Showing posts with label Piazza Navona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Piazza Navona. Show all posts

Friday, October 21, 2011

Via della Pace, Via di Tor Mellina, Vicolo delle Vacche.


The streets behind Piazza Navona are crowded with restaurants, pizza joints and bars, and hence lots of tourists, and if you are looking to photograph a bit of local atmosphere tourists somehow just don’t fit the bill.

How happy I was then to be able to photograph this group of real genuine Romans who run a restaurant in Via della Pace.




They were waiting to open up the restaurant, and so were just hanging about outside until opening time. We were chatting about the films that have been shot there, it being a location much favoured by film makers, and they have witnessed them all, including, most recently, Woody Allen’s upcoming (for 2012) film “The Bop Decameron” which he was in Rome shooting this August. Watch out for them in the film as I think they will make an appearance. Before him the stomach churning Eat Pray Love with Julie Roberts played out several scenes there, and among Italian films an unforgetable Alberto Sordi in Il Marchese Del Grillo and the 1961 film, “I Fantasmi di Roma.” (Ghosts of Rome) with Eduardo De Filippo, Vittorio Gassman and Marcello Mastroianni, three of the greatest Italian actors of the time (let’s face it, probably still).

Asking strangers if you can take their photo is problematic for a lot of people, and sometimes the moment would be gone if you did, like the picture of the little girl drinking at the fountain while she is photographed, probably by her grandmother, while her mum looks on.



I go by the maxim that if it’s an irrepeatable moment I’ll shoot first, ask questions later, but if I want to get closer to the person and present their personality then it’s simply imperative to ask their permission. That way the whole nature of the photo changes and in a few short seconds you try to create a very quick rapport with the person. If you have the right subject and you are convinced that something special can come out of it then hang in and get as much as you can. Don’t forget though this is not a studio situation. The best shots come after the subject has loosened up and got used to you, but remember that if you take too long over it he or she is going to get fed up. And always approach and shoot with a confident but friendly air, get your camera settings ready beforehand, rather than fiddle about with them later while the person you’re photographing starts to loose interest, or gets fidgetty. Lastly, don’t get nervous. You’ll pass this on to your subject immediately. So be relaxed and enjoy yourself.


Saturday, January 1, 2011

Rome Holiday Season-Piazza Navona


Piazza Navona Rome Italy Christmas

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

Friday, December 17, 2010

What do in Rome after The Vatican and St Peter's Basilica

 
Vatican Tour on a Rome Holiday












After the Vatican tour take a leisurely walk to Piazza Navona indirectly by crossing the bridge to Vittorio Emanuele II. After crossing take second right on Via Paola to Via Giulia. Enjoy Via Giulia all the way to Via dei Farnese. Take a left.

Nice wine bar in the Piazza Farnese square or keep walking through to Campo De' Fiori. Check it out:

http://www.webvisionitaly.com/category.php?id=221&ref_genre=&ref_item=180

Then I'd head over to Piazza Navona To the west of Piazza Navona, behind Brazilian Embassy, is the Via Della Pace neighborhood. There go to Raphael Hotel roof for a drink. Even better if the sun has not set yet.

And you can go shopping in that neighborhood on Via dei Coronari.

And there is plenty of nice Rome holiday trattoria around too:


Our favorite thing to do in Rome is wander.

-Motorino Man

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Rome Walking Tour - Bernini's Baroque Rome

Gian Lorenzo Bernini was born 1598 and is considered the embodiment of Italian Baroque. Join WebVisionItaly.com for a walking tour of Bernini's Rome from his early works at the Galleria Borghese to everyone's favorite Ecstasy of St. Teresa to his final years as the architect of the Vatican. Bernini started as a portrait painter but was recognized early as a great talent in sculptor. Bernini strived to unite the three arts, architecture, painting, and sculpture and used different mediums and light to achieve this dream. Enjoy this Bernini walking tour which includes the fountain in Piazza di Spagna and the fountain in Piazza Barberini. Bernini's most famous and most complex fountains may be found in Piazza Navona where he built the Fontana del Moro and the Fountain of Four Rivers.





