In Love with Rome

Top Ten Rome Monuments

2009-02-27T19:42:00.016+01:00

I will visit Rome soon and stay 5 days. What are the best places to see ?

5 days are ideal to visit and see all the beauties of Rome... Enjoy !

Top 10 Rome Monuments

1. Trevi Fountain

2. Colosseum

3. Roman Forum

4. Villa Borghese

5. Spanish Steps

6. Piazza del Popolo

7. Vatican City : Vatican Museum

8. Trastevere

9. Coppede

10. All Churches !

I was living in Trastevere... I love Trastevere !

And you, what is your Rome top 10 ?

All Roads Lead to Rome

Top World's Greenest Cities

2008-02-08T07:23:00.005+01:00

Rome, 1st Italian city, ranks 39th on the Top World's Greenest Places. Stockholm, Oslo, Munich and Paris are in the top 4, according to a study of Matthew Kahn, PhD, environmental economist at UCLA's Institute of the Environment (University of California Los Angeles).

He analysed 72 major international cities and rank them in terms of beeing green and livable. The sources included among others the World Bank's Development Economic Research Group Estimates, and his own reporting on local environmental laws, energy prices, garbage production and disposal, and parkland. It led him to

5 Key Environmental Lessons

1. You can always get greener
Even countries and cities with good standards have environmental problems. It's a never-ending process.

2. Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow
Problems focus attention on environmental issues and on taking action. But thinking about next generations must be more than a fashion idea. It must become a day-to-day reality.

3. Save The Forests And The Trees
Wild forests still thrive in Canada. They help Canada rating well for clean water and air, despite densely populated areas like Montreal. Forests make it a more balanced country.

4. Manage Progress for the benefit of all
Education in rich countries must help understanding the bad effects of this wealth : an enormous negative impact on the environment. Rich countries have a responsibility.

5. Turn Things Around While There's Still Time
Global environmental management requires global cooperation. For instance, all must be done to share with China the lastest technologies that can be used to develop clean, alternative energy.

Living Green - Full City Ranking

Living green - Full Country Ranking

All Roads Lead to Rome

Rome in 24 Hours

2008-02-07T08:27:00.005+01:00

After the party for the collection Roberto Cavalli at H&M, I have had a look at their web site. Guess what I have found ? This film

Rome in 24 hours

Choose "City Guides" "Rome the Guide", on the left side.

Be careful ! At the beginning, Marlene walks in my street ! Her favourite restaurant for lunch is Augusto, Trastevere.

Some fashion addresses H&M style (pdf)

TAD has skyrocket prices of course, but coming from Piazza del Popolo, atmosphere is nice and relaxing. If you eat something, cakes are at 8 Euro ... Coffees are cheaper !

Salotto 42 : On Saturday night, it was packed and music was too loud. I prefer... Chuuut, to be continued...

Rome, Fashion victim ?

All Roads Lead to Rome

Rome Theater Showtimes

2008-02-06T07:46:00.000+01:00

Rome is THE city of film and movies making in Italy. And it is not unusual at all to find a set in the center of Rome or near Circo Massimo.

Theater showtimes change on Friday. If you want to find the best location for you in Rome :

Find your Favorite Movies in Rome

Tip : Theaters are shown on a Google map. You can't miss it !

If you like figures :

Box office in Italy

Box office in the USA

Enjoy !

Weather Forecast in Rome : Clear

2008-02-05T08:09:00.003+01:00

You can now have a look at the weather daily forecast in rome, with the usual 5-days forecast.

You will know when to go out, visit a museum or come to Rome and visit us. Usually, the sun is shining 6 months on average. If you can, prefer periods from April to June and from September to October. Temperatures are ideal and there are a few less visitors.

Weather forecast in Rome

All Roads Lead to Rome

Cinema - Auditorium Parco della Musica

2008-02-04T08:54:00.002+01:00

Last Sunday at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, I didn't see Gérard Depardieu on the red carpet, but the Winx !

