Discover the Roman Summer with 'Estate Romana'

By Go City Expert

Estate Romana, which literally translates as Roman Summer, is the summer event in Rome that’s worth keeping your eye on... It’s so much than just one event; it’s actually a series of events that run from the beginning to the end of the summer, starting early June to the end of September. Explore the four corners of culture; from dance and music, to theatre productions and art exhibitions - and much more! Piazzas are turned into performance venues, while open air cinemas pop up in every available space. It’s a haven for those in need of some edifying or even those after a unique experience of Rome. We’ve highlighted some of the best events you can catch this summer, from paint throwing to night-time walks, classic opera and off-the-wall perfomances. Holi Festival of Colours The Holi Festival of Colours has taken over the world as a summer rite. From its origins as an Indian celebration to celebrate the happiness and wellbeing of one’s families, it's turned into a modern phenomenon as people are handed paintballs while dancing to DJ sets. On the 14th June, Rome will host its first ever Holi Festival of Colours at the Capannelle Hippodrome. It will fall, symbolically, on the following day of the full moon that month – and will be celebrated in a (playful) fight in which powder paint balls are launched through the air in celebration. Something for those who aren’t afraid to get a bit messy, it’s a fun filled experience! Tour the Roman Forum at Night See the sights by night and explore a different side of ancient Rome. The Roman Forum comes to life in this night-time tour held every Wednesday and every Saturday evenings from May to November. Take in the impressive illuminated ruins after dusk has fallen and admire Rome’s ancient history. Starting at 9pm at the Teatro Marcello in Piazza Campidoglio, you’ll follow a trail outside of the Roman Forum itself for the best views of the ruins from above. You’ll be taken past the Mamertime Prison, Caesar’s Forum and scale some medieval steps to complete your nocturnal experience. Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel After Dark To continue the theme of night-time excursions, the Vatican Museums are holding after dark tours every Friday from the 2nd May to the 25th July, as well as from the 5th September to the 31st October. You’ll be able to visit the world famous Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel from 7pm to 11pm. With over 9 miles of art to be admired, including mosaics, tapestries and sculpture, you can walk around the museum like a VIP – when everyone else has gone home! If you’re not a fan of crowds this is a great opportunity to get an undisturbed view of the great masterpieces and of course Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement. C!rca Beyond International Festival For something a little more contemporary and mind-bending, the C!rca Beyond International Festival is taking over Villa Adriana, Hadrian’s archaeological ruins, in Tivoli, just outside Rome. This stunning setting is a picture-perfect scenario for the wild festival-come-circus that promises crazy performances by animals and humans; it will confuse madness with sanity and blur the lines between dreaming and reality. ‘Intense, surreal and unexpectedly touching’ – this re-constructed circus dynamic will shock, amaze and inspire. Not to be missed – book online for tickets on the 6th July, starting at 9pm. Ballet at the Terme di Caracalla For something a little more cultured and conventional, the ancient Terme di Caracalla – the ruins of the public baths of ancient Rome – play host to classical performances, including ballet and opera. Kicking off on the 24th June until the 9th August, Carmen opens the season, followed by the Tokyo Ballet on the 27th - 28th June and Swan Lake from the 3rd to the 15th July. The Prodigal Son and La Bohème are also in the programme, so it’s not short of a few classics. Enjoy the novelty of sitting under the stars watching awe-inspiring performances of some of the crème de la crème of classical music and dance.

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Rome Sightseeing - The Best Instagram Spots in Rome

