something for you here.
The Romaeuropa Festival is a celebration of art and diversity, and as you might have guessed by its name, it takes place every year in Rome.
Every Romaeuropa Festival brings to the city the newest tendencies in art, blurring, in their own words, "the boundaries between high and low art." So, every year the most innovative musicians, dancers and artists of every kind perform in the festival, challenging our notions about art and what’s artistic.
For detailed information about this exciting festival, check their program. If you like contemporary or electronic music the Romaeuropa festival is for you. The program of the festival is packed with this kind of events, that will delight the connoisseurs. There’s also theater and multimedia art on the menu. Among the most interesting presentations for the mainstream public we found IN-I an artistic adventure that sees together Juliette Binoche (yes, the world-famous french actress) and the English dancer Akram Khan. Both artists will challenge the public and themselves for four days form November the 5th at the Teatro Olimpico Nazionale, at 20:30.
The festival has different venues. Among them the Officine Marcone (147 Biaggio Petrocelli St.), the Brancaleone ( 11 Levanna St.) and te Palladiun Università Roma Tre ( 8 Bartolomeo Romano Square). With so many different locations to go to you need a well-located hotel- Hotel Des Artistes, Lucci Hotel and Yes Hotel are excellent points to move between the many venues of the Romaeuropa Festival or to just explore the city. Both are conveniently located near the Termini Station, a hot spot for transportation in Rome. From there you can go virtually anywhere in the city and even in Italy, since Termini is a Bus station, a subway station and a train station as well.

If you would like to visit Rome and its region during the  Indian Summer, now that is, my great proposal is to visit the Pontine Islands. These islands uniquely beautiful by their nature are situated not really far from Rome in the region of Lazio.

The Pontine Islands are an archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the west coast of Italy. The islands were  named after the largest island in the group, Ponza. The other islands in the archipelago are Ventotene, Palmarola, Zannone, Santo Stefano and Gavi.

The archipelago was created out  of volcanic activity and has actually  been inhabited for thousands of years. The history of the islands dates back to the prehistoric period and further on  in a series of episodes involving a  presence of the Greeks, the Romans, the Pharnesians, the Bourbons and the British. Even pirates and the Saracens attacked the islands quite a few times before it  being eventually added as part of the Unity of Italy in 1861. The islands have always been famous for their mild  climate and for the beauty of their all  surrounding sea and sea depths which can  range from 3 to 50 metres and a maximum depth measuring below 100 metres at a distance of over 3 miles from the coast. Here, divers will indeed be delighted thanks to a totally unspoilt environment.

Ponza Island

Ponza is the biggest island of the archipelago, is the most interesting island. It’s full of grottoes and small hidden beaches Here, divers will experience magical emotions in a totally unspoilt environment. Many VIP (Italian and not) comes to Ponza for the summer and not also so, during your stay in this island, meet an international VIP will be not a surprise. But Ponza is also renowned for the climate and nature: you can admire breathtaking views of the city from the Monte La Guardia, the highest point of the island , many tour are organized, many activities are offered to discover the Tyrrhenian sea and overall the island of Ponza.

Ventotene is smaller and more calm and has a very relaxing atmosphere. For most of its history it was a prison and there’s not a lot to see and do now. There are remains of a Roman villa - but they’re not exactly spectacular. The beaches are okay but the tranquility of the island is probably the main draw.

Zannone  is part of the Circeo National Park because of its beauty and the integrity of its environments. The island is uninhabited but supervised by the Forestry Service. There are no tourist facilities and camping or overnight stays are prohibited although no special permit is required to visit the island. It is mainly covered with a thick vegetation based on Mediterranean scrub, but there is also a small ilex-wood. On top of Monte Pellegrino there is a Forestry Service station with a small educational exhibition concerning the naturalistic aspects of the island. Beside the building you will also find the ruins of a Benedictine convent dating back to the XIII century. The complete tour following well-marked paths along the upper ridge of the island takes 40 minutes; don’t be surprised if you meet some wild sheep during your walk.

Not to miss is the cuisine of the archipelago delle Pontine, full of fresh fish and pasta…

How to get to the Pontine Islands ? departures by boat are from Latina, Formia, San Felice Circeo, Fondi, Gaeta, Sperlonga and Terracina and see here for major schedule information.

Since you will also likely stay in Rome, which is nearby, why not book your stay in our Lucci Hotel Rome?

Related blog :  Lazio and its unique seaside

If you compare, you will find out that there was not pretty much a difference between our pastimes and those of classic Rome age (excluding the computer staff) that we have to admit is not helping to keep the body in good shape. The Romans wanted to show themselves like their beautiful statues here and there. These is how they worked it out.