The Rome FilmFest is quiet over, but at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, you can see exhibitions too.

Fellini Oniricon - Drawings from Fellini about his dreams.
From October 17th to November 7th.

Roma - Set tra le Stelle - Black and white pictures from world famous 50's and 60's actors on the most beautiful set : the city of Rome.
This exhibition ends witht the fest.

Fortunately, I have taken some pictures !

Let's go to the Auditorium Parco della Musica !

TimTribu Street Lab at Termini Station

2007-11-12T07:55:00.000+01:00

Until November 10th, it was the TimTribu Street Lab at Termini station, in Rome. Skateboard, BMX, graph, DJ and Hip Hop were presented !

On November 3rd, it was the Break Dance Finals, in motion !

The second part is to get the feeling of what it was. Quality is not at its best. Thank you for your comprehension.

Peace !

Rome-New-York : The American Dream

2007-11-05T08:31:00.002+01:00

New-York : so close and at the same time so far away from Rome...

The New-York City marathon took place yesterday, as every year the first week-end of November. For having run the marathon, bridges are killers ! The marathon of Rome takes place in March.

New-York is told to be the second largest city of Italy after Rome. Lots of people from Rome settled in New-York, to follow the American dream or to survive...

Feelings from these expatriates :

1. The possibility to easy meet people of power
2. Stable commercial relations
3. Superficial personal relationships
4. More money for the scientific researches

One thing is clear, roman people keep in their heart the colors of the eternal city, fontains, promenades...

But they are still unused to the coffee made in USA !

And you, what is your Rome top 10 ?

All Roads Lead to Rome

Travel in Puglia - 1/5

2007-10-30T08:42:00.001+01:00

At last, here it comes ! Puglia in August. With pictures, of course ! Let's go !

Enlarge the map

From Trani to Bari

Trani : Sunset on the seaside, hidden from the wind. The dream of a summer evening.

Bari : Do not miss the old city, as the "new" one is not of such interest.

Enjoy your holidays !

To be continued...

Roberto Cavalli at H&M

2007-10-29T08:13:00.001+01:00

Late party in Rome last Thursday to launch Roberto Cavalli at H&M. No, I was not there !

You can look at some pictures at the blog Roberto Cavalli at H&M. I guess press release was enough for me. These kind of events are not my cup of tee...

Over the society life. Here is Roberto Cavalli at H&M !

Roberto Cavalli at H&M - Podcast

Roberto Cavalli at H&M - Everything

Rome, fashion victim ?

All Roads Lead to Rome

Rome - Life on a Stamp

2007-10-25T09:13:00.000+02:00

As said during RomaFil 2007, have a look at 2007 moments edited by the Italian post. Life on a stamp !

Source : Italian Post

Obviously, Rome, I have been living in for 2 years, is my first choice.

Ferrari in pole position

2007-10-23T07:59:00.000+02:00

At last ! Kimi Raikkonen won the formula 1 world championship with Ferrari. The red cars finished 1st and 2nd (Massa) at the Brazilian race of Interlagos.

Source : Ferrari - Copyrighted

The race was on TV in a few bars of Rome, among others Friends, not far away from Saint-Louis des Français. The "Tiffosi" were not numerous. With the cold of this windy Sunday, they mostly stayed at home. But they were not disappointed !

Source : Ferrari - Copyrighted

Italy : Blogs At Risk

2007-10-22T08:06:00.001+02:00

Beppe Grillo has been noisy one month ago in Italy and abroad. Maybe too much...

Here is the best of the worst : this draft law (pdf), approved by the Council of Ministers on October 12th. What is this about ?

1. Registering with the ROC - Article 6

Anyone doing some editorial work must register with the ROC, a register of the Communications Authority. This applies to web sites and blogs.

Who wants more bureaucracy ? Have you ever tried to change your license plate ? To get your residence permit ? To receive your unemployment benefits in Italy ? Good luck !

Who will register to edit a blog, one can create in a snap ?

