Mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body) is a famous Latin quotation. It derives from Satire X of the Roman poet Juvenal. It sums up somehow the importance that ancient Greek-Roman tradition gave to the body and health, a balance between body and mind for a happy life.

Nowadays Roman people still keep this notion and live in accordance to it. Ever since the most ancient times  Roman Sports have been  part of the culture and has had a relevant place in the life of its citizens.

This year just live up to the  the past editions, and  Rome will not only offer its classical beauty but also Big Gym, the sports village where you can relax enjoying  the ‘’Dolce far niente’’, keep fit and have fun as well.
Oh, I almost forgot, yes…Besides…It appears to be also a wonderful opportunity for socializing, since everyone  there will share a love for sports and physical activity, so you can meet people and experience the real everyday Roman people which is a  whole attraction by itself…

Big Gym is children friendly : Big Gym 2010 provides  a summer center dedicated to children, from June 14, daily from 8:30 to 16:30 where plenty of  healthy, fun and creative activities are available to them such as  painting, collage,  drawing and  also various sports.

Add the best DJ sets and a shopping area,  Mon Amour Restaurant open daily from 12.00 to 15.00 and from 20.00 to 22.30,  Mon Amour  Disco open Friday and Saturday from 24:00 to 04:00,  bar  open daily from 10.00 to 24. AND YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE.

Big Gym Rome 2010 is doubtlessly something to be experienced if  you love sports or simply if you want to have a different day and night out in Rome.

WHERE: Via delle Tre Fontane 5, Roma EUR,  ROME
WHEN: From 9th June to 8th August, from 10.00 to 24.00
Getting there: Metro (underground) Line B, Stop Eur Palasport.

When planning your trip to Rome, you can book our comfortable Rome hotel Des Artistes which welcome families with children and  is central and in easy reach to the Big Gym 2010 , and perfectly connected with the B line.
Read more on other related blogs.

Today’s blogger : Marcelo

The eighth  edition  of July Sounds Good, authentic myths of musical history, the outdoor summer event that concludes the season 2009 – 2010 Music for Rome Foundation Auditorium.

Yet again this year with the appointment in July Sounds Good, the show promoted by Music Foundation in Rome Auditorium Parco della Musica.
Among the artists exhibiting in Rome there will be worldwide famous bands and singers of jazz, funk, pop, rock and world music. To name a few :  Serj Tankian , Erykah Badu in Jons, Florence & The Machine to Tinariwen,  Paolo Nutini and the Kings of Convenience.
You can read more information at The Auditorium official websiste.

Event calendar from:  02 July 2010
– 02nd July   2010, Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club ® feat. Omara Portuondo
– 03rd  July 2010, Los Lobos
– 04th July 2010, Chick Corea e Stefano Bollani
– 05th July 2010, Serj Tankian, Orchestra Sinfonica Italiana
– 06th July 2010, The XX
– 09th July 2010, PMJO, Coro e Voci soliste dell’Accademia di Santa Cecilia, Petra Magoni
– 12th July 2010, Jeff Beck Band
– 13th July 2010, Mark Knopfler
– 14th July 2010, Earth Wind & Fire
– 15th July 2010, Mario Bondi
– 16th July 2010, Carmen Consoli
– 16th July 2010, Paolo Fresu, Omar Sosa, Trilok Gurtu
– 17th July 2010, Pat Metheny Group
– 18th July 2010, Paolo Nutini
– 18th July 2010, Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette
– 19th July 2010, Crosby Stills and Nash  
– 20th July 2010, Erykah Badu
– 21st July2010, Jonsi
– 22nd July 2010, Florence & The Machine
– 23rd July  2010, Norah Jones
– 24th July 2010, Simply Red
– 25th July 2010, Neffa
– 25th July 2010, Neffa
– 26th July 2010, Tinariwen
– 27th July  2010, Ludovico Einaudi
– 28th July 2010, De Andrè Canta De Andrè
– 29th July  2010, Kings of Convenience
– 30th July 2010, Alessandro Mannarino
– 31st July 2010, Giovanni Allevi

Info: from 26.06. 2010 to 31.07.2010

The Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome in Viale Pietro de Coubertin, near the Sports Palace Viale Tiziano. L ‘Auditorium Parco della Musica, located in the Flaminio district, the Olympic Village is easily accessible by public transport and close by our central Rome Hotel Des Artistes where you may wish to book your stay while in Rome so check out our latest deals and packages !
Buses: 910 bus terminus Terms / Piazza Mancini 53, Terminus Piazza Mancini and Piazza San Silvestro 217, Terminal Viale XVII Olympiad / Termini Station 231, Terminal Piazza Mancini P.le the basket (Villa Borghese) Saturdays and Sundays only line ” M” , Termini Station Terminal / Viale Pietro de Coubertin (Auditorium) 17 pm until after the last show. Departures every 15 minutes.
Tram : 2, Capolinea P.le Flaminio/P.zza Mancini
Metro :  Metro A line subway station then tram 2 Flaminio Rome-North Railroad stop Piazza Euclide
Make the reservation with us at Hotel Des Artistes or Yes Hotel and enjoy your holiday, will be really happy to give you all the information you need!

