As every spring from 1951 you will have the chance to admire one of the most beautiful sights the Eternal City has to offer: the stairs of the Spanish Steps will be embellished with flowerpots of azaleas as a colourful way to celebrate the arrival of the new season.

Why use Azaleas to celebrate spring? The answer, besides the fact that azaleas are beautiful and are in full flowering during April, is hard to guess. For some, the idea might be somehow connected to the legend of the Roman goddess Proserpine who escaped from her husband Pluto to go back to her mother Ceres, but due to a spell cast on her by her husband she had to spend six months on earth and the other six months in the underworld with him. According to the legend Proserpine, by going back to earth, gave start to spring and summer, while during the six months that she had to spend in the afterlife autumn and winter arrived on earth.

The dates can slightly vary in operation of the flowering of the azaleas, but the office of the tourism will provide all the necessary information.

If you’ll be in Rome in that period don’t miss this opportunity!!! The Spanish Steps are waiting to celebrate with you! Book at the Hotel Des Artistes or Yes Hotel located only a walk away from the Spanish Steps!

One of the most exciting sporting events in Rome is the annual Marathon which will see the city center turned into a pedestrian  zone with concerts, shows and performances

It will take place March 21, 2010 at 9.00am where the race will start at   Via dei Fori Imperiali, under the shadow of the Colisseum.

For those who would like to live a great day this marathon is a not-to-be-missed event. Even if you are not the sport type, there will be a parallel event, the “Roma Run”, a non-competitive 4 Km run for those who want to be part of the celebration but are not trained marathonists.

They also will activate the “Marathon Village”,there will be dining, health care items, bus service, radio service of civil protection, resuscitation centers: everything necessary to  enjoy of a sporting event in all safety

You can also be the protagonist by participating and obviously having the chance of winning this incredible race . Here at Yes Hotel and Hotel Des Artistes we will have many people from all over the world participating,  join us to make your dream a reality!

REGISTRATION FEES
• € 35.00 – until November 23, 2009
• € 42.00 – until December 21, 2009
• € 55.00 – until January 28, 2010
• € 65.00 – until March 8, 2010

Recommended changes or any requests and / or additions to the rankings will be accepted by 25.03.2010 and should be sent to the e-mail info@tds-live.com. Thereafter, standings will be final.

For more info please visit www.maratonadiroma.it

While people are visiting Rome is not unusual that they ask for a shopping centre where to buy clothes and souvenirs. Unfortunately (or fortunately) inside the city we don’t have such big mall; they are located quite far and sometimes it’s not so simple to reach those areas using the public transportation.

But in the city there it’s possible to visit free open markets where you’ll find many bargains- maybe not brand clothing but there, besides getting a good price you’ll get as well a glimpse into the most picturesque romanity.

The most famous street market one is Porta Portese but it’s open only on Sundays. During week days your best option is Via Sannio, where you’ll find cheap clothes, past seasons stock, military articles, camping, hunting and fishing stuff.

This market is actually open every day from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm and it’s closed on Sunday.Most of the stands from Via Sannio in fact moved on Sunday to the Porta Portese market.

Some curiosities: generally in Sannio street you can buy the “ brand clothes” with substantial discounts in comparison with the usual prices but be careful: in fact most of the things you see there are actually good imitations of famous designer’s ideas.

But not everything is counterfeit, on Via Sannio you’ll find too many second-hand things: a great chance to get a vintage piece of wardrobe that will add a unique touch to your look.

What might be special for foreign tourists is the atmosphere of this tangle of stands: colours, voices and characters who live together inside this small world.

Some colourful characters you can meet at Via Sannio are: the tree of junk, Sylvan the dirty, Gino the musician, Joao the Philippin, Mustafa the optician, Ric and Jan the leather-goods dealers, Mara the seller of sleepers, Fidel the revolutionary, Lella the ragwoman, Tarcisio the infamous, Jimmy the graphic artist, Ahmed and Anal the Libyans, the crazy hatter, Max the business man.

For more information about this peculiar urban celebrities you can check out :

http://www.ziofringuello.com/viasannio.html

Hotel Des Artistes and Yes Hotel are the best in accomodation in Rome. The knowledgeable staff and the high standards of service will make your stay in the Eterna City memorable, and their great location will allow you to explore many hidden angles of the “real” Rome, like the market in Via Sannio.

Directions: from Termini station line A until San Giovanni in Laterano and then you’ll see it just on the corner.

Our Blogger: Marcelo.

When you come to Rome, you are looking for answers. Rome is romantic, is exciting and full of life. It gives you a clue about our origin. It tells us something about how our civilization came to be. That is why is one of the most wonderful adventures. It’s a chance to discover ourselves. It tells us who we are and where are we coming from.

You may want to go deeper right to the Big Questions. Why not? Big questions regarding not only our society but Universe itself. Now in Rome you can find that answers too.

