Wild Junket » Italy

Exploring Tuscany on Two Wheels: Biking Lucca

Nellie Huang — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 11:54:50 +0000

Just when we were about to leave Tuscany, the sun came out (after three days of rain) and bathed the city of Lucca in a shade of gold. Our group of travelers took the opportunity to explore Lucca, biking through the city centre towards the Tuscan countryside. Armed with nothing more than our bikes and cameras in hand, we set off from the historical centre, paddled up to the city walls of Lucca and headed out to the green fields and olive groves.

Our guides, Emilio Bertoncini and Serena Scalici, from Eco Guide, provided an entertaining biking experience, providing us with snippets of historical info and interesting legends along the way. As certified nature guides, both Emilio and Serena are passionate about eco-tourism and nature. Besides running these biking tours, they organize hiking trips to the nearby Monte Pisano, night walking tours in Garfagnana (the Apuane Alps) and fun-filled kids’ walks. In Emilio’s words, these tours were set up to educate people on how to appreciate our nature.

Seeing Lucca from a Whole New Perspective

Weaving past groups of teenagers and couples, we snapped shots of Lucca from the cycling path atop the city walls. Instead of walking through its narrow alleys, we were seeing it from above this time – a completely new perspective that got us all hooked.

As we continued to snake past crowded car lanes, we left the traffic behind us and made our way towards the countryside. Within minutes, the urbanscapes were replaced by rolling green fields and cute country cottages.

Grey renaissance buildings gave way to yellow Tuscan mansions and cobblestoned paths were overrun by green patches and brown earth.

Our destination was the Nottolini Aqueduct, an abandoned water aqueduct hidden amidst the dense foliage of the Lucca countryside. Built in 1851, the aqueduct was designed by the famous Luccese architect, Lorenzo Nottolini (you’ll find his work all over Lucca).

Biking alongside the arches of the aqueduct, we finally found ourselves at the temple-cistern. Back in those days, this neoclassical cistern collected water from the natural springs and directed them towards the city.

My Verdict of the Biking Experience

Despite being a rather crappy biker, I thoroughly enjoyed the biking experience – it was a great way to see the countryside and it was a good balance between adventure and leisure.

Maneuvering the muddy paths leading towards the aqueduct was quite an adventure for me, but certainly an easy feat for experienced bikers. Once back in the city, paddling through the park at sunset was a relaxing way to wind down and end the journey.

Whether you´re a novice like me or an expert cyclist seeking challenges, exploring Lucca on two wheels definitely gives a whole new perspective to Tuscany.

*This bike tour lasts three hours and starts from the APT Tourist Office Piazza S. Maria at 4.30pm. Bookings must be made by 2pm. The tour costs 20euros (not including bike rental fee). A minimum of 1 person per group and a maximum of 15. Please refer to www.eco-guide.it for more details.

This experience was made possible by Avventurosa and Casa Gentili, but all opinions are my own. Read more about my travels in Tuscany, Italy here or follow me on Twitter with the #TuscanyTrip hashtag.

Vespa Museum: A Look into Italy’s Engineering History

Nellie Huang — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:09:17 +0000

On a recent trip to Tuscany, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself in a childhood fantasy land. With antique aircraft, military coaches and thousands of Vespas on display, the Piaggeo Museum was quite an eye-opener for the inner child in me. The museum, located in the town of Pontedera, was just a hop away from Pisa and made for an excellent day trip.

At the museum entrance, we were greeted by a gorgeous stainless steel vintage coach dating back to 1937. Since the invention of the combustion engine, Piaggeo has played an important role in Italy’s transportation history. Besides the famous Vespa, it produced numerous aircrafts, submarines and railway trains for the World War. Through the archives, exhibits and real-life prototypes on display, we took a walk into Piaggeo’s past. Here are some photos of the most interesting exhibits, enjoy!

An electic collection of vintage Vespas. Did you know that the Vespa was given its name because the sound of its engine and the shape of the scooter resembled a wasp (which is what the word ‘vespa’ means in Italian)?