Further reading on past July Sounds Good .

Today’s blogger : Vanda

2010 It is truly a banner year for Caravaggio! If you love art this is the right time to enjoy this special event! An exhibition dedicated to the famous and celebrated, “Lombard genius” in a new vision and updated.

The exhibition will include many of Caravaggio’s most representative works, including the Bacchus from Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, the David With the Head of Goliath from the Borghese Gallery in Rome, the Musicians from the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Lute Player from the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Amor Vincit Omnia from the Staatliche Museum in Berlin, and numerous other masterpieces from many of the most important museums in Italy and around the world.

So, a public a new and stimulating opportunity to appreciate the work of Caravaggio and the uniqueness of his work.

For individuals the booking is not required. You buy tickets at the Quirinal ticket office. For groups and schools reservation is required to charge.

Our Hotels, Hotel Des Artistes and Yes Hotel are in a perfect location. Stay with us and enjoy your holiday!

Simply Red fans, last chance to see Simply Red live in concert! Mick Hucknall and band mates have decided that 2010 will be, after 25 years, their last tour together. A decision taken from the lead vocalist to undertake the solo career. Founded around the mid-80’s with Mick Hucknall,  gifted with amazing singing voice, the group took its name from Hucknall’s nickname, Simply Red, that denotes the colour of his hair, his favourite football team which is the Manchester United, in which however made some political issues. On their twenty-five years of music career the group had several modifications, and fortunately Hucknall has succeeded regardless several obstacles and moments of difficulties, they always tried to keep their feet on the ground.

From their first tour in 1985, Simply Red has played in over 1,100 concerts in front of a total of more than 11 million people. They have sold 55 million discs, they made it 31 times in the top 40

Singles charts in the UK, conquering 3 Brit Awards, 2 Ivor Novellas, 2 first places in the US singles charts.

 After their first album debut “Picture Book” in 1985, Simply Red has produced an average of 1 album in every two or three years: “Men and Women” (1987), “To new Flame” (1989), “Stars” (1991), Life (1995), Blue (1998), Love and the Russian Winter (1999), Home (2003), Simplified (2005) and Stay (2007). The last collection came out in the 2008 entitled “25: The Greatest Hits” and is a double sided disc with 25 successful soundtracks that tells 25 years of their music career.

 The lead vocalist, Mick has a strong bond with Italy, in fact, he spends most time of the year in Sant’Alfio in province of Catania on the slopes of the Etna. He dedicates his time to the production of one of the most valuable red wine – DOC, and a sophisticated white wine – IGT and was nicknamed as “the singer”.

The venue for the concert is located very near Hotel Des Artistes and Yes Hotel, your best options when it comes to accomodation in Rome!

Perhaps the name Serj Tankian might not be that well-known to mainstream audiences but he is one of the most provocative and original American musicians. He is the lead singer of System of a Down, an American alternative band whose main characteristic is the combination of heavy Rock sounds and left wing political commitment.

Tankian will visit Italy next July to present his solo album Elect the Dead Symphony , a reinterpretation of the major successes of System of a Down. The singer will be accompanied by an orchestra composed by as many as 45 musicians from the Italian Philharmonic. This is, without a doubt a great opportunity for the fans of System of a Down, and for those curious to discover what classicaly trained musicians can do when offered material originally composed with the viscerality of hard rock in mind.

The two Italian dates are set for July 4 at Teatro Arcimboldi in Milan and july 5 at the prestigious Roman Auditorium Parco della Musica as a part of the annual review July Sounds Good.

Tickets for the date range from € 30 to Milan € 45 exclusive right to advance. The prices for the tickets of the Roman concert will be the same. If you are visiting Rome to attend the concert, don’t hesitate to make a reservation at Hotel Des Artistes, located only minutes away from the venue!

During a guided visit visitors to this exhibition will have to chance to see the Ara Pacis in full color, as stood originaly. The feat will be made using  projections of light. Besides, the meaning of the reliefs will be illustrated by an actor who will  read as well classic Roman texts  that will deepen the message of it: a passage from the VIII book of the Eneide, where Virgilio narrates the foundation of Lavinio and the prodigy of the white sow; a passage on the meaning of the deities of the country; and the pages in which Tito Livio is questioned on the origins, the greatness and the decadence of Rome.

The technique of projection has been updated and renewed projectors will allow to modify and to modulate the profiles and the colors in real time. Even if over thousand years of permanence underground on Campo Marzio has cancelled from the monument any trace of color, experts have demonstrated almost beyond doubt that originaly the altar was very colorful, as were most sculptures in ancient Rome; the use of the colors on monuments was usual, even if we all have in our imagination the color-less versions found nowadays in museums and books everywhere.