What is the origin and destiny of the Cosmos?

What are the Matter and Dark Energy, which occupy most of our Universe?

Are there parallel worlds?

What is exactly a black hole?

Tracking back all the sings coming from the most remote places in space and time. The whole Universe is sending us a message and technology give us the chance to grasp it.

This is what ‘’Astri e Particelle. Le Parole dell’Universo’’ (meaning ‘’Stars and Particles. The words of the Universe’’) is about .  this incredible exhibition will take place at the Palazzo delle Espozioni in Rome from 26th October 2009 to 14th February 2010.

Special effects in two and three dimensions. Gardens of galaxies displayed in all their beauty before your eyes. Information regarding many experiments related to light, gravity and basic particles. A glimpse of the great achievements of science.

If you feel like understanding and feeling the beauty of the Great Mystery, visit it.

The Palazzo delle Esposizione is located in Via Nazionale, 194. In the centre of Rome. Tickets are available from 7,00 euros to 15 euros. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: from 10:00 to 20:00, Friday and Saturday: from 10:00 to 22:30, Monday closed (it could change, check by phone first).

Our locations are very near to this exhibition. Check www.yeshotelrome.com or www.hoteldesartistes.com and make a booking today to enjoy everything Rome has to offer.

For further information:                                                        www.palazzoesposizioni.it.                                                                                 +39 06489411, +39 0668301087 (fax).

I’m sure that all of you have heard about the cow parade which already took place in numerous big and famous cities all over the world likes New York, Chicago, Sidney, London, Paris, San Paolo, Tokyo, Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro, Milan, Madrid. On it, colorful cow sculptures are shown in the streets of the cities and people are able not only to admire them, but also to interact with them

Finally is Rome’s turn: starting from August there will be available a preview of the event which will take place in the city from April the 12th till 12 of June 2010. The cows will be placed in different streets and squares of the Eternal City for the viewing pleasure of tourists and romans,

Join a world of creativity and charity. In fact all the money will be devolved trough Ageing Society.Besides the cow parade is actually is an important window for well-know and risings artists.

Stay with us and enjoy the cows!!!!! Here at Yes Hotel and Hotel Des Artistes we’ll be more than happy to give you all the suggestions and indications you need to have an icredible vacation in Rome.

Do you like flowers? In particular do you enjoy compositions with flowers?

If your answer is “yes” then we’re about to introduce you to one of the best events for you and one that i absolutely suggest you not to miss: the Infiorata, a flower festival that takes place in Genzano’s village very year in June.

Unfortunately my last time at the Infiorata had been 2 years ago and I invite you to visit their website in order to discover more about the old representation

Last year we talked about the Infiorata as well, so today I’ll try to say something different.

The history of the infiorata is strictly tied with religion and goes back on time at the XII century, when during the religious processions people use to throw petals of flowers. As time passed this costume evolved and people started to create small flower carpets in front of the houses built along the streets of the procession. Every year, the small carpet became every year a bit larger and more complex and now we have that the street which goes from the centre of the village to the Duomo is now like a huge, coloured, fragrant, carpet every year.

Believe me, it’s an extraordinary view!

A curiosity: a lot of famous people wrote something about the Infiorata. Some examples: In 1834,Hans Christian Andersen, wrote an article on “The Improvisator” ; Richard Voss did the same at “ Latium in the Italian and foreign writers”.

Why don’t take this beautiful chance to see something unique? Stay with us at Hotel des Artistes and take an afternoon to visit Genzano and The Infiorata.

If you loved the concept of a recent film with Ben Stiller you’re gonna love this idea: on may 16th 2009 many museums in Rome will be open to allow you to admire its treasures in a unique way.

Among the museums you”ll be able to admire you have Palazzo Massimo (near hotel Des Artistes and Yes Hotel!), The National Museum of the Diocletian Baths, and the Caracalla Baths. All these museums and monuments will be open from 8:00 P.M until 2:00 A.M. That day is Saturday, and as usual in Rome, you’ll have the subway working until 1:30, so getting around will be easy too. Besides, the entrance will be free- All you have to do is show up and have a great time!

This activity, that started on the year 2005, and is now followed on many other European cities is meant to invite citizens and tourists to rediscover museums and see them too as a place to develop social interactions. Many of the museums will organize special activities for that day, like Hadrian’s Villa, near Tivoli, where a night walk (with illumination of course) will take place.

Another tempting options are The Market of Trajan, The Capitoline Museums (an excelent choice!), The Pantheon and the Ara Pacis museum. All of them will be open during the night and the  entrance will be free.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to enjoy the cultural richness of Rome under (literally) a different light. Hotel des Artistes and Yes Hotel are great choices for accomodation not only for its incredibly convenient location, but also for its great comfort standards

Hi everyone! Do you really love antiquity ? then I have the right place for you: the street market in Square Augusto Imperatore, in Rome.

