Festival of the Epiphany

By Go City Expert

If you want to spend the Christmas period in Rome and do it the Italian way, forget about Santa Claus and a roast turkey with trimmings on the 25th December. Hold out until the 6th January when the Italians celebrate their traditions on The Festival of the Epiphany. The Epiphany, translated from Ancient Greek to mean ‘manifestation of the divinity’, celebrates the three wise men who brought gifts for Baby Jesus. Nowadays, it’s more a reason for children to put on their best behaviour in the hope that ‘La Befana’ rewards them with presents and treats on the evening of the 5th January. La Befana is a fairytale character, believed to be an old woman with a broomstick who visits children’s homes on the eve of the Epiphany. She is said to reward them with treats if they’ve been good, or a lump of coal if they have behaved badly. Much like the tradition of Santa Claus in many ways, Italian families will also leave this festive character a small glass of wine and a plate of food to help her on her journey. The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated throughout Italy and in Rome with a bank holiday, where organised festivities and parades march down the street in celebration of the season and where some people even dress up as La Befana herself. If you’ve got a Santa outfit hidden away, bring yours along as well and join in; Father Christmas is still very much part of the celebrations! We suggest you head to the Vatican City to watch the medieval parade down the avenue up to St Peter’s Basilica, where you can admire the over-the-top antique costumes and symbolic gifts. If you’re after something a little more edifying, however, just arrive a bit earlier for the morning mass delivered by The Pope himself. If you’re planning on visiting Rome during this period, you will be immersed in the rich culture and vibrant celebrations of this longstanding tradition. We can promise you’ll leave feeling a little more festive and perhaps with even happier children!

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1 Day Itinerary: the best of Rome

Are you counting down the days until your anticipated arrival? Are you devouring information about the Eternal City like your life depends on it? Well, we’ve made it simple: we’ve come up with the perfect 1 day itinerary so if you dedicate just 24 hours to sightseeing and experiencing Rome by this quick-fire bucket list then you can rest assured that you will leave satisfied. Make sure you've had a hearty breakfast and got some good walking shoes on before you head to the cobbled streets... Morning: Head straight to Rome’s oldest and longest standing landmark, the Colisseum, and start your day on a high. This near 2000 year old building has seen its fair share of history and is one of the best places to learn about the importance of the Roman culture. From gladiator fights to miniature naval races (yes, who knew!) this building has been through it all – even destructive earthquakes that are partly to blame for its half crumbled state. Alongside the Colisseum is the impressive expanse of the Roman Forum where you can walk along the ancient cobbled streets and up the Palatine Hill to survey what used to be the hub of all Roman activity. As an old marketplace, the Roman Forum is one of the most transforming areas in Rome and you can really send yourself back in time as you walk along the marble pillars and ancient ruins. Mid-morning: Past the Vittorio Emmanuele monument (or the wedding cake as the Romans call it) and further into town you’ll get to another one of Rome’s most iconic buildings, the Pantheon. This building is free to enter and it will take your breath away as you marvel at the unique concept and religious history behind it. Built as a temple to the ancient Roman gods in 126AD it is one of the best preserved buildings in Rome and has been in constant use since the 7th century – and to this day it’s a place of worship and even marriage! It’s large opening, or oculus, is exactly 43m from the floor, and 43m in diameter – a mathematical feat and with no cover or window, it remains open all day, every day. Ever wondered what happens when it rains? There’s a small drainage system implanted into the mosaic flooring below. Definitely a sight to behold, and well worth a visit even if it rains to see it with your own eyes! Lunch: Next up are the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain so wind your way through the cobbled streets of bustling central Rome and just follow the crowds towards this resplendent urban oasis. Built in 1732 this Baroque masterpiece is one of Rome’s most picture-perfect landmarks with its turquoise water and contrasting marble façade. Designed by Bernini, Nicola Salvi and Pietro Bracci it is Rome’s largest baroque fountain – and without a doubt the most impressive. Legend has it if you throw a coin into the fountain you are guaranteed a return to the city. Did you know that as a prank, someone once added red food colouring into the water and turned the fountain blood red? Needless to say it didn’t go down very well with the state officials... A stone’s throw from the Trevi Fountain are the Spanish Steps – which boast the widest staircase in Europe and some say is one of Rome’s most romantic spots. Take a small picnic or find a café and get a take away panino and proper Italian coffee and go and sit on the steps to recharge and take in your surroundings. At the top of the steps is a viewing point where you can overlook the terracotta roofs of Rome and survey the stunning historic scene. Afternoon: Walk off lunch and stroll through the verdant Villa Borghese park, one of the most relaxing places in Rome. This heart shaped park is a quiet refuge from the vivacious Roman life, perfect if you want a bit of R&R. Within the landscaped lawns, sprawling greens and classic buildings is one of Rome’s best galleries, Borghese Gallery. A must-see if you’re an art buff and love a bit of Renaissance culture – and even if you’re not, there’s really nice restaurant where you can stop for a refreshing glass of wine should you need a pick-me-up. Mid-afternoon: Continuing in the realm of art appreciation, take it up a notch and head to St Peter’s Basilica, a masterpiece in itself, and it’s the perfect way to end your afternoon. The colonnade-lined square and the impressive marble façade doesn’t even measure up to what is beyond the huge bronze Holy Doors. Step inside this huge cathedral and be mesmerised by the sheer scale of gilt religious decoration, such as Bernini’s Renaissance architecture and the 30m high bronze pavilion, the Baldacchino. If you’re after a view to remember, you must go up into the Dome where you will get breathtaking views all across the city and into the Vatican. Evening: After that exhausting day, what better way than to reward yourself with good local cuisine and Italian wine. Walk along the Lungo Tevere to Trastevere one of Rome’s most trendy districts and chose from a selection of pizzerias to gelaterias. Take a seat in one of the tables in the piazza where you can watch the world go by and reflect upon the Rome you’ve just discovered! With the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card you can visit St Peter’s Basilica with a free audio guide and get VIP fast track entry to skip the long queues – a huge advantage in the summer! The Colisseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill are also included in the Roma Pass package and you can visit them as two out of your five free entitled entries. Want to find out more about how you can make your trip to Rome that extra bit easier? Click here.