The choice of the single shades for “the Colors of the Ara Pacis” has been operated on the base of comparisons with other ancient Roman paintings, especially from pompei with the Greek-Roman sculpture.

Our locations are not far from the museum,so when you’re planning to come to Rome check on www.hoteldesartistes.com or www.yeshotelrome.com, your ideal options for a perfect vacation in the Eternal City.

From 23 December until 5 April 2010 is currently being shown MACHINA: TECHNOLOGY OF ANCIENT ROME, which aims to illustrate the level of technology to which ancient Rome had come through reconstructions, archaeological and photographic documentation. The power of the Roman Empire, based on technology as well as political organization, will be told in the science fair MACHINA. TECHNOLOGY OF ANCIENT ROME, hosted by the Museum of Roman Civilization from 23 December to 5 April 2010. For the first time will be unveiled to the public the secrets of the machines that have contributed to the construction and operation of the Empire.

The exhibition is organized by Rita Perceval Correnti, president of Association Piazza Duomo, and is promoted by the Cultural Policies and Communication – Superintendency of Cultural Heritage of the City of Rome and from Sapienza University of Rome with the help of Fondazione Roma.

The exhibit to the visitors offers more than 100 examples of technology divided between archaeological finds, reconstructions, virtual machines, mechanisms and works in scale. Some 47 imprints from the collections of the Museum of Roman Civilization and 32 fragments, including the unpublished from Antiquarium from municipal, enrich and complement the exhibition. Through exhibits, built from scratch by the Florentine craftsman Gabriele Niccolai based on studies of exhibits and testimony, you will understand the technological principles of operation of some of the most important (and interesting) machines built and used by Romans on their everyday lives.

-Rhodora has prepared for you a list with everything you must have on your table to celebrate the perfect Italian easter.

The Christian Easter is preceded by a period of penitence called Lent, which lasts 40 days.

In the last few days before Easter Sunday, in Italy, as in many Catholic countries, you will find different religious rites the evoke the Passion of Christ.
On the night of Friday, the streets are lit by torches and are crossed by crowded processions. Sometimes penitents are barefoot or in chains to make it more difficult and tiring journeys of redemption.

In the last few days before Easter Sunday, in Italy, as in many Catholic countries, you will find different religious rites the evoke the Passion of Christ.

Food is a central element. Italians love to meet on Sunday Easter to enjoy a good meal together. The food changes from region to region but  you might find  dishes common to everbody.

Here are the main ones:
1. Easter breakfast
The families of the central regions of Italy usually prepare a basket for the Easter breakfast. This basket contains a Easter capocollo, white wine and boiled eggs decorated with different colours by children. During Saturday before Easter, Italian used to go to  church for the basket blessing, according to a Catholic rite.

2. Bread and cakes
Under the period of Easter bread is enriched. There are several examples of Easter breads and cakes. The ingredients that are mostly used in all of them are cheese, bacon, olives, eggs and butter.

4. Lamb
As in many other Christian countries, the lamb is an important symbol of Easter and is the main dish for Easter dinner. One of the most famous specialties is the roast leg of lamb.

6. The Easter Dove This is the largest dessert in Easter and the most common gift that you can receive when you decide to invite someone over to Easter dinner. This is a cake shaped like a dove, covered with sugar and almonds.

7. Easter Eggs Italian children can’t wait to eat some chocolate eggs and discover the surprise inside of them!

Make a reservation at Hotel Des Artistes or Yes Hotel and enjoy this and many other Italian traditions!

-Raul rambles abut snow, miracles and the beauty of Rome

Today we had real snow in Rome for the first time in 25 years! (as we promptly reported on our brand-new Twitter account!)

I, being my usual lazy self, was sleeping this morning but the staff at the hotel managed to take the photos you are seeing on this post.

Snow is always a big event in Rome. We don’t have it very often over here and when it comes it’s always special, no matter how much it can slow down your day or the traffic. It brings out the child inside everyone. The local newspapers have covered extensively our 3 centimenters of snow and have asked readers to upload their photos, which they have done with enthusiasm. For a couple of days you will see some extra smiles on the streets.

Just to get an idea of how a peculiar an event is snow in Rome, consider that it’s literally considered a miracle. You can check the entire story on this previous post, but in short, according to the legend surrounding the foundation of Santa Maria Maggiore (a very important church located near Hotel Des Artistes and Yes Hotel) the location of the church was determined by the miracolous aparition of snow in that very spot of the city. In fact, every year the miracle is commemorated with petals of whites roses being thrown from the top of the basilica,  due to Rome’s notorious lack of real snow.

I guess this was a very special moment for those visiting Rome these days. It might be seen as a special wink from the city. But you know? I don’t think you have to wait other 25 years to have a special moment in Rome. This magical city has something to tell to everyone. All you have to do is come here ready to be greeted by the city with your own, personal miracle.