World Walker

Romans have loved their bread for the past 2000 years. The famous “Panis et circenses” (bread and circuses) poked fun at how easily the Emperors could maintain their power over the masses in Ancient Rome. Although the circuses (gladiatorial battles, pageantry and ancient circus performances) may have been replaced today – some would claim by soccer – bread remains just as important to the daily life of Romans as it did in ancient times.

When in the Eternal City, do as the Romans do and visit a veritable institution, Panella l’arte del pane (Via Merulana, 54 – close to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore), one of the city’s most famous bakeries.

Romans and visitors alike flock here daily for various types of freshly-baked bread, pizze, appetizers, torte rustiche and cakes. The recipes are from all regions of Italy and are baked according to traditional recipes, always using fresh, seasonal ingredients. The window displays are also seasonal and change frequently.

Take your purchases home or enjoy a snack or a light lunch along with the locals – at stools around a central table, where you can order freshly-baked, mouthwatering delicacies. Rome is one of the best places to visit in Europe and sampling some of Panella’s wares can only add to your enjoyment of the eternal city.

With its world-class museums and the wealth of art on display in its churches and on its piazze, Rome is clearly a great destination for art-lovers. Nevertheless, it lags behind other European capitals in the quality of its art exhibitions. Although suitable exhibition space in Rome has increased tremendously in recent years, the exhibitions themselves are often of varying quality. One venue which offers a consistently high level of exhibitions is the Scuderie del Quirinale, now celebrating its 10-year anniversary.

This exhibition space opened in December 1999 in the beautifully renovated 18^th century palace, which originally served as the papal stables. The Scuderie is in an ideal position, just next to the Quirinale Palace in the heart of historic Rome. The stairs leading up to the exhibition space remind visitors that the space used to house the Vatican’s horses, rather than the artwork on loan from around the world now gracing those same walls today.

The Scuderie also houses a pleasant café and a well-stocked bookstore. Families traveling with children should note that, like many museums in Rome, the Scuderie offers excellent workshops on art geared at children. Workshops must be booked in advance and information can be obtained through the Scuderie’s education webpage.

The exhibitions are almost always impressive. Currently on display (through January 17, 2010) is the excellent  Rome. The painting of an Empire . On display at this first-ever exhibition of the paintings of Imperial Rome are over 100 works of art from ancient Rome, including  landscapes, still-lifes, portraits, frescoes from ancient villas in Rome and Pompeii, scenes from mythology. The next exhibition to be held at the Scuderie will be Caravaggio (February 18 – June 13, 2010). The exhibition marks the 400^th anniversary of the death of the great artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.

In addition to the wonderfully curated exhibitions, the Scuderie is fortunate to also offer one of the most breathtaking views of Rome. Perched up high on the Quirinale hill – the highest of Rome’s seven hills – the stairway leading down from the exhibition space offers a breathtaking view over the Eternal City.

If your travels take you through Rome in the next months, be sure to stop by the Scuderie to see these not-to-be-missed exhibitions.

Win
The prize in this comp includes return flight tickets from London to Naples, five nights at the 4-star Sorriso Thermae Hotel & Spa, full use of the spa facilities including a massage treatment each, car hire for the duration of the holiday, boat service to and from Cittara Beach and Port Forio, fully comprehensive travel insurance and £100 towards spending money and travel expenses

How to Enter:
You need to enter your data at Classic Fm

Competition Closing Date:
31st December 2009