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.