In ancient times Rome had a place called Campus, a kind of drill ground for Roman soldiers, by the Tiber. Later, the Campus became Rome’s track and field playground, it is said that even Julius Caesar and Augustus used to go there for practising . In time, these type grounds were developed in other cities and military locations.

Here, the youth met to play and exercise: jumping, wrestling, boxing, racing, riding, throwing, swimming, and many other things. As a legacy from the Greek

culture, sport was very important in Roman education. In the countryside, the favourite pastime was hunting. Females did not participate in these activities.

Ball playing was a popular sport and ancient Romans had several ball games, which included Expulsim Ludere, that is the way they called handball, field hockey, catch, and even some form of soccer.

Of course board games were played also, choices were Tesserare that you know by the name dice, Latrunculi, the roman chess and we could not forget the Egyptian backgammon, the Tabula as they called. It is funny to think that gambling was not legal, but in every bar they had a section at the back, well covered for this sort of entertainment! It was unofficially tolerated in fact as long as you didn’t show it in public. Just like the gangster films!

There were many other activities like chariot races, musical and theatrical performances and the well known public executions and gladiatorial combat at the Rome Colosseum, one that we have left way (with the little exception of the fiction in films, which makes me wonder about…). And if you plan to stay in Rome why not take advantage of our discounted prices in our Lucci Hotel Rome?

It is said that the people in Ancient  Rome knew how to enjoy the pleasures of life. Among these pleasures of course the joys of the table are certainly included. Banquets that combined  the most exotic tastes coming from different parts of the Empire ensured the joys of all guests during hours, even until late at night, sometimes the whole night, giving permission to another sort of pleasures. 

This time we will illustrate partially what regards the happennings on the table (What happened under the table we leave it freely to your immagination). Therefore,  some information about  Roman dishes of this period.

Enjoy ancient secrets from ancient cooking:

PEPONES ET MELONES (Water and Honey Melons) 
Ingredients:
————
1/2       honey melon - both peeled, diced  
1/2       water melon - and stoned
500ml     Passum
a little bit of honey (or Passum)
1 tblsp   minced parsley
1/2 tsp   freshly ground pepper
a little bit of Liquamen, or a dash of salt
Poleiminze, Silphium, vinegar, if wanted

Instructions:
————-
Cook diced melons in a pan together with spices and herbs until done.
Sometimes Silphium is added.

PATINA DE PISCICULIS (Soufflee of Small Fish)
Ingredients:
————
500g      boiled fillet of small fish or whole sardelles
150g      dried raisins (sultanas)
1/2 tsp   freshly ground pepper
1 tblsp   Liebstoeckl
1 tblsp   oregano
2         small diced onions
200ml     oil
50ml      Liquamen, or 1/2 tsp salt
some cornstarch

Instructions:
————-
Mix raisins, pepper, Liebstoeckl, oregano, onion, wine, Liquamen and oil
together and put in a casserole. Cook until done. Then put small boiled
fish fillets or boiled small whole fishes into it. Thicken with a bit of
cornstarch and serve it!

  (Pear Soufflee)
Ingredients:
————
1kg       pears (peeled and without core)
6         eggs
4 tblsp   honey
100ml     Passum
a little bit oil
50ml      Liquamen, or 1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp   ground cumin
ground pepper to taste

Instructions:
————-
Mesh cooked and peeled pears (without core) together with pepper,cumin,
honey, Passum, Liquamen and a bit of oil. Add eggs and put into a
casserole. Cook approximately 30 minutes on small to moderate heat.
Serve with a bitt of pepper sprinkled on the soufflee.

I hope you really enjoyed my virtual Master classes of ancient Roman cooking. But this is just the beginning and we will certainly continue in future.

If you decide to stay in Rome and enjoy its enogastronomical variety, do not hesitate to book our lovely Lucci Hotel, and nearby you will find a nice Roman hosteria A ME MI PIACE, which has tons of specialities and surprises for you!

Roman hot summer tires a lot of tourists, who still are attracted by the charm of the Italian Capital, the Eternal City. Yes, of course, all the roads lead to Rome, and I would add, especially, to Colosseum.  This year as a continuation of a good tradition, “Castellum” agency organized from the 21st June an initiative, called All’Ombra del Colosseo (In the shade of Colosseum), and it reached this year its nineteenth edition  becoming a cornerstone of Estate Romana (Roman Summer) and  a reference point for all  the Romans who remain in city during the summer.  This initiative will last till September 2008.

