Lucci Hotel Rome Blog

From the 19th to the 30th September 2008 the Rome Scuderie Ruspoli display the works by the contemporary Italian artist Bruno Di Cunzolo, also known as Brunello.

On show are about 70 watercolour paintings and 70 of his most recent charcoal drawings and small paintings.

He mainly portrays women’s faces and catches the secret, the maliciousness and the intensity of their glance.

The women’s eyes – magnetic, sensual, passionate or veiled by a subtle melancholy magnetism – are central in his works.

For Brunello painting is an intimate and private experience as well as a passion, which he has developed during his professional career as an architect. 

Bruno di Cunzolo was born in Campania, Italy near Salerno and studied at the “Liceo Artistico” in Salerno and he got a degree in Architecture at the University of Naples.

Bruno Di Cunzolo has been an architect since 1979.

This Rome Exhibition at the Palazzo Ruspoli in Rome follows the following schedule :

Opening : Thursday, September 18th, 6.30 pm

Closing date: Tuesday, September 30th

Address: Via della Fontanella di Borghese 56/b, Roma

Timetable: every day from 10 am to 7 pm

Free entrance

For your stay in Rome, why not take advantage of our Lucci Hotel Rome deals ?

Did you know ? Brunello also is an italian wine

Read related blog about Brunello

Written by : Marcelo

Tango is fascinating . Tango is sensual. Tango has become a global music genre because of the passion that expresses and of its elegance.

A little history ! From the beginning in the middle of the XVIII century, down by the Rio de la Plata river in the coasts of Argentina and Uruguay, and for more than a century Tango music searched for a respect, the dance was refused by intellectuals and rich people. Just consider that in the early days it was only danced among men because it was not accepted that a lady could, it was almost an scandal. Something similar happened with jazz until it was finally accepted as a form of art, evolution and sophistication. In Rome you can actually take up a class of tango

Jorge Luis Borges, the argentinian writer, made an important contribution for its acceptance, including ‘’tangueros’’ characters in his short stories and poems and revealing by that the magic contained in the rhythm and the social aspects of a way of life.

In 1917, the first tango song with lyrics was recorded by Carlos Gardel ‘‘Mi noche triste’’ linking tango with the feeling of tragic love as said in the lyric. Tango lyrics also describe the urban landscape and the life of the marginal in the society, with the nostalgy of time lost that was much better, the youth, as well as moral lesson in many cases.

Nowadays tango means fun and exercise for the legs of both sexes, ladies and gentlemen (why not the chance to begin a romance).

From September 6th to 18th, Tango will be celebrated at the Parco della Musica in Rome, Buenos Aires Tango, a festival where you will have the opportunity to enjoy the exhibitions of the most famous artists and also important artists coming directly from the city who will express freely the feeling of Tango at the its purest form. The Tango festival, unique in its kind in Europe, is produced by the” Musica per Roma Foundation”.

Over 23 shows are scheduled, and courses in dancing will feature, and so will wokshops, a photographic exhibition ,a film exhibition (with films of Carlos Gardel a legendary singer and actor compared with Rodolfo Valentino whose voice is a symbol of Tango itself). On top of all , an actual tango club will be set up ‘‘Club de Tango’’in the Studio Teatro where will be a real ‘‘milonga’’ (the place where you dance and have a blast).

Among the shows that will be presented Adriana Varala a performer that reveals the most traditional way of tango singing, the melancholy sound of Pablo Mainetti’s bandoneón (a sort of accordion wich is the most representative instrument in tango music), the dancers Gloria and Eduardo, living legends of Argentine tango, the voice of Dolores Solà, accompanied by Cuarteto Decarísimo, Noche de Tango, a kind of musical marathon to be held in Piazza Navona. Performances of the highest level, with The Orquesta El Arranque, singer Noelia Moncada, and two shows dedicated to Horacio Salgán, the legendary Argentinian pianist and composer of many classic standards.

For more info see Romanotizie and the Auditorium

(it’s in italian) or just call 06-80241281, tickets price is 12-20 euro.

And if you come on vacation in Rome, why not take advantage of our great Lucci Hotel Rome deals ?

Other events held at the Auditorium : Read further !

August as in many countries world wide is commonly known as  a month for vacation. In Italy you might feel it even deeper. Your barber shop, or your nearby farmacy will have a sign CHIUSO PER FERIE (Closed for vacation)  from August 2nd till August 24th, or something similar.  The streets of Rome are mainly deserted and many local clubs and pubs are also closed for summer or move their activities towards the sea side. And even it might give you, as a tourist visiting Italy in August, an impression of cultural stagnation or disinterest, many summer activities in Rome prove the opposite. I can proudly say that Music does not leave for vacation, it does not abandon Rome.