2. Increasing Penal Liability on Internet

Registering with the ROC means providing certificates and paying a fiscal stamp. It also means blogs and other web sites will fall under the law of defamatory content. It was not the case before.

To become the law, this draft has to be discussed and approved by the Parliament. Then, the Communications Authority will indicate with regulations which people and which company will have to register.

I was not aware being in China !

Obviously, Beppe Grillo and Italian blogs will not give up so easily.

Let's make some noise for our Italian bloggers friends !

Long live the press, long live the blogs !

All Roads Lead to Rome

ConSeQuenze : Independent Film Festival

2007-10-19T08:26:00.000+02:00

Bellucci and Rome Film Fest are not all in life.

There is also Space and Freedom, the 1st International Independent Film Festival in Rome, presented by the cultural movement ConSeQuenze.

From October 12th to 28th, ConSeQuenze presents films, short and long, documentaries, but also concerts, poems and expositions of photos.

Ready ? Go ! Here is the agenda !

Long live the independant culture !

Cinema - Rome Film Fest 2007

2007-10-18T08:49:00.000+02:00

In one edition, Cinema Rome Film Fest has turned to be one of the major events of the roman agenda.

From October 18th to 27th, stars and movies shower. Already more than 20 000 tickets sold, hundred of accredited journalists.

The film fest is a wonderful opportunity for the city and its mayor, W. Veltroni, former journalist and found of american movies, to be seen.

Rome Film Fest - Daily Agenda

Rome Film Fest - All the films

Rome Film Fest - Web TV

2007-10-17T16:27:00.000+02:00

Today is the World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty.

Taken on the river side of the Tiber, coming back from work, these pictures of an old woman pushing his life ahead. She walks in the middle of the street, with the risk of an accident with a car.

Beggars are found everywhere in the city center of Rome. Street merchants and window cleaners wait for you at the traffic lights. Without speaking about people who live under the bridges. For each bridge, a community...

What we can do about it.

Veltroni, Head of the Democratic Party

2007-10-16T08:23:00.000+02:00

No, it was not the Sputnik orbit the earth, on Sunday evening, but the way to the top for Walter Veltroni, mayor of Rome.

Photo : E. LE BIAN - 13 juillet 2007

After the announcement (temporary) of the primary results of the Democratic Party (Pd), on Monday, there was no doubt any longer : more than 75% of the voters for Veltroni, out of more than 3 millions votes.

He will still be in charge of Rome, but he has something more in mind when shaving in the morning. Democratic Party will be totally new in its way of doing politics, its language, its nature. Well, this is the idea of its leader.

Photo : E. LE BIAN - 13 juillet 2007

Regarding Prodi, his position seems clear : "The Democratic Party will back up the action of the government till the end of the legislature."... or maybe not ! "The Democratic Party will come with responsible propositions of reforms for the government to find its balance..."

Pd is brand new. And its leader wants to "invent a new lexicon" !

New party, new leader, new lexicon and according to Veltroni "new way of doing politics". In a word : change.

Does it ring a bell in you ?

Green Drink for Everyone

2007-10-15T08:48:00.001+02:00

This is it ! Today is Blog Action Day.

One day, October 15th, one issue, the environment and 15 000 blogs united.

The environement is on the spotlight. If not, how do you explain Al Gore got the Nobel Peace Prize for his ecological show ? But above all, it's a necessity in a context of evergrowing overpopulation.

You may ask : and YOU, what do you do in Rome ? Well, we drink !

Not to forget, but to discover bamboo in a drink or... in a meal.

Some of the 1200 discovered species delight Chinese and Asian cooking.

Solid, light, flexible, bamboo can be used in construction materials, paper, clothes too. Researches are taken to create fuel based on bamboo.

Or how to eat and drink Green !

RomaFil 2007 - Life on a stamp

2007-10-12T07:59:00.001+02:00

Today is the philately's day in Italy. At the same time, Romafil 2007, the exposition for philatelists and stamp collectors, will open in Rome from October 12th to 14th.