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Sunday, December 21, 2008

Rome Restaurant-Trattoria in Rome's Centro Storico-Map to Restaurants in Rome


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Map of Rome - updates happening all the time. Bookmark this blog page so you may check back often for new restuarants, caffes, shopping, and things to do in Rome.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Rome Tour: Rome Walking Tour Maps-Heart of Rome-Walk Heart of Rome Map

This map of Rome's heart, the centro storico, is the Rome walking tour map we like to follow upon arrival in Rome to get our legs back while walking and sightseeing in the heart of Rome's centro storico.

Of course, this idea of walking in Rome is not new to the Romans. The passeggiata, the evening stroll, is as old as Rome itself. An Italian social ritual like penguins on parade, la passeggiata is the art of taking an evening walk in Rome.

When going to Rome, bring band-aids and VERY comfortable shoes. Or rent a motorino!

Rome Map: Rome sightseeing tour walk Via Arenula to Campo De' Fiori

This walking tour of Rome's heart, the centro storico, begins at Largo Argentina, the bus stop in Rome's centro storico, on Vittorio Emanuele and Via Arenula. From there we walk south to the little park on the west side - the right side of the street. There we take right, going west down Via dei Giubbonari, to Campo de' Fiori.

Rome Map: Via Arenula and Via del Falegnami to Campo de' Fiori.

This walk takes about 7 minutes or all afternoon depending on the pace.


Campo de' Fiori to Piazza Farnese to Michelangelo Arch Via Giulia
From Campo de’Fiori to Piazza Farnese is one minute, with a walk down to Via Giulia and Michelangelo’s Arch about 5 minutes.

Rome Map: Campo de' Fiori to Piazza Farnese, Via Giulia and Michelangelo's Arch:



Via Giulia to Vatican
From this point walking on Via Giulia to the Vatican walking west, across Ponte Vittorio Emanuele takes about 25 minutes.

Rome Map: Via Giulia Michelangelo's Arch to Vatican City St Peter's Square:



Campo de' Fiori to Piazza Navona
Exit Campo de'Fiori walking west on Via dei Cappellari for the longer route to Via del Governo Vecchio and Piazza Navona, 10 minutes.

Rome Map: Campo de' Fiori to Piazza Navona:



or exit Campo de’ Fiori north west side to Via di Pasquino for quicker route to Piazza Navona and Via del Governo Vecchio, 4 minutes walking by foot.

Rome Map: Campo de' Fiori to Via di Pasquino and Piazza Navona:



On Via del Governo Vecchio you’ll find caffes etc For dinner I would eat like a Roman with Romans going off Governo Vecchio north on Via del Corallo to Piazza Fico for dinner at Da Francesco trattoria. Another good one off Governo Vecchio north on Via di Parione is Cucina Romana Virginiae.

Either way you go from Campo de' Fiori to Piazza Navona, cross Vittorio Emanuele II, which to the west brings you to Vatican in 25 minutes by foot.

Rome Map: Largo Argentina to Vatican City, St. Peter's Square and Basilica:



From Piazza Fico and Via Corallo we stroll toward Via della Pace and Via Parione for a drink with the hipsters at Caffe della Pace, or continuing straight into the Piazza Navona on Via de Tor Millina

Rome Map: Piazza Fico and Via della Pace to Piazza Navona to Pantheon:



Exit Piazza Navona opposite side on Corsia Agonale – cross the main street there Rinasciemento, take left, then first right – Via del Salvatore – walk straight and then you are in for the treat of your life when you see the greatest of Roman buildings, Brunelleschi’s inspiration for Il Dumo in Firenze, the Pantheon at night.

