Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Araceli

Over the holidays, I went to a beautiful photo exhibit dedicated to the one and only Audrey Hepburn. I didn’t realize that Audrey spent so much time in Rome throughout her career. Her photo display gave me the chance to truly appreciate and admire both her professional and personal life. Especially her goodwill efforts with UNICEF! Love one of her quotes, “For some trips all you need is one piece of luggage. Your heart.” Brava Audrey for continuing to inspire women today from all over the world with your style, grace and talent!

Gal about the Globe on the Set of HBO's "Rome"

Araceli ran into some actors while touring the set as well. Perhaps she was an extra on the set of HBO's Rome, an extra from the future that is, as her clothes are clearly sewn and of the moment!

Rome Today: Heroic Nudity

Rome Today

I recently read an article by travel writer Rick Steves discussing how American travelers often find themselves in a state of shock when they visit Europe and are exposed to European nudity in public. I couldn’t help but laugh since I was one of those Americans when I first visited Italy in 2004. I felt uncomfortable with such uninhibited behavior. My husband, who is from Italy, reassured me that it was normal and acceptable to go topless at the beach. Unfortunately, his words did little to get me to bare it all. Instead, I couldn’t help but secretly stare and wonder why or how so many people could feel comfortable in their birthdays suits (or at least half of them) in public. As I observed, I witnessed every body type: from my own in-laws sporting a bikini and Speedo at the age of 70, to little girls running around with only bottoms on, to little boys in the nude, to grown men in fitted boxers, underwear or the tiniest of shorts, to cellulite-free bodies, well-tanned biceps, stretch marks, no-tan-line silhouettes and everything in between. Not to mention, there were pregnant women on the verge of delivery staying cool in two-piece suits with no hesitation or discomfort enjoying the sun. Their self-confidence reminded me of Demi Moore when she made headlines for posing nude on the cover of Vanity Fair when she was seven months pregnant.

As the summer passed, I tried to muster up the courage to do the same, but couldn’t. I didn’t feel comfortable enough showcasing my breasts in mid-air or for any other man to enjoy the sight publicly. So I proceeded with caution until I started to learn more about Italian culture. I spent countless afternoons at local museums trying to immerse myself in Italian art and culture, and I started noticing one common theme: Exposed bodies everywhere…featured in art, statues and paintings. This sparked my interest in learning more about ancient Greek and Roman art, when heroic nudity was openly accepted. It was a time when the athletic body or human body was admired, when gladiators were cheered on for their Olympic-sized bodies and strength, when curves were the norm instead of the exception. Full-figured women were glorified for their childbearing abilities and all networking occurred in open bathhouses, with a towel-wrapped around waists, instead of behind the keyboard on Facebook. I realized the focus back then was accepting one’s body regardless of size, shape or ability. Embracing one’s own sexuality was part of the human experience until shame and embarrassment was introduced by religion, with the famous “fig leaf” covering up Adam and Eve. Once I reached this conclusion, I decided I would allow the spirit of Venus and the statue David to live on and abandon my overly prudish behavior abroad and embrace my body for all its curves and imperfections.

Check out more of Araceli's photos featuring "Heroic Nudity,” or some of her other stories and productions, by logging on to Rome Today's facebook page.

Winter Wonderland in Rome

It’s been more than 20 years since Rome has been covered in snow! Today, to everyone’s surprise and delight the Eternal City turned into a modern-day Winter Wonderland with the heaviest snowstorm to hit the Italian capital city in years. Monumental landmarks such as the Coliseum and Circus Maximus were covered in snow leaving tourists and citizens alike enjoying the cold spell on an average day.

Pictures taken are from the rooftop of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Snow in Rome Ice Date: 12/02/2010
Roman Coliseum
Circus Maximus
Rooftop view of the city
Roman snowman
Aventino – Testaccio Neighborhood

Global Race for the Cure

Araceli recently ran Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure in Rome, Italy just as she had many times before in the states. When asked what the difference between the two races was, she responded with, “It [breast cancer] is an issue that affects women all over the world and seeing it in Italy reaffirms the fact that no woman is exempt. You realize that much more just how important it is to find a cure… The turnout was amazing.”

And, according to a Susan G. Komen spokesperson Araceli caught up with, the organization is expanding to other countries as well, while implementing a name change. The new “Global Race for the Cure,” which commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the organization’s race, debuted on June 6, 2009 in Washington D.C. With more than 45,000 participants hitting the capital’s streets, the race raised $4.3 million to “fund breast cancer programs for the medically under served throughout the National Capital Area and abroad.” The race featured breast cancer survivors from more than 18 countries, with support from notable speakers, including Dr. Jill Biden, an advocate for breast education and health.

I had the fortunate opportunity to volunteer at a race in my hometown a few years ago. For those of you who’d like to attend a race, volunteer, or make a donation, consult the 2009 Calendar of locations. For more information, visit the organization's website.

What to Expect: Rome

Before dedicating this Friday topic to our usual restaurant tips, we thought we’d offer up the titillating truth about Rome first, so you’re not surprised. After all, if ever a gal was to have a dangerous love-hate relationship with a city, it would be with Roma.

The traffic in Rome literally stinks with overpopulated, exhaust -intensive buses and vespas zipping through winding rows of jam-packed cars, regardless of traffic violations or pedestrians. And heaven forbid you get sick at 1:00 PM, because the farmacia does not re-open until 3:00 PM. You can also forget about processing paperwork, be it your Visa, passport, plane ticket, or perhaps even a receipt from McDonald’s (yes, we already know Americans shamelessly love to visit McDonald’s during their ten tiny days abroad).

