August is a very particular time in Rome and finding things to do can be difficult. The heat is at its peak and the city can be pretty stuffy. For this reason, most of the Romans leave the city and head to the beach or into the mountains for the month of August to stay “al fresco.” Unfortunately, this renders Rome a bit empty! But not to worry because there is still plenty of things to do in Rome in August! It’s all about knowing what’s on and where it’s on! Here are a few suggestions of things to do in Rome in August.

August  5- Festa della Madonna della Neve

This is the “Feast of the Madonna of the Snow” that celebrates the miraculous fall of snow that took place in the 4^th century.  A re-enactment of the event takes place at Santa Maria Maggiore church with white petals. This is worth checking out when you are looking for things to do in Rome in August.

August 15- Ferragosta

“Ferragosta” marks the beginning of the summer holidays and the mass exodus from Rome.  Not to worry, though. There are still plenty of the things to do in Rome! On this day there are many  dance and music festivals around the city to celebrate  with those who remain!

Castel Sant’Angelo

From the 6^th of June up until the 9^th of September Castel Sant’Angelo becomes open to the public for concerts of all kinds of music as well as the possibility to visit the historical castle itself. The cost of entry is 10 euro and a full list of what’s on offer is available at. Mind-blowing atmosphere! http://www.beniculturali.it/mibac/export/MiBAC/sito-MiBAC/Contenuti/MibacUnif/Comunicati/visualizza_asset.html_2004707615.html

Le Terme di Caracalla

Talk about a unique atmosphere to see a show! The illustrious setting of the Baths of Caracalla offer a chilling and memorable experience of opera, classical music and other events. It is open until the 8^th of august and a full programme is available at http://www.romatoday.it/eventi/terme-di-caracalla-2012-programma.html

San Lorenzo Estate

San Lorenzo is a very sweet quarter of Rome. During the summer the main piazza hosts live music of all types from the afternoon right up until 02.00. You will also find little stalls where you can buy some really beautiful art, jewelry and clothes. It attracts a very friendly crown and promises a wonderfully relaxed night out.

Isola del Cinema

Along the river Tiber one can find “the Island of Cinema” where each night popular films are shown out in the open on a big screen! Unfortunately the films are in Italian with no subtitles which can be challenging for non-Italian speakers. But if you’re fortunate enough to know the language it’s the perfect spot to grab a movie with friends. Tickets are 6 euro! Full programme available at http://www.isoladelcinema.com/?lang=en

Roma Vintage

Directly across from the Baths of Caracalla is a funky spot called “Roma Vintage.” There is a big dance floor full of people dancing to vintage music and doing the twist! Also to be found are great food stands and jewelry stands! Guaranteed fun! Roma Vintage is open right up until the 15^th of August.

Lungo il Tevere

Right up until September there is so much to do along the Tiber. Whether  it’s a quiet walk to check out the stalls, or  a beer along the river or listening to the music on offer it’s perfect for a relaxes night out and is one of the best things to do in Rome!

Museums and sight seeing

Of course the museums and sights are all still open during the month of August. The churches and the Vatican are perfect for visiting in the afternoon when the sun is really boiling the city as they are fresh as can be! Outdoor visits should be kept for the morning or the late evening to avoid the strong rays of the sun, dehydration and exhaustion.

And finally if you are looking to see the Vatican or the Colosseum you can join us on a tour with Roman Empire Tours. You can also see our 5 star reviews on tripadvisor.

Rome is not only steeped in history and culture but it is also a fantastic place for a night out! As a first- timer in Rome I was amazed at the variety of clubs and bars that the city has to offer. Whatever you’re in to, the nightlife in Rome has a perfect spot for your tastes. Checking out the nightlife in Rome is a great way to get to know people as you can meet anybody and everybody! A really magical things about the night life in Rome is that you can grab a few beers with some friends and drink outside , whether it’s at the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori or along the Tiber. The piazzas are usually full of people and have a seriously great atmosphere. Here are some of best places to discover the night life in Rome, in my humble opinion!

Alien- Via Velletre 13-19

Alien is your typical strobe light disco but man, is it classy! It attracts a crowd of under 25’s and is known for its house, trance and garage music scene. It’s a great spot for a big group!

Black Out- Via Saturnia 18

Black out is a serious spot for British Pop, rock, grunge and Indie. Great, great fun! This is a serious place for a night out in Rome.

Circolo degli artisti- Via Casilina Vecchia 42

This spot is well worth a visit to discover an alternative side to night life in Rome. Circolo degli artisti is a kick- back- and –relax “centro sociale” where there are people lying on the grass enjoying a drink out in the open and where there are people dancing their socks off to the reggae, rock and on Saturdays 70’s beats. It’s a really magical spot!

Dub Club- Via dei Funari 21A

If you are a reggae dub fanatic like me then you will relish in the joys of this place. Sure, it’s small, smokey and sweaty but man oh man is there an atmosphere! It’s chock-a-block full of reggae lovers, wonderful and cheery people and some serious beats.

