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Nightlife in Rome Italy

info@addicted2italy.com (Jo Linsdell) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 10:56:18 +0000

Rome is known all over the world over for its extensive historical and artistic heritage but the capital city of Italy is also host to an active nightlife especially in the many student areas of the city. Rome offers something to suit all tastes and budgets from restaurants, bars and nightclubs to concerts and small casinos.

Nightlife in Rome

Disco pubs (called discoteche in Italian) are basically pubs that play music, often with a DJ, and have small areas where people can dance. They are popular in Rome and a vast variety can be found throughout the city.

In the area near Termini Station the Twinx is a popular choice and if you're in the centre Trinity College (located off a side street on Via Del Corso) and The Drunken Ship (in Campo Dei Fiori) are worth checking out.

The University area of San Lorenzo is packed full of different kinds of bars and pubs and as a student neighbourhood the prices tend to be slightly lower than in some other parts of the city. The area is also home to numerous pizzerie and kebab outlets.

Another student area is Trastevere (the John Cabot University is located here). Again you will find a broad range of bars, pubs and disco pubs at reasonable prices.

For upscale pubs and clubs try Alpheus or il 45 Giri in Ostiense or il Giba near Piazza Di Spagna. You will need to be dressed well in order to get in here and entrance costs around €30. Caffè de Paris is frequented by some of the most famous people in the world so if you fancy doing some VIP spotting this is the place to go but be prepared to pay high prices.

Nightclubs can be found throughout the city although, in most cases, in the centre you need to know where they are to be able to find them as big neon signs are not allowed on the ancient buildings and many have just a regular doorway at the entrance. Most are located in the area surrounding Campo dei Fiori and just behind Piazza Navona (pictured to the right).

The area of Testaccio is home to most of the larger and popular nightclubs. Radio Londra, il Coyote and L'Alibi for main stream and dance music and il Caruso for Latin American.

There are also several bars and nightclubs particularly for the gay, lesbian and trans community. Coming Out, which is a pub located near the coliseum, is one of the most famous. Some nightclubs also offer special evenings e.g. L'Alibi has 'La Domenica Trans' (Trans Sunday).

In the Summer months the main action moves towards the beach as many city nightclubs close and the masses flock to Ostia, Torvajanica and Fregene. These seaside towns become packed with nightlife and nightclubs on the beach are very popular.

If you don't fancy heading that far out, Capanelle is a must visit. Open both day and night, the structure is full of market stalls, restaurants, snack bars, pubs, clubs and music of all sorts. It also hosts concerts from both Italian and international stars.

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Alitalia summer specials from Los Angeles (LAX)

info@addicted2italy.com (Larry Aiello) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:48:36 +0000

Alitalia just announced some special fares from Los Angeles for nonstop summer service to Italy. And of course from Rome, you can access all the other cities in Italy through Alitalia (or even other airlines).

Tickets must be purchased by February 29, 2012, for travel anytime between May 18 and June 7, 2012. The fare requires 28 days advance purchase.

Take a look at some sample fares

Los Angeles (LAX) to Rome - $1,357 USD
Los Angeles (LAX) to Milan - $1,333 USD

Round-trip, taxes and fees included - For more information call Alitalia Airlines at 800.223.5730

Orange food fight in Italy

info@addicted2italy.com (Larry Aiello) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:17:34 +0000

One of the most peculiar of Italian festivals will start this upcoming weekend, which involves a giant orange food fight! It is a tradition that started in the 1100's.

Watch the video below for more information:

Where is the Italian waiter?

info@addicted2italy.com (Larry Aiello) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:09:35 +0000

Where is the Italian waiter?

One of the odd peculiarities about dining in Italy is that usually, the waiter will not bring you the check at the end of the meal until you ask for it (unless of course, it is way past closing time). It would be considered rude. In Italy, meals are done very leisurely, and often can take a few hours if you do it with the primo piatto, secondo piatto, fruit, dessert, etc. Not like the United States or Canada where "turning tables" translates into more profits, the Italian way of dining is a lot more relaxed. The Italian people would not look too kindly on a place if they felt like they were being rushed.

