Rome: influential Empire, Great Tourist aim

Rome was establish as distant back 753 BC by the clone, Romulus and Remus. It grew considerably until it became the Roman kingdom which was ruled by an Emperor from the year 27 BC.

The Roman Empire became a political and economic center for the Western World. Its influence extending far and wide and it was said that "all transportation lead to Rome." This most powerful Empire, however, fell in 476 AD. It had a rough history following its fall. The city preserve its status as the capital of the Papal States and later on it became a center of culture and artistic activity which it has somewhat retained to this day.

Over its restless history, the inhabitant in the area has risen and fallen depending on the style of the time. In modern times, Rome seems to once again be on an upward scale in terms of its enduring population.

It is a very admired tourist destination seeing around ten million tourists through its city every year. The city is a city of contrasts. On the one hand, tourists will find busy thoroughfares and luxuorious prices. On the other hand, it is full of small shady parks, fountains and piazzas. It is full of ancient ruins, famous monuments and fascinating museums. You can view the remains of ancient times, see the fantastic architecture from the rebirth period, enjoy a gastronomical treat in a traditional Italian restaurant or relax in the gardens of European monarchs.

Due to the huge number of tourists that visit Rome per annum there are a vast number of holiday accommodation options to choose from. From the traditional to the exclusive, visitors can choose the place that plea to them most. Hotels are a popular accommodation choice in Rome. They range greatly in price and quality. You can choose to stay in lavishness hotel or you can easily find a budget hotel often in the area surrounding Termini Station.

Holiday apartments or villas can be found to rent. These are a good option for small groups or families as they provide more space and seclusion than a hotel. Bed and breakfasts are fast becoming popular in Rome. If you go for this option be prepared that they may simply be a room in some-one's house.

Tips for Italy Travel

Located in Southern Europe, Italy is a peninsula extending into the
central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia. When traveling to
Italy it is important to remember that you are not at home, so
always be respectful and conservative.

WEATHER AND CLOTHING

In general the weather is very hot and steaming in the dead of the
summer. We recommend that you wear light clothing. Be sure to
have sunglasses, hat and sunblock, as they are essential.
Afternoon thunderstorms (brief) are common in Rome and inland
cities, so you may want to consider bringing an umbrella. It is
essential to follow dress standards (no bare shoulders or knees)
and is strictly enforced in many churches, especially in Rome at St.
Peter's and the Vatican Museums and at the Basilica di San Marco
in Venice.

SAFETY

Remember to protect yourself against purse-snatchers and
pickpockets. It is recommended that you wear a money belt or a
pouch on a string around your neck, both concealed. When you
have to carry a purse make sure that is around your neck and
tucked between your body and arm.  A word of caution: "gypsy"
children are widespread in Rome, are skilled pickpockets that are
quick, and know more tricks than you do.

TELEPHONES

Since hotel tend to overcharge for long distance and international
calls. It is best to make such calls from public phones, using
telephone cards. For general information in English dial 176. To
place international telephone calls via operator assisted service,
dial 170 or long distance access numbers. The country code for
Italy is 39.

If you are in need of additional information or have found what you
are looking for. We suggest that you complete an internet search
for additional information. 

Have a safe and enjoyable trip to Italy!

A Quick Guide To Tuscany

Tuscany has long been a favourite destination for anyone looking for an authentic Italian experience.

Where is it?

Tuscany is a large area in central Italy that stretches to the Mediterranean coast. It is divided into ten provinces, which include some of Italy’s most beautiful towns and cities; Florence, Siena and Pisa.

Where can I stay?

Many people choose to stay in villas when they visit Tuscany, preferring the independence of self-catering to the routine of a hotel. The next time you consider visiting Tuscany, take a look at the benefits of a boutique hotel. Giving you the comfort and service of a regular hotel, but with a home-from-home atmosphere and service that anticipates your every need, you can come and go as you please without having to worry about making beds or shopping for food. In fact, when you stay at a boutique hotel, all you have to think about is where your next luxury is coming from.

Try the JK Palace in Florence for a taste of city boutique. With only 20 rooms, it’s like having your own home in the Piazza Santa Maria Novella and it’s the perfect place to return to after a hard day sightseeing. “Boutique” doesn’t always mean tiny - for a hotel that’s a magnificent rural retreat, the Villa Mangiacane is set in 300 hectares of olive groves, vineyard and forest and the view from the pool means that you’ll be hard-pressed to leave the villa at all.

What can I see?

Take a tour to the vineyards and sample classic Tuscan wines such as Chianti and Montepulciano, or visit olive groves and buy pressed olive oil to take home. Tuscany, its towns and cities are full of beautiful Renaissance architecture and the art here rivals that of Venice and Rome. If you’re not staying in Florence, then you should certainly take the time to visit the city during your stay. A busy, chic city, full of amazing architecture, priceless art, great shopping and fantastic dining, Florence is captivating and many visitors return here for short breaks or special events. Tuscany is full of contrasts and you could holiday here for several years in a row without visiting the same place twice.

