Lucci Hotel Rome Blog

The Ghetto in Trastevere

Our Blogger: Diana

Jewish Community in Rome dates back to the 1^st Century BC and the Roman Jewish Ghetto is one of the most fascinating areas in the city, located along the Tiber (“Trastevere”). It got its origins during the period of Inquisition when Pope Paul IV in 1555 confined the community in a small area, which took its name after the Jewish quarter in Venice.

Jewish Kitchen: the main pillars.

“Kashrut” is the term used to indicate the Jewish dietary laws resulting from Torah’s Books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Further details were set down orally.

The main principles are the following:

Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere Walks

- pork and shellfish are forbidden;

- meat and dairy are not combined (two sets of utensils are used and ingredients are stored in two different fridges)

- meat must be ritually slaughtered (shochet) and blood completely removed.

Non kosher food is called “treif”.

La taverna del ghetto.

Hungry after a promenade in Trastevere ? La Taverna del Ghetto in Rome is a delicious option if you want to taste the true Jewish Romanesca in the respect of the culinary tradition. Located in the beautiful panorama of the Portico d’Ottavia, a temple the Emperor Augustus dedicated to his sister, this restaurant serves home-made pasta and genuinely cooked meat and fish.

LA TAVERNA DEL GHETTO- Directions: It will take only 20 minutes from our lovely YES Hotel, strategically located near the Termini station, by only one BUS H, which will bring you in the heart of Trastevere.

Via del Portico di Ottavia 8

Closed Friday Evenings

Our Blogger: Jonah

The "Teatro della Cometa” in Rome was inaugurated in 1934 in the fascist era. Since the beginning of the theatre, a discreet public has gathered around. The completion of the facility was little more than 20 years after its founding due to targato Buzzi and Trademarks, the two architects who designed the new line of theatre Cometa. Even then came difficult times, such as a fire in 1969 which destroyed it completely. It was in the late eighties when the daughter of the promoter, Viviana Pecci Blunt decided to revive the theatre, which had been strongly desired by her mother. Today, the Cometa continues to offer a program of music and prose, credited as one of the “sparkling” theatres in the capital.

Here is the latest show which will be taking place in the next few days (27/01/2009 to 22/02/2009)

SECONDO ME

I think its a story of love, faith, and perfumes. 
Its the story of Sergio, a carpenter with a scent of wood, and Mary his wife, with her scent of bread … but its also the history of "Joseph: the old carpenter,  and a youngster  steeped in football with unfortunately, no smell … 

After the success of "Root of 2", Michele La Ginestra, is back with this new show, assisted by the skilful direction of Augusto Fornari, from Sergio Fiorentini, the elegance of Corinne Bonuglia and creativity of Emanuel Caserio, to communicate something disenchanted.

So why not come and visit us at Yes Hotel in Rome and we’ll help you get the best out of the arts scene.

Our Blogger: Rhodora

It’s winter time!! But in Rome, its very difficult to get any snow, so during your stay in the eternal city, if you want to spend a day practicing some winter sports, here are some suggestions of good places to visit in the neighbourhood:

Terminillo Mountain, with its considerable natural beauty, combined with modern hotel facilities and sports activities, it is one of the most prestigious tourists spots.

Terminillo mountain, belongs to the group of Monti Reatini Appennino Abruzzese, located 20 km from Rieti and 100 km from Rome. Its highest peak is 2217.13 m. Its a ski resort, with eight lifts spread between 1500 and 2108 meters, 40 km of trails for the fans of the ski sport and 20 km of Paths dedicated to Nordic skiing. It’s connected with Rieti road through 4a of Terminillo.

MONTE Livata (ROME) Monte Livata is a ski resort situated in the province of Rome, which is 78 kilometres from it. Here there are three lifts serving nine courses suitable primarily for skiers of intermediate level, with few exceptions, such as the black track Nordica, served by skilift Monna dell’Orso. Recently a snow park was set up in the area Fossa dell’Acero. Mount Livata is also an important canter for cross-country skiing: in fact there are four courses of 5, 8, 10 and 15 kilometres that have hosted major national events in the past.

