Secret Parks in Rome

Rome is a-flurry with people, sounds and visual delights so it’s not surprising that a visit can leave your senses a bit assaulted. Although Rome’s historically famous for its ancient Empire whose ruins you can’t escape, dotted all around the city, from the impressive Coliseum to the looming dome of St Peter’s Basilica, the city also has some hidden areas to explore – and some only the locals know. So alongside these must-see monuments, take some time-out to enjoy a bit of rest and relaxation in some of Rome’s greenest of oases. In no particular order, our favourite verdant spaces are as follows... Villa Borghese There’s no escaping this little pocket of greenery which sits in the middle of the city, coincidentally in the shape of a heart. Villa Borghese is one of the most popular spots for love-struck teenagers and elderly veterans alike and is a handy resource for a quiet break. With 148 acres to explore, its green meadows and manicured lawns are there to host picnics and Frisbee games, as well as sooth sore feet and unclutter busy minds. In the park are elegant temples and classic buildings, inspired by English architecture, which provide a stunning backdrop and perfect photo opportunity. Within walking distance from most major attractions, you can find it at the top of the Piazza del Poplo – where the Pincio will offer you a great viewpoint over the city, too – and is a safe option for those travelling with a family as there are plenty of toy-selling kiosks and ice cream vendors at hand! Villa Aldobrandini For something a bit more romantic and private, and dare we say it, more adult (sorry kids), Villa Aldobrandini is a tiny stamp sized garden nestled between the Trevi Fountain and Coliseum, up a hill to the East of the Vittorio Emmaneuel monument. Tree lined paths and handy benches make it the perfect stop-off if you’ve been exploring the Roman Forum and are working your way back into the city. If you walk to the very edge, you can overlook the Wedding Cake, the Roman's name for the big white Vittorio Emmanuele, and watch the world go by underneath your feet. Giardino delle Arance If secrecy and seclusion are your thing then the Giardino delle Arance, or Orange Garden to you and me, is just the one. A gorgeous private garden for you and your loved one to explore, or for your kids to pick an orange or two off the trees (there are plenty to go round), it’s an urban oasis and promises spectacular views over the city. Along the banks of the Tiber, to the left of Circus Maximus and the Aventine Hill, you can see the dome of St Peter’s Basilica and the terracotta topped buildings that stretch across the Eternal City. If you’re after a view to remember, go at dusk when you can see the city illuminate under nightfall and you’re guaranteed a bit of calm as the park is at its quietest. Just across the river is Trastevere, the perfect place to find a delicious local meal to finish off your evening in true Roman style. Villa Ada Villa Ada is great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city as it lies slightly out of the centre to the northeast. Best reached by local buses, it’s a huge expanse of green with windy paths through its impressive 450 acres and peaks at a historical summit, Monte Antenne. With a picturesque lake, you’d never think you were in Rome as Villa Ada transports you into a rural, exotic setting with squawking parrots in the trees, bright flowers in bloom and thick grassy fields. A great park if you’re in Rome for a few days and have time to spare out of your busy sightseeing itinerary, and great if you have kids – let them run wild and free and expend all their energy while you sit back and relax with a book. Villa Doria Pamphilj As Rome’s largest landscaped park, Villa Doria Pamphilj is actually the name of the monumental seventeenth century villa (or palace) whose landscaped meadows stretch for over 1.8km2. Up on the Janiculum, it was nicknamed the Bel Respiro, or beautiful breath, thanks to the spectacular views from its post up high on the hill. Much like Villa Borghese this park drew heavily on the classical English influences and is reminiscent of 18th century gardens in Stowe and Stourhead. So if you’re an Anglophile and know your classic architecture, this park has your name on it, not to mention for the Sound of Music qualities. That is of course substituting the Alps for a Mediterranean vista and ancient ruins. With the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card you can save both time and money and make your trip to Rome that extra bit easier. With Fast Track Entry and free admission into Rome's most popular sights, as well as a 3 day travelcard included, it's your all-inclusive ticket to a stress-free vacation. Find out more, here...

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Fun Facts about the Vatican Museums

The Vatican City is the home of the Pope and thus the Christian world and especially this year with the Jubilee of Mercy it holds even more significance. The magnitude of its importance means that often the smaller facts are overlooked. Here are 10 facts about the Vatican so you can impress your friends as you walk around: With a total area of 0.44 kilometres (1/8th the size of central park) the Vatican is the smallest country in the world It is entirely landlocked by Italy and has no motorways or large roads, only streets The Vatican is governed by an absolute monarchy with the Pope as its head. It has its own passports, flag and national anthem. There is no tax within the Vatican. Sale of museum admission and souvenirs is the only way the government generates revenue. The Vatican doesn’t have an official language. People speak Italian, English, French, German, and Spanish. The Vatican has the smallest population of any country in the world- around 1000 people would call it their home. The Vatican has its own radio station that broadcasts in 20 different languages across the world. The Vatican City is a UNESCO Wold heritage site, and is the only site that encompasses an entire country. Vatican City is the only independent state that has not become a member of the United Nations. If you joined all the Vaticans museum rooms together they would extend for 9 miles. If you spent one minute looking at each painting in the museums it would take you 4 years to see them all. If you want more, read about the top 10 things to see in the Vatican Museums and learn about these 20 fascinating facts about the Sistine Chapel.
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The Catacombs of Rome - Unique Rome Adventures

