A Royal visit to Rome

By Go City Expert

It's the convergence of two cultures as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are scheduled to visit Rome on the 3rd April. Fulfilling the postponed visit from last year, which was delayed due to illness, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are finally making the trip next month to meet with Pope Francis and the Italian president, Giorgio Napolitano. In anticipation of her visit, we’ve put together a list of places in Rome where the Queen might like to go and things to see during her stay. We hope her majesty is reading... Quirinal Palace This palace, known locally as Quirinale is the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic. Famously, it has been home to thirty popes, four kings and eleven presidents and spans over 110,500 square metres - giving Buckingham Palace a run for its money. Built in 1583, Quirinale is the sixth largest palace in the world and is adorned with impressive Renaissance art work and mosaics. If it’s good enough for the Italian royalty, it’s good enough for ours. St Peter’s Basilica Home to the Pope, there’s no doubt that the Queen will be visiting this iconic cathedral during her short stay. As the epicentre of Roman Catholicism, it has a wealth of history behind it, from masters of the Renaissance to papal patrons. If the Queen is after a view to remember then she should go up the Duomo (dome) for spectacular panoramas across the city. We’re sure the Pope will agree. Capitoline Museums For a bit of culture, history and to learn about the ancient ways of Rome, the Capitoline Museums are the perfect place to indulge in a bit of artistic appreciation. From sculptures, mosaics and paintings, the Queen can discover Rome’s talented past and marvel in its ancient archaeology and architecture. As a patron of the arts herself, we’re sure her majesty would enjoy a walk around this notable museum. Coliseum One of the most iconic sights in Rome, the Coliseum is as important a landmark to the city as St Peter’s Basilica. Drenched in history, the Coliseum was once the amphitheatre of legendary gladiator competitions and entertainment where the head of state, like the Queen, would have no doubt have been special guest over 2000 years ago. As a monumental landmark with such an exciting history, the Queen couldn’t leave Rome without walking through its ancient stone arches, surely? National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo Another important historical landmark, this museum should be top of the Queen’s to-do list when she visits Rome in April. A building with many pasts, Castel Sant’Angelo has been everything from a military base, a prison, Papal refuge and even a fortress. Now the museum delves into its diverse past and is one of Rome’s most fascinating attractions. Just down the Tiber from St Peter’s Basilica, it would be a tragedy to miss it. We’re sure the Queen is getting excited for her impending visit, after all Rome is a city with much to offer and with a spread of ancient landmarks to see, so she’ll no doubt be busy. If you fancy a visit to Rome and like the sounds of the itinerary above then the OMNIA & Vatican Card is your key to the Eternal City, unlocking over 30 attractions and giving you free and discounted entry into the best sights. With a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, travel included and a guidebook it’s the perfect sightseeing pass.

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Happy Halloween horror tour of Ancient Rome

