NO MORE LINES AT THE VATICAN!

It is finally possible to avoid standing in line to enter the Vatican Museums (but also the Colosseum, Uffizi and Accademia Galleries in Florence, and other major museums in Italy.) The cost of pre-purchased ticket it can be almost double of the regular price, but considering the long waits to enter these sites (sometime it can take even two hours!) it is definitely worth it.
If you are booking tours with NERONE TOURS ( http://www.nerone.cc ) and want to avoid standing in line, please let us know and we will do the booking for you! You will receive a voucher that you will need to present to the ticket office employee directly at the site, and will enter with no standing in line.
More information on request, please email to: nerone.cc@gmail.com

Legge Bersani

LEGGE BERSANI
informazioni

TAKING A SPIN IN NORTHERN LAZIO

"I look for abandoned empty houses so that I can fill them with my imagination..."
Tonino Guerra.

The countryside of Northern Lazio between Lake Bolsena and the river Tiber is a very charming part of Italy. This area is still out of the major touristic routes even if very close to the popular towns of Orvieto and Todi.

Very small, and often almost abandoned, villages lay on this hilly land like stars in a constellation... and visitors would need passion and a good map to navigate this sky! But around every bend of these charming Italian country roads you can discover a treasure.

It is by chance, during a spin on my own on a very fine Winter day, that I got lost between the rinkles of time and land, and arrived in the towns of Roccalvecce and Celleno at only about 20 minutes drive North of Viterbo.

I think that the feeling I had today, is very close to what a time-traveler would feel when coming out of his time-machine.

I would encourage every traveler to visit this beautiful, and still isolated, part of Italy.

For more information on day trips to Northern Lazio please contact us at nerone@nerone.cc or visit our website: www.nerone.cc (Nerone Made to Measure Tours in Italy)

The pictures are taken in Celleno (in the Province of Viterbo, Northern Lazio)

Ciao "Guardastelle"! the Man that Looks into Deep Sky

It is totally by chance that I have bumped into Paolo Candy, as I was looking for camera supplies on the web to take pictures of the night sky with my telescope... as it often happens the best encounters happen by total chance, or maybe fate...

In the picture: the telescope and dome of the "Cimini Astronomical Observatory"

My heart jumped when I realized that there was a great Astronomical Observatory in my neighborhood! To visit a real Observatory it had been my dream since I was a little boy. So I dropped Mr. Candy an email asking when I could go visit!

Paolo answered the next morning, a nice cheerful and welcoming reply! Invited me to go on the very same night, 6:30PM, when the sky was the best for deep-sky observation. I could not believe it!

As I arrived he was as friendly as a long time old friend, he made me feel comfortable and welcome and talked to me about stars, sky and optical instruments, as he was navigating the night sky with his telescope.

Paolo Candy has a degree in Astronomy and a great experience as teacher before he started his own project of creating this great Observatory, and a Planetarium (!), about ten years ago. He named his association CI.A.O.! The word CIAO is now world famous, as friendly greeting! No other name would have been more appropriate for Paolo's association! It stands for: "CImini Astronomical Observatory", where Cimini is the name of the mountains on top of which the observatory is built.

He writes books to present Astronomy to the public and help beginners. The Observatory is open for visits during night... and day too! ...when the Sun puts up a great show, on the stage on its own!

The highlights of my visit tonight were three: the wonderful vista of Sirius, brightest than the brightest diamond!; Orion's Nebula as I have never seen it before; and meeting and visiting with Paolo who's kindness, enthusiasm and professionalism go beyond your expectations.


Sergio (left) and Paolo (right) inside of the dome, by the 500mm Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.

If you are planning a visit to Rome and have time for a day trip, I would suggest the following itinerary: visit the city of Viterbo also known as the City of the Popes with its intact Medieval flavour; then a visit to the Villa Lante in Bagnaia, famous for its beautiful Renaissance gardens; and finally enjoy a visit to Paolo Candy's Astronomical Observatory (before or after dinner) to watch the Sun or explore the Night Sky with a very special guide, Paolo, in the spectacular setting of the Cimini mountains!

To organize your visit you can write to Nerone Made to Measure Tours in Italy. We can provide private guides, transportation and take care of all the aspects of the organization of your trip. For more information write to: nerone@nerone.cc or call US +1 773 661 4142

THE RE-OPENING OF THE DOMUS AUREA

From this Tuesday, Feb 6th 2007, the Domus Aurea (a portion of Nero's Palace) will re-open to the public for guided visit. The site is still undergoing restorations so the visitors will also be able to see these works in progress. Part of the itinerary includes the Nymphaeum of Ulisses e Polyphemus and the Hall with the Gilded Vault where visitors will be able to have a close look of the frescoes on the ceiling.

The Doums Aurea was closed to the public on Dec 12th, 2005 as its conditions required important restorations.

THE ROMAN CARNIVAL

ARE YOU READY FOR CARNIVAL? LET'S SEE...