How do I get around?

How you choose to travel in Tuscany largely depends on where you’re staying. If you’ve chosen a city location, then it will be easier for you to use public transport or just walk to get around, as hiring a car may be expensive and the roads too busy for stress-free driving. On the other hand, if you’ve chosen a boutique hotel in a rural location, you should think about hiring a car so that you can travel round the countryside or take a day-trip to one of the cities. The Italian public transport system is well-used by locals, and you can travel between cities and towns on the train or on buses, which give you the opportunity to gaze at the glorious countryside.

Italy – Naples and Sorrento

Italy is really two countries in one with the wealthy, historic north dominating. To get a taste of the south, Naples and Sorrento are your destinations.

Naples

If ever there was a city with a reputation, it is Naples. Dirty, nasty, crime infested and fanatical are all words thrown around when describing. In this case, the descriptions are true and it is GREAT! The place is a madhouse and colorful beyond description. Crime is a problem, but you will be fine if you use common sense.

Naples is all about “real.” You will not get that odd touristy sensation you find in the cities to the north. Naples is about living now, now in the past. The people can be gruff, but are also a heck of lot more colorful than you will find elsewhere. If you get in trouble, just bring up the subject of football (soccer) and you’ll suddenly have friends for life.

The best way to experience Naples is just to explore it. The action is on the street, not in museums. If you’re hankering for picture opportunities, the glass dome over the Galleria Umberto I is a good spot. You can also climb above the city to take scenic pictures of the coast and madness of Naples.

If you are really pining for a tourist fix, Pompeii and the looming Mount Vesuvius are close by. Pompeii, of course, was buried in a Mount Vesuvius explosion, literally freezing everything in place. Ah, you already know the story.

Sorrento

If Naples overwhelms you, head around the bay to Sorrento. Sorrento is similar to Naples with one notable exception. It is all about the tourist and making them comfortable. Frankly, it is hard to see how Naples and Sorrento can co-exist, but they do. In Sorrento, you can stay at ancient resorts where service is the name of the game. The beaches aren’t so hot, but you can rent jet skis and such to invoke your inner tourist.

Southern Italy often gets a bad rap as a rough place riddled with crime. To some extent it is true, but seeing Italy without the gloss of the north is worth it.

"The Peace Crib" - A Modern Neapolitan Crib In Florence

“The first time I came to Italy, in Naples, I was struck by the cribs of 1700. They opened new horizons to me. I was used to the one of the Metropolitan Museum of New York, small and simple at the base of an imposing Christmas Tree.

The cribs of Naples were a real discovery to me!” Together with the crib Yvonne DiPalma – born in Philadelphia – met also the sculptor Michele Attanasio. She fell in love with him, got married and with him opened the “Paul Whistler Art Gallery”, near Sorrento.

For Christmas, in a place where everybody prepares a crib, they started to make one in the Gallery: scenarios by Michele and characters by Yvonne.

This is how it has begun, by chance, the most charming and passionate adventure of the life of this artist. In the first “Installation” there are 20 characters: sculptures representing the people of the town and famous figures.

This was the start of a thirty-year experience. Every year after that debut in 1976-77 it has had more and more success; it was an opening up of a new life.

The crib emigrated to Florence where it found in Monsignor Setti a supporter and in the Basilica of San Lorenzo a home. In the town of iris the two artists found the same enthusiasm of the first time: that miracle of a sincere participation.

After San Lorenzo, it went to Loggia Rucellai (1981), then to Rome, in the Oratory of Santa Maria in Via, then back to Florence, in the church next to the Gallery of San Jacopo Sopr’Arno (1991). In 1992 the crib by Yvonne was the set in the Theatre Parioli of the programme Maurizio Costanzo Show.

Since then, the work increased “at home” until the interlude of Christmas 1999, when it was lent to the 7th International Festival “Costruimo il Natale”, in the crypt of Santa Croce of Florence.

And now let’s know better this very special crib made of characters of about 50-centimetre height. Yvonne creates the body with iron wire, fabric and stuffing.

To be noticed that all clothes are sews one by one and represent the Neapolitan models of the 18th century. The heads and hair are in terracotta; each sculpted head is a masterpiece of refinement. All characters have the features either of people the artist has met in her life or of famous figures, among them many international politicians: the presidents of United States Nixon, Reagan, Carter, then the Russian, Italian, French, Chinese ones etc. Thirty years of history of 1900 in a crib…

Beside the human characters, there is the world of international animals: in addition to the traditional ox and donkey, there are also horses, sheep, cats, elephants, cocks, baboons, rams, kangaroos, etc… all in terracotta reproduced in the minutest details.

How many are the Crib characters now? Yvonne has stopped counting when they have been more than 200!

They have got out of control and have become alive! Indefatigable, Yvonne creates different groups and expressions, always reflecting upon life and world around us.

Do not miss it in Florence, Via San Zanobi 58 - http://www.yvonnedipalma.com