Whilst the glories of Rome and Italy have been known to us since childhood, the ruins, monuments, statues, art treasures and whole cities serve as a reminder of times gone by. The average Italian however is loath to think of his land as a museum or a tourist oasis. He is proud of his past, exuberant with the present and ever mindful of his future.

Italy of the ruins, Italy of the art treasures, Italy of the romantics, Italy of the sunshine, Italy of the tourist, in a short stay it is impossible to do more than scratch the surface of so bountiful a land.

Enjoy the climate, the scenery, the romantic atmosphere, appreciate the wonder of the art treasures, delve back into her past but leave space and appreciation for her present.

Poets have been inspired to write of the view of the city from the hills behind Naples “Vedi Napoli e poi muori” (See Naples then Die) but the Italian does not die, he lives, lives with a vivaciousness peculiar to his temperament. Let this temperament now welcome you to this historic land!

What to buy

• Italian silks, shirts and blouses. Borsalino hats, Florentine leather, olive wood musical tables, gloves, cameos, tortoiseshell, amber, handbags and souvenirs of every description
• Rosaries, Crosses, Statues and every type of religious article can be purchased in Rome
• In the Vatican city the shops can arrange to have the articles blessed by the Pope

Food and drink

• Spaghetti is the base of the Italian diet
• There are innumerable rice dishes with spices, meats, poultry, fish, etc.
• The Pizza Pie again is a national speciality (Baked Cheese and Tomato open-faced pie)
• Veal and Beef are usually good
• Fruits and Pastries are excellent
• Italian cooking is rich, saucy, spiced and very varied
• Northern Italians cook in butter but in the South oil is preferred
• Chianti, Frascati and Soave are the best known of the Italian wines. There are many excellent varieties of each

Hotels

By the sea near Castel Dell'Oro…

• Hotel Excelsior - Via Partenope
• Hotel Vesuvio - Via Partenope
• Hotel Continental - Via Partenope
• Hotel Royal - Via Partenope
• Hotel S. Lucia - Via Partenope

Town Centre…

• Ambassadors’ Palace - Via Medinato
• Londres e Ambasciatori - Piazza Municipio
• Hotel Mediterraneo - Via R. Bracco

Shopping

Gloves and handbags:

• BARRA, 27-28 Via San Carlo

Jewellery, Cameos, Tortoiseshell:

• A. DE CARD, 169-171 Santa Lucia
• G. APA, Torre de Greco
• M. & G. DONA pro, 137-139 Santa Lucia
• DEL PORTO, 165 Santa Lucia

Leather goods:

• PICCINI, 145 Via Chiaia

Italian shoes:

• SALVATORE FERRAGAMO, 60 Piazza Martini

Sportswear:

• LUISA SPAGNOLI, 200 Via Chiaia

Gentlemen's outfitters:

• S. BALBI, 260 Via Chiaia
• CORRADO DE CICCIO, 82 Via Chiaia
• G. MARINO, 284 Via Roma
• M. BALE, 266 Via Roma

Herculaneum

Unlike Pompeii, which was destroyed by fire and ash, Herculaneum was covered with volcanic mud. When the mud hardened it formed a plastic-like protective sheild which kept the ruins in a remarkably well preserved state. The excavators at Herculaneum have left the public buildings, monuments, houses, frescoes, statues and household articles exactly where they found them, giving visitors a unique opportunity to observe life as it existed in the year 79 A.D.

Amalfi

A small town looking over the Bay of Salerno and approached from Naples by perhaps one of the most beautiful routes in the World: The Amalfi Drive

Places of Interest

In and Around Rome

To pay adequate homage to Rome would require a visit of at least two weeks’ duration. Volumes have been written on the sights and treasures of Rome with her Architecture, Sculpture, Paintings, historic ruins, visual memories of her glorious past.

Those amongst you who make the trip to Rome should try in the limited time available to absorb some amongst the following:

The Vatican City

St. Peter's Basilica - don't miss the most beautiful Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's masterpieces

The Vatican Museum

Trevi Fountain (don't forget to throw in a coin);

The Colosseum

The largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and still the largest standing amphitheatre in the World

Principal Churches

• St. John Lutheran
• St. Paul's Outside the Walls
• St. Maria Maggiore

Other Sites

• The Catacombs
• Hadrian's Tomb
• The Forums
• Appian Way
• The Bridges over the Tiber
• The Borghese Gallery

The list could almost be endless. In spite of the energy absorbed in taking in so much, in so short a time, find time to feel Rome itself. Rome is Latin, Rome is noisy, Rome is gay, Rome is beautiful, full of expression, full of feeling, full of life!

Rome is smart and sophisticated and civilised. Rome does not just exist, it seems to breathe. Those who make the visit will not be sorry.