A giant scooter towering at over 50m.

The Mythological Vespa, with a sword on its dashboard and alasbaster for its seat, was created by Mino Trafell.

One of my favorite exhibits was the travel Vespa decorated with stickers from all over the world.

The Ape (meaning ‘bee’ in Italian), similar to the tuktuks found in India and Southeast Asia, is still being used in various parts of Italy.

A military scooter.

The prototype of a futuristic vehicle made for a sci-fi film.

One of the many black and white photos on display at the Piaggeo Museum.

*Entrance Fee to the Piaggeo Museum is free, but the 1.5-hour guided tour costs 20euros for 20 pax.

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This experience was made possible by Casa Gentili and Avventurosa, but all opinions are my own. Read more about my travels in Tuscany, Italy here or follow me on Twitter with the #TuscanyTrip hashtag.

Culinary Education in Tuscany: Learning to Cook Italian Food

Nellie Huang — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:58:24 +0000

Tuscany is famed for its rolling olive groves, exquisite wine and most of all, healthy, organic foods. From a whirlpool of pasta variations to a sea of pizza flavors and tender grilled meat prepared in hundreds of different ways, Tuscan food has got me bowled over.

On my recent trip to Tuscany, I got the chance to get behind the kitchen and learn some tricks to making Italian cuisine. For those who want to delve into Tuscany’s cuisine beyond patronizing its restaurants and markets, there is a plethora of cooking schools that will give you some practical learning opportunities.

Cooking Class with Cuoche di Vacanza

With instructors from Cuoche in Vacanza, I learnt to roll up flour dough like a celebrity chef and turn raw dough to a sumptuous dish of pasta. For someone barely comfortable in the kitchen (not to mention holding a knife), this was a huge achievement.

Besides chopping up some tomatoes for our pre-dinner bruscettas, we concocted a steamy pot of ragu sauce and tossed belt-like strips of tagliatelle in the air before tucking into our own creations.

Cooking was never this fun, or this rewarding – tasting the explosive flavors of the tagliatelle in ragu sauce and biting into the tender meat-wrapped tortellini maremmani put gratifying smiles on all our faces.

Chef duo Lella Rossa and Erike Elisa, having grown up in the area, have a life-long passion for food and cooking. Cuoche in Vacanza is their brainchild: along with their jovial assistant Rosana Rosie, the duo organizes culinary classes for foreigners interested in knowing more about the region’s culinary traditions. Based out in the San Giuliano area spread out between Pisa and Lucca, the duo brings students on market tours and then shows them how to prepare a complete Tuscan meal.

During our one-day cooking class, we learnt to make simple tomato bruscettas, tortelli maremmani (dumpling-like pasta stuffed with meat), tender tagliata (thinly-sliced beef topped with parmesan cheese), finished up with typical Tuscan cantucci biscuits dipped in vin santo (sweet dessert wine).

As Erike dished out the last course of our meal, she said with a proud smile, “This is one of the things that make life worth living.” I couldn’t agree more.

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Rural Tourism: Unique Ways of Exploring the Countryside

Nellie Huang — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:26:00 +0000

Since getting bitten by the travel bug, I’ve been introduced to rural tourism on several occasions: olive-picking in Southern Spain, staying at an eco-lodge in the mountains of Guatemala and experiencing farm life in Western Australia. Rural tourism is a way of exploring and immersing in nature – and it often leads to surprising and unusual finds. I’ve become a huge fan of rural tourism, especially after setting up our base-camp in Spain. For those sharing the same interest as I do, here are some unique ways to explore rural tourism.

Eco-Lodges and Farm stays

With more people becoming eco-conscious, green hotels and lodges are popping up all over the world: Besides the usual self-catering country cottages, there are many unique eco-accommodation on offer these days from tree houses to Mongolian-style yurts. Farm stays are also a popular option in Australia and it gives you the chance to mingle with locals and get a good feel of their rural lifestyle. You can often combine these stays with vacation packages to explore various faces of a country.

