pinkhomecologne - your Bed & Breakfast - Guesthouse & Apartment in the heart of Cologne/Germany.

4 single-/double-rooms, baths, full-equipped common kitchen, wintergarden, outside-terrace.

1 sep. apartment (45 sqm, living-room, sleeping-room, kitchen, bath).

Quiet area near main-station Cologne and DOM; near gay-area.
International and national gay-guests, hetero-friendly.

More informations: see our website.

Enjoy Cologne - enjoy our guesthouse!

Herzlich Willkommen im pinkhomecologne-Guesthouse

Wir sind ein junges und frisches Guesthouse im Herzen von Köln.

Das pinkhomecologne bietet eine attraktive und lukrative Übernachtungsmöglichkeit für alle, die ein interessantes und abwechslungsreiches Guesthouse den gewöhnlichen, oftmals teuren und anonymen, Pensionen und Hotels vorziehen. Wir sind ein guesthouse mit inzwischen internationalen Gästen und garantiertem Wohlfühlcharakter.

Auf den weiteren Seiten von www.pinkhomecologne.de finden Sie alle Informationen über uns, unseren Zimmern, den Preisen, der Lage und der Umgebung.

Geniessen Sie uns und Köln.
Wir sind gay, aber auch lesbian- und heterofriendly. Wir freuen uns auf Ihren Besuch.

Wir sind TOP-LOCATION 2008 des Magazin PRINZ.

Bitte beachten Sie, dass vor Anreise zwingend eine Buchung erforderlich ist !!!

Unsere Info- und Reservierungshotline: + 49 (0) 172 759 59 20

Unsere E- Mail: info@pinkhomecologne.de / booking@pinkhomecologne.de

Bitte nutzen Sie nur paypal, wenn Sie nach Ihrer Buchung eine Aufforderung zur Zahlung seitens des Gastgebers erhalten.

Phone Numbers: +49 172 759 59 20

Address: Arrival only possible with a booking before!

pinkhomecologne - guesthouse & apartment
Mr. Uwe Herkentrup
Domstr. 64
D - 50668 Koeln/Cologne
Germany, Europe

Email Address: info@pinkhomecologne.de

Website: http://www.pinkhomecologne.de

Local Attractions: Cologne - wonderful historical city in the west of Germany. Gay-Cologne.

25.07.21.10

In the midst of the majestic Adirondack Mountains, overlooking pristine Friends Lake, there stands a wondrous guesthouse where luxurious Adirondack lodging, sumptuous beds, indulgent baths and unforgettable breakfasts join in an atmosphere of rustic elegance and lakeside living.

During your visit to our luxury Adirondack resort lodging, simply relax in the elegant Adirondack Great room with its vaulted log ceilings and expansive stone fireplace. Other common areas at the resort include an outdoor fireplace in a screened in porch, a wine cellar, game table, a state-of-the-art movie theatre, a sauna and fitness equipment. If you are interested in getting out and touring the area surrounding our lodge, read some of our wonderful sample itineraries for daily activities to suit any fancy.

Our luxury Adirondack Hotel lodging includes a choice of three intimate guest rooms that are uncommonly comfortable ~ both rustic and elegant, even magnificent. Other hotels in the Adirondacks cannot live up to our resort standards. All guest accommodations have king-size beds, large stone fireplaces and wonderful lake and / or mountain views. All rooms have private luxury baths with deep-soaking Jacuzzi tubs, and all rooms have refrigerators. The nightly rate for Adirondack lodging at our Southern Adiriondack Mountain resort includes an unforgettable breakfast, nightly turndown service, Wi-Fi and a wide variety of on-site activities.

Within the lodge, enjoy relaxing in the mission-influenced classically elegant Adirondack Great room with vaulted log ceilings and magnificent stone fireplace. In the evening, gather round the out door fireplace on the screened in porch. The ground floor of our hotel on Friends Lake walks out to the lake features many relaxing sitting areas, a pool table, wine cellar, a game table, a nine-person theatre, a sauna and exercise equipment (Bowflex, free-weights, an elliptical, medicine ball, swiss ball).

Our 70- acre wooded property borders on pristine Friends Lake. Use our kayaks or lounge in the sun before a dip in the lake. The lake is well known for small mouth bass fishing. There is very nice hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing right here on the property.

Our beautiful 24’ ELCO electric launch is used for a late afternoon boat tour of beautiful Friends Lake complete with beverages and hors d’oeuvres. Fern Lodge is unmatched among romantic Upstate NY hotels.