“Eventhough this season certainly is  not easiest one for the new municipal administration - said the president of Castellum - we  still decided to revive this event to be  the flagship of proposals  for the capitoline summer.”
And this year there are some great innovations and inventions. 
First of all, has been put an outdoor pool with panoramic view of the Colosseum with aperitifs served on the boards of the pool every day from 19.00.  Swimming lovers can enjoy a  true  pool, sized 10 x 20 metres, and not a  plastic swimming pool. This pool is a jewel of transportable engineering, placed strategically in front  of the Anfiteatro Flavio. 
Then  there will be tons of art, culture, music, cabaret shows with the presence of many famous artists, solarium, poker tournaments, different sports, swimming courses for children, theatre performances and a draft catering Food & Fashion: dishes combined with color creations, tailored and signed by Emi Fabbri.

All’Ombra  del Colosseo will be open free of charge from 9 am to 2 at night. Admission  to the shows is  from 8 to 16 euros and cost of the pool from 10 to 12 euros. Do not hesitate to take advantage of so many Summer Special offers of My Hotel in Rome, and take yourselves and your children to enjoy the summer roman heat and summer roman relax in the shade of Colosseum.

Your summer stay in Rome should not be only focused on the eternal beauties of the Eternal City. But once you have walked and walked around again the whole city, choose an alternative path for your final dot of top vacations. My suggestion is simple and it is good food and especially good wine. An excellent opportunity is given in Tuscia area of Lazio these days.

"VinTuscia" guided tastings of wines of Tuscia  will  be held on Saturday, July 19th in Viterbo by the Chamber of Commerce of Viterbo and associations for the Notte Bianca  (famous so called White, or Sleepless Night) organised by the city of Viterbo this year.  A little historical overview will help you to understand why Tuscia is famous for wine. The territory of Higher Tuscia is a land of wines since the times of Etruscans. This famous way of wine runs between six Doc Vignanello, Aleatico di Gradoli, Orvieto, Colli Etruschi Viterbesi, Montefiascone "East! East! East!, revealing us some of the most picturesque corners of the Region. To get an idea of beautiful landscape of these lands and the particularities of settlements built on the tuff ideally one should  visit the area north of Viterbo, near the Tiber River and the border with Italy. Important in terms wine - to report the DOC wines Orvieto and Colli Etruschi Viterbesi . This area is also full of interesting historical and cultural outline.

The  wine tastings  on the 19th July will be  held at the conference room of the Chamber in Via Fratelli Rosselli, 4 starting from 21.30 with white wines offered by wineries Villa Chiarini Wulf, Tenuta La Pazzaglia, Sergio Mottura, Tenuta di Nepi Ronci and Antica Cantina Leonardi.
Around 11 pm it will be the right time for red wine cellars Isabella Mottura - Tenuta Corte di Tregoniano, Fattoria Madonna delle Macchie, Tenuta Sant’Isidoro, Viticoltori dei Colli Cimini and Caprigliano.
To lead these tastings will be the journalist Alessandro Scorsone, sommelier Master Class co-editor Bibenda, Sommelier of the Year and the winner of the Prova del Cuoco. 

"With this initiative-declares Ferindo Palombella, the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Viterbo - we want to give the importance the wines of Tuscia do deserve, which will also appear in trade fairs and national competitions. An opportunity of this extraordinary visibility for our growers and their products  is as a prologue to the Wine Festival of Tuscia scheduled to last until August 24.
The entrance to the tastings is free. It is  recommended  to do the reservation by Saturday, July 19  before 13;00 at no 0761.234441, or directly at the conference room from 15  till 20.

Do not hesitate to plan your visit to Rome and to Tuscia Romana.

Book a great DES ARTISTES Hotel in Rome, which is strategically located just  few blocks away from the Central Station, from where you can take a train to Viterbo and enjoy all night long absolutely unforgettable wines of Lazio and will keep these Italian memories for a long, long time.

As the days in Rome this summer becoming hotter and hotter, and your stay in Rome allows you to spend some more time, in order to hide away and enjoy the nature, the beauty and the sea, I highly recommend to go to the Sea. But let us avoid a bitten track of going right away to Ostia from Piramide station, but let us explore and visit a pearl of Lazio’s seashores- Sperlonga!