Culinary Experiences

From olive-picking to wine-tasting and truffle-hunting, there is no shortage of culinary experiences in the countryside. What better way to get a good feel of a country’s gastronomy than to understand where they come from and how they are produced. During a recent trip to Tuscany, I had the pleasure of visiting Azienda Agricola Spazzavento, a farmhouse that grows/produces rich,organic foods. I sampled home-grown tomatoes, olive oil and cheese; the flavors were outrageously tasty and remarkably fresh.

Walking Holidays

Walking allows us to explore our surroundings in a more intimate way – we can take in the details of the scenery, and new panoramas are constantly around the corner. Walking holidays can be guided or independent, depending on your preferences. Combining a few days of walking with eco-stays make for excellent ways to explore places like the Picos de Europa in Spain, the Italian Cinque Terre and the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

Holistic Retreats

Eco-living and wellness often go hand in hand. With an increase in eco-consciousness comes a rise in awareness of spiritual and psychological wellbeing. Whether you are a stressed-up blue-collar workaholic or a long-term spiritual traveler, holistic retreats provide an uplifting experience and a rejuvenating break. Holistic retreats are conducted in rural areas due to the tranquil setting and natural surrounding. They can range from yoga retreats to meditations courses and body-cleansing programs.

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Photoblog: Flag-waving Ceremony in Lucca, Italy

Nellie Huang — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Knees bent, chest raised, the flag-waver uses all his strength to thrust his flag high into the sky. Tension heightens amidst the crowd as the Italian national flag soars towards the San Martino bell tower. Whop! The young sbandieratore catches his flags with much precision, and the crowd roars in unison. The intense silence now explodes into a cacophony of cheers and music.

I am in the medieval city of Lucca to witness Italy’s traditional flag-waving ceremony. It’s a special day for them: Italy turns 150 today and everyone is out on the streets to celebrate. Along with a group of travel bloggers, I’m here to join in the city’s celebrations and explore this region. I’ll let my photos take you through the impressive flag-waving ceremony.

Sbandieratores, as the flag-wavers are called in Italian, keep the tradition alive these days with occasional performances during festivals and major events. The rationale behind flag-waving is to re-enact the ceremonies that took place during the 1500s. This explains why they are usually dressed in medieval clothing.

There is a lead flag-waver who plays the protagonist of the performance. It is said that back in those days, the sbandieratore who could throw the flag highest would win the girl. Judging from the performance we caught, I’m sure the lead flag-waver earned his fair share of fans. Here’s a video of him strutting his stuff at Piazza di San Martino:

Lucca is best known for its flag-waving performances having given the world some of the top sbandieratores.

Girls take turns to throw the flags as well.

The flag-wavers are accompanied by a drumming band.

We were lucky enough to witness the performance of Nikola Cosentino, famous actor and two-times winner of the National Flag-waving Championships.

The two have a duet of sorts, tossing flags into the air and swopping them from one hand to the other.

At the end of the performance, the lead flag-waver takes a bow.

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Celebrating Italy’s 150th Birthday in Lucca

Nellie Huang — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:54:04 +0000

Splashed in the national colors of green, white and red, the streets of Lucca are buzzing in a festive mood. Powered up for Italy’s birthday celebrations, locals take to the streets with the Italian flag in hand and pride in their hearts. Despite the drizzle, the energy is impalpable and the atmosphere contagious.

It’s not everyday that I find myself participating in Italy’s 150th birthday celebration but here I am, standing amidst the crowd and cheering ‘Viva Italia!’. Accompanied by several fellow travel bloggers, I am in Tuscany, Italy with a mission: to experience local life and explore the offbeat area sandwiched between Pisa and Lucca. Organized by Avventurosa and Casa Gentili, the Tuscany Blog Trip promises to unveil secrets tucked within the region and show us Tuscany beyond Florence.

Lucca’s Streets

Earlier that morning, we had entered the medieval city of Lucca through the old city walls that surround the entire historical quarters. Meandering our way through the cobblestoned streets and narrow alleyways, we discovered a city oozing with character and bleeding with history.

