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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2014 THIS WEEK 38 Why go? Whether you are in Rome for three days, three weeks or three months, there is something fasci- nating about the city, where old and new stand side by side. Whether you are there just to laze about in cafés, do some shopping or check out the incredible historical sites, Rome is no less impressive today than it was at the height of the Roman Empire. Ancient, Renaissance, Baroque, contemporary, political, papal, pas- sionate, vivacious, frivolous, monu- mental – Rome's got it all. What to do? Take a tour around the imposing Colosseum where gladiators fought to the death for the entertainment of rich and poor alike. Originally known as the Flavian Amphithea- tre, the 188m-long and 156m-wide structure was commissioned in 72 AD by Emperor Vespasian. 80 arch- ways provide easy access to 55,000 spectators who were seated accord- ing to rank. Just outside the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine, a 25m-high monument built to mark the vic- tory of Constatine over Maxentius at Pons Milvius. Pay a visit to the pagan temple. The Roman Pantheon is the most well- preserved and inf luential building of Ancient Rome. The temple was built by Emperor Hadrian to re- place Augustus' friend and Com- mander Marcus Agrippa's Panthe- on of 27BC, which was burnt to the ground in 80AD. Visit the smallest State in the world, the Vatican City, with its variety of treasures from St Peter's Basilica, Castel Sant Angelo, the 11 Vatican Museums, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Gardens. The Fontana di Trevi is the larg- est most famous Baroque fountain in Rome. Toss a coin in the foun- tain and make a wish as Neptune watches over. Italy is famous for its food and its fashion so while in Rome, take a look around the shops. Though it is an expensive city you will find good value for money on leather items – shoes, bags, belts and gloves, and decorative items. Check out Via Borgognona in the area around Piazza di Spagna for the designer labels – Prada, Valentino, Gucci, Fendi, Missoni and Armani. The lively open air markets are open from Monday to Saturday where you can pick up myriad of items from fresh f lowers to fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, spices, decorative items, toys and kitchen utensils. Where to stay? Hotel Palazzo Manfredi (www. palazzomanfredi.com) boasts a truly magnificent location, directly opposite the Colosseum. The view from the boutique hotel's 17 rooms is of some of Rome's most stunning monuments. While here, take the opportunity to dine at the rooftop restaurant Aroma, fast becoming one of Rome's most sought-after dining venues. In one of the most exclusive areas of historic Rome, between the Villa Borghese Gardens and the Borgh- ese Gallery, with easy proximity to the Spanish Steps and Via Veneto, this graceful 19th century resi- dence has been transformed into the grand hotel of Aldrovandi Pal- ace Villa Borghese (www.aldrovan- di.com) surrounded by sub-tropical gardens and one of central Rome's very few swimming pools. Check out the quirky fusion and unconventional styles of 66 Impe- rial Inn (www.66imperialinn.com). The five bedrooms are as frivolous as they are welcoming, f launting an irreverent melange of classic décor, contemporary design and oriental furnishings right in the heart of central Rome. Where to eat? Try Roman specialities like Ro- man style gnocchi or cuttlefish with snow peas at the rustic, fam- ily run trattoria of Da Lucia (www. trattoriadalucia.com), opened in 1938. Get a feel for the Jewish-Roman tradition at Sora Margherita. In the heart of the Jewish Ghetto, this is the prefect place for anyone looking for an authentic atmosphere and good food. Order the pasta soups with chickpeas, lentils, skater or beans or the traditional mains and desserts. La Gensola (www.osterialagenso- la.it), is one a great fish restaurant steeped in tradition. Located at a 14th century palazzo, you can sa- vour pasta with sea urchins, grilled cod with tomato sauce and incred- ible cuts of tuna. You can't spend any amount of time in Italy and pass up the op- portunity to get your hands on a pizza. Bir e Fud (www.birefud. blogspot.com) offers the choicest ingredients atop fantastic pizza bases, while doubling as a great beer house. Lots of tasty Roman appetizers and a great