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The most comprehensive guide to the eternal city, repository of many of the most famous works of art in the world.
Is this Roman? If so, what date? See comment “lapidary fragment” below.
17 responses so far ↓
Editor // Nov 20th 2011 at 5:37pm
Look at this lapidary fragment displayed in the archaeological park beside the Theatre of Marcellus. The Roman eagle sits on an orb on top of a column with the ‘lopped branch’ motif. I have seen only two other examples of this motif. In Istanbul, columns from the Forum of Theodosius can be seen in situ on Divan Yolu, outside the Archaeological Museum and in the Yerabatan Cistern. In Rome, in the National Museum in Palazzo Massimo, there is a 1st century AD statue of a dancing maiden with a lopped branch trunk behind her. What is the date of this eagle fragment? Can anyone tell me?
Hugo // Nov 7th 2011 at 9:12pm
We went to Rome this April with the Blue Guide. I have nothing more to say than it was fantastic. It added so much to our visit.
Publisher // Sep 22nd 2011 at 10:24am
Yes indeed, this is the right place to post comments on Blue Guide Rome, or by email to editorial@blueguides.com. We welcome any comments: general views, or specific points that can help with future editions or that we can alert readers to via this website.
Mrs Pauline Critchell // Sep 6th 2011 at 6:34pm
I would like to make comments on the Blue Guide for Rome, tenth edition 2010. Is this the correct place to make those comments and if not, where on your website is the right area? many thanks Pauline Critchell
Reader: Great Guide. Bad Hotel. // May 20th 2011 at 10:22am
My wife Mia and I think your Guides are truly excellent. Last summer, we spent two months in Umbria, possibly the best summer of our lives, and the Blue Guide of Umbria was an integral part of that - always informative and insightful in the things that we are particularly interested in - cultural and historical learning.
Last week, we had a very unfortunate experience with a hotel in Roma that was particularly recommended in the ‘Blue Guide Central Italy’ edition. This is the first time we used a Blue guide for accommodation and also the first time we have written a letter like this to any guidebook or publication.
After reading your recommendation on the hotel, ‘Il Covo’ in Roma, we went to their website for further research before making a reservation. Everything looked good.
Sadly, what we found on arrival was a shock. We don’t know where the photos on their website were taken but it isn’t this hotel.
For starters, the hotel lobby was an absolute mess. A hovel, with dirty furniture, files, and disorganized junk everywhere. Clearly they didn’t care what impression this made on guests. The room were we given was depressing and dark, with the cheapest and ugliest possible furniture. And the atmosphere was wholly disreputable and negative.
My wife and I looked at each other and decided we could not stay there. So we went back downstairs, only to find that the reception clerk had gone. A sign on the door directed us to another hotel down the street. Explaining courteously our situation, the clerk became uncooperative and borderline aggressive and told us she didn’t speak English. i tried Italian and she got worse. She said we would have to go back to ‘Il Covo’ and wait for the clerk to return.
We did so. When she arrived, we explained that we would not stay and would like to settle up, paying the first night. We were told there was a seven day cancellation policy and that neither of the two nights we had booked - and prepaid on Visa - would be refunded. This despite the fact that there was 24 hours notice on the second night.
The hotel was so bad, we chose to pay this and find other accommodation. The clerk offered us a 10 euro per night discount, if we paid in cash, which we did, for a total of 180 euros. We were given no receipt, a violation of Italian tax law.
It was clear to us that this was not the first time for these people. The immediate disappearance of the clerk after we checked in, the other hotel clerk claiming not to understand English when we had a problem, the 7 day no refund policy, all the money on Visa up front, and omitting to issue receipts said to us all this had happened many times before. They were very practiced at this scam.
We don’t believe this is an Italian-owned hotel. We’ve never experienced anything like this in Italy before, after living here for almost two years.
When we got home, we decided to check out ”Il Covo’ on Trip Advisor. In the ratings section, we found many letters from people who had similar highly unpleasant experiences, advising prospective customers ‘don’t stay here’. I wish we had seen these letters before we booked.
Anyway, all this to advise you of the situation. It is a shame to degrade the quality of your Guide with a superior recommendation for a low life scam like ‘Il Covo’.
Reader // Mar 1st 2011 at 9:30am
My husband and I had a 4 day, quick trip planned for Rome. He had never been before and we wanted to make the most of our time, both culturally and historically. I researched and read reviews, finally deciding to go with Blue Guide.
Not only do I love to travel, but I am a student of history as well. Half way through my doctoral work (Ph.D), I find that when I purchase/use most guide books I know more historical inofrmation about what I am looking at than the guide book! Let me say that in no way was that the case with Blue Guide.