Campocatino (FROSINONE) The basin of karstic Campocatino, located at 1,800 meters altitude, is in a good position between the Ernici mountains and the Cantari mountains. The Access is by Guarcino (km. 18.5) along a panoramic road on the bends. Situated 39 km. from Frosinone, 98 from Rome, 165 from Naples.

The ski slopes are located on different sides of the basin and include a range ski lift and 10 km of track of different difficulty (blue, red and black) ideal for beginners but also for experts.

So head to Yes Hotel in Rome this winter for a relaxing stay while you prepare to hit he slopes.

Our Blogger: Marcelo

To feel the pilgrimage experience, offering a place of meeting. A crossroads for faiths and philosophies. A pilgrimage through history, information, art, technology. To celebrate and begin a journey. That’s the aim of the Journeys of the Spirit Festival.

It will take place in the New Rome Fair Ground (North Entrance) from the 15th until the 18^th of January in our beautiful city.

Four thematic areas will be shown:

Main Itineraries of Faith: Dedicated to Rome, Santiago and Jerusalem, the most important spiritual destinations for Christians. Designed by the famous Cinecittà studios, it will allow you to experience the energy of these sacred locations.

Destinations and Tourism Professionals: Institutions and operators will be present giving direct contact with those who support the different spiritual destinations.

Inside Italy: Every Region of Italy will present its religious and cultural gifts. The whole pavilion was designed to resemble a Medieval square. An interactive display of Italy will be placed at the centre of the ‘’Piazza’’. Here the most complete information about art, monuments and sites in the Country is offered.

Youth at Josp Fest: Dedicated to students focused on training and career guidance.

This important meeting provides the opportunity for pilgrims and tourists to revisit places of worship in search of the origins of the Holy land through a journey of magnificent art work, nature and man. You can visit it from 10:00 until 18.00. It’s free (So you have no excuse if you are in Rome those days).

The location is easy to reach with public transportation since our hotel is located within walking distance from the main station Termini. For further information you can contact us at Yes Hotel in Rome.

Our Blogger: Arianna

Something like a month ago I decided to go and visit Farfa abbey.Farfa is situated in the region of Fara Sabina. It’s a really small village with an incredible view.

Not far away from Rome, only one hour by car or bus , the abbey is something that needs to be visited if you spend more than 3 days in the capital. Fortunately that day, even if it was cold, I spent some fabulous hours there.Some colleagues of mine already mentioned Farfa in some old post. 

First of all the road that lies between Farfa and Rome is really pretty. If it’s a clear day you can admire the magnificent countryside all around. Suddenly Farfa’s abbey appears in front of you and its love at first sight.

I think that these pictures tell you a lot about this ancient abbey which has centuries of history.

Conquered by Saracen after 7 years of resistance, Farfa has properly been an imperial abbey but starting from 1919 become a private property and spoiled into ruin.The monastic society of Cassino decided to give the abbey a new life and it’s the restored borgo that you can see today. 

A Few streets away there’s a shop where you can buy some records, a coffe shop and a restaurant where I had really nice Polenta. Polenta is a typical food from Italy. Its served with sausages and pork sauce, a bit of parmigiano, and wine- red and strong in order to exalt the taste. So while in Rome stay at Yes Hotel and enjoy Farfa for a day…at least.

Our Blogger: Wanda

How much do you know about the Museum of the Walls? Hidden away in Rome in the ancient Appia way, the museum lies inside the San. Sebastiano gate. It was made in 1989 and the centre of the museum is located inside the San Sebastiano door – this is the best preserved door among the doors of the Boundaries, which was constructed by the emperor Aureliano.

The museum is unique because it is the only section of Rome’s ancient fortified city walls that are accessible to the public. It is divided into several rooms which are accessible by walking through a tail of wall.

Texts and images light up the walls of the Museum with the history of the museum and the latest restoration work that took place; besides the descriptions is a gallery of images on the epoch of the door.

There is a very small entrance before you climb up some steps into the first room.  The didactic itinerary, divided into ancient sections, medieval and modern, ripercorre the history of the city up to the present day. Some sections are devoted to the boundaries of the regal and republican ages and to the history of the Ancient Appia Way.