Walking the streets of Rome this month you may notice children dressed in costumes throwing confetti and 'coriandoli' (coloured pieces of paper) of each other; normally you only throw coriandoli at the masks you like. You may meet a lot of them along Via Cola di Rienzo and perhaps wonder what is going on! Well, this is Carneval, a feast which still survives in this form and in many fancy-dress parties. Let's explore the story of this celebration and get some idea about how to enjoy this Carnevale Romano... The month of February, usually so cold and dark, does, however, contain the seeds of spring which soon burst into familiar scents and colours. Just as spring is the beginning of a new cycle, February represents the end of an old one. It was natural that this passage from winter to spring, representing the rebirth of nature, received special attention in a civilization whose economy was based on agriculture and was thus tied to the cycle of the seasons. Some pagan celebrations, with origins lost in the mists of time, continued into Papal Rome. Indeed, it would have been difficult for the Church to rid itself entirely of such deeply-felt ancient rites, so it chose not only to tolerate them, but also to imbue them with a new symbolism. Thus, through this archaic symbolism, those evolved into the Carnevale Romano that can be regarded as a rich aid in the comprehension of man's nature and fears. The Carnevale Romano, in the form described here, continued until about 100 years ago. We'll look for traces of it...

You can find the complete article on www.nerone.cc [ Articles Archive ]

Broccolo Leafs

The leaves of the Broccolo are usually cut and thrown away in the trash! but they can be the main ingredient for delicious dishes!

Broccolo Leaves with Cherry Tomatoes
Cut the leaves from the broccolo flower and wash them; then cut the leaves in thin long strips and boil them till they soft. Chop thinly one clove of garlic, parsley and cherry tomatoes and put this preparation in a pan with 2 spoons of olive oil. Let it coot 'till it becomes a nice looking sauce, then add the boiled broccolo leaves. Cover with a lid and let it cook for a while until the leaves and the sauce became well amalgamate and solf. While cooking put a pinch of salt and pepper.
Serve warm, and enjoy!

Broccolo Leaves with Red Wine
Cut the leaves from the broccolo and wash them, then cut them in half. Wash and rinse the leaves and put them in a large pan with half glass of water, one clove of garlic and one spoon of good olive oil (you can also prepare the garlic and oil before and let the garlic fry a little to give taste to the oil.) Put the leaves in the pan on medium fire and cover with lid. Let it cook for a while, but as the water evaporates and the cooking becomes dry, add some red wine and continue to cook until the broccolo leaves are soft and cooked. You can mild the taste of wine by mixing it with water. While cooking add salt and pepper as you please. You can also overcook the broccolo leaves until they became a little toasted.
Serve warm or cold as you like, and enjoy!

PS: In both recipes you can add a tiny little piece of chilly pepper to make the dish hot. It would be best to fry the chilly pepper with the garlic when warming up the oil.

Nerone Italian Lessons for Tourists PodCast

We thought... wouldn't it be fun and useful to teach basic Italian to those people planning a trip to Italy? Yes! it would be great fun! Now with podcasting technology it will also be easy! While we are experimenting and learning about podcasting, please send your suggestions so that we can help you better! We can gear our lessons to tourist necessities. Let us know what you would like to learn about, which are the situations you think you would like to get by using your Italian, which are those grammars you did not quite understand and which are the phrases you think it will be the most useful to know. We'll put together Weekly podcasts for you to listen and get ready for your trip!

MAC users in Rome

As a computer user I know how important it can be to know where to go for help and assistance when needed and especially when traveling! For all MAC users I recommend the following shop (for purchase) and the connected Customer Service Centre (if you need technical assistance), as they excel in courtesy and competence!

SHOP
Flaminia Computer
Apple Center
Via Flaminia 387
00196 Roma
TEL: +39 06.4543.9818 r.a.
FAX: +39 06.32111. 264
info@flaminiacomputer.it

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Via G. Calderini 54
00196 Roma
TEL: +39 06.4543.8551
assistenza@flaminiacomputer.it

From Piazzale Flaminio (Metro A stop) take the tram #2 (ask to get off as if you were going to the "Auditorium" the new Opera house of Rome - which is also well worth a visit!)

For assistance planning your visit to Italy you can visit our website at: www.nerone.cc

Alternative Shore Itinerary from the Port of Civitavecchia (Rome)

An alternative itinerary for a day trip from Civitavecchia (the sea port of Rome) when landing by Cruise Ship is a trip to the area of Northern Lazio, north of Lake Vico. The area North of Rome and between Lake Bracciano (Northern Lazio) and the Mount Amiata (Southern Tuscany) offers infinite possibilities for great trips in true Italian countryside. This area is rich of beautiful treasures not yet discovered by mass tourism!
Among the many option possible, here is an itinerary that can be done in one day giving that the ships rests at the dock for approx 12 hours (e.g. 7AM to 7PM.)

Orvieto, Civita di Bagnoregio, Montefiascone, Tuscania.

Itinerary:
Civitavecchia (start)
Orvieto (1h 40min drive)
Bagnoregio (30 min drive)
Montefiascone (15 min drive)
Tuscania (30 min drive)
Civitavecchia (45 min drive) end.

Or vice-versa
total driving time: 3h 40min
approx 6-7 hour to spend at sites

In the picture above: Church of St. Peter (Tuscania)
email us at nerone@nerone.cc for information on this tour

New Opening Hours for the Vatican Museums (y2007)

New opening hours of the Vatican Museums and Sistine chapel
Schedule for the year 2007
Vatican Museums open at 10:00AM (they used to open to the public at 8:45AM)
You can find the complete calendar for 2007 at:
www.vatican.va
schedule also published on www.nerone.cc (home page)

We think that the best time to go to the Vatican would be at around lunch (1-2PM) but check the closing time!

Wednesday morning may be a good time to go also, since many people will be at St. Peter's square for the weekly appointment with the Pope (Papal Audience)

In the picture above: Room of the Immaculate Conception (Vatican Museums)
email us at nerone@nerone.cc for information on this tour