Lucca swoons like an elegant maiden – its medieval streets resemble those in fairytales while its piazzas bring to mind Renaissance settings. At every street corner, we stumble upon a charming church, an impressive monument or historical building. There is plenty to discover here, yet Lucca remains off the tourist radar.

Our experienced guide, Antonella Marucci, tells us, “Lucca is said to have a total of 100 churches within the historical centre, but according to investigations," she pauses for effect, “we have just 87.”

Along the way, we find Italian flags draped all over the yellow-washed buildings and people with their faces painted in green, red and white. It’s a special day in Lucca today and within 10 steps into the historical quarters, we get a sense of the excitement.

Street Parades and Music

Along the main drag of the city, Via San Paolino, a parade is making its way into the city centre. Dressed in military wear and armed with musical instruments, the soldiers take the city by storm.

Antonella tells us that some of these parade participants have lost their children in the war, and the parade is a commemoration of their sacrifice for the country. I snap a shot of a white-haired elder beaming with pride – seemingly for both his country and his son.

We drift further along through the streets of Lucca before arriving at the San Michele church, a stunning Romanesque-style architectural masterpiece standing in the heart of Lucca. Spotting a white facade (symbolizing peace) emblazoned with numerous animal figures, the church was built in the Middle Age and has since been restored to its original glory.

At the Piazza di San Michele, bundles of balloons and confetti have been set up to welcome the parade delegates. Here, the parades culminate and everyone gathers to sing, party and celebrate.

Flag-Waving Ceremony

We continue our tour of the city, arriving at the Piazza di San Martino just in time to catch an impressive display of the local flag-waving group. Sbandieratores, as the flag-wavers are called in Italian, re-enact the ceremony that used to take place since the 1500s.

Lucca is best known for its flag-waving performances having given the world some of the top sbandieratores. We are lucky enough to witness the performance of Nikola Cosentino, famous actor and two-times winner of the National Flag-waving Championships.

Dressed in medieval clothing, the flag-wavers throwing white-and-red flags (colors of Lucca) high in the air, wowing the crowds with their precision and skills. More photos to come in my next article on the flag-waving ceremony, stay tuned!

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To get in touch with our guide, Antonella Marcucci, find her on facebook or contact her at +39 339 6328832.

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A Culinary Trip in Rome

Nellie Huang — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:48:33 +0000

It is no secret that Italy has some of the best foods in the world and a trip to Italy is not complete without sampling its culinary offers. Mention Italian food and the first things that come to mind are pizza and pasta, but Italian cuisine goes far beyond. Antipasti, prosciutto, carprese, focaccia, paninis and more make even a quick on-the-go snack a gourmet affair.

But amidst the multitude of restaurants, food markets and street-side stalls, where do we begin our hunt for the best food in Rome? Today’s guest post is by Miss Moci from Only-Apartments – she will be bringing us on a day of feasting in Rome and showing us the best cafes, restaurants and bars in town.

Coffee Bar for Breakfast

Start off your morning with a good cup of coffee in one Rome’s famous coffee bars. Don’t be surprised by the crowd – having a coffee in the morning is a standard daily ritual for the Italians. At the Tazza d’Oro (Centro Storico: Via degli Orfani, 84), there is always a line no matter what time of the day you go. Famed for its rich, aromatic coffee, Tazza d’Oro has a loyal following among the locals and serves up the best breakfast in town.

If you prefer to start your morning at a slow and leisurely pace, then Barnum Café (Centro Storico: Via dei Pellegrino, 87) might be right up your alley. This cafe is more of a hang-out spot with a tranquil atmosphere and comfortable sofas. Every now and then, it also showcases some local art work. Barnum is close to the residential area – an ideal location for those looking for apartments in Rome.

Mid-day Snack

It’d mid-day and you’re craving for some on-the-street bites. A focaccia or a panini would just be the right antidote. These bite-size snacks are outrageously tasty when toasted to the right crispness. You can get those at many cafés on street corners and major squares in Rome.

