What to do with your downtime while in Rome?
Italy is one of the most charming places in the world. It's not just the magnificent surroundings, but also being caught in a time where people still stroll their neighborhood, meet friends on the street, chat with local shop keepers and baristas, and share photos of the new baby in your family with the owner of your favorite trattoria.
While you're soaking up some of Rome's ineffable atmosphere, there's plenty of fun to be had. Take a sunset stroll on the crest of the Gianicolo hill, do some shopping, or check out some of our favorite restaurants. And you might be here at just the right time to take advantage of some special shows and unique exhibitions!
Trajan: Building an Empire
Trajan was one of Rome’s golden emperors, famous for expanding the empire to its furthest limits. Today you can walk the ancient roads and shops of his most famous Rome building complex and climb to the top for incredible views over the ruins. With the 1900 year anniversary of the death of the emperor, the museum offers this special exhibit that asks the questions: what does it take to build an empire and what is the relationship between the Roman Empire and current Europe?
Dates: Now through 16 June 2018
Hours: Daily 9:30am – 7:30pm (last admission 6:30pm)
Cost: €15 adults
Location: Via IV Novembre, 94 (Piazza Venezia)
Link: www.mercatiditraiano.it
Fornasetti Design: Surrealism meets Antiquity
Who said art has to be so serious? The inimitable mid 20th century designer Piero Fornasetti drew inspiration from antiquity and from the Belle Epoque, and often but gave his work a humorous or surrealist twist. The stark rooms and ancient statues of Palazzo Altemps provide the perfect backdrop for this exhibition that will play with your conceptions of art and time and certainly make you laugh.
Dates: Now through 6 May, 2018
Hours: 9:00am – 7:45pm
Cost: €13 for adults and children
Location: Piazza di Sant'Apollinare, 46 (Piazza Navona)
Link: www.fornasetti.com
Hiroshige: Visions from Japan
Experience one of Japan’s most renowned artists in one of Rome’s best exhibition spaces. Considered the last great Japanese master of the ukiyo-e tradition, Hiroshige is known for his meditative landscapes. Don’t miss the opportunity to see these exquisite pieces on display on the Quirinal Hill. This exhibition is open late on weekends but reservations are recommended.
Dates: March 2018 through July 2018
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 10:00am – 8:00pm, Friday, Saturday: 10:00am – 10:30pm
Cost: €15 (includes audio-guide) and free for under 18
Address: Via XXIV Maggio, 16 (Quirinal Hill)
Link: www.scuderiequirinale.it
Klimt gets psychedelic: a new Virtual Reality Experience
An immersive video-installation exhibition of Gustav Klimt’s work seeks to show the artist from a new perspective – that of virtual reality. Dive into your favorite images with state of the art technology that creates the realistic sensation of physically entering the works. You can see every figurative and color detail in three dimensions in a vast didactic area that includes music and interactive multimedia tables.
Dates: Now through 12 June 2018
Hours: 10:00am – 7:30pm (last admission 6:30pm)
Cost: €13 adults, €10 students and over 65, €8 6-12, free for 6 and under
Address: San Giovanni Addolorata, Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, 74
Link: www.klimtexperience.com
Music under the stars: Summer performances at the Baths of Caracalla
This must be the most memorable venue in Rome for music, ballet and Opera. The shows range from concerts and operas to symphonies and dance all performed in the open air in the epic 3rd century ruins of the grandiose Baths of Emperor Caracalla. Enjoy a night at the opera that is truly unlike any other. This year’s round up includes Bjork, Ennio Morricone, Carmen, La Traviata, Romeo and Juliet and more.
Season schedule:
13 June – Bjork
14-15 June – Paolo Conte and His Orchestra
16-17 June – Ennio Morricone
3-20 July – La Traviata
14 July-2 August – Carmen
17-18 July – Roberto Bolle and Friends
27 July - 4 August – Romeo and Juliet
6 August Joan Baez
Location: The Baths of Caracalla near the Circus Maximus
Link: www.operaroma.it (click “Caracalla” in Menu for schedule) for details and prices