Rome Map: Piazza Navona to Pantheon:



Pantheon to Largo Argentina
If you stand in square, looking at Pantheon, the street to the right of Pantheon, running parallel – follow that straight, crossing Vittorio Emanuele, you will find the starting point due south. (5 minutes)

Rome Map: Pantheon to Vittorio Emanuele, Largo Argentina, and Ghetto neighborhood:



To the left of Pantheon is Santa Maria Minerva, in front is Bernini-designed elephant with an Egyptian obelisk on top - Pulcino della Monerva, an ancient and baroque mix. The Latin inscription on the base, chosen by the pope who commissioned the sculpture to support the obelisk found on the site, Alexander VII, says "...a strong mind is needed to support a solid knowledge".

Pantheon to Spanish Steps
If you still have legs, go opposite direction toward Campo Marzo, then on to Piazza San Lorenzo, and on to Via dei Condotti (15 minutes). There a few good gelato shops along the route, plenty of nice boutiques and a real pleasant walk.

Rome Map: Pantheon to Campo Marzo and Piazza San Lorenzo:



When you get to Via Condotti, take right to Spanish Steps. Walk down Rome’s high fashion runway to Piazza Spagna. (7 minutes)

Rome Map: Campo Marzo and Pantheon to Piazza Spagna (Spanish Steps):



From Spanish Steps to the left is Piazza Popolo, where among other sites is a wonderful Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit

Rome Map: Piazza Spagna to Piazza Popolo:



Via Margutta, well known for its art galleries, very high end fashion and from the film Roman Holiday, is a very pretty street for a stroll on the way to Piazza Popolo from Piazza Spagna (4 minutes). You'll find art studios above galleries, boutique fashion stores, and modern Roman restaurants.

Rome Map: Via Margutta:



Great spot for lunch opposite direction from Spanish Steps is Settimio all’Arancio on Via Arancio. After lunch cross Tiber on Ponte Cavour, where you are 10 minutes from Castel Sant'Angelo and 20 minutes from Vatican.

From Spanish steps we walk toward Trevi Fountain (Fontana Trevi) by winding our way through the streets.

Rome Map: Piazza Spagna (Spanish Steps) to Trevi Fountain. (10 minutes



Exit Trevi on Via de Crociferi, or Via della Muratte if you like street markets, to the Via del Corso, taking right then left into Piazza Colonna –The Column of Marcus Aurelius, a Doric column with a spiral relief, built in honor of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius and modeled on Trajan's Column. Built in 200, it still stands on its original site, the heart of Rome in front of Palazzo Chigi – one of our favorites. (5 minutes)


Rome Map: Trevi Fountain to Piazza Colonna - Heart of Rome:


Rome Map: Campo Marzo is west of Piazza Colonna (1 minute):

Piazza Colonna to Pantheon (5 minutes):


From there you can head toward Via di Sant’Ignazio – do go inside to see the “Dome”. (5 minutes)



Excellent restaurant in front of Sant’Ignazio. Between Piazza Colonna and Sant’Ignazio is Via di Pietra, with an ancient temple under restoration.

Vittoria Emanuele II and Via Arenula from Sant'Iganzio to complete the walking tour of Rome's centro storico, wind through Rome's medieval streets to Largo Argentina and the ancient ruins (15 minutes):



Rome Map-Centro Storico:


This walking circle around Rome's centro storico may be tightened and widened using similar pattern. Rome by foot is a great way to explore the ancient city's streets. You may spend days in Rome exploring it by winding and unwinding in a spiral fashion.

On New Years Day in Rome, the Romans are on parade walking down the closed Via del Corso eating fava beans for good luck the passeggiata really finds it meaning. And then each day of the year Romans give thanks and stay in shape by taking a Passeggiata each evening. Enjoy Rome by foot.

WebVisionItaly's walking maps of Rome below. WebVisionItaly's Google walking maps of Rome may be toggled so you that one map with all the highlights may be printed.

For more maps of Italy and video of Italy visit www.webvisionitaly.com, the only Internet TV network in English about Italy travel.