Phone Numbers: (518) 494-7238

Address:
The Fern Lodge
46 Fiddlehead Bay Road
Chestertown, NY 12817 (US)

Email Address: sharon@thefernlodge.com

Website: http://www.thefernlodge.com

Local Attractions:
Downhill ski at Gore Mountain - A short 20 minute drive from The Lodge. Gore Mountain www.goremountain.com boasts 2100’ vertical, 11 lifts, 75 trails and 95% snowmaking, Gore is a premier ski area of the northeast and is opening a new face of the mountain “Burnt Ridge” with a new quad chair and 4 new trails. The North Creek Ski Bowl offers night skiing and tubing. Whiteface Mountain is 1 hour away and West Mountain is 45 minutes south.

Cross-country ski and snowshoe at Garnet Hill, Cunninghams Ski Barn, and others including unlimited acres access on state land.

Snowmobiling - If you have your own machines join the North Warren Trailblazers at www.northernwarrentrailblazers.snowclubs.com for miles and miles of groomed trails… If you would like to rent “sleds” there are options for guided 1 and 2 hour trips for single or double riders. Explore both beautiful pine woods and/or open frozen lake terrain…

Horseback riding - Winter horseback riding at the Circle B Ranch! Sleigh ride sand hay rides too!

Explore the Lake Placid area - home to both the 1980 and 1962?? olympics. www.lakeplacid.com It’s a beautiful one-hours drive north. Window shop down Main Street, stop for lunch at any number of great luncheon spots, go to the top of the ski jumps and watch the ski jumpers or ariel freestyle skiers practice or compete. Check out the luge or bobsledding going. For the adventurer, take a bobsled ride yourself…. www.mountvanhovenburg.com. Save room for a piece of pie at The Noonmark diner in Keene Valley on the way home.

Heritage and History-The history of the Adirondacks is as diverse as its geography. A battleground through three wars, the turf of loggers and miners, the vacation destination of Gilded Age magnates and home to two Winter Olympic Games, the depth and breadth of the region’s heritage is only matched by its glorious scenery. You’ll find forts, museums, historic homes and “Great Camps,” excursion railroads and even sunken wrecks in the Adirondacks. Events ranging from Woodsmen’s Field Days to the No-Octane Regatta to a French and Indian War Encampment bring history to life.

Hiking- There is great hiking everywhere in the Adirondacks. We would love to suggest options for you that range from a lovely scenic walk right out the back door to an all-out full days hike up to a peak. Some favorites of ours: Crane Mountain, Blue Ledges, Pharoah Mountain Wilderness Region, Buck Mountain, Tongue Mountain and the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Region.

Golfing - There are at least 9 beautiful courses within 15 minutes of The Lodge that range from very “local” 9 hole courses to the famed Donald Ross course at The Sagamore.

Canoeing and Kayaking- the area is known for its waterways. Enjoy a tour of Lake George with Lake George Kayak Co www.lakegeorgekayak.com - or perhaps take a clinic from Wild Waters Outdoor center www.wildwaters.net. Bring your own kayaks or canoe to explore the multitude of lakes and rivers in the area or use our kayaks here on beautiful Friends Lake.

River Tubing- Enjoy a unique experience of tubing down the Sacandaga through the whitewater. Tube tours and guided rafting adventures. www.4soc.com

Rodeos- It might be hard to believe, but Warren County has a number of dude ranches and rodeos available www.1000acres.com, www.paintedponyrodeo.com, www.ridinhy.com.

Horseback Riding- There are numerous options for horseback riding throughout a variety of scenic trails. Very close by is the Circle B Ranch 518-494-4888 and Loon Lake Riding Stables 518-494-5168.

Birding- too many options to mention here. For a free Adirondack birding map go to www.adkbirds.com.

Balloon Flights- many options available. Fly over the Glens Falls, Lake George area Call for telephone numbers.

Lake George Village-from miniature golf, to amusement parks, go-karts, lake cruises on beautiful 32-mile long Lake George , visit Lake George Village.

Saratoga - of course the famous horse racing flat track is open through all of August, but the magnificent city of Saratoga is fun to visit year round.

Bicycling in the area is fantastic with miles and miles of low traffic scenic riding. Contact us for maps and good ideas for great biking routes.

Exhibits, Museums and Galleries - The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake is on the “not to be missed” list but numerous options abound.

Nearby Cities:
Lake George
Saratoga
Lake Placid
North Creek

25.07.19.2010

Comfortable Adirondack Motel Lodging in North Creek NY…

With simple Adirondack motel lodging in a tranquil mountain village, Alpine Lodge offers a unique four-season getaway in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains.