The Blue Guide, Rome was the most informative and factually heavy guidebook that I have ever come across. Typically I am a big supporter of Lonley Planet, but I have completely converted to the Blue Guide camp.
My husband and I were equally impressed with the wealth of information, detailed site maps and descriptions of monuments, ruins etc… We carried it with us everywhere we went. I couldn’t have asked for a better companion to our trip.
Most of my friends and family travel regularly and believe me, I will be heavily recommending Blue Guide from now on. In addition, I have a blog that averages around 150 hits a day. I will soon be posting a glowing review about Blue Guides on the blog. Any business I can send your way- fantastic.
Thank you for creating the perfect guidebook for a history student. Not only that, thank you for creating the perfect guidebook regardless.
Publisher // Aug 23rd 2010 at 11:48am
The new Blue Guide Rome 10th edition is NOW AVAILABLE: details here.
Minerva Magazine // Aug 23rd 2010 at 8:51am
Is the Colosseum falling down? “On the morning of 9 May, a section of the roof, measuring about a metre square, above one of the stone entrance ways leading into the Colosseum, collapsed. Three large pieces of ancient mortar were sent crashing through a wire mesh protective net and smashed into the ground below. ” Read the story in Minerva Magazine.
Editorial // Oct 13th 2009 at 10:31am
New exhibition at the Colosseum “The Colosseum and Vespasian’s Rome”: see Mary Beard’s article in the Daily Telegraph.
Architect Melbourne // Sep 4th 2009 at 7:16pm
This is just a fan letter to praise the superlative quality of your guides.
A couple of years ago, I used the Rome guide in great detail in Rome, comparing it with Alta McAdam’s much earlier 1979 edition, itself excellent, which I had used since it was published, but now appreciating the astute and rigorous detail of the current edition. …
Thankyou so much for their crucial place in my life.
blue guide user // Jul 14th 2009 at 9:02pm
In the mos t recently published Blue Guide to Rome, November is listed as one of the least crowded months for touring the city. Is this still true? I’m asking because the guide is now several years old and I saw early November listed as \high season\ on a hotel’s website
Editorial // Jun 7th 2009 at 10:59pm
Highly recommended: the easy half day trip from Rome to the unspoilt ruins of Antica Ostia, Ancient Rome’s port »
anon // Jan 30th 2009 at 6:19pm
I must take exception to your recommendation of Il Covo Hotel in Rome. No doubt, the Il Monti district is charming, and the location is superb, but the hotel itself was a huge disappointment. I assume we had a room in one of the old outbuildings, because we had a three-floor walkup to a small room with cheap furnishings, including an armoire with a hanging rack so high I had to step onto the bed to reach it. Add to that climate control that was controlled centrally, meaning we had no way to manage the level of heat pumped into our room. And all this for 120 Euros a night? Thanks, but next time in Rome I think I’ll look elsewhere. You might wish to suggest your readers do the same.
Regards.
Pausanias // Oct 26th 2008 at 4:44pm
Tickets for the Forum and Colosseum
Although access to the Roman Forum was free when Blue Guide Rome was published (p61), this appears to be no longer the case: you have to buy a ticket covering the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill and the Colosseum for around €12 (I say around, there seem to be differences depending on where you come from, and there is a charge included which you don’t seem to be able not to pay for the special “exhibition” whatever and wherever that is).
To avoid the long lines for the Colosseum, buy your ticket at the Forum and do that first; anyway it is a nicer walk through the Forum to the Colosseum if you’re coming from the Capitoline Hill direction than along the street and it costs no more. The advantage is that when you get to the Colosseum you’ve already got the ticket and can go straight in.
Brendan Somes // Sep 25th 2008 at 4:48pm
Re: the Palazzo Farnese (Blue Guide Rome, 9th ed., p.302) it is open to the public on specified days. The Guide states that it is not open. I have been able to arrange a visit to the Palazzo by contacting the French Embassy in Rome.
Editorial // Aug 1st 2008 at 9:29am
Update Blue Guide Rome - new museums / sites May 2008:
“The House of Augustus reopened in Rome . . . the section of the Palatine Hill associated with the domestic and religious complex inaugurated by Augustus.” See the whole article in Minerva Magazine.
Editorial // Jul 30th 2008 at 3:16pm
Update Blue Guide Rome - new museums / sites May 2008:
“Rome’s illustrious repertoire of museums has been enhanced recently by the opening of the new Museum of the Imperial Fora. This is housed in magnificent setting of the so-called Trajan’s Markets . . .” See the whole article in Minerva Magazine.
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