You don’t normally associate the pagan festival of Halloween to the holy Catholic city of Rome, however, if you are looking for something spooky while you’re in Rome then look no further. We’ve compiled a list of our top five scariest spots across the city for you to get your fix. Just don’t blame us if it’s too frightening... Capuchin Crypt of Bones Just off Piazza Barberini, this eerie church is not one to be missed if you’re into bone-chilling experiences – pardon the pun. Located underneath the church is a crypt decorated with the bones of 4,000 monks from the Capuchin order, dating back to 1631. The bones were used decoratively to line the walls of the church and later the friars were to bury their own dead to continue the tradition. This impressive ossury is divided into five chapels and visitors are guided by natural light and low lit candles, adding to the eerie experience. Some might say it’s a macabre work of art, as the bones have been laid out in various designs and orders. You’ll notice some of the skeletons have been draped in the old Capuchin robes and look down at you from their place on the wall. Catacombs of St Callixtus These catacombs contain some of Rome’s most important martyrs and popes of Ancient Rome. It wasn’t until the first half of the second century that bodies were even buried underground, so these catacombs hold significant importance as being the first place to bury Christians all in one, joint place, together in tombs. The Catacombs of St Callixtus cover 90 acres and there are over 12 miles of pathways to explore, down four levels, over 20meters underground... Look out for the “little Vatican” the area where all the popes are buried; the crypt and statue of St Cecilia, patron of music, and also the ancient frescoes which decorate the walls. The Vatican Necropolis Found in the Vatican City, the Vatican Necropolis is the burial ground of the majority of, and the more recent, popes and is a hugely important place for Romans and Catholics to this day. Underneath St Peter’s Basilica, the catacombs are open to the public for you to walk through the tombs. Don’t miss the ‘graffiti wall’ which contains a number of ancient Latin scribbles, either. Some of the oldest tombs date back to the 3rd century and you’ll even be able to see the tombs of Apostle Peter, Circus Nero and Gaius of Rome. Museum of Purgatory Take the spook-scale up a notch to the Museum of Purgatory, a tiny room inside Sacra Cuore Suffragio (the Church of the Scared Heart). It’s believed that Father Jouet, a French missionary priest, saw a man’s face in the flames when a painting of the Virgin Mary caught fire, and he believed it was a soul whose body was buried on that spot, stuck in purgatory. So Jouet decided to build a church to pay tribute to all those souls. Many people haven’t heard of the Museum of Purgatory so you'll probably be the only visitors there at one time. Whether you believe in purgatory or not, it’s worth a visit just to see the artefacts on display that claim to be evidence of souls trapped, trying to get out.... Monster House If you need something slightly less scary and a bit more lighthearted, head up to the Spanish Steps where you can see the open mouthed door of the nicknamed Monster House. Although visitors aren’t allowed to enter the house, once owned by two baroque painters, the Zuccari brothers, you can stand outside and admire the bizarre entrance. In 1592 the Zuccaris decided it would be comical (one would assume?) to decorate their house with gaping mouthed windows and doors. Here you can see the giant features set in stone which, on a dark night, are somewhat less comfortable to look at...
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Fifteen phrases anyone coming to Rome should know

You’re getting all excited about coming to Rome, swatting up on the top attractions you want to visit, learning about the best places to go for a pizza and where to go for your historical fix... Don’t forget to brush up on your Italian. While it’s common place to be able to gesticulate your way around (the Italians love a bit of hand movements) it’s always better to come prepared with some key phrases to help you get by. The Romans are friendly people, but they’ll be even friendlier if you show some effort at meeting them half way by learning their language. To make it easier for you, we thought of fifteen key phrases you should learn before you come and to keep to hand when you explore the city. From introducing yourself, to asking for a glass of wine, we hope it’ll get you by – even as a starter! 1) Ciao / Buonasera – Hello / Good evening 2) Si / No – Yes / No 3) Perfavore – Please 4) Mi chiamo... – My name is... 5) Parli inglese? – Do you speak English? 6) Parlo un po italiano – I speak a little Italian 7) Non capisco – I don’t understand 8) Può parlare più lentamente? – Can you please speak slowly? 9) Come si dice ____ in italiano? – How do you say ____ in French? 10) Dov'è il bagno? – Where is the toilet? 11) Si può prendere la mia foto per favour? – Would you take my picture, please? 12) Si accetta carte di credito straniere? – Do you take foreign credit cards? 13) Quanto costa? – How much is this? 14) Dov'è il Colosseo / il Vaticano / Roman Forum? – Where is the Coliseum / the Vatican / Foro Romano? 15) Un bicchiere di vino per favore – Please may I have a glass of wine? Combine your phrases with the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card and you’re guaranteed to have a holiday of a lifetime. See the sights of Rome with the Roma Pass and make some great savings along the way – it couldn’t be easier. Learn more, here.
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Dinner with a View: The Best Rooftop Restaurants in Rome