The mercatinis are a great occasion to bathe in the life of the city, walking among stands of every type. To look, to snoop, to touch, to make good business or simply to purchase a beautiful souvenir. The mercatino has returned vivacity’ to a plaza sometimes neglected by romans who rarely choose it as destination for their Sunday walk.

This Square is especially frequented by the inhabitants of the area and tourists feel always attracted by it. Now while you wait for the Easter, every third Sunday of the month, from 10.am.until sunset you can enjoy a nice walk in the market to find some pleasant temptations: ceramic or chocolate hand-painted eggs, floral decorations, silver pieces for your collection, postcards and ancient photos, postage stamps, old porcelain cups and so many other things.

Near the square there are many restaurants and a couple of museums, so you have  plenty of options to spend a very relaxed Sunday. Besides, here you are near the famous Via del Corso, packed with cafes and stores, so you can decide what to do after taking a look at the antiques: you can enjoy the local cuisine or do some shopping!

This might be a wonderful plan for a beautiful Sunday in Rome, and the best way to end such a wonderful day is to have some rest in a good located hotel with high standards of quality and comfort. Hotel Des Artistes, furnished with many antiques of the early 20th century, and Yes Hotel are both excelent options!

Rome is a very friendly city. It is considered one of the safest European capitals, whereas one of the most provincial ones as well, but this is a different story. It’s home to several international organizations, like FAO, IFAD and WFP, and hosts many small local volunteer and non-government organisations. One of them is very particular, in fact, it is called the Utopia City- La Città dell’Utopia.

Located in an abandoned small castle (Casale Garibaldi) on a hill in a prestigious area of Rome- San Paolo district. La Citta dell’Utopia is a volunteer project of devoted people, who dedicate their time and energy to different projects for development, immigration and integration.

La citta dell’Utopia offers a variety of courses for different people, starting from language courses, speaking communications and language exchange, the course of yoga, pilates, informatics, dances and many other.

La Citta dell’Utopia also organises nice ethnic dinners and concerts of different diaspora groups in Rome.

La Città dell’Utopia is meant to be a social and cultural laboratory working for a new model of local and global development: balanced, sustainable and fair. The main aim of this project is to make the most of the experiences and potentialities of local associations, groups, schools, cooperatives etc., offering the citizens opportunities to take part in the environmental and social development of the district, and at the same time creating a network for socialisation and solidarity initiatives.
The development model promoted by La Città dell’Utopia is based on the concept of “social capital”, which means the wealth of an area should not be valued through economic indicators, but according to the chances the area offers to increase social cohesion, inclusion and solidarity. That’s why the project focuses on active citizenship, individual and collective participation.

An utopy in action.

If you’re just visiting Rome as a tourist, but want to learn more about the social dynamics of the eternal city, my advice is to visit Utopia City. There you will be able to practice your Italian and definitely make new friends. These days La Citta dell’Utopia struggles to get renewed its rent contract , and if you do not feel indifferent to the social problems it may resolve please join the movement to save the only Utopia City in Rome.

LA CITTA’ DELL’UTOPIA

Via Valeriano 3F, near subway sation San Paolo (Blue Subway line)

The Reasearchers’ night is an event organised in the framework of the Week dedicated to the Science (22th – 27th September) and it will be held on September 26th, from 4.00 pm until after midnight in Frascati, 20 kms south of Rome, along the Tuscolana.

The project, involving 8 Italian regions and 40 European Sites, aims at fostering the knowledge of Science and Reasearch among the public and is promoted by some of the most outstanding Italian and European reasearch organizations, such as the CNR (National Research Council), Enea (Italian National Agency for New Technology, Energy, Environment), along with the ESA (European Space Agency) and the INAF (National Institute of Astrophysics).

The Researchers’ night is a free Event to one of the most impressive manifestation, where a variety of shows is available and a series of extraordinary inventions is presented. For instance the artificial nose, recognizing the finest smells,  the plastic bags made out of tomatoes, the interactive Lego robots, a talking face called “Lucia” who can smile, cry and get moved and, least but not last, the refreshing jacket: a terrific idea for these hot summer days in Rome, isn’t it? And if you are craving for a promenade on the via Flaminia Antica or for a visit in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padoa? Here you can do it! Virtually, of course…

The boring stereotype of the researcher being so fully immerged in their inventions and who gets no spare time left for fun and hobbies is simply over! Just an old cliché, as it’s shown in the section dedicated to the Researchers’ hobbies which include non professional music shows and chorus, games, sport activities, theatre and photographic exhibitions.

Thrilled by the idea but you think it’s too far away? If you book our lovely YES Hotel by the Central Station, then you will be able to take any of the direct trains, which leave from the main station of Termini and it will take just 20 minutes to get to Frascati.

For further information on Researchers’ Night, please visit:  www.researchersnight.it