Travel Italy: Vacation Packages, Tips, Tours of Italy

The historic town of Narni, Umbria, is hosting its annual medieval festival, the “Corsa all’Anello” — the Ring Race.

During the festival days the atmosphere of 14° century is being recreated in this hill town, with medieval sounds and colours evrywhere in the squares and streets. Medieval taverns, open for the festival, offer Umbrian specialties and wine in abundance.

The climax of the festival is on Saturday and Sunday (2nd week-end of May) when historical parades and a medieval tournament are taking place (the Ring Race is held Sunday afternoon).

Narni is in Umbria, just one hour by train away from Rome. So, it could also be an option for a day trip from Rome.

When: May 10 - 11 (annual, 2nd week-end of May) (For details, visit festival website: http://www.corsallanello.it/home_ing.htm)
Where: Narni (Umbria)
- View Narni on the map.
- Find accommodations in Umbria.

Hikers who love historic sights can find in the Umbria countryside one of the most scenic and major historic trails: the Franciscan Trail of Peace — Sentiero Francescano della Pace. Named after St. Francis — because the Saint used to walk there in the 13th century — the Franciscan Peace Trail was the ancient road linking two of the major medieval centers in Umbria, Assisi (view a video of Assisi; find out things to see in Assisi) and Gubbio.

Just less than 50 Km long, the trail goes trough the countryside of Umbria offering unique landscapes and a number of historic sights. It offers the possibility to visit castles, churches, abbeys, and ruins of medieval settlements mainly dating back between 12th and 13th century.

Most of visitors are used to break the tour into two or more days. Along the route there are many farmhouse, agritourism, B&B and other accommodation options.

The town of Assisi, is the sarting point of (more…)

From Pantheon to Piazza Navona to Ara Pacis, this short walk offers you major sights of Rome ranging from the pre-Christian to Baroque times.

- Pantheon
You can start this itinerary with a visit to the Pantheon. Originally built as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, destroyed in a huge fire in 80 AD, the Pantheon was rebuilt in 125 AD. Since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Christian church. It is currently the oldest standing domed structure in Rome.

- In Piazza della Minerva a stop is suggested to pay a visit at the Church della Minerva.

- Piazza Navona  
One of the most beautiful squares and finest example of Baroque in Rome, Piazza Navona was an ancient Roman circus. In the 1st century it was known as Stadium of Domitian, a place where the Romans came to watch the games. Among the famous monuments the square includes: Fountain of the Four Rivers by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (dates back 1651), Fountain of Nettuno (1574, located at the northern area of the square), Fountain of Moro (1576, located at the southern end of the square), the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, the Pamphili palace (1630), Palazzo Braschi.

- In Via della Pace a stop at the Church of Santa Maria della Pace.

- In Piazza di S.Apollinare: Palazzo Altemps, house of National Roman Museum.

- Finally, Ara Pacis, important monument built in between 13 and 9 B.C to celebrate the peace established in the Roman Empire after Augustus’s victories.
View map of the tour.

The “Festa of Calendimaggio“, held in Assisi, Umbria, is one of the major medieval festivals in Italy.

With medieval costume parades, archery, crossbow and flag-waving displays, Assisi offers visitors a unique medieval experience during the Calendimaggio days.

The 2008 festival starts April 30, however the major parades and events are taking place from May 8 to 10.
(see the programme on the festival website: http://www.calendimaggiodiassisi.it/home-ente.html).

Here a video of Assisi.
Find accommodations in Umbria.

The archaeological site of Ostia Antica is located just few km from the city center of Rome. It’s an ideal destination to combine an archaeological excursion with seaside activities (the beach of Ostia Lido is just few minutes away).

Located at the mouth of the Tiber river, Ostia was the port of ancient Rome. The most ancient archaeological remains currently visible in Ostia Antica date back to the third century B.C. (View photos of Ostia Antica).

- Getting there
The best way to get there is by taking one of the train running on the Roma - Ostia Lido railway. At the Piramide station (line B) take the train to Ostia Lido. Stop at Ostia Antica station. Then walk on the bridge located in front at the station and you’ll arrive at the entrance to the archaeological site.
View itinerary from Rome to Ostia Antica on the interactive map

Opening hours of the archaeological site: 8.30 AM to 6.00 PM (from March until October); 8.30 AM to 4.00 PM (from November until February).