A Week in Rome cont'd...
Have you been to Rome before or do you have a special interest? Our guides in Rome are top-notch. We’ve been working with them for years and they receive rave reviews from clients time and again. They love to create personal themed tours: (sculpture, underground Rome, Tosca in Rome, Rome for kids, Jewish Rome are some great examples), and especially love working with travelers who’ve done a little bit of homework in advance. (See Rome reading list)
If your visit coincides with a Wednesday, consider the possibility of attending the papal audience. Just let us know!
Possibilities abound! Why not head to the Borghese Gallery to view the Renaissance Art treasures of Rome? Or head outdoors for a leisurely walk down some of Rome’s greatest streets, explore the latest Italian fashions on the Via Condotti, or stop at a café on the Via Veneto, and don’t forget the gelato! We'll include restaurant suggestions for a romantic and memorable evening on the town.
A Brief Rome Reading List
428 AD : An Ordinary Year at the End of the Roman Empire by Giusto Triana
Snapshot of a great civilzation undergoing enormous change.
How Rome Fell: Death of a Superpower by Adrian Goldsworthy
Goldsworthy decribes his theory of how Romes numerous civil wars cumulatively brought down the mighty empire see a review here
This is Rome
A modern update on an original classic (first published in 1960) that introduces kids to Roman history and traces it to the present day while illustrating the famous landmakrs like the Trevi Fountain and Vatican City.
Guido Adelfio
Bethesda Travel Center LLC
4422 East West Highway
Bethesda MD 20814
Phone: 301-656-1670
Phone: 888-656-1670
Fax: 301-656-6244
Summer Travel Time
A Week in Rome!!!
Cruise South America with Holland America Line
Baths of Caracalla and Opera
sumptuous bath house in Rome. The Baths of Caracalla comprised a massive leisure center that could accommodate 2,000-3,000 people at once. In addition to the baths, the complex held Greek and Latin libraries, shops, beautiful mosaics, and gymnasiums.
Compression of Value
Conventional Wisdom among economists is that deflation hurts an economy... Any economists out there reading this?
In the travel industry, we have noticed deflation which has led to a "compression" of value. What this means is that high-end prices have dropped while mid-range prices are not falling. This represents a great opportunity to add that little something extra that will take your trip up from the level of a great vacation to an AMAZING trip you’ll be talking
about for years to come. "Compression" means you can spend about 10% more and improve to a 40% better trip. Or why not really get into it by spending just ~40% more for a 200% better trip!?! As always, each and every itinerary we design will be unique and specially designed just for you. We will work with you carefully to make sure you get optimal value for your money every time.
The infamous Emporer Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninu, was known as "Caracalla" because of the long cloak he always wore. He reigned only six years (211-217AD) but reformed the monetary system of the Roman empire, gave citizenship to all freemen and built a
Opera is performed amidst these impressive ruins and the summer season will be showing Carmen, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Tosca with a fabulous cast and what promises to be a superb performance. So be sure to let us know if you love the opera! More information is at the website for Terme di Caracalla
The Market is open Sundays (Elm Street) from 9am to 2pm with 25 vendors and on a smaller scale on Thursdays
(Bethesda Row) 3 to 7 pm.
Can you say 'Pitango' ?!?
Everyone knows the best gelato can only be had in Italy! But if you're in DC pining for a scoop of the delicious cool treat, you can now visit Pitango's new location on P street!
The gelato is as good as you can get outside of Italy and uses fresh milk from grass-feed cows on a Mennonite Farm, local organic fruits, and the best hazelnuts and pistachios (imported from Italy). Featuring flavors like Mojito,
Coconut, Granny Smith, and Bourbon Vanilla, it’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth... until your next Italian vacation that is!
Explore the exotic with Holland America Line’s offering of new South American itineraries for 2009-2010! Cruise itineraries include the Darwin Channel, Chilean Fjords, Strait of Magellan, Antarctic
overnight stays in Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Buenos Aires and Manaus, Brazil. There are a large variety of itineraries, ranging from 7 to 68 days.
So one is sure to meet your needs!
For an overview of Holland America's Cruise offeringsclick here
Bethesda Central Farm Market
other goods. The Market had its ribbon cutting on June 7 (Guido got his picture in the Gazette again!) and features everything from specialty meats to herbs to tomatoes, all produced within 100 miles of Bethesda!!
Augustus: The Life of Rome’s First Emperor by John B Ward-Perkins
Historical biography of Augustus life that reads like a novel and offers a new spin on his death at the hands of Livia, his wife.