Take to the heights at the best rooftop restaurants and bars in Rome While the Italian capital isn't the tallest city in Europe, that actually works in its favour as it boasts a number of rooftop restaurants and bars in Rome with panoramic views over the skyline. Whether you're looking to catch a breath between sightseeing with an espresso, revive yourself before dinner with aperitivo or looking for decadence with Michelin starred menus, there's a number of rooftops restaurants in Rome to add to your bucket list. What a beautiful place #rooftop #dining #drinks #beautiful #nice #chill #roma #rome #italy #🇮🇹 A post shared by Nuttasuk Ngokngarm (@nuttasuk) on Nov 5, 2017 at 2:43am PST Bramante Terrace, Hotel Raphael Looking to get away from the crowds and bustle? Head upstairs to Hotel Raphael's Bramante Terrace, where you'll be able to drink in panoramic views of the Vatican, Castel Sant'Angelo and as much of Rome as far as the eye can see. With a killer wine list, cocktails and a food menu if you're feeling peckish, it's a great place to kick back and relax at the height of sophistication. It's not super well known and the terrace is quite small, making for an intimate experience you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. Coffee with a view - - - - - - - #coffee #coffeetime #bar #roma #rome #italia #italy #view #terrace #city #escape #panorama #visit #explore #world #travel #traveller #travelgram #travelblogger #travelphotography #instatravel #wanderlust #beautiful #beautifuldestination A post shared by Alessio Terzi (@terzibus) on Sep 24, 2017 at 12:44am PDT American Bar, Hotel Forum Step into another time period at the American Bar, where you'll be able to unwind with views over ancient Roman landmarks like the Colosseum, Altare della Patria and of course, the Roman Forum ruins from which the hotel derives it name. You don't even need to be a hotel guest to lounge around here and it's a gorgeous place for a date night, if you're in the mood for romance. A post shared by marcodetomassi (@marco.detomassi) on Oct 23, 2017 at 3:55am PDT Casina Valadier Located atop the iconic Villa Borghese, this tranquil bar and restaurant has breathed neoclassical life into one of the Villa's historical structures and has become a must-visit spot for those on the tourist trail. The menu's worth making the trek out with recipes such as beef tartare sprinkled with comte flakes, lamb with a truffle and caprino cheese crust and mixed seafood grilled to perfection. As it's up on high, you'll be able to see all the major sights stretching out across the horizon from St Peter's Basilica to Piazza del Popolo. ✨🇮🇹 Tu chiamale se vuoi emozioni... @palazzomanfredi #Roma #Colosseo 🇮🇹✨ Photo by: @italian_places ___ #yummy #foodie #cooking #lunch #breakfast #fashionfood#instacake #cibo #gnam #homemade #foodblog #Ilovefood #pranzo #cucina #foodart #tasty #delicious #foodpic #cucinaitaliana #dinner #eating #yum #italian_places #bar #ilovefood #rome #coliseo #colosseum A post shared by Best Food, Chef And Restaurant (@italian_food) on Nov 8, 2017 at 8:19am PST Aroma If you like the finer things in life, Aroma over at Palazzo Manfredi is one of Rome's best fine dining destinations - with a gorgeous view to boot. With a Michelin starred seven course tasting menu primed for an indulgent culinary evening, it's a surprisingly modest set-up which lets the food and the unbeatable view over the Colosseum speak for itself. Come with a hefty wallet though, dining at Aroma doesn't come cheap. On June the 25th we will be hosting our last Sunday brunch of the season! We will be back in September. Minerva Roof Garden Restaurant and Bar are always open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and delicious cocktails...For cocktails lovers here a shot of our strawberry frozen daiquiri !!! #cocktail #delicious #minervaroofgarden #relaxing #breathtaking #view #pantheon #piazzadellaminerva #rome #grandhoteldelaminerve A post shared by grandhoteldelaminerve (@grandhoteldelaminerve) on Jun 23, 2017 at 5:53am PDT Minerva Roof Garden Another fantastic hotel bar on the list, the Minerva Roof Garden crowns the Grand Hotel de la Minerve located in the heart of Rome. Just a stone's throw away from sights such as the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, it serves as both a restaurant and bar when the lights go down with traditional delights and more modern choices up for grabs. It's utterly chic with white jacketed staff keeping a beady eye out for those who need a champagne top up and a stellar view of sights such as the Pantheon.
Megan Hills

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