An artistic picnic

Springtime is the best time for a picnic. The warm sun above, the soft grass below and trees peacefully encompassing all around. There are many places in Rome where you can enjoy your outdoor relaxation, but my favorite is Villa Borghese, for 3 main reasons:

1) The view: the park is located above Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo, hence it only takes you to step out of the grass to be stunned by a wonderful landscape;

2) The Galleria Borghese: yes, in Rome you have a museum even inside parks! And it is no just ordinary museum, with Raffaello, Tiziano and Antonello da Messina paintings and Bernini sculptures. A tour to the Galleria is a must, either before or after your relaxation-on-the-grass;

3) The history: Villa Borghese is not the biggest Roman park but it’s the oldest. Created between the end of 1500 and the beginning of 1600 by the noble family Borghese.

When you walk between trees and Bernini’s statues, rowing on the lake and laying under the sun, the ancient nobles revive in you.

Spring runs in Rome...

Every season has its good reason to make you want to visit Rome. In Summer you would spend hours in the warm Italian sun, rather than relax in the Autumn tint of gold or feel the magic of gleaming Winter. But Spring is definitely my favorite season. The parks are covered with bright grass; walking down the street is pleasant but you won’t sweat too much. And how can I resist the fresh veggies and fruits?

I am sure the 17.000 people that took part at the marathon last Sunday also enjoyed the weather change. It was a unique show to see thousands of athletes running by the Colosseum, stamping their Nike on the same stones the ancient Romans used to walk 20 centuries ago!

Of course I was too lazy to take part at the run, but next year you may want to race with the African champions... or just seize the moment and run with your friends on the streets of Rome.

Happy Birthday Italy!

Rome is the ancient heart of a young Nation. Even though the capital city has more than 2.000 years, Italy just turned 150. Indeed, it is almost one century younger than the U.S.A.  Starting from Wednesday evening, Rome was flourishing with open air events, concerts, expositions, fireworks and parties in every club. No one cared about the rain and a loud crowd gathered in Piazza Venezia to see the majestic Altare Delle Patria turned in a gargantuan Italian flag. Similar shows were offered with a breathtaking night vision of the Colosseum and the very central Piazza Della Repubblica with its round fountain.

The celebrations were a exciting opportunity for Italians and tourists to get together and enjoy a version of the city you only get once in a lifetime. Italians usually don’t display thier patriotism that much - except for the soccer games - but in such events you can see how deep is their love for the Nation.

The day after was entirely dedicated to the 150th birthday of Italy. The Fori Imperiali and the Gianicolo became unconventional places for the President and the ministers to remind everyone how important is to be united. Viva l’Italia!

Fragments of Rome

Just like real women, Rome holds a variety of beauties. Some come from a glance, others from a smile. More than 2.000 years made Rome a very fashionable lady, with wonders glancing at every corner and smiles as deep as the history of humanity.

You can taste delicious artichoke specialties at the Jewish district, walk alongside an ancient Roman aqueduct or get your sight lost in the panorama from the Gianicolo hill, and you will feel each one of this shards reflecting the crystal-pure light of Rome. If you are in love with nature, you would probably smell the fragrance of the city strolling in the park of Villa Borghese or Villa Pamphili, just like the aristocrats used to do in the golden age. You will find the grass is always bright green, as expected from an everlasting beauty.

Being an Italian woman, Rome changes its dress often. Try to hold her hand in the morning visiting Campo de’ Fiori, and you will see a traditional flowers and fruits market with merchants talking loud and bargaining to sell their fresh goods, as their parents and grandparents did. Then take her arm by night and the stands will be gone, replaced by a chatting crowd dressed to kill, enjoying the warm evening sipping a cocktail or having their last gelato of the day.

But don’t worry, when you visit Rome, your partner won’t be jealous of you falling in love with this charming lady, because the same will happen to him/her.

Walk like a Roman!

What makes visiting a city an unforgettable experience? What makes you say “I don’t want to leave” or, at least, “I will come back?” It may be the view from the top of a tower, or a painting that leaves you speechless in a museum hall. For those whom place gluttony on the top of their leisure list, it may be a never before tasted flavor at a traditional restaurant. But what etch these experiences on your heart is the way you live them. And there is no better way to experience Rome than walking through it, just like a person who lives here.

The narrow streets of Rome are not made for cars and the Italian public transportation may be funny but who would like to be packed in noisy buses? Walking in the shoes of a Roman you would be welcomed by the warm light as you fall in love with the ancient buildings at every corner of the streets. Ancient roman walls  side by side with renaissance palaces speak the tongue of history, that only trained eras are able to fully understand. An open air treasure whose real value can only be unveiled by walking through it and experiencing as real Romans like us would.

If you are planning to visit Rome, don’t forget to put in your luggage a pair of comfortable shoes together with your Gucci and Jimmy Choo.