Antico Forno ai Serpenti - the best pane, pizza and biscotti in town!

Rome’s Monti district is becoming increasing known as one of the best food area's of the city with many food shop openings recently. The most notable opening was that in December of Antico Forno ai Serpenti, a new bakery opened on the corner of Via dei Serpenti and Via Panisperna. The owner, Mr Alessandro Santomauro, a friend of Bellarome Italian Holidays commented:
"It’s a longstanding personal passion of mine, I’m a lawyer by training and I’ll continue practicing. After deciding to open the forno, my challenge was to find a bread maker/baker who could create the high quality traditional products that I envisioned and an architect to restore the space.  Luckily, I met the Conti family who agreed to work with me in this venture. The Conti family are very well known and talented in the art of bread and pastry making. They own the “Antico Forno di Trastevere. Sergio Conti is onsite daily testing and retesting his family recipes making sure our customers receive consistent delicious baked goods while his sister, Elisabetta, supervises the counter."

The name Antico Forno ai Serpenti was the name of the old original forno that was located in the same building, but closed a few years ago. The sign on Via Parnisperna speaks of a time past, of the old forno, so Mr Santomauro decided to keep the name but create a interior space that is visibly different. The forno is chameleonic; you can enjoy cornetti (croissant) for breakfast, lasagna for lunch or a quick after-work aperitivo. The specialities of the forno include pizza bianca (Roman style pizza usually topped with olive oil and salt and sold by weight), pizza rossa (Roman style pizza topped with tomato sauce) and traditional breads from the region of Lazio including cioriola romana (individual size bread) and lariano (loaves made from whole wheat, a natural yeast starter, simple yeast dough, salt and water). For sweets cornetti, ciambellone (bundt cake) and brutti ma buoni (ugly but good gluten free) cookies and of course panettone for the holiday season. 

Antico Forno ai Serpenti uses the the best local products, such as prosciutto di Bassiano and ricotta romana cheese which are both from the region of Lazio.  The forno aims to deliver an all around positive experience to its clients; high quality products, outstanding and friendly customer service and a warm atmosphere.  You can visit Antico Forno ai Serpenti on the corner of Via Parnisperna and Via dei Serpenti, Monday – Saturday from 7:00 am to 10:00pm and Sunday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.
If you would like to book a trip to Rome and a chance to see the most exciting new forno in town, please call one of the Bellarome dedicated team members 0844 993 4139 or Click here to send us an enquiry.

Spending Christmas and/or New Year's in Rome

Rome is where Christmas originated and has always been a top city to visit during the Christmas holiday season. The first Christmas mass took place at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the earliest known permanent nativity was created for the Rome Jubilee in 1300. The rich and colourful Christmas season officially opens on 8th December. Visiting Rome during the Christmas season is a whimsical and enchanting experience. You will discover just how pleasurable it is to stroll along the decorated streets of the eternal city; how heart-felt it is to take part in the papal audience on Christmas Day; and how filling it is to taste the scrumptious traditional fare on offer in the city's characteristic osterie. Thanks to the sunshine and the mild climate, it can be a pleasant winter treat to sit outdoors with a steaming cup of vin brulé (mulled wine). Click here for more information on Bellarome’s Rome Christmas package.

Also in Rome, the term "New Year's" just isn't big enough to encapsulate the level of excitement that builds after a joyous holiday season. For Italians, New Year's is the culmination of holiday merriment that has already been underway for weeks. It represents a time for family, a time for community, a feast of holiday food and drink, and symbolizes a time to wash away the past year in the hope of a prosperous New Year. Holiday celebrations in Rome extend through all of December until the 6th January, when the Festa della Befana signals the close of the holiday season. New Year's celebrations usually include open-air concerts, markets, festivals and all night activities in piazzas throughout Italy. At the stroke of midnight, tradition requires that lentils and cotechino are eaten to bring about wealth and prosperity in the New Year. Click here for more information on Bellarome’s Rome New Year’s package.

Rome is not the only great place to spend Christmas or New Year’s in Italy, with Bellarome you can also celebrate in many other locations, including Venice, Milan, Verona, Genoa, Naples, Florence, Turin and many more.
If you would like to book a Rome Christmas or New Year’s package deal, please call one of our dedicated team 0844 993 4139 or Click here to send us an enquiry.