atmosphere make this a great spot for a night out. How to get there? Airmalta operate regular f lights to Rome's Fiumicino airport. Flights leaving on 6 November, returning on 13 November were priced at €240.71 including tax. The world's largest open-air museum HOLIDAY makers wishing to cruise along the Mediterranean and beyond during 2015 can choose the cruise of their dreams at the Hamil- ton Travel Cruise Fair at the Excel- sior Hotel, Floriana between 14-16 November. This fair will provide a unique op- portunity to Maltese and Gozitan families to sail with MSC Cruises, which has the most modern fleet of cruise ships in the world. MSC Ar- monia will be cruising from Malta around the Mediterranean between April and October, while Maltese clients can fly and cruise from Eu- ropean ports aboard the MSC Divi- na, MSC Musica, MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra and MSC Splendida. The style on these cruise liners is Italian and the service and amenities are out of this world. Maltese holiday makers can join a fantastic celebration of the cul- tural riches and natural beauty of the Western Mediterranean as they set sail aboard the luxurious MSC Armonia from Malta`s Grand Har- bour. The MSC Armonia is a gorgeous cruise ship, and is best-suited for family groups, couples, and those interested in a port-intensive cruise vacation with fellow passengers from around the world. The MSC Armonia will be calling in Malta from the 29 April until the 3 June and then from the 16 September until the 21 October with the fol- lowing itinerary:- Malta-Messina- Salerno-La Spezia-Marseille-Pal- ma-Malta. Hamilton Travel is also offering Fly & Cruise opportunities to those interested in sailing from a Euro- pean port. Maltese travellers have the unique opportunity to cruise on one of MSC Cruises' majestic cruise liners from the ports of Rome, Ven- ice, Kiel and Hamburg. All tours will be originate from Malta with direct flights with Air Malta, ac- companied by a professional Tour Manager throughout the tour. MSC Divina will sail from Rome on a back-to-back basis between 27 June and 12 September visiting Rome-La Spezia-Cannes-Palma de Mallorca-Barcelona-Naples-Rome. MSC Musica, departing from Venice, will cruise along the Greek Islands and visit Venice-Bari-Kata- kolon-Santorini-Piraeus-Corfu-Ko- tor. Groups will sail on these dates - : 4/12 July, 11/19 July, 18/26 July, 25 July/2 August, 1/9 August, 8/16 August, 15/23 August, 22/30 Au- gust, 29 August/6 September, 5/13 September, 12/20 September. MSC Poesia., departing from Venice, will cruise along Greece, Turkey and Croatia visiting Venice- Ba ri-Kata kolon-Izm i r-Ista nbu l- Dubrovnik. The groups will leave on 3/12 July, 10/19 July, 24 July/2 August, 31 July/9 August, 7/16 Au- gust, 4/13 September, 11/20 Sep- tember Cruises to the Fjords on board MSC Orchestra will depart on: - 3/11 July, 17/25 July, 31 July/8 Au- gust, 14/22 August, 28 August/5 September, 11/19 September. The cruise liner will sail from Kiel and visit Bergen-Hellesylt/Geiranger- Flaam-Stavanger. MSC Orchestra will cruise to the Baltic states visiting Stockholm- Tallinn-St Petersburg-Helsinki. The cruise starts from Kiel between 26 June/4 July, 10/18 July, 24 July/1 August, 7/15 August, 21/29 August, 4/12 September. An 11-night cruise aboard the MSC Splendida will be organised between 12 and 23 August, starting from the port of Hamburg and vis- iting Alesund-Honningsvag-Trom- so-Molde Fjord-Hellesylt-Bergen. Hamilton Travel are proud that they are offering luxurious cruises with competitive prices to the Mal- tese and Gozitan families. 'We are once again making it easy for Mal- tese and Gozitan families to sail around the Mediterranean directly from Malta or fly to European ports and set sail on one of MSC Cruises`s fantastic cruise liners. The collabo- ration between us and MSC Cruises have been a story of success for the Maltese cruise industry during the past twelve years.' Said a company statement. The cruise fair will open on Fri- day 14 and Saturday 15 November between 6-9 pm, and on Sunday 16 November between 2.30-6.30pm. Entrance is free of charge. A taste of 'La Bella Vita' at the Hamilton Cruise Fair Tourists mill around where gladiators once fought to the death in the mighty Colosseum The Roman Pantheon is the temple where pagan gods were worshipped Toss a coin and make a wish in the Fontana di Trevi as Neptune watches over