Enjoy a spot of Rome sightseeing and add a dash of culture to your social media with the best Instagram spots in Rome below! Rome, the eternal city, has centuries of history, culture and art thanks to being the heart of the Roman Empire. With a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and spiritual landmarks, Rome sightseeing is second to none! While wandering around town, you'll want to keep your camera handy because we've put together a list on some of the best photo spots around the city. Pack your portable charger because you're set for some serious Rome sightseeing with our guide to the best Instagram spots in Rome. 세계에서 제일 크다는 성베드로대성당 정말 크고 멋있다 그나저나 로마 날씨 넘나 좋은것.. 트렌치 코트 가져올껄 😢 #rome#가족여행 A post shared by 유채 (@yoochae_) on Feb 27, 2017 at 6:31am PST St Peter's Basilica As the heart and soul of the Roman Catholic faith, St Peter's Basilica is renowned for its stunning architecture, distinctive dome and marble detailing. It happens to be the largest church in Rome and there's always something breathtaking to photograph both inside and out, whether you're snapping photos of its tall pillars or Bernini's bronze pavilion. Filled with sculptures and mosaics, it's also an inspiring place of artistic expression and boasts an incredible view of the city from the top of its towers. ❣️ A post shared by Leila Beruchashvili 🕴 (@lelusinio) on Feb 26, 2017 at 7:28am PST Sistine Chapel Best known for its captivating ceiling fresco The Last Judgement painted by Michelangelo, the Sistine Chapel is one of the most visited sites within the Vatican City and also most frequently photographed. Part of the Vatican Museums which contains a prolific collection of art and details the history of Catholicism in the city, the 15th century chapel also features murals by Botticelli. Stand in the centre of the cathedral and point your camera directly upwards at Michelangelo's masterpiece for the ultimate Instagram shot. 내 눈앞에 콜로세움이 있는게 왠지 그냥 어이가 없었다 A post shared by 이경진 (@lkj____1115_21) on Feb 26, 2017 at 11:12am PST The Coliseum Add a splash of ancient history to your Instagram feed with a shot of the Roman Coliseum, where gladiators, wild animals and emperors once roamed. More than 2000 years later, it's now frequented mainly by tourists and the gigantic amphitheatre's distinctive arches, pillars and steep, tiered seats are impossible not to photograph. Scale to the top of its seating area and its walkways to get a full sense of the structure's sheer size, as well as a breathtaking view over its crumbling ruins. #roma sotto un cielo così è uno spettacolo! 🌤😍 #ig_world #ig_rome #loves_united_lazio #loves_united_roma #loves_united_europe #loves_italia #loves_united_italia #buongiornoroma #longexposure #super_italy #loves_madeinitaly #yallersitalia #igfriends_roma #kings_alltags #kings_villages #yallerslazio #italiainunoscatto #ig_italia #loves_landscape #ig_italy #italianlandscapes #best_italiansites #don_in_italy #castelsantangelo #worldbesthdr #living_europe A post shared by Cristina Proietti (@cristinaproietti_photo) on Feb 26, 2017 at 12:15pm PST Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo This stark structure cuts an imposing figure amidst Rome's skyline and the former fortress stands sentinel over the nearby River Tiber. Now a popular ancient Roman museum and the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian, it's always a hit with history buffs and travel photographers. According to legend, a holy vision depicted the Archangel Michael sheathing his sword on top of the building to signify the end of a plague wracking the city and this has been recreated in an impressive bronze figure, overseeing the city. The opulent Papal Apartments are rich with stunning details and the Courtyard of the Angel is perfect for well-lit photographs. A mais bela e conhecida fonte barroca italiana ⛲ . 📍 Fontana di Trevi | Roma 📸 @royalcaribbean A post shared by Teste o Mundo (@testeomundo) on Feb 26, 2017 at 3:00pm PST Trevi Fountain While it may be a struggle to get a photo of the Trevi Fountain without crowds of tourists in your shot, it's an iconic Roman sight with beautiful Baroque sculptures. Get someone to snap a photo of you tossing coins into its glittering waters (a popular tradition that is said to ensure a return trip to Rome) or sitting on its low walls with the marble structure arcing over you, much like Hillary Duff in the Lizzie McGuire Movie.
Megan Hills
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Our Favourite Coliseum Facts

Gladiators, tournaments, Nero and more - here are some of the best Coliseum facts! This distinctive structure hearkens back to ancient Roman times, and more specifically to 72-80AD when Emperor Vespasian commissioned it to win favour with his subjects. With a colourful history spanning hundreds of years, it's racked up a few interesting stories and some great facts, check out our favourite coliseum facts below! The biggest events held at the Coliseum were free Major public events like big gladiatorial tournaments and performances were open to the public, subsidised by the emperor to gain favour with citizens. With a capacity of over 50,000 spectators, that was no small feat - especially when you consider food was often free too! The Coliseum derives its name from the statue that used to stand nearby A gigantic statue of Emperor Nero, named the Colossus of Nero, was a part of Nero's Park and stood beside the gigantic Flavian amphitheatre. Its name is an homage to that statue and to Nero's reign. Citizens used to be shaded by the Velarium, a retractable marquee Italy is notorious for its burning sunshine and back in ancient times, a retractable shade would cover spectators during performances and was held up by 240 brackets. Since then, its been eroded and modern day visitors will have to brave the summer sun to explore the coliseum. The Coliseum has become a symbol of resistance against capital punishment In an act of redemption for its bloody gladiatorial past, the coliseum's lights shift from white to gold for 48 hours whenever a death sentence is commuted or overturned. It has also become a site of protest against capital punishment and its golden lights were last lit in 2012, when Connecticut abolished the death penalty. Lions weren't the only animals killed in the Coliseum Hundreds of thousands of animals were slaughtered in the bloody games at the Coliseum, shipped in from every corner of the Roman empire. Aside from lions, other animals included jaguars, hippos, elephants, hyenas, rhinos also made appearances and were held underground in pens underneath the Coliseum. The Coliseum has a diverse range of flora and fauna, which has dwindled in recent years The Coliseum once had an important place in the plant kingdom, with hundreds of rare species of plant growing amongst its stones. It was a popular place for botanists and horticulturists to do research, however many plants have died out with the change in climate and in recent years the Coliseum is regularly cleared out of plantlife to make way for visitors. Materials from the Coliseum were used to construct monuments such as St. Peter's Basilica Rome has a tradition of recycling materials from structures to build new ones and the Coliseum wasn't impervious to this. As it fell into disrepair, its marble facade was repurposed for St. Peter's Basilica on the Pope's orders which is now also a famous Roman tourist attraction.
Megan Hills
travel rome
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Getting Around Rome - The Best Way

