Travel Italy: Vacation Packages, Tips, Tours of Italy

From Pantheon to Piazza Navona to Ara Pacis, this short walk offers you major sights of Rome ranging from the pre-Christian to Baroque times.

- Pantheon
You can start this itinerary with a visit to the Pantheon. Originally built as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, destroyed in a huge fire in 80 AD, the Pantheon was rebuilt in 125 AD. Since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Christian church. It is currently the oldest standing domed structure in Rome.

- In Piazza della Minerva a stop is suggested to pay a visit at the Church della Minerva.

- Piazza Navona  
One of the most beautiful squares and finest example of Baroque in Rome, Piazza Navona was an ancient Roman circus. In the 1st century it was known as Stadium of Domitian, a place where the Romans came to watch the games. Among the famous monuments the square includes: Fountain of the Four Rivers by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (dates back 1651), Fountain of Nettuno (1574, located at the northern area of the square), Fountain of Moro (1576, located at the southern end of the square), the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, the Pamphili palace (1630), Palazzo Braschi.

- In Via della Pace a stop at the Church of Santa Maria della Pace.

- In Piazza di S.Apollinare: Palazzo Altemps, house of National Roman Museum.

- Finally, Ara Pacis, important monument built in between 13 and 9 B.C to celebrate the peace established in the Roman Empire after Augustus’s victories.
View map of the tour.

The archaeological site of Ostia Antica is located just few km from the city center of Rome. It’s an ideal destination to combine an archaeological excursion with seaside activities (the beach of Ostia Lido is just few minutes away).

Located at the mouth of the Tiber river, Ostia was the port of ancient Rome. The most ancient archaeological remains currently visible in Ostia Antica date back to the third century B.C. (View photos of Ostia Antica).

- Getting there
The best way to get there is by taking one of the train running on the Roma - Ostia Lido railway. At the Piramide station (line B) take the train to Ostia Lido. Stop at Ostia Antica station. Then walk on the bridge located in front at the station and you’ll arrive at the entrance to the archaeological site.
View itinerary from Rome to Ostia Antica on the interactive map

Opening hours of the archaeological site: 8.30 AM to 6.00 PM (from March until October); 8.30 AM to 4.00 PM (from November until February).

A quick guide to antiques street markets held in the major art cities this end of April.
In Venice “The Little Market of Miracles” is held in the Campi and Campielli (Campo Santa Maria Nova) close to the Church of the Miracles. (April 25 and and various dates)

In Milan the Antiques Market is held along a canal in the Navigli for about two kilometres. It features more than 400 merchants offering anything among ethnic antiques, clocks, porcelain, jewellery, dolls, glass, books and much more (when: Apr 27; monthly market).

In Naples, “Villa Comunale Antique Fair” is held on the third and fourth weekends of every month in the Villa Comunale gardens. It offers everything from antiques, modern furniture, arts and crafts to collectors’ items and curiosities.

In Rome you can find classical collector’s items and antiques at “La Soffitta Sotto i Portici“, a monthly bargain market taking place every first and third Sunday of the month in Piazza Augusto Imperatore.

Rome celebrates its birth on April 21, the “Natale di Roma“. This is the day (according to Varrone, a historic in the Ancient Rome) the city was founded in 753BC by Romulus.

Celebrations including parades, firework displays and traditional Roman banquets will be taking place at venues such as the Aventine Hill, the Roman Forum and the Campidoglio.

If you have never seen a gladiator show, now you could get a chance to attend it.
When: April 18 through 21 (annual)
Where: Rome
For details visit the “Gruppo Storico Romano” website at http://www.gsr-roma.com.

Those who are interested in photography have one more reason to visit Rome in Spring. FotoGrafia, is an annual international festival of contemporary photography held in Rome. The 2008 edition is kicks off April 4 and runs through May 25.

The festival takes over galleries, museums and other public areas throughout Rome, with more than 100 exhibitions, meetings, films, readings, and seminars that entertain visual arts enthuasists for two months.
Palazzo delle Esposizioni is the heart of this edition with Museo di Roma in Trastevere once again one of the main locations of the Festival. Details of the programme at http://www.fotografiafestival.it/

Also, in early April, an international fair dedicated to the world of traditional and digital photography is held in Rome. It is Photoshow, which is taking place at the Nuova Fiera di Roma from April 5 until 7.