“Working just enough so someone notices you working at all” should be the motto, not "When in Rome," as the polizia proudly directs traffic with their right hand and smokes a cigarette with their left.

Additionally, in various parts of Italy, and especially in Rome, you mostly get Italian food, so don’t expect to find burger joints, the Outback Steakhouse or Vietnamese restaurants on every corner. Fortunately, today there's more “stranieri” restaurants popping up, so we'd like to recommend a few. If you’re in the mood for Asian, we like, Ci Lin (Ponte dell’olio 6, around the corner from Santa Maria in Trastevere). For Mexican, head to Cantina Mexicana (La Charreada, Piazza dei Quiriti 4), for Indian, try Surya Mahal (Via di Ponte Sisto 67). And, while you can go just about anywhere to find excellent Italian cuisine, for dinner, we love Taverna Trilussa in Piazza Trilussa (Via del Politeama 23; try the ravioli mimosa).

Keep in mind that like the farmacia, and chaotic traffic, finding food in Italy is difficult during certain times of the day (dinner typically begins at 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM). But, if you can get over the inconveniences of the chaotic city, then I promise you’ll find yourself having the most fabulous affair with Roma.

Rome on Foot

The Italians call it, piedi a piedi, literally meaning foot-by-foot. To begin your piedi a piedi, consider romancing the city where the Tiber River meets the Vatican. First, head to the Vatican Museums, Raphael Room, and Geographical Maps Gallery, finishing your tour with a bang at the Sistine Chapel. Next, stroll over to St. Peter’s Basilica, where you’ll find Michelangelo’s Pieta. Your stroll through the basilica will take you to Bernini’s Baldecchino della Confessione –where Peter’s bones supposedly rest below. And, for spectacular views of the city you can take the 300-some stairs to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica, known as Michelangelo’s dome (don’t worry, there’s also an elevator for grandma).

Next, you can choose to check out Castel Sant’Angelo or head south into the neighborhood of Trastevere, where Santa Maria in Trastevere lies, enjoying lunch at Il Vicolo or Toni’s on Vicolo Del Cinque afterward. Snobby locals tend to regard Trastevere as the real neighborhood of the Romans, so expect to use your Italian phrasebook a bit more in this area. Afterward, cross the Tiber River at the Ponte Sisto, into Campo de’ Fiori. Note: every weekday morning until 1:00 PM there’s a great outdoor market here, with fresh fish, vegetables, as well as household goods, clothing, purses, etc…

From Campo de’Fiori, you can cross Vittorio Emanuele, and head into Piazza Navona for views of Bernini’s famous baroque fountains. Expect street performers! From here, you can head east onto Via del Corso, where Piazza Venezia, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum lie (Capitoline Hill), or head west to check out the Pantheon. Either way, Via del Corso runs in between both routes, so afterward, head north on Via del Corso to hit the Trevi Fountain, Piazza de Spagna, and Via dei Condotti.

See you on Friday for more tips for your Roman holiday!

City of the Week: Rome, Italy

Since our very own Araceli Cardenas-Bon scooped the Angels and Demons Premiere in Rome earlier this month, we thought it appropriate to make Rome our next city of the week. For those of you entranced with the Dan Brown movie, or planning a vacation to the eternal city, you’ll need a generic history lesson first.

The capital of Italy and home to the smallest country in the world (the Vatican), Rome holds one of the most unique historic centers, making the city an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s over 2000 years old, with Greek, Etruscan, and Gaul origins, and once governed the Middle East and Northern Africa during its’ “Empire” status. Rome also lived through “paganism,” which was brutally killed off in the Middle Ages, only to be seized by Christianity and eventually an aristocratic papacy—leaving behind the beautiful Pantheon. Additionally, due to its’ southern location in Europe and the Mediterranean, its art, architecture and culture survived World War II (and a fascist Mussolini). Therefore, cobblestoned streets still unfold to brilliant piazzas holding extravagant churches constructed during the Renaissance period, as well as Baroque masterpieces crafted by geniuses such as Bernini, Caravaggio and Michelangelo.

Modernly, tourists head to the capital to re-live Rome’s history; however, the city’s selling points are art, architecture and by far, cuisine. Of course, if you can afford high-fashion retailers like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada, then you can head to Via del Corso or Piazza de Spagna for shopping too.

Join us on Wednesday, for a step-by-step guide to touring the historic center!

Rome, Angels and Demons World Premiere

By Araceli Cardenas-Bon

ROME - The cast of “Angels & Demons” graced the red carpet in Rome, Italy for its World Premiere last night, at Auditorium Parco della Musica, a theater located about a mile away from St. Peter’s Basilica.

The film, about a secret society trying to take over Rome, and, the Vatican, is a thriller based on Dan Brown’s best-selling novel. Sequel to “The Da Vinci Code,” “Angels & Demons” features Tom Hanks as symbologist Robert Langdon trying to save the Vatican from an ancient religious group, “the Illumanti,” from committing a terrorist attack.

Despite restrictions, Sony theatres managed to recreate a glitzy premiere with decorated angel and demon statues, and Swiss guards welcoming cast members, Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor and Ayelet Zurer. And of course, director Ron Howard and author Dan Brown.

Expected to hit theatres worldwide soon (and in the U.S. May 15, 2009), the film made media headlines after the Vatican was accused of “exerting its’ influence by interfering with shooting permits in the Eternal City” - a charge the Vatican strongly denies as a “fabricated publicity stunt.”

Regardless of the controversy, Howard reminded attendees & fans alike, “Despite all that’s been said, remember that it’s just a film.” With that in mind, we tried interviewing one of the Swiss guards. But, it seems the Vatican has cast its’ spell. Oh well! We settled for Dan’s Brown autograph instead!