Roseto Comunale

Roseta Comunale is a beautiful rose garden filled with different colored and kinds of roses. This rose garden is located in Aventine, Italy. Roseta Comunale is located on Viale del Circo Massimo which is walking distance to the Palatine Hill, which is visible while in the gardens. This rose garden was once a Jewish cemetery and its path ways are situated in the the shape of a Menorah. While walking through the rose garden I had not noticed the shape I was walking in however they did have a sign to tell a little history about the wonderful gardens.

The Roseta Comunale was peaceful and colorful. Roseta Comunale was quiet and just offered the sound of others talking and snapping pictures. There were a variety of colored roses that stood alone so they were easy to notice and walk around. The rose garden had a fresh smell due to the surroundings of trees and flowers. You really couldn't smell the roses all that much until you walked up to each one. Next to the roses, it provided the name of the type of rose you had been looking at. There were so many roses that jumped out in color and size it was hard to go in order around the garden. Roseta Comunale was extremely clean with only the sight of the walkways and roses. It took about a half hour to forty minutes to walk around the entire rose garden and was free of charge. I would recommend this site to anyone due to the beautiful sights and a place to get away from the loud noises of the city.

If you would like to find out more about this gorgeous rose garden please visit the following site:

"“Time Brings Roses”." Time Brings Roses. 04 June 2009 .

Castel Sant' Angelo

Today Sam and I had gone to Castel Sant' Angelo and walked through the historic site. The castle was finished and began it's roles in AD 139. Upon walking up the the castle it was massive and included a fortress. Castel Sant' Angelo has been used for a medieval prison, city wall, and a residence of many popes.

Castel Sant' Angelo offered museums inside that consisted of many paintings and artifacts, such as clothing, instruments and a baby carraige. Once you get to the top of the castle, you will find an excellent view looking over the city of Rome and to your right, once at the top of the stairs, you will see the Vatican and St. Peter's Dome. The views were magnificent inside and out. It cost 8 euros to go into the castle and it was worth it.



Publishing, DK. Rome (Eyewitness Travel Guides). New York: DK Travel, 2003.

Blue Ice

The summer heat in the city of Rome can be uncomfortable and can be solved simply with a cold refreshment. Gelato stands are visible all around Rome, but if you are in the square or around Campo de' Fiori, stop in at Blue Ice which is located on the side street of Via dei Baullari, right off the main square of Campo de' Fiori.

Blue Ice offers a variety of flavors ranging from chocolates to fruit flavored gelato. You can get flavors to mix together to satisfy your taste buds. The prices of gelato at Blue Ice range from 2 euro to 3,50 euro depending on the size and number of flavors you would like.

Picture link:
http://www.swiftcity.com/pictures/56/1154/2323.jpg

Milvian Bridge

Rome offers bridges throughout the city to cross over the Tiber River but the Ponte Milvio Bridge, also known as the Milvian Bridge offers more than just a pathway to the other side. The other day a group of us had gone to Rome's Milvian Bridge. The Milvian Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in Rome that was built in 206 B.C. Italy's citizens as well as tourists visit this bridge to resemble their love.

The walk was far and the look of the bridge is a little unsightly but the fairytale of this bridge was worth it. This bridge is aligned with locks and graffiti that state love quotes or sayings along the sides. The bridge is filled with padlocks on various chains located along the bridge that represent everlasting love. It is said that couples are to bring a padlock, can be written on and any size, lock it to one of the chains and toss the spare key to the lock into the Tiber River. If you would like to learn more about the bridge please visit the following site:

Mivian Bridge link

Festa della Repubblica

Every year on June 2 Rome, Italy holds a parade to celebrate the founding of Italian Republic. The parade took place up and down Via dei Fori Imperiali lining the streets with onlookers and government officials. All armed forces, police forces, fire brigade, and the Italian Red Cross all march down this long street for recognition and to celebrate.

The parade started off with the recognition of the President of Italian Republic,Giorgio Napolitano, who was driven down Via dei Fori Imperiali with cheers echoing down the street. I got the opportunity to experience this national holiday with the Roman people and it was great. Everyone was anxiously awaiting the start of the parade, which ended up being around 9:45 am. The streets were crowded with people watching as all the men and women in different forces marched down the street. In the moment of this parade, I could tell by the cheers and excitement from the crowd how proud the citizens were of their country as I am of mine.

Above are some picture I was able to take at the parade. The first one at the top left was a picture of the ongoing armed forces that stretched around to the other side of the Colosseum. The top right photograph is a picture of the military men and women marching and the last picture is a photograph of President Giorgio Napolitano being escorted in the car with security surrounding him.



Links:

"The “Festa della Repubblica” is the Italian national holiday." Welcome to Italian Week 2009 in Brisbane - THE ITALIAN FESTIVAL. 02 June 2009 .

"Giorgio Napolitano - biography." Presidenza della Repubblica. 02 June 2009 .

Accessories Anyone?

Italy has a variety of shops to choose from ranging in prices and items. Via del Corso is lined with shops on both sides of the famous street. Along the Via del Corso is a store called Accessories that offers a variety of items that will spice up an outfit! If your starting at the beginning of Via del Corso walking with your back to Il Vittoriano, the quaint shop is up about a mile on your left hand side.

Accessories sells jewelry, handbags, shoes, dress up clothing for kids, and hair accessories. Depending on your price range for jewelry and accessories, the accessories can be a little more pricier and better quality than the jewelry that Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe may offer, which are American stores that sells accessories for cheaper. I picked up a fabulous bracelet that was around 22 euro's and decided to wait. Most of the necklaces and bracelets ranged from 20 to 35 euros. So if you are looking to splurge on some nice looking jewelry with pretty good quality I suggest Accessories. They have a variety of items and colors to mix and match with an outfit!