Discover Rome’s Latest Great Sight

As one of the best kept secrets in Rome re-opens to the public Bellarome Italian Holidays is encouraging its clients to book holidays to Rome in order to see this beautiful site. Recent work has seen the popular street of Via Santa Maria completely rejuvenated, with the three gardens lying between il Tempio di Vesta and la Bocca Della Verita having been beautifully landscaped.
The first garden offers somewhere for tourists and locals alike to relax and enjoy their surroundings. The recent work has seen the garden raised and its now boasts a beautiful, open lawn.  The second garden is located where the roads coming from Lungotevere meet. This affords easy access to all three gardens from the popular Tiber embankment. The recent renovations have seen this second garden transformed into a small rose garden (or “Roseto”). It features various ancient and rare species and is something special to behold. The third garden, located at the extreme end closest to the Tempio di Vesta, is in the traditional Italian style.
A source at Bellarome Italian Holidays, said,
“The popular street of Via Santa Maria in Cosmedin has been totally transformed. The three gardens located between il Tempio di Vesta and la Bocca Della Verita have been beautifully landscaped… These gardens truly are a beautiful sight”
If you would like to book a trip to Rome, please call one of the Bellarome dedicated team members 0844 993 4139 or Click here to send us an enquiry.

Audrey Hepburn's Roman Holiday scooter on display in Rome Exhibition

A collection of dresses and other wardrobe treasures worn by Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn – along with the scooter she immortalised in her breakout role in "Roman Holiday" – goes on display on today in Rome. The Vespa scooter on which Hepburn explored the Eternal City with co-star Gregory Peck – the role that shot the petite and stylish British actress to international stardom – is foremost among the items featured in the "Audrey in Rome" exhibition at the Ara Pacis museum. Alongside the green Vespa, the display features Hepburn's oversized sunglasses, scarves and dresses. There are also some 150 photographs of Hepburn in Rome, many of them catching her going about her private life after she settled in the city following her marriage to Italian neuro-psychiatrist Andrea Dotti, with whom she had a son, Luca, in 1970. One shows Hepburn buying flowers; another walking her Yorkshire terrier. Part of the proceeds from the show will go to the UN Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), for which Hepburn served as a goodwill ambassador before dying of cancer in 1993 aged 63. [Source The Telegrapgh at www.telegrapgh.co.uk]

For more details on Rome package deals visit: http://www.bellarome.com/destinations/lazio/rome/rome-package-deals.asp or please call one of the Bellarome dedicated team members 0844 993 4139 or Click here to send us an enquiry.

Milan Fashion week dispute continues!

The organisers of the fashion weeks of New York, London, Milan and Paris are currently at loggerheads with an issue over clashing dates that threatens to destabilise the multibillion-pound global fashion industry. Milan has recently announced that its fashion week next September will overlap those of New York and London, meaning that if no solution can be found, department store buyers and fashion magazine editors would be forced to choose one city over another. Organisers at London and New York are upset with Milan Fashion Week organiser at Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana over this clash, but at spokesman from Milan claim that the blame lies with London and New York: "There is a serious misunderstanding, but if we have to go head to head, then we will."

British and American sources say the deal that was struck in 2008 that decreed that New York's fashion week would begin on the second Thursday of September, then followed consecutively by London, Milan and Paris was meant to stand permanently, but the Italians and French claim it was only agreed for three years. It is believed that New York and London are preparing an appeal to the largest Italian fashion companies for co-operation in changing the dates of Milan Fashion Week. However it is also thought that further pressure will be applied to the Milan organiser as London and New York claim they have already received informal support from some of the industry's largest retail and magazine interests that they will take precedence over Milan. Whichever decision is concluded, relations have been severely will be bruised.

For more details on Milan Fashion week package deals and other packages to Milan visit: http://www.bellarome.com/destinations/lombardy/milan/milan-package-deals.asp or please call one of the Bellarome dedicated team members 0844 993 4139 or Click here to send us an enquiry.

November/December Special Offers!