Traditional Italian Pizzas for Lunch

In this part of the world, lunch usually starts around 2pm. The Italians rarely eat pizza for lunch as the authentic oven takes too long to heat up; but if you have your mind fixed on pizza, there is only one place you can go to get it and not be disappointed: Forno Campo de Fiori (Centro Storico: Campo de Fiori, 22). Here, the famous 6-foot pizza straight from the oven is sold by weight. Don’t be taken aback by the rude customer service and impatient customers – that alone tells you why people still come back for more.

Italian Gelato

Italy is said to have the best ice-cream in the world. Gelato is the result of Italy’s love for food and all things sweet and heavenly. One of the best gelaterias in Rome is San Crispino (Via Panetteria,42 close to the Trevi Fountain). Try the Pistacchio or Capucchino flavor – you’re guaranteed to get hooked on them.

Delicatessen Shop

For those looking to buy packed gourmet food back home for your loved ones, check out the world-renown gourmet/ delicatessen shop, Volpetti (Testaccio: Via Marmorata, 47). It has a myriad of good wines, cheese, prosciutto, olive oil and many other Italian delicacies. The staff offers excellent service.

If you are in the mood for something sweet, make sure you stop by Confetteria Moriondo & Gariglio (Centro Storico: Via del Piè di Marmo, 21-22) for some handmade chocolates or other sweets.

Pasta for Dinner

After a day of sight-seeing, reward yourself with dinner at one of the many great restaurants in Rome. A highly-recommended restaurant in Rome for handmade pasta is Ristorante Ditirambo (Piazza della Cancelleria, 74), a cozy cellar that offers excellent local food and wine. For something a little fancier, make a reservation at Ripa 12 (Trastevere: Via San Francesco a Ripa, 12), a rather elegant restaurant in a trendy urban neighborhood.

Photo credits: Moyan Brenn, Jake and Janey, People’s Council, Nora Kuby, Kambiz Kamrani, Jeemer and fulminating.

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This guest post was written by Miss Moci from Only-Apartments. She contributes regularly to WildJunket with her tips on traveling in Europe.

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Photoblog: Carnival Celebrations All Around the World

Nellie Huang — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:47:10 +0000

It’s that time of the year again! Flamboyant costumes, larger-than-life parades and colorful street parties: Carnival is an annual festive season celebrated in various corners of the world. What started out as a Roman Catholic festival is now a massive party.

One of my favorite events of the year (next to Christmas), the Carnival stretches over a whole week or more, as revelers take to the streets and party till dawn. Some refer to it as the 5^th season of the year and it’s easy to see why. Today’s guest post by Miss Moci from Only-Apartments brings us to the best places in the world to celebrate the festivities.

Venice, Italy

The Carnevale di Venezia is the oldest Carnival celebration recorded in history with a long tradition. Each March, the streets and canals of Venice are flooded with people dressed in exquisite velvet robes and elaborated masks. Traditionally, the masks gave people of all social statuses the opportunity to celebrate together. Today, the mask has become Venice’s trademark – a symbol of mystery and sensuality. If you’re planning a trip to Venice for the Carnival be sure to book your Venice apartments in advance to avoid disappointment.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Samba dancers, street parades, and raucous percussions: The Brazilian Carnival is without a doubt the world’s most famous Carnival celebration and has taken on incredible proportions. During this time of the year, Brazil sees the greatest influx of tourists and they account for over 80% of the year’s beer consumption. Although the Carnival originated from Europe, celebrations in Brazil have since taken on many characteristics of the African and South American culture.

Cologne, Germany

The Carnival in Cologne is by far the most famous one in Germany. The season officially starts on November 11^th, but the most important festivities are at the end of February and the beginning of March with everything ending on Ash Wednesday. In the elaborated street parades, Carnival participants throw out candies to the crowd, while screaming, “Kölle Alaaf!”, some form of battle call. Another highlight of these street parades are the Roten Funken, acrobatic dancers similar to cheerleaders.