The way to ask for the check is:

"Il conto per favore"

More tips about dining in Italy

In Italy the use of the formal form (the third person: Lei) should be used when addressing your waiter or waitress. It is a highly valued profession, and many of them are trained for that career and paid a high salary, so please be polite and you will get good service. To get their attention, just raise your index finger, and try to make eye contact. Do not yell or shout across the room.

Table manners are also important, as Italians will rarely share their food with one another.

Here is some more Italian vocabulary

waiter = cameriere

waitress = cameriera

In some of the more formal restaurants, they will not even bring you a menu until you ask for it. The thinking is that you will want to spend time with your party in private before ordering your meal.

Sanremo Music Festival for 2012

info@addicted2italy.com (Larry Aiello) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:55:00 +0000

Italy's most famous music festival, Festival di Sanremo, or the Sanremo Music Festival (62nd annual), will be held from February 14th to 18th 2012, in the lovely and picturesque town of San Remo, Italia (Italy) in Teatro Ariston.

It is almost like the Emmy Awards for Italian music. There is a "Big Artists" section and a "Newcomer's" section. The festival has been a tradition since 1951 and has helped launch the careers of famous performers like Eros Ramazzotti, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Zucchero, Elisa, Giorgia and Massimo Ranieri.

This year Sanremo Music Festival

This year's host will be the same as last year's: Gianni Morandi (as well as a few other prominent Italian celebrities Ivana Mrazova, Rocco Papaleo, etc).

Morandi is an extemely popular Italian pop singer and entertainer and actually has won an award at the 1987 festival with the song Si può dare di più together with Enrico Ruggeri and Umberto Tozzi.

Last year, the winner of the Big Artists section was "Chiamami ancora amore" by Roberto Vecchioni and Claudio Guidetti. See video below, with introduction by Gianni Morandi.

In the newcomer's section, the 2011 winner was "Follia d'amore" by Raphael Gualazzi.

View the artists at the 2012 Sanremo Festival.

Importance of bread in Italian daily life

info@addicted2italy.com (Larry Aiello) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:58:42 +0000

To say that bread is an important part of the Italian daily-life and culture would be a huge understatement!

There was just an interesting statistic on RAI Television: 4 out of 5 Italians will buy bread and eat bread every day. In fact, when you go to most any restaurant, they will usually charge you a "pane e coperto", a service charge for the "bread and cover" for preparing the table, which of course includes some fresh bread to enjoy. Depending on the place, it usually runs a few Euros per person.

Oddly enough, the dark bread is still not as popular in Italy, despite its health benefits. Look at all the words that derive from bread

Pane - bread
Panificio - bakery
Pangrattato - bread crumbs
Panino - A toasted sanwich, usually with prosciutto and tomato
Pane di spagna - sponge cake
Pane tostato - Toasted Bread
Panettone - a sweet bread loaf, almost like fruit cake, popular during Christmas time
Pane bianco - white bread
Panettiere - baker
Panificatore - baker

Shortage of Bakers in Italy

In the more traditional southern regions of Italy, there are still many panifici (plural), and you can walk down many streets, and still enjoy the aromas of their craft as you walk by the bakery. However, in the more cosmopolitan northern regions, there is a shortage of qualified bread makers. In fact, the Italian government is now offering incentives for those interested in opening up a panifcio.

Road sign in Italy - Zona a Traffico Limitato

info@addicted2italy.com (Larry Aiello) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:50:57 +0000

Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL)

The sign you see below is a "Limited Traffic Zone" sign with the red circle meaning Do Not Enter.

In this case the sign is indicating that only taxis and other authorized vehicles are allowed to enter. Often times, there will be hours listed when the restriction is in effect.

You most always see these in the historical central part of town, or the "centro storico", where most Italian cities do not allow traffic because of the age of the roads, and the narrow-streets.

If your hotel is in one of these zones, you are often allowed to drive to your hotel (if you rent a car in Italy), but the hotel must clear it with the local police giving them your license plate number. It's a good idea to check with your hotel about parking, etc.

Dormitory Accommodations in Italy

info@addicted2italy.com (Jeanette Kramer) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:44:39 +0000

Hey everyone, I'm excited to have a guest blogger for this post giving a little different spin on a different accommodation option, one that is often overlooked, and can help save you money when you visit Italy. The end of the post is some contact information so you can get a promotion code.
Larry Aiello
-------------

Where to stay in Italy is a question asked by every traveler everywhere. The standard accommodation offerings include hotels, bed & breakfast, hostels, campsites, villa/apartment rentals and homestays.