	Naples (2 nights) 5 Star Boutique London Gatwick | Grand Hotel Parker | £299 per person 4 Star London Gatwick | Best Western Hotel Paradiso | £199 per person Click here for more details
	Venice (2 nights) 5 Star Superior London Stansted | Hotel Boscolo Dei Dogi | £349 per person 4 Star London Stansted | Hotel Royal San Marco | £299 per person Click here for more details
	Rome (2 nights) 4 Star London Gatwick | Hotel Quirinale | £299 per person 3 Star London Gatwick | Hotel Windrose | £199 per person Click here for more details
	Milan (2 nights) 4 Star London Gatwick | Best Western Hotel Galles | £189 per person 4 Star Copenhagen | Grand Hotel Puccini | £199 per person Click here for more details
	Parma (2 nights) 3 Star London Stansted | My One Hotel Art | £119 per person 4 Star Copenhagen | Hotel Verdi | £179 per person Click here for more details
	Bologna (3 nights) 5 Star London Stansted | Grand Hotel Baglioni Majestic | £319 per person Click here for more details
	Trieste (2 nights) 4 Star London Stansted | Hotel Continentale | £189 per person Click here for more details

To enquire about one of the above deals please call one of our dedicated team on 0844 993 4139 or Click here to send us an enquiry.

We also have many other great holidays in Italy available at www.bellarome.com

SEND US YOUR REQUIREMENTS FOR ITALY AND WE WILL PROVIDE EXACTLY WHAT YOU REQUIRE!  

Thomas Di Benedetto completes take over of AS Roma

Italian Serie A football team AS Roma have officially become the first Italian team to follow suit of many English Premier League clubs by fallen into foreign hands after the recent takeover by the American investor, Thomas Di Benedetto. The consortium led by Benedetto took control of almost 70% shares of the ‘i Giallarossi’ for an estimated €71 million.

Until now, Italian football has had a tradition of producing local talent with club ownerships are kept inside Italy. However, this recent acquisition by Benedetto, co-owner of the Fenway Sports Group (parent company of  Liverpool), indicates that a new direction for Italian’s elite football clubs in nigh.

Benedetto is said to have been attracted the takeover of AS Roma due to the immense tourism culture in the city. Julian Movsesian, president of Newport Beach, California-based Succession Capital Alliance and one of the potential Roma investors, said the team hasn’t taken advantage of Rome’s tourism appeal. “It’s the main team in Rome, so when tourists arrive there should be tours of the stadium” Movsesian said in an interview. “The team has not done a good job at marketing”.

AS Roma’s home games are played at Stadio Olimpico. Last year, only €8.7 million was made from ticket sales, a tenth of Arsenal’s ticket sales at its Emirates Stadium in London. The Italian arena was only 56% full for Roma last season according to league statistics.  Benedetto and his consortium will look to draw on the popularity of the beautiful and historical city of Rome in order to generate profits.

Rome today is one of the most important tourist destinations of the world, due to the incalculable immensity of its archaeological and artistic treasures, as well as for the charm of its unique traditions. Rome receives an average of 7–10 million tourists a year, which sometimes doubles on holy years. The Colosseum (4 million tourists) and the Vatican Museums (4.2 million tourists) are amongst the most visited places in the world.

For more details on Rome Serie A football package deals visit: http://www.bellarome.com/destinations/lazio/rome/rome-package-deals/rome-serie-a-football-package.asp

And If you would like to book a trip to Rome without the football, please call one of the Bellarome dedicated team members 0844 993 4139 or Click here to send us an enquiry.

Rome bids to host 2020 Olympics

The 1st September 2011 deadline has now passed for bis to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXII Olympiad. Rome is among six cities from around the globe who have submitted the necessary application to host this prestigious event. The other five cities are Tokyo, Madrid, Istanbul, Doha (Qatar) and Baku (Azerbaijan). The Italian National Olympic Committee nominated the eternal city of Rome on May 19, 2010. Italy's capital city picked ahead of Venice as the country's bid for the 2020 Games. The city previously hosted the Summer Olympics in 1960. Rome has also hosted other major sporting events in the past, such as the 2009 World Aquatics Championships as well as the 1990 FIFA Football World Cup final. And more recently the Italian city of Turin hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

The decision on the venue for the 2020 Olympics will be announced by the International Olympic Committee in 2013. Italians were disappointed by the IOC’s decision to stage the 2004 Olympics in Athens and this time CONI President Giovanni Petracci thinks that Rome has a good chance as the bid is a strong one, commenting, “It’s going to be difficult, but not impossible”. Rome intends to revamp existing structures - including its 1960 Olympic stadium and facilities used to host the 2009 World Swimming Championships - while also building new ones.