Forte Prenestino- Via Federico Delpino  Via Emilio Chiovenda

Up for some nightlife in Rome in a 19^th Century fortress? Then this is the underground cathedral for you! You’ll find some cracking drum and bass as well as reggae and dub beats.

Gender- Via Faleria 9

This is a night life not for the squeamish! It is an absolutely amazing spot though!  Aimed primarily for the gay and transgender scene, Gender is an experience of a lifetime! Well worth it.

Scholars Lounge Irish Pub and Club- Via del Plebiscito

Whether you’re Irish or any other nationality, this pub is like a home away from home for anyone. It is always wall to wall with a variety of nationalities and keeps going until 4am! Really friendly and smiley staff! Also you will not find a better pint of Guinness in Rome.

The best way to start your time in Rome is to join us on a Rome City tour that starts at the Spanish Steps at 6pm. We cover all the major attractions through out the city of Rome. You can also see our 5 star reviews on tripadvisor.

Written by Louise Kennedy

• Unmarried Roman Catholic Male
• Swiss Citizenship
• Aged between 19 and 30
• 5’8” or more
• Professional diploma or high school degree
• Trained in the Swiss military.

• Why Swiss? Because the Swiss mercenaries were regarded as the best in the world, they served many other Kings including those from France and Spain They wear their famous blue, yellow and red outfits for ceremonies. This style of uniform is one of the oldest uniforms to be continuously used in the world. Rumour has it that Michelangelo designed them, but that is probably not true.
• They carry pikes and swords for show, but they are trained in modern combat and counterterrorism.
• They live inside the Vatican in a special Swiss Army barracks.
• On the 6^th May 1527 nearly all the Swiss Guards were killed during the disastrous sack of Rome. This date is still commemorated by the guards, and is their swearing-in day.
• In 1981 Swiss Guards helped protect John Paul II during an assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square.
• In 1998 the Swiss Guard, Alois Estermann, and his wife were killed by another guard, Cédric Tornay, who immediately committed suicide. It is thought that Estermann and Tornay had had a short homosexual affair, before Tornay discovered Estermann had been sleeping with another guard. This was the first known murder in the Vatican for a hundred years.

To learn more about the Swiss Guards join us on a Vatican tour with Roman Empire Tours. You can also see our reviews on tripadvisor.

Mass times in St Peters Basilica are at the following times… Daily Mass Schedule: 9, 10, 11, 12AM and 5PM.
Sundays and Holiday Mass Schedule: 9, 10.30, 11.30AM and 12.15, 1, 4, 5.30PM.

It is also worth noting that the Pope comes out onto St Peters Square in front of the Basilica every Wednesdays in the Spring time and Autumn time and the Pope comes out his Papal window from his Papal apartments every Sunday at 12pm.

If you are interested in doing a tour of the Vatican you can join Roman Empire Tours at 2pm from Monday to Saturday.

You can also view our 5 star reviews on tripadvisor.

Thanks for reading about our mass times in St Peters Basilica and the Vatican.

Romulus and Remus were twins born to a Vestal Virgin and the semi mortal god, Herculeas. The Vestal Virgin was killed due to the fact that the Vestal Virgin did not remain a virgin. The twins Romulus and Remus were brought to an Etruscan king where a slave was ordered to have them killed. The slave who was to kill Romulus and Remus did not have the heart to kill them so he abandoned them by the river Tiber by Palatine hill. Legend has it that they were found and fed by a she wolf before they were later rescued by a shepard.

As the twins grew older and stronger they decided they wanted to build a city of their own. Romulus and Remus fought about what side of the river Tiber they would build their new city. The 1st bricks were laid for their new city on Palatine hill beside the Roman Forum.

The date given for the founding of Rome is the 21st of April 753B.C.

Romulus built a large wall surrounding his new city but Remus found that the wall was not high enough so Remus started hoping over the wall showing Romulus how easy it would be for their enemies to come in and out. Romulus decided that anyone who would cross over his wall would be punished so in a fit of rage Romulus killed his brother Remus and named the city of Rome after himself.

Is the story of Romulus or Remus a legend or a fact? We do know that the 1st king of Rome was a king named Romulus. Also, the language spoken in the Ancient Roman times was a form of Latin where the same work in Latin for she wolf is actually a slang word for prostitute in Ancient Rome. This word is Lupa! It would make a lot more since for Romulus and Remus to have been brought up by a prostitute rather than have been brought up by a she wolf!!

The symbol of Rome today is of Romulus and Remus being fed by a she wolf. You can still see it on the crest of the soccer club Roma, which is the main club in Rome.

To learn more about Romulus and Remus and all about Ancient Rome you can join us on an Ancient Rome tour that starts in the Roman Forum and finishes in the Colosseum avoiding all lines entering into the sites.