St Peter's Basilica in the evening.

10 Must-See Highlights of the Vatican Museum

The Vatican Museum is one of Rome’s most significant buildings – not only for its Papal connotations and rich history but for the extensive collections of art within its walls. Its total worth is estimated at around €15 billion, so you can imagine just how opulent it is. On average walking around the entire Vatican Museum will take a solid four hours if you are aiming to see everything. Did you know it boasts an incredible 9 miles of art? Broken into 24 sections, with museums showcasing ancient art to sculptures, bronze statues and mosaics, not to mention a manicured courtyard, there's so much to see. If it all sounds a bit daunting then we’ve made it easy for you. Follow our top ten highlights for a bite-sized but bountiful visit and be sure to leave knowing you’ve seen the best of The Vatican. 1. Spiral Staircase As soon as you enter the Vatican Museum you will come across the impressive spiral staircase designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1832. Now, as one of the most photographed staircases in the world, Momo’s staircase is famous not only for its home but for the sheer size of it. Otherwise known as the Snail Staircase, it’s made up of two iron engraved stairways forming a double helix – pre-empting the symbol for DNA that would follow years later. 2. The Raphael Rooms The four Raphael Rooms act as a grand entrance to the Vatican where you can’t help but be wowed as soon as you arrive. As the public part of the Papal apartments, they join the museum with the Papal Palace and are famous for their frescoes by Michelangelo and Raphael. Overlooking the Belvedere courtyard, the Raphael Rooms boast some of the best of the Renaissance. Explore the four amazing stanze: Sala di Costantino, Stanza di Eliodoro, Stanza della Segnatura and Stanza dell’Incendio del Borgo. There’s nothing ordinary about these rooms... 3. Gregorian Egyptian Museum Founded in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI, the Gregorian Egyptian Museum now houses ancient artefacts originating from ancient Egypt and taken via Rome and Villa Adriana in Tivoli through the Imperial Age. Occupying nine rooms, this section displays sculptures and statues, clay figurines and bronze objects – among many others! If you are fascinated with ancient Egypt, this is a section not to miss. 4. Vatican Historical Museum and the Portraits of the Popes As one of the most modern museums within the Vatican Museum, founded in 1973, the Historical Museum features a collection of portraits of the Popes from the sixteenth century to today. You can also see the ‘papamobili’ or Pope-mobiles, from the first carts and carriages to the little motorized white ones we have today. With the OMNIA Vatican and Rome Pass, you can visit the Vatican Museum without paying a Roman cent! 💡Find out more 5. Sistine Chapel Consecrated in the late 1400s, the Sistine Chapel is one of the most visited churches in the world and is a stand-alone feature of the Vatican. Not only does Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Last Judgement, adorn the ceiling but you can admire Botticelli's long murals which often get overlooked. Marvel at the absolute intricacy of the fresco overhead and take a moment to appreciate this piece de resistance. 6. Papal Throne Admire the red marble papal throne that now stands in the Vatican. Taken from its original home, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano (the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop in Rome), the red marble is believed to represent royalty. Its other features include mosaics and frescoes, with two engraved lions as armrests and shining mosaic-casting rays of sunlight, lauding whoever sat on the throne. 7. Gallery of Maps The Gallery of Maps is located on the west side of the Belvedere courtyard and, as you’ve guessed, contains a series of painted topographical maps. Commissioned in 1580, it took Ignazio Danzi three years to complete the 40 panels. Doesn’t sound like much? Well, the gallery measures 120m in length, so it’s quite a feat! 8. Sala Rotonda If you like the Pantheon then the Sala Rotonda will not fail to impress. Shaped like the central Roman building, but on a smaller scale, its curved walls are lined with huge statues and the floor is laid with stunning mosaics. Look out for the gilded statue of Hercules and the large marble basin in the middle of the room to catch the rain. 9. Gallery of the Statues You’ve guessed it, the Gallery of the Statues is what it says on the tin. Within the Pio Clementino Museum, the gallery stretches down a long corridor lined with statues down into the Gallery of Busts. Originally, the walls were covered with frescoes of landscapes and cities with romantic cupids in the lunettes. Over time, this room has been used to showcase the marble art instead – equally impressive! 10. Pinacoteca Vaticana The Pinacoteca Vaticana lived in the Borgia Apartment until 1932 when it moved to its current location. It now houses a range of stunning paintings, from Raphael’s ‘Oddi Altarpiece’ and ‘Transfiguration’ to Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘St. Jerome in the Wilderness’. It’s a must-see for any Renaissance art lover and will end your trip to the Vatican with a bang. Planning your Rome and Vatican trip? With Go City®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ☀️See all Vatican and Rome attractions ☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy the OMNIA Vatican and Rome Pass ✈️