Rome is so full of history that you can actually feel it and this museum is no exception. So come and stay at Hotel Des Artistes and we’ll direct you to all the best museums and exhibits in the city.

Museum address: Via di Porta San Sebastiano, 18, 00100, Rome

Telephone: +390 (6)70475284     

Getting there: From Termini Station (close to our Hotel) take the 714 bus (Palazzo Sport) and get off after eight stops at Terme Caracalla.

Our Blogger: Jonah

The winter sales (or Saldi in Italian) 2009 in Rome and Lazio will start very soon – Saturday January 3 to be precise.

Queues are formed mainly in front of the luxury shops and major brands, offering for the first time significant discounts and cutting prices up to 40 percent.

It is believed that sales have suffered a drop of 20% in the last year and in Turin sales are expected to fall by 10-15 per cent. A Sky survey showed that 73 per cent of consumers will spend less in 2009.

Due to the persistent rain and the three day bridge holiday of the Epiphany in Italy, the shops were not taken by storm. In most commercial streets, such as Via Cola di Rienzo and Via Appia and the Trident, people converged but not many were forming queues. However, the district shopping centres proved as popular as ever.

The most popular brands however, on the whole have recorded a good turnout, but the smaller shops are finding it hard to offset the poor sales of the season. Around Via Condotti, the longest queue was formed in front of the windows of Fendi and Fay, while Gucci- which offers discounts of up to 40 per cent – and Burbery and Hermes attracted some crowds. Groups of people were waiting to get into Dolce & Gabbana, Tod’s, Brian Cress and Swarovsky; others into Diesel and Luisa Spagnoli, and Max Mara, where the discounts range from 15 to 40 per cent. The biggest advantage goes to Armani and Prada, where bags have been reduced by up to 40 per cent and clothing by 50 per cent.

Thinking of doing the winter sales in Rome? Why not stop by at Yes Hotel. Being so well located to all the shopping strips, a stay in the capital couldn’t be easier.

Our Blogger: Marcelo

From February 15^th until March 21^st one of the most exciting competitions in Europe and one of the most important events of the rugby season will take place in Rome – The Six Nations Rugby Tournament. 

As before, this year will see the Italian national team open the tournament. The first match is on February 7 14.00 (Italian time) at Twickenham Stadium in London where Italy will play a very strong England team.

In 2009 three matches will be played in Rome itself, at the Flaminio Stadium: Sunday February 15 15.30: ITALY – Ireland. Saturday March 12 16:00: ITALY – WALES. Saturday March 21 14:15: Italy – France.

The Stadio Flaminio is very easy to reach from our hotel, Hotel Des Artistes in Rome:

From Termini station: by Metro A direction Battistini reach the Flaminio stop. Then take the tram No. 225 in the direction of Flaminio Stadium until the 4th or 5th stop. We are located just a few steps from Termini, the Main Station.

Our Blogger: Diana

Food, art and design were the ingredients of Gustovagando, a tasteful event which took place at Macro Future from December 27th 2008 till January 6th 2009. Christmas was still in the air and the cheerful and cosy atmosphere of this festivity was re-created through an imaginary apartment including a kitchen, a dining-room and a living room. 

Every day one region of central Italy was welcomed as a guest to present their traditional culinary delights. It was a great chance for producers, who actively took part in the exhibition, to promote their products through seminaries and tasting.

Food lessons were organised during the afternoon, where high level chefs proposed the main Christmas dishes. Thinking of a place to stay in Rome? Try Lucci Hotel, it’s smack bang in the centre!

MACRO FUTURE

Piazza Orazio Giustiniani 4

How to get there from Termini station

BUS 75 (POERIO/MARINO) for 14 stops. Get out at MARMORATA/GALVANI then walk for 500 m.

Entrance opens from 16.30 till 24.00
Food Educational: from 18.00 to 20.00 (on January 04th and 05th from 19.30)
Live concerts: from 21.00

Closure days: December 31^st 2008 and January 1^st 2009
Free entrance

Ticket price of Food Educational ranging from 20 up to 70 euros