Sitges, Spain

As a popular European destination for gays throughout the whole year, Sitges (near Barcelona) is best known for having the most spectacular Carnival celebrations in Spain. Every year, up to 250,000 people visit Sitges to join in the Carnival. The celebrations start on a Thursday with a parade that welcomes King Carnestoltes (the king of Carnival). The two biggest events are Rua de la Disbauxa (Parade of Debauchery) and Rua de l’Extermini, which is the closing parade.

Photo credits: David Pin, Wikipedia, carnaval2010.org, oncealifetime.com and Daniel Jove

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This guest post was written by Miss Moci from Only-Apartments. She contributes regularly to WildJunket with her tips on traveling in Europe.

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Top 5 Adventure Destinations in Europe

Nellie Huang — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:48:29 +0000

Europe is not all about dreamy castles and winter wonderland – for the adventure-seeker and outdoor-lover, it’s packed with challenging terrain perfect for hiking, scuba diving and many other extreme adventures. Now that the festive season is approaching, plan out your travels in Europe to include some adventurous activities and experience a different side to the country. These destinations I’ve included below promise the most rugged landscapes and raw surroundings to guarantee the most power-packed sojourn.

1. Spitsbergen, Norway

Norway is one of the most northerly countries in Europe; almost a third of its elongated landmass lies within the Arctic Circle and remains ice-covered for much of the year. Hundreds of fjords indent the coastline, while treacherous mountains and magnificent glaciers dot the land mass. On a recent trip to Norway’s western edge, I ventured into Europe’s largest glacier and hiked through some of the continent’s wildest terrain. For hard-core adventurers, head to Spitsbergen, located just some 900kms south of the North Pole. The exhilaration of sighting Polar Bear as they roam the ice in search of food, watching the playful activities of Grey Seals or observing a group of walrus are just some of the highlights of the area.

Flickr photo by Martha de Jong-Lantink

2. The Pyrenees, France

Stretching across the border between France and Spain, the Pyrenees is a massive mountain range that runs for hundreds of miles that divide the two countries. One good way to explore the region is on a bike tour riding from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, via the passes of the Pyrenees. Trace the history of the Tour de France, while navigating countless hairpins to tick off the famous Tour de France passes: Col d’ Aubisque, the (in)famous Col du Tourmalet and the Col de Portet Aspet, to name a few. To savor more of the French countryside and beaches, include stays at charming Nice hotels or base yourself at one of the gorgeous Biarritz hotels.

Flickr photo by Fr Antunes

3. The Dolomites, Italy

The Via Ferrata in the Dolomites, Italy, is the best and original ferrate route in the world – a demanding trek through the dramatic Brenta mountain range, situated in the Italian Province of Trento. Using the extensive network of ladders and high-level trails, the calssic Via Ferrate route takes you through Via delle Bocchette, mainly constructed in the early 1930s. It’ll continue on through the Brenta mountain range, which extends 42km from Cima Tosa (3173m) via a dramatic ‘bocca’ (mouth) to Brenta Alta. For beginners, it’s best to hire an experienced guide to bring you through the route.

Flickr photo by bravowhisky23

4. Akureyi, Iceland

Iceland is a country of extremes: for a ferocious volcanic centre to the surrounding glaciers and freezing temperatures. There are three major glaciers: Vatnajokull, Langjokull and Hofsjokull with several smaller ones covering about 11 per cent of the land. The bays and fjords make its coastline a tempting feature, and the many glacial rivers running from the highlands to the ocean are among the wildest in Europe. Dubbed the capital of Northern Iceland, Akureyi offers excellent ice-climbing, sailing and dog-sleighing opportunities.

Flickr photo by Dirk Paessler

5. Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

The Scottish Highlands are best known for Europe’s best hiking: passing through stunning lochs and ascending pine-fringed slopes. Hiking through Wester Ross offers glorious views across the moorlands including the 3,000-foot Beinn Damh, gaelic for "Hill of the Stag". The Cairngorms National Park, largest in Scotland, is home to a diversity of land forms ranging from ancient Caledonian pine forest to arctic plateau wilderness. One fourth of the U.K.’s threatened bird, animal and plant species reside here, including many iconic species of the Highlands such as red deer, golden eagle, wildcats and otters.