So, you've decided to visit Rome? Brilliant choice! It's a city dripping with history around every corner, and contains some of the most recognizable landmarks on Earth! But how are you going to reach all those brilliant things and see them for yourself? Why public transport, of course! In this guide, we'll let you know about getting around Rome and the best way to do it. So read on, take notes, and prepare for your Roma adventure! Getting Around Rome - Ticket Types Let's start with tickets, as you'll need these to get on most public transport. Bear with us, as there are quite a few denominations to cover. BIT (one way) The BIT ticket allows for unlimited transfers between the metro, buses, trams, and urban trains. From the point of validation, it lasts for 75 minutes, meaning you can travel across the entire city with relative ease if you plan your route. Keep in mind that once you leave a metro station, you cannot use the ticket to get back in. Instead, you'll have to switch to an alternative mode of transport, so make sure to plan your journey with a travel app before you set off. Cost: € 1.50 MetroBus 24 hours Unlimited public transport from the moment the ticket is validated until 12AM. Cost: € 7 MetroBus 48 hours Unlimited public transport for 48 hours. Cost: € 12.50 MetroBus 72 hours Unlimited public transport for 72 hours. Cost: € 18 Weekly pass If you're spending the week in the city, why not pick up a weekly pass that will give you unlimited public transport for 7 days? Cost: € 24 Now you know about the tickets, let's talk about the types. Getting Around Rome - Metro Rome's Metro system is actually one of the smallest in Europe, made of only three lines; Line A (Orange), Line B (Blue), and Line C (Green). However, of the 73 stations it serves, you'll find it covers nearly every attraction you'll want to see in the city center. Line A serves the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica, Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon, to name but a few. Line B serves the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, while getting you into the city center from Fiumicino Airport. The easiest way to get from point A to point B, Rome's Metro is a great way to travel across the city. Getting Around Rome - Bus Rome's bus system is wide-reaching, with 338 bus lines serving over 8000 stops throughout the city. However, it can become a bit convoluted, and you'll be at the whim of Rome's famous traffic. Many of the most used buses have displays that update when buses are delayed, but many others do not. You may feel like you're waiting for a bus that'll never come. Not ideal, but new screens are being put up every week, so hopefully, they serve your needs! There are too many lines serving too many stops to mention here, go here to plan your journey and find out which station will take you where. Getting Around Rome - Trams Like many European cities, Rome has its own tram system. However, unlike many of those cities, Rome's trams don't connect with the center of the city particularly well. So, while it may be useful for locals to get around, it may be less useful for your vacation. As so many of Rome's biggest tourist draws are in the center, you may never need to ride one. Getting Around Rome - Urban Railways Like the overground in London, Rome's Urban Railways connect outer parts of the city to the inner city. The three lines that connect to Rome are the Lido, Viterbo, and the Giardinetti. If your hotel is near one of the above stations, you may be using these trains every day. And the good news is that, since they're run by the same company as the buses and metro, your tickets will work on all of them. Getting Around Rome - Taxis Taxis are one of the easiest ways to get about the city, ensuring you get straight to your destination without any wayward wandering. We previously spoke a bit about the risks of taxis, but let's talk about it a bit here. Taxi drivers are well known to try and scam passengers with exuberant fees. If they think you don't know the city, they may take you a much longer way around, or go off-meter to charge you whatever they like. They may even pre-agree a fee with you when you get in and then challenge you on said fee when you reach your destination. Not ideal. So it's good to know some tips before getting in someone's car. All taxis in Rome are white, so make sure yours is! Also, look out for a sign on the roof and a meter in the window. Better yet, if the vehicle has a number on the side of it, you know they work for a taxi company. Call this number if you feel you're being swindled. You'll find the vehicle's license plate on the back of the front seats, if you need to identify the car and driver to the company. Rates can be fixed, depending on where you're traveling. Or, if not fixed, they will have minimum and maximum fares. Make sure to check these before your trip. If the driver doesn't turn the meter on, request that they do so. If they refuse, ask to leave the vehicle. Don't let drivers intimidate you. If you know you're in the right, call the taxi company or, failing that, the authorities. Getting Around Rome - Walking If you're fortunate enough to stay close to Rome's biggest attractions, you can always venture out and burn some calories while you're at it. Rome is one of the most picturesque cities on the planet, so what better way to drink it all in - and get some great photos - than exploring it on foot? And that's our guide to getting around Rome! Not sure which of Rome's attractions you want to experience? Check out Go City. With us, you can see all of Rome's best bits when and how you want.
Dom Bewley

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