A Taste of History: Rome's Oldest Restaurants

Have your history and eat it too at Rome's oldest restaurants When in Rome, do as the Romans do and get stuck into its fabulous dining scene. We don't have to tell you about Rome's incredible street food and fresh pastas - the international hype speaks for itself - but there are a few grand establishments worth trying that really know what they're doing. Try the dishes at some of Rome's oldest restaurants below for a true taste of tradition. Some classic Roman #appetizers to start our night at one of the oldest restaurants in #Rome 🇮🇹 #carciofoallagiudia #friedArtichoke #friedzucchiniflowers with cheese 👍😋 #lacampanaroma #ristorantelacampana A post shared by 🎀 🎀 EAT hard PLAY hard 🎀 🎀 (@fonc) on May 14, 2017 at 12:02pm PDT La Campana This family-run trattoria is a stalwart of the Roman dining scene, with nearly 500 years of patronage and Italian comfort food. Founded back in 1518 and named after Pietro de la Campana, the restaurateur who opened the establishment, it remains a firm favourite with both locals and tourists - especially because the Pantheon and Piazza Navona are nearby. Try the Artichokes alla Guidia and Saltimbocca for some real classic tastes. Nearby Sites: Pantheon, Piazza Navona E niente, posso resistere a tutte le tentazioni ma davanti a loro,mi inchino. A post shared by @just_anto64 on May 10, 2017 at 5:23am PDT Ristorante Peppone It's a story we're all familiar with - a small town boy named Giuseppe Tozzi leaves the countryside for the big city, dreaming of fame and fortune. Even back in the 1800s, it was a cliche and one that Giuseppe (nicknamed Peppone) owned wholeheartedly. He opened up a traditional restaurant in the 1890s and it's persisted till now, run by his great grandchildren who bring the flavours of his hometown Abruzzo to the capital. Nearby Sites: Via Veneto doooood getting the full Roman offal experience here... starting at 12:00 is veal testicles (best part on this plate), veal small intestine, veal sweetbreads (damn good), repeats from 6-12 position and then veal liver in the middle... all perfectly roasted with some salt that's it... with squeeze of lemon and it's magically delicious A post shared by Victor Tam (@victors_belly) on Jun 18, 2017 at 6:51am PDT Checchino dal 1887 If you're keen to try quinto quarto - Italian for offal - then you've come to the right place. Popular with locals, this restaurant has lived many lives starting off as a wine cellar, then a slaughterhouse, then eventually a restaurant. Started by a young couple, the restaurant really hit its stride once their daughter and grandson breathed new life into the business and revamped its dishes. With quinto quarto tasting menus, vegetarian options and a mean spaghetti carbonara, it's worth stopping by here on the way to see Monte Testaccio. Nearby Sites: Monte Testaccio Fried artichokes in Rome. Been waiting for this for a long time. #waitingmakesitsweeter A post shared by Christine Barbour (@dcbrocksjewelry_rawredefined) on Jul 8, 2017 at 12:54pm PDT Ristorante Piperno Jewish cuisine is a strong influence on many of Rome's tastes and dishes and you'd be hard-pressed not to find Carciofi alla Giudia (artichokes cooked in the Jewish style) on menus in Rome. As the oldest joint in the Jewish quarter dating back to 1860, it's no surprise that they specialise in the dish - so much so that they threw spring parties called Carciofolata there. Their homemade pastas are also a thing of beauty, try the taglioni. Uma grande mistura de sabores! #gelato #fassi #italia #roma A post shared by Valnice Lopes (@val_nice) on Jul 1, 2017 at 2:56am PDT Palazzo del Freddo di Giovanni Fassi Skip dinner and head straight for dessert at Palazzo del Freddo, a gelato sanctuary started way back in 1880. Forget the mom and pop soda shops you'll see in the US, gelato is serious business here with classy interiors and over 30 different gelato flavours ranging from safe vanillas and hazelnuts to bolder choices like rice and pineapple. Order an extra large scoop, grab a marble-topped table and be prepared to feast - the dessert's next level here.

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