Flickr photo by Bruce McAdams

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Top Ten Travel Tips: Rome – Italy

Nellie Huang — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:03:35 +0000

Italy: a country bursting with so much passion and romance, few can resist its charms. It holds a special spot in my heart – a place where I fell in love with Alberto, all over again. Romance aside, the plethora of historical sights and cultural experiences Rome has to offer is endless.

From Roman Gladiators to Renaissance artists, Rome’s streets are crammed so full of history that it’s often impossible to fit everything into one weekend break – and that’s before we get started on the delicious Italian food that no visit to the city is complete without tasting. Luckily, Hotels4U.com resort manager, Gregg Walker is an expert when it comes to the Eternal City. From ice-cream to the Illuminati, his top tips will ensure that you have an incredible Roman holiday.

Image provided by hotels4u.com

1. Follow The Path of the Illuminati

If you’re a fan of the books or films by Dan Brown why not follow the path of the Illuminati and take an Angels and Demons tour around Rome? On your tour you can step into the shoes of Robert Langdon and attempt to crack codes and solve mysteries at the Altars of Science, whilst learning behind-the-scenes information on some of the historic buildings and monuments mentioned in the book.

2. Shop For Unique Food and Souvenirs

The flea markets are a great place to find original gifts and souvenirs. Here you’ll find almost everything under the sun and can practice your haggling skills. Browsing the famous piazza, Campo dei Fiori, means you can taste delicious and authentic Italian foods, cooked right in front of you. This market is where most Italians like to stock up their kitchen cupboards.

Flickr image by Storm Crypt

3. Discover The Bones of 4,000 Monks

For something a little more unusual, visit the Capuchin Crypt, which is located underneath the Santa Maria della Immacolata Concezione Church. This small space houses the bones of 4,000 monks, which have been artfully arranged to decorate the walls of a few tiny chapels. It’s open Friday through Wednesday from 9:00am until 12:00 noon and again from 3:00pm until 6:00pm, but it’s closed on Thursdays.

4. Skip the Queues at the Coliseum

No trip to Rome is complete without a trip to the Coliseum, but if you want to avoid the lengthy queues skip the ticket office and buy your ticket from the Forum instead, where the queues are much shorter and admission includes access to both attractions.

Image provided by hotels4u.com

5. Make Like Audrey Hepburn

Pretend you’re Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday (or Gregory Peck) and hire a scooter to transport you around Rome. This way you can avoid public transport, give your feet a rest and enjoy the freedom and excitement of seeing the City of Fountains in a different way.

6. Give The Pope a Wave

Why not go and say hello the Pope? Well, you probably won’t get that close, but you can catch a glimpse on Wednesday mornings, where he holds a general audience in St Peter’s Square; otherwise it takes place in the Sala Nervi audience hall. Be sure to tour the Vatican too.

Flickr image by Juan Rubiano

7. Discover the World’s Best Art

Have your breath taken away by some of the most stunning paintings in the world. Go to the Capitoline Museums (housed in palaces on either side of the city) to be acquainted with incredible creations by old masters such as Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and Caravaggio, and Bernini’s infamous statues.

8. Eat Italian Gelato

While you’re in Italy, you need to eat some ice cream, and not just any ice cream, but the tastiest in Rome. To sample some of this infamous gelato, make a turn for Il Gelato di San Crispino. Some say it’s the best ice cream in the world!

Flickr image by mtlin

9. Don’t Worry Over Your Taxi Transfers

Travellers worried about airport transfers to and from their Rome hotels can breathe a collective sigh of relief – taxis now have fixed fares to and from the airport which you can ask for upfront to ensure you are not getting overcharged.

10. Enjoy a Free Night Out

In the summer and during the Christmas and Easter periods there are many free concerts, so research what’s on before planning expensive evening activities.

This post is part of a monthly Travel Tips Series sponsored by www.hotels4u.com, where you’ll find Rome hotels suitable for all tastes and budgets.

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