Go off the beaten track and discover a hidden world in the catacombs of Rome Rome is a beautiful place to bask in ancient architecture and strolling its streets never get old, however there’s an entirely different world waiting below its surface. This ancient city has an entire network of catacombs criss-crossing beneath the streets that taxis and buses now frequent, named for religious heroes and filled with the residents of a time gone by. With five different locations open to the public, you’ll definitely want to put your walking shoes on for these eerie expeditions. Here’s everything you need to know about the catacombs of Rome below... San Sebastian Catacombs Rome As one the most famed catacomb sites in Rome, this underground burial site spans over 11 kilometres - though you’ll thankfully only get to explore a small fraction of it. Covered in Christian paintings, they’re regarded as the best in Rome and were named for a martyr named Saint Sebastian. A former soldier, he was later clubbed to death after his Christian faith was discovered before he was laid to rest in these very catacombs. Open between Monday and Saturday, it’s a place of particular interest to those of the Christian faith as the graffiti that lines the wall references the apostles Peter and Paul. In fact, the reason the place became so closely tied to the two was because it was apparently impossible to visit their actual tombs - so this became a popular place to pay respects to them While you’re here, make sure to make time for the San Callixtus catacombs - they’re nearby and absolutely amazing so you have no excuse. View this post on Instagram Catacombs San Callisto, Basilica of San Clemente and Capuchin Crypt and Museum 💀 tour with @citywonderstours #crypt #catacombs #rome #travel #wanderlust #skullseverywhere #travelgram #igtravel #eurotrip #italy #mustsee #tour A post shared by @ irenevy_ on May 10, 2018 at 2:46pm PDT San Callixtus Catacombs The sheer scale of these catacombs is more than enough reason to head over here. With four floors and nearly twenty kilometres worth of exploring to do, it’s a vitally important religious site as a number of saints and popes have been buried here. While it was originally both an above and below-ground structure, most of the bi For those of you who love a song and dance, you’ll want to stop by and pay your respects to St Cecilia - the patron saint of music buried here. It’s also a great shout for art lovers as it’s packed with small art galleries, filled with Christian art and frescoes to bask in. Open Thursday to Tuesday, it’s a popular destination and should be top of your list if you only have time for just the one. Saint Priscilla Catacombs This catacombs is widely regarded as the ‘regina catacumbarum’, or rather, the ‘queen of the catacombs’ when translated into English. Dating back to second century AD, it expanded monumentally over time and owes its name to a noblewoman called Priscila who is believed to have donated the field the catacombs lie under. With many martyrs buried here, one of the biggest highlights of the tour is an image of the Virgin Mary which is believed to be the oldest ever. View this post on Instagram Today’s outing was underground at the Catacombs! A post shared by Krina (@krina_lessard) on Jun 20, 2018 at 2:42pm PDT Catacombs of Domiitilia This is apparently one of the oldest catacomb sites in Rome, if not the oldest in the capital. Although it’s absolutely massive, only a few of the tunnels are open to the public. While there aren’t as many out and out highlights as the others, there are some stunning artworks of biblical stories like the Last Supper. Two of the most famed martyrs to be buried in these catacombs are two people named Nereus and Achilleus, both ancient Roman soldiers. View this post on Instagram #italia #italy #travel #catacombes A post shared by im’bloger (@travel_shmavel_) on Aug 30, 2018 at 1:59am PDT Where are the catacombs in Rome? This is a little tricky to answer as there’s a number of catacombs dotted around the city. In fact, there’s sixty of them all over the Italian capital. However, you don’t have to worry about making time to see all of them as only five are open to the public. The most famous are the San Sebastian Catacombs Rome, named after San Sebastiano - a martyr who was buried there and who’s also the namesake for the Basilica of St. Sebastian. Located at Via Appia Antica, 136, you’ll also be able to knock out the Catacombs of San Callixtus nearby at Via Appia Antica, 126. Further afield, the Catacombs of Saint Priscilla are in Via Salaria, 430, the Catacombs of Domitilia in Via del Sette Chiese, 280 and the Catacombs of Sant’Agnese at Via Nomenata, 349.
Megan Hills

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