Even in August the great music continues to heat the city. Once the thrust of the great festivals in July is off, the offer moves towards the places of vacations, with seaside resorts, while in the city Villa Ada, Fiesta!, House of Jazz and Villa Celimontana continue to breath throughout the month and to propose  high lively quality events.
As mentioned before resorts  become places of tours of the great artists, especially Italians: the first to perform is the great Donatella Rector, Sunday 3rd August, he performs in the main square in Fiuggi, followed Wednesday 6th August by Antonello Venditti, in the scene of Arena del Mare of Sabaudia. The day after, in the same location, a young composer Giovanni Allevi, returned from three sold out concerts in the capital: an excellent opportunity for thosewho have missed them. The tour continues in the province, Friday 8, with Loud! Saturday scene at the Open Bar of Ostia while, Sunday 10, redivivi Stadium arise in the splendid setting of Villa Clementi to Cave. On the day of Ferragosto great appointment with Enrico Ruggeri, which celebrates the more than twenty years of career with a live at the Roman Theatre of Ostia Antica while, simultaneously, Petra Magoni and Ferruccio Spinetti will perform all’Autodromo Vallelunga. In the second half of the month, the attention moves southward, with performances by Fiorella Mannoia, Saturday 16 March in Piazza XIX in Latina, Mario Biondi, Sunday 17 at Villa Adele at Anzio, and Patty Pravo that closes the season of  Arena del Mare of Sabaudia. On the same evening, eyes to Palestrina, where the Roman king is back and I think that Franco Califano that does not require any special presentations. For those who had not any intention to leave the Eternal city, in August focuses, as mentioned in historical location of Estate Romana. Villa Ada, which this year ends the first half of the month, offers us Friday 1 Eugenio Bennato, followed in the first weekend of the month, by Nando Citarella and the Kocani Orkestar. Other appointments are indispensable Amy Coleman & Texa.Co Jive, Acustimantico and Roots In Cement, respectively Monday 4, 5 and Tuesday 5 Tuesday before the grand finale with Daniele Sepe, Sunday 5. Lovers of South American sounds, which will saziarsi, with performances at Fiesta! Charanga Habanera y of the People Friday Zone 1, Jose Luis Cortes y La Banda 4 Monday, and the great Toquinho Wednesday 6. If you love jazz, instead, Villa Celimontana there leaves you alone and offers its fans a timetable that, alone, namely the renunciation to holidays. Some suggestion? Please do not miss the three performances of the great Enrico Rava: quartet, in standards and in a special edition, respectively Wednesday 6, Thursday 7 and Friday 8. After the showing of Giuliana Soscia and Pino Iodice Italian Tango Quartet, Sunday 10, here is to get Avier Ghirotto: first, Wednesday 13, with its "Latin Project", then, Thursday 14, when together with Sinesi and Bruhn present his new disc "Dos Sles" and then conclude with two dates, Friday 15 and Saturday 16, along with Aires Tango and Atem Saxophon Quartet. If there still enough, 17 rounds Sunday to see Alain Jean-Marie and Nicola Stilo, Friday 22 for Carla Marcotulli Dick Halligan together and say hello the end of the month with double live, Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28, the project "Ensemble Paris - Rome. "

There are still many interestinf music events that will take place in Rome, just do not hesitate book you flight to Rome, book our nice LUCCI Hotel, take all the advantages of cool summer Roman nights either in the city or by seaside and just relax and ENJOY!

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.

Between 20 June 2008 and 14 September 2008 , the Ara Pacis  Museum in Rome (via di Ripetta 190) hosts a traveling exhibition on the creations of one of the greatest French architects and designers of the 20th century.

Jan Prouvé developed the idea of nomadic architecture, whereby a chair was given the same iconic importance as a house, designing both with transportability in mind. His work has had a lasting impact on furniture and industrial design.  His main achievement was transferring the manufacturing technology from industry to the architecture, without losing the aesthetic qualities.

It demonstrates how Jean Prouvé (1901-1984) had a remarkable capacity to combine entrepreneurial skills with craftsmanship, design and architecture.
More than 100 of his works, executed between 1924 and the mid 70s are included in this exhibition:

50 objects of design(chairs, tables, desks, beds, lamps), architectonic elements, various architectural models as well as a rich selection of signed drawings and studies for the Péchiney pavilion in Paris.

Prouvé is considered a leading exponent of industrialized building.

Jean was born in Nancy. In Nancy in 1923 he opened what would be the first in a string of his own workshops and studios. He produced wrought iron lamps, chandeliers, hand rails and began designing furniture. In 1947 he built the Maxéville factory. After Maxéville he started "Constructions Jean Prouvé" In 1957 he started the Industrial Transport Equipment Company and built the Rotterdam Medical School, the Exhibition Center in Grenoble and the Orly Airways Terminal façade.The metal furniture of Jean Prouvé was produced copiously in every studio and workshop. Prouvé was influential in the development of the idea of nomadic architecture, likening a chair to a house, and designing both with portability in mind.He died in Nancy in 1984.

Opening hours

Tuesday - Sunday 9.00/10.00am – 7.00/8.00pm

Entrance ticket

ordinary: € 6,50; reduced: € 4,50;

How to get to the Ara Pacis Museum  with Rome  public transport :

Museo Dell’Ara Pacis, Lungotevere Augusto (near Piazza del Popolo) . If you stay in Rome central Hotel this is going to be easy to get there.

From Termini station take line A metro and get off at the stop "Spagna"

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.