The year 2020 coincides with the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary of the declaration of Rome as the capital of united Italy. The city of Rome has one of the longest histories of all the cities in the world and much evidence can seen today of it ovr 2000 year history, such as the famous Colosseum located in the historical centre of Rome.

If you would like to book a trip to Rome, please call one of the Bellarome dedicated team members 0844 993 4139 or Click here to send us an enquiry.

Italy’s 6 Nations Rugby games moved to Stadio Olimpico

The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) recently announced that Italy’s 2012 Six Nation Rugby cup games will be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The Stadium is home to AS Roma and Lazio Serie A Italian football teams and has been the venue for many great sporting events of the past such as four football European Cup finals, the 1990 football World Cup final and the 1960 Olympic Games. Stadio Flaminio has been the home of the Italian National team for the past 11 years but the FIR decided on the change in venue whilst the Stadio Flaminio undergoes the necessary refurbishment to bring it in line with Six Nations required standards. The National team enjoyed some historic games at the stadium, the most notable being the 22-21 victory over France in this year’s tournament and a 34-20 triumph over Scotland in their Six Nations debut. The FIR said that plans remain to return to Stadio Flaminio in the future, dissolving any further plans that Italy’s home matches would be moved to Florence.

‘’Choosing the Olimpico for 2012 is an exciting challenge for Italian rugby and we hope to be able to return to the Stadio Flaminio in the next few years when it fully responds to the specific requests of the Six Nations,’’ said FIR president Giancarlo Dondi

In 2012 Italy has been scheduled two home fixtures. On 11th February 2011, Italy takes on the current cup holders England, followed on 17th March when Scotland visit Rome to face the 'Azzuri'. For more details on 6 Nations Rugby package deals to Rome in 2012 visit this page: http://www.bellarome.com/destinations/lazio/rome/rome-package-deals/italy-6-nations-rugby-package.asp

If you would like to book a trip to Rome for Italy v England or Italy v Scotland in the Six Nations Rugby 2012, please call one of the Bellarome dedicated team members 0844 993 4139 or Click here to send us an enquiry.

New 'Complete Rome Experience' package

This new package from Bellarome Italian Holidays offers you everything you will need for the complete Roman experience including flights, accommodation, transfers, tours and a traditional Roman restaurant meal. This package has been designed as an affordable way to experience a true taste of Rome.

Day 1:
-Fly to Rome airport
-Take your private professional transfer to your hotel 
-Check in for 3 nights accommodation at a 3, 4 or 5 star hotel in centre of Rome (within walking distance of all the major sights)

Day 2:
-Take the CitySightseeing Roma hop-on/hop-off open top bus tour of the whole of Rome, you can hop-on and hop-off at any stop you wish and the ticket is valid for 48 hours.

Day 3:
-A second day on the CitySightseeing Roma hop-on/hop-off open top bus tour of the whole of Rome.
- Enjoy a delicious three course meal at the traditional Roman restaurant, Ristorante Tema for an authentic Italian dine-out experience.

Day 4:
-Check out of you hotel
-Take your private professional transfer to Rome airport
-Fly back home

Prices start from £259 per person

If you would like to book this package deal or you would like a customised package deal quote, please call one of our dedicated team 0844 993 4139 or email info@bellarome.com or Click here to send us an enquiry.

Bellarome launches brand new website!

Would you like a holiday in Italy? Take a look at the brand new website from Bellarome! You can search for your perfect trip to Italy by 'holiday type' or by 'destination'. You may like to search for your holiday in one of the following user friendly categories; Italy packages, group holidays, city breaks, beach holidays, stag & hen parties, couples holidays, accomodation, Italy tours or transfers. Alternatively, if you have a particular town, city or seaside resort in mind then use the quick search drop down menu. If you still can not find the holiday or service you are looking for then contact us via the contact form, quote form or info@bellarome.com and we will get back to you today with a price!

Bellarome is the premiere online provider of specialised and customised holidays in Italy. We take care of all your travel and activity needs during your trip to Italy.