One excellent option, which is not talked about enough, is dormitory and residence accommodations in Italy. While usually reserved for students only, universities and campuses across the world often open up this accommodation to travelers during the summer break. The latest and greatest in residential accommodation, open year-round to travelers and international students in Italy, is the beautiful and modern CampusX.

CampusX's new residential complexes are located in Rome, Chieti and Bari, Italy. Beyond the traditional dormitory, CampusX units are contemporary and bright, and comfortably accommodate one or 2 occupants. Each room is furnished with 1 or 2 beds, kitchenette, private bathroom, desk, closet and large window. On-site, the campus offers a cafeteria & snack bar, library for studying, leisure rooms, study halls, spaces for activities and sports, a semi-Olympic-size pool, fitness centre and sauna, outdoor common areas, Wi-Fi internet access throughout the campus, laundry services (token-style) and a video surveillance system to guarantee the safety and security of the guests. This affordable, progressive and clean accommodation is available for short and long-term stays and is suitable for backpackers, students, couples, families, tourists, anyone!

Promotion prices start at 35 Euro/night and are available through Latitude International Education Consulting. Contact info(@)latitudetravel.ca for a promotion code and "Goda del vostro soggiorno in Italia!".

Thanks and have a nice day!

Sincerely,
Jeanette Kramer

Jeanette Kramer is an international education consultant and photographer (view her photography blog) working for Latitude International Education and is based out of Vancouver, British-Columbia in Canada. You can follow her on twitter @jeanettekramer.

Update on the Costa Concordia from RAI Television

info@addicted2italy.com (Larry Aiello) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:29:25 +0000

I was just watching the news tonight on the Italian television (RAI International), and they were talking about the Concordia Disaster that happened off the coast of Giglio, Tuscany.

Dangerous Work

We really have to take our hats off to the folks that are assisting in the recovery efforts. They are risking their lives to look for survivors. The waters are cold and dark. They have to deal with all the chemicals, debris, etc. from the ship. The rescuers can not even see their hand in front of their face. In addition, the ship has recently moved about a meter and a half (4.5 feet). They showed that it is wedged on a type of sandbar on the floor of the sea, and they are afraid that the sandbar could give, and that the whole ship could end up submerged. Think of the environmental consequences of such an event, if that should occur.

How to get the ship out of the water

RAI television news showed a scenario on how they can get the ship out of the water. They showed gigantic balloons that would prop the ship up on the submerged side, and then have it towed back into port.

It's ironic, in my earlier post, Italy in Review 2011, I posted about the challenges that Italy went through last year with natural disasters, etc. And now they have another unfortunate circumstance to overcome.

As of right now, the number missing from a Yahoo! report is at 29, and the Captain of the ship is under house arrest.

Let's take time to pray for the families of those that may have lost a loved one. And also let's take this time out to thank all the people that help the general public that risk their lives everyday such as firemen, policemen, emergency workers, those that serve our military, etc.

Italy travel tip - no cramming!

info@addicted2italy.com (Larry Aiello) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:40:14 +0000

Italy travel tip - Try not to cram for your Italian vacation

Many of you probably are used to cramming for an exam, perhaps you did so in college or high-school to get that last minute studying in before the exam.

Many people go to Italy and try to do the same thing. They'll try to do Milan, Venice, Rome, Florence, Naples, etc. in a 7-day stretch. Did you know that in each of these cities, particularly Rome and Florence, that there is so much to do and see, you can easily spend a month and not see it all. These are cities that have thousands of years of history, it is impossible to see it all in a few hours.

I think you can have a much more enjoyable vacation if you just focus on one place, and try to do little day trips from your hub. For example, nice day trips from Florence can include Fiesole, Siena, Pisa and Lucca.

It's good to savor your Italian vacation - enjoy the gelato, the evening strolls (passeggiate), do some shopping, go to a local grocery store and buy a picnic lunch, etc.

It'll save you aggravation of traveling to another location, and it'll save you the expense of driving, gasoline, train tickets, etc. as well!

Buon viaggio!