Sperlonga is a beautiful tourist town of low Lazio: is located in the province of Latina, a few kilometers away from Gaeta, Formia, Itri, Fondi and Terracina, hosts about 3300 inhabitants, a figure that grows significantly in the summer because of the numerous tourists who choose Sperlonga  is notable for its beaches, clean and equipped, accommodation facilities, which offer a good value for money, premises where exclusive dancing and having fun, many of them along the way Flacca, which in summer nights overcrowded by many young people in search of fun and relax.

The town of Sperlonga is located on a rocky spur at 55m above sea level: here lies the ancient heart of the city, with its narrow streets and small shops, old churches and small bars where the evening you can see many young people  sipping a cocktail; walking along the alleys, you arrive on the seafront of Sperlonga: here there are the most exclusive of Sperlonga bathing establishments and the villa, where both during the summer and winter young people can play outdoors on swings, springs and other games designed for them. The lovers of art also remain certainly satisfied with the visit to the Grotto of Tiberius, dating back to Roman times, and the National Archaeological Museum , where are preserved numerous archaeological findings.

How to get to Sperlonga
The town is 116 km away from Rome and to 114 from Naples. Coming by car from the capital, is reachable with the  Pontina highway up to Terracina and then continue along the Via Flacca. For

Sperlonga and its beauties

those travelling on the Autostrada del Sole Roma-Napoli, the exit closest to Sperlonga is Cassino. From your hotel close to the station, you can reach it by a  train (FS, direct Rome-Naples)  and should get off at the station Fondi. . A small tourist port allows the docking and storage for about 150-200 boats with draught not exceeding 0.50 m
The Museum is located on the Via Flacca, about two kilometers from the Borgo. It is from 9 am until sunset. The ticket costs 2 euros.

After six years of incredible success, we will witness again  this summer famous Animated Nights on the Terraces of Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome from the 2nd July to the 24th August 2008. This event puts together on a stage different evening shows from 20:45 till 0:45 and gives opportunity to breath the fantastic atmosphere of one of the most beautiful sights of Rome.

Each night there will be 5 shows, which will be held 5  times in the bastions and courtyards with different schedules. 

This event, in collaboration with the  Special Supreme council  for the Roman Museum Pole  and with the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, aims to enliven the summer evenings of Romans and tourists of all ages, through a rich ladder of performances of folk and classical music, exhibitions of magicians, jesters, weapon masters, acrobats, puppeteers and exhibitions of gold jewelry crafts, like ‘The Jewels Made in Italy’. 

In addition to many spectacles and other shows

Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome

it will be possible to walk along the crenelated walls and  visit the courtyards, forts and loggias,  Historical Rooms, admire from the Terrace of Sant’Angelo the charming and intriguing show of Rome by night, enjoy this wonderful view  and the lights of  evening Rome. Something new in this edition will be from the overwhelming tango sensational acrobats to heart-touching and entertaining interactive theaters performances. On the occasion of the event ‘On the Terraces of Castel Sant’Angelo’ the Pontifical Prisons will have  extraordinary openning to the public in the evening with guided tours.

The shows taking place on the terraces are accessible also for people with disabilities, as there is an electric platform, connecting the various levels of the Castle.

More information on opening hours and scheduled performances can be found at: http://www.castelsantangelo.com or through the following contact numbers: +390690287455; +393925187760.

Do not miss this great Roman Summer appointment- book your stay in Rome and enjoy its marvelous evenings at one the most beautiful places of Eternal City!

George W Bush with the Pope at the Vatican

As a part of his farewell tour visits to major European countries, George W. Bush, incumbent president of the United States, has visited also Italy. His visit lasted two days from 11^th till 13^th June.

Air Force One, the plane that transports the  American president came  from Berlin and landed to Ciampino airport at 16:10 on the 11^th June 2008.

Bush stayed at his residence in Italy in Villa Taverna . 

When he came out from the doors of Boeing 747 with the colors white and blue, stars  on the tail, George W. Bush has greeted with waving  turned towards photographers and tv operators. Near by the  ladder of the aircraft there were present many officials to  greet the President, like an American ambassador in Rome- Ronald Empty P., with the ambassadors to the Vatican Mary Ann Glendon and to the Fao Rome, Gaddi Vasquez;

and from Italian part there were the ambassador in Washington, Giovanni Castellaneta and the head of the diplomatic Cerimoniale of the Republic, ambassador Leonardo Visconti di Modrone. For the secretariat of State of the Vatican, the greetings came from the nunzio apostolic, monsignor Peter Paul Prabhu, and from the head of the protocol, monsignor Fortunatus Nwachuwu. Bush had a few minutes chat and then he entered into  the special black armored limousine that that waited for him a few meters from  Air Force One.