Source : Italian Post

This year, Romafil 2007 will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the signature of the Treaty of Rome.

Source : Italian Post

Great moments of history can be recorded on such a small surface ! I will propose you next weeks to bring back to life these kind of events for the year 2007.

Life on a stamp !

Romafil 2007
Palazzo dei Congressi
Piazza John Kennedy 1
October 12th-13th from 9h30 AM to 18h30 PM
October 14th from 9h30 AM to 14h PM
Free entrance

Rome Real Time Traffic Info

2007-10-11T12:25:00.001+02:00

Back from holidays, all the city is on the road. Yes, it takes you 15mn to 30mn more to commute. If you still want to stay in love with Rome, just take a look at the

Live Traffic Information - Updated in Real-Time

Have a safe trip.

All Roads Lead to Rome

World Day Against The Death Penalty

2007-10-11T08:07:00.000+02:00

For the World Day against the Death Penalty, on October 10th, Amnesty International for the region Lazio will be at the Villa Ada, Rome, on Sunday, to collect signatures.

"On this year's World Day against the Death Penalty, Amnesty International is calling on the world's governments to vote for the UN resolution on a global moratorium on executions, which will be introduced at the current session of the UN General Assembly."

In 2006, 91% of all known executions took place in China, Iran, Irak, Pakistan, Sudan and the USA.

It has also been decided by the European Council that October 10th will be the European Day Against The Death Penalty.

If you wish to sign the petition launched in 2000 with the Community of Sant'Egidio.

Copyright : WCADP

The Community of Sant'Egidio, in Rome, is in the Trastevere district. Santa Maria in Trastevere, on the photo below, is where the prayer takes place.

Loustal at the Tricromia ArtGallery

2007-10-09T17:35:00.000+02:00

Loustal is the host of the Illustrator's International ArtGallery Tricromia, Via di Panico 35, Rome, until October 14th.

Loustal, who worked for the New Yorker (USA), was in dedicace on September 20th.

Click on the pictures to see his drawings !

7 Tips for Google Search

2007-10-09T07:06:00.000+02:00

Searching for something on the net ? Well, I guess you are, if you read this blog. But best is to find it ! No matter how good the search engine, for time reasons, we are only looking at the first 2 results pages.

To help you find what you are searching for, here are

7 Tips for Google Search

1. Quote [""]

Use [""] to find the exact terms, the way you are entering it in the bar. Enter [Google Search], you have 1 140 000 000 results ! Enter ["Google Search"], that narrows the search to 50 600 000 results. Isn't it better now ?

2. Minus Sign [-]

If you have results you want to exclude, use the minus sign. Enter [ice cream -chocolate]. Make sure you put a space before and not after the minus sign.

3. Multiply Sign [*]

If you search for 2 terms separated by other words. Enter [big * blue] and [big blue].

4. Two points [..]

If you search for dates, amounts, figures. Enter [500..1000 dollars].

5. Function [define:]

If you search for the definition of a word. Enter [define:gsm]

6. Function [site:]

If you search for an extension, a site. Enter ["rome" site:com]

7. Function [filetype:]

If you search for a particular file, for instance a Powerpoint file. Enter ["rome" filetype:ppt]

Final tip : You can't find your calculator ? Don't worry ! The calculator function is built-in. Enter [7+1], 7 tips, plus one.

Have a good search and find...it !

Invitation To Luxury In Rome

2007-10-08T07:56:00.000+02:00

I love my personal bank advisor ! He invited me to visit his palace last saturday.

I guess bank managers are the luckiest guys in Rome. They work in the most beautiful palaces of this city ! Once a year, people on the street (you and me !) may visit it, for free. Yes, I swear, for free.

11 palaces were opened in Rome for the 6th National Edition of this event "Invito a Palazzo". Luxury carpets, furnitures, ... The splendour of the past is still alive !

We finally know what Italian banks do with the monthly management fees we pay !