You can also see our 5 star reviews on tripadvisor.

1. The Emperor Nero became Emperor when he was only 16 years old. He became such a tyrant that history books claim him to be the 1st Anti-Christ.

2. The Emperor Nero made 3 attempts to kill his mother and was only successful after his 3rd attempt. He even organised a ship to sink knowing his mother was on it.

3. It is believed that the Emperor Nero set the city of Rome on fire in 64A.D. He blamed the fire of Rome on the Christians. There is even a legend that he fiddled while Rome burned.

4. The Emperor Nero crucified the 1st Pope, St Peter in 64A.D.(the same year as the fire of Rome). St Peter did not want to be crucified the same way as Christ so Nero had him crucified upside down.

5. The Emperor Nero was said to have been a very ugly man. He was short, over weight and suffered badly from acney. He was also not very hygienic.

6. Nero famously built a Golden Palace known as the Domus Aurea. It was built a 5th of the size of Rome including its gardens. It was 112 acres in total which makes it bigger than Vatican city. The fire of Rome in 64A.D created a lot of room for the Domus Aurea.

7. During excavations on the Emperor Nero’s Golden Palace it was discovered that his dining room could rotate!

8. The Emperor Nero killed his 1st wife because he thought she was having an affair. When it was discovered that she was not having an affair Nero said to kill her anyway as she should not have been under suspicion. Nero killed his 2nd wife when she was pregnant by beating her to death.

9. The Ancient Romans always hated when Nero preformed in Rome Theatre. He was so bad that woman would pretend to go into labor for a reason to leave the show. Modern historians say that Nero singing would have been like the Queen of England today pole dancing.

10. The Emperor Nero died in 68A.D at the age of 31. The senate forced Nero to kill himself. His last words were “what a great artist dies in me today” before he stabbed himself in the neck.

To learn more about the Roman Emperors, The Colosseum and the Ancient Romans you can join us on a tour of the Colosseum and Forum. You can also find our 5 star reviews on tripadvisor.

To learn more you can also join us as well on facebook.

You must print out this voucher and show it at the Vatican Museum entrance. You can walk straight to the front of the long line entering into the Vatican. The guard will scan your ticket and you will enter straight in. Also it is worth noting that the only way you can get to the Sistine Chapel is by going through the Vatican Museums.

Avoiding the line into the Vatican is much easier than you think and you will feel like a V.I.P walking by lines that can be up to 2 hours long.

The best time to enter the Vatican is 14.30 as the crowds generally die down the further into the afternoon.

I hope this has been helpful and that you enjoy your time in Rome. If you are interested in doing a tour you can join us on a Vatican tour with Roman Empire Tours. You can also see our 5 star reviews on tripadvisor.

Not only is it a technically great statue but there is alot of mystery to it as well. For example why is Marys face so young? Some say its Mary as a 14 year old girl having a vision of watching her son die 33 years later.

On the 21st of May 1972 a man called Laszlo Toth got a hammer to the Statue. He did so much damage to it that Marys nose was never found and during restoration they had to remove a lump of marble from Marys back to redesign the nose. Laszlo Toth was sentenced to 9 years in prison but was eventually moved to mental Institute where he spent just 2 years. He currently lives in Australia aged 72 years this year.

Although Michelangelo was only 23 when he completed the Statue, this was the last piece of art work he ever signed despite the fact he lived to be 89 years old.

If you want to learn more then check out our Vatican Museums Tour. You can also see our reviews on tripadvisor.

I have been living here in Rome for 5 years and never once had I to stand in line at the Colosseum. The entrance fee into the Colosseum and the Roman Forum is 12 euro but few people know that it is the exact same ticket. If you go to the Roman Forum 1st around 9am there is never a line to buy tickets. Even if you have little interest in visiting the Forum you can still purchase your ticket there and when you see the long line to buy tickets in the Colosseum you can walk directly past it. You will feel like a V.I.P walking by what is usually a 1hour and 45 minute line. The ticket itself is valid for 24 hour.

If you would lke to learn more about Rome and avoiding lines into other tourist sites you should join us on a Colosseum and Forum tour. You can also see our 5 star reviews on tripadvisor.

Enjoy avoiding the line into the Colosseum.

Where are the Spanish Steps?

The Spanish Steps are located in the centro storico (historic center) of Rome, Italy. The steps lead up to the Church of the Holy Trinity, in Piazza di Spagna.

How to get to the Spanish Steps:

The easiest way to get to the Spanish Steps is to take Metro A.  Get off at Spagna.  When you exit the metro station, take your first left. You can’t miss them!

There is also a taxi stand Spanish Steps if you would prefer to travel by car. There’s no need to take a taxi, though. The steps are within easy walking distance of the Trevi Fountain and many other Rome landmarks.

The Spanish Steps are just one stop on our Rome City Tour. Come take an evening stroll through the eternal city with us!

Spanish Steps Map:

For a full Rome Map, click here.