A long corteo, escorted from  Italian and American security forses has left the airport of Ciampino and headed to the residence of the  US embassy in Parioli. Approximately half hour before the arrival presidential airplane, another one landed to Ciampino Airport, Boeing 757  that  follows the travel of the USA President in Europe. 

The President Bush has met Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, the President of Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano and the Pope during his stay in Italy.

Bush thanked and praised Italy, historical ally of the United States and current Italian Prime Minister is a good friend of his American collegue, for continuous efforts in the operation in Afghanistan, like the deployment of more then 2000 soldiers of the NATO-led mission in the country. Berlusconi is also believed to support the efforts of the United States within the United Nations Security Council to put more pressure on Iran in order to stop the nuclear programme, in order to enter into the Group of Five that deals with this issue, thus becoming the Group 5+1. Bush expressed his interest in consideration of this possibility.

As planned George Bush visited the Vatican, expressing his personal appraisal of the Pope Benedict XVI. He walked accompanied by the Pontefice in the Vatican gardens.

George Bush has also visited the Quirinal Palace, where he met Giorgio Napolitano, the President of Italian Republic. "Wonderful" was his comment when he saw the doors openning wide and showing him historical rooms of the Palace: il Salone dei Corazzieri and  la Cappella Paolina.

On the 13th June Bush has left Rome, continuing his farewell tour to France.

There are strong historical ties between Italy and the United States, which lie in political, economic, social and cultural interests of both nations. Hopefully, this will influence more on the growth of the tourist flows to Bel Paese from the American Continent.

Festa della Repubblica 2007

As France celebrates on the 14th July 14 the overtaking of the Bastille, the United States on the 4th July 4 its Independence Day,  Italy’s National Day comes on the 2nd June.
On this day the Italians remember the institutional referendum, hold on the 2nd and the 3rd June, 1946 according to which they were called to choose the future form of government in ballot- Republic or Monarchy.
The Monarchy preferences received 10,719,284 votes, against 12,717,923 votes in favour of the Italian Republic!  This way the Italian Republic was born 62 years ago.
Very much suffered this victory received a support from the Centre-North of a good 63%, while  in the South Monarchy supporters got 67% of the votes.
The vote of Ravenna, "the most Republican city"  was of 91.2%  was in contrast with the 85, 4%  support for monarchy in the city of Messina.  
There were, of course, the consequences on a national scale  of the defeat of monarchy, such as the exile of kings of the House of Savoy, who came back to Italy only in 2003, after 57 years of exile.
Important achievement on this occasion was the first electoral true universal suffrage: women finally went to the polls.
In June 1948 the Street of Fori Imperiali in Rome held a first military parade in honour of the Republic.
In 1961, on the occasion of the centenary anniversary of Italian Unification the celebrations also took place in Turin and Florence, the first capital of United Italy.
Even today, the  Day of the Republic  has important symbolic ceremonies, such as the deposition of a crown of laurel to the Unknown Soldier at the Altar of the Fatherland in Rome (the Victorian Complex) and a military parade on the Fori Imperiali in the presence of the highest officials of state. 
The gardens of the Quirinal Palace, where resides the President of the Republic, are open to the public in the afternoon.

The day of June 2 recently has also become the National Sports Day.
The Day of the Republic is also an opportunity to learn about  the national symbols of Italy.
The emblem of the Republic, for example, consists of three elements: the star, the gear wheel, and olive branch on the left and an oak on the right.
The star has always been one of the emblems of Italy, already nell’iconography of the Renaissance. The symbol of the star indicates, among other things, the belonging to the Armed Forces of country.
The wheel toothed steel is a symbol of labour and translates the first article in the Constitutional Charter: "Italy is a Democratic Republic founded on labour".
Let us discuss the branches of the emblem, rarely the centre of the attention.
We see two different types of trees that grow in Italy.
The olive branch symbolizes the desire for peace of the nation, both internal and international, while the oak embodies the strength and dignity of the Italian people.
Of the Tricolore, Italian flag, we can remind that, as the national flag, it was born in Reggio Emilia on the 7th January  1797, under the Cispadana Republic.
The shape of three vertical bands was inspired by the French republican model of 1790, precisely when the  regiments of the Lombard Legion  fought side by side with the Napoleon’s troops had the white, red and green, strong regional roots: white and red, are in the municipal emblem of Milan (red cross on a white field), while Green was the color of the uniforms of Milan’s Civic guards.
Under the Kingdom of Italy  the white emblem was added to the royal crown.
The emblem, but at this time that of the Republic, stands up as a banner, designed for the President of the Republic.