Spend a week in Rome and you may just begin to understand why it is called the ‘Eternal City’!!
Founded by Romulus in 753BC, Rome literally oozes history and tradition. From the Colosseum to the Vatican, travelers can access a dizzying array of must-see ruins and ancient sites! To the visitor's delight, juxtaposed on this dramatic background is a vibrant modern city bustling with energy and offering eclectic neighborhoods, great nightlife, shopping, culture, and of course superb restaurants.
Bethesda Central Farm Market cont'd
And when you shop there, not only will you be supporting local farmers, but also giving back to the community as the Market is partnering with Give! and Manna Food Center to help provide fresh food for citizens in need in Montgomery Count, and will support the initiatives of Bethesda Green.
If you're interested in getting more involved and want to spend a few hours outdoors doing something fun, The Market is looking for volunteers to help with set up visitor welcome!
According to the founders (Mitch Berliner and Ann Brody), “our goal is to grow into a pivotal place in the neighborhood that provides sustainable food, supports the environment, and gives back to the community by helping the hungry.” So its time to get outside, enjoy the sunshine, and spend your Sundays shopping on Elm Street! BTC is proud to help make this all possible!
Check out this blog on the market by local foodwriter Thomas Head
Bethesda Travel Center is proud to be a sponsor of the brand new Bethesda Central Farm Market! Looking for fresh flowers or homemade jams? DC area residents now have a new place to buy fresh local produce and
It is designed to comprehensively provide for all your food needs, and besides fresh local produce, you will find flowers, seafood, artisanal breads and cheeses, select fresh meats and more! Read More
June 29 Farm Market Dinner at Assaggi
Assaggi Mozzerella Bar on Bethesda Ave will be hosting a farm dinner in conjunction with the Central Bethesda Farm Market on June 29. there are only a few seats left! See here for more info or send an email to reserve your spot.
With so much variety there is literally something for everyone. As with any other destination we will work with you to create a personalized itinerary tailored to you and your family’s specific interests and wishes.
Contemporary Art Museum Inaugurated in Lucca, Tuscany
Lucca has inaugurated a brand new contemporary art museum, located in the Renaissance Palazzo Bocella along the town’s canal, in the vicinity of the Roman ampitheatre and the the national museum of the Villa Guinigi. The museum was funded by a private foundation and is the only one of its kind in Tuscany. Conceived with the most modern technology, the museum is organized around rotating themes, renewed every three months and centered around rotating exhibits from the most important works in the world.
A "Rome 101" orientation tour within the first three days will help you to explore the must-see sites like the Forum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Piazza, the Pantheon... the list goes on.
Rome, of course, means the Vatican and it's best to get an early start for a detailed visit to the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel (reservations are a must) and then visit the main Basilica featuring Michelangelo’s Pietà statue. This is the home of Benedict XVI and most Sundays, the Pope gives a blessing at noon to the people assembled in the square.
Sound, Falkland Islands and other remarkable sites! Holland America features award winning shore excursions with more time in port than any other premium cruise line and offers
Special pricing is available on select itineraries for a limited time, so call us now for advice and to set up your reservations.
Looking for a winter vacation idea?
We know Rome's hotels! A location in Rome’s pedestrian district will put you right in the heart of the action! Some of the best times are to be had simply wandering around the neighborhoods and piazzas of this great city! Read More...
Tullio Lombardo and Venetian High Renaissance Sculpture at the National Gallery
Lombardo, master sculptor of the Renaissance, blended ancient and Renaissance styles to create brillant and evocative pieces depicting history, mythology, poetry, and philosophy. For the first time ever in the US, his high relief double portraits will be shown at the Nataional Gallery July 4 to November 1.
for more info see here.
Your itinerary should include a few days at your leisure to explore what you love best about Roma. Why not see some of the beautiful churches that have graced the City since the beginning of Christianity, with names like Sant’Agnese, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Santa Costanza, (and there are more!). Tour underground Rome including the Catacombs, San Celemente and the scavi in the Vatican (layers and layers of history). Or find a seat in a café around Piazza Navona and enjoy a leisurely meal while you soak up the verve and electricity of this ancient yet über-modern metropolis!
A week is just barely enough to scrape the surface of Rome! And its central location combines well with a trip to the northern lakes, south to the Amalfi Coast, or why not head to the Abruzzo region east of Rome, offering castle towns, great beaches and plenty more!
And best of all, BTC's very own Matteo Ruggeri's mother, curator of the Palazzo Grassi, hand carried the sculptures from Venice for the show!
Can you spot Guido?!?