Nestled on the main street of North Creek NY, you will find comfortable, moderate accommodations perfect for winding down after a full day of outdoor activity. Our Adirondack lodging includes guest rooms and suites with cozy gas wood stoves and private Jacuzzis. After a full day of hiking, biking rafting, or skiing at Gore Mountain, wander down to the Alpine Motel Lodge Great Room and enjoy a book next to a roaring fire, some old fashioned board games, or make use of the game tables for your enjoyment.

Bring the family for a week-long ski adventure, or just the two of you for a romantic getaway weekend in the Adirondacks. You’ll find year-round activities and natural attractions, from the endless summer water fun and outdoor sports, to antiquing amid the brilliant colors of Autumn. With so much winter skiing and snowboarding at Gore Mountain or Whiteface in Lake Placid, you’ll find North Creek NY is an ideal vacation destination!

At Alpine Lodge you can enjoy the ambiance of an Adirondack lodge with all the amenities of your favorite hotel. Savor the North Woods experience, discover the many Upstate NY attractions and regional events in the region, or just take it easy and do nothing at all.

Contact us for more information on our Adirondack motel, check rates or reserve your room online!

If you’ve enjoyed your stay with us at Alpine Lodge in North Creek, come back to Upstate NY again for a romantic getaway. Fern Lodge is a luxury Adirondack resort hotel offering the finest in elegant lakeside accommodations. Relax in exquisitely appointed guest roooms, jacuzzis…enjoy a state-of-the-art movie theatre, sauna and experience complete indulgence!

Featuring fourteen comfortable guest rooms and several suites, our Adirondack lodge motel accommodations are located in the heart of the Adirondacks. Adventure seekers, families and corporate groups return to this region year after year to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this Upstate NY region. We welcome you to retire to Alpine Lodge after a full day of outdoor activities in the Adirondacks.

Our Lodge accommodations are decorated in a style reminiscent of the historic Adirondack Great Camps. This “Adirondack Style” was branded by famous industrialists and financiers from the end of the Civil War, which has evolved throughout the years. At Alpine Lodge, our style is North Woods rustic with all the modern conveniences, designed to make your visit to our comfortable Adirondack Lodge easy, effortless and fun.

With your comfort in mind, we offer individual rooms with King, Queen or two double beds available by the night and suites with efficiency kitchens available by the night or by-the-week. Perfectly equipped for families as well as for couples, we offer standard rooms and suites with the option of a pull out couch for additional sleeping accommodations. Planning an Adirondack wedding? Accommodations at the Alpine Lodge motel are the perfect lodging solution for family, friends, and the wedding party!

Guest rooms include a television equipped with DVD and CD player. WiFi is also included for those who may be traveling for business. Check email, prepare work or chat online using our WiFi services. Air-conditioning and a private bathroom with stall shower are also included in your Adirondack lodge accommodations. Some rooms have a gas woodstove and/or Jacuzzis for your private enjoyment. After a day of rigorous Adirondack outdoor fun you can sit back, relax with a glass of wine and plan your adventures for the upcoming day!

All rooms have access to and may use/share The Great Room, which is a common room for Guests to gather. In this Great Room, there is a 42″ big-screen TV, roaring fireplace, and game tables with a selection of popular board games. A variety of overstuffed chairs are positioned in front of the stone fireplace. Curl up with your loved ones around the crackling fire, or simply savor your “alone time” reading a good book at our Adirondack motel.

We are located near some of the most desireable attractions in the region! Ski Gore Mountain, Whiteface and West Mountain. Discover this winter sporting paradise — book a weekend at the Alpine Lodge and enjoy great skiing at Gore Mountain. The Adirondack Region is known for its accessbility to great downhill skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing.

Adirondack lodging accommodations include guest rooms and suites designed to provide comfortable quarters for your visit to Upstate NY! Furnishings are reminiscent of the Adirondack Great Camp style. Some suites include cozy gas stoves and private jacuzzi. After a full day of Adirondack exploring, unwind and relax in the lodges great room.

Phone Numbers: 518.251.2451

Address:
Alpine Lodge
264 Main Street
North Creek, New York 12853 (US)

Email Address: info@adirondackalpinelodge.com

Website: http://www.adirondackalpinelodge.com

Local Attractions:
Gore Mountain, the area’s premier ski area boasting a 2,100’ vertical drop, 67 trails, 1 gondola, chairs to fit both doubles and triples, and tubing and skiing at the North Creek Ski Bowl – guarantees great skiing all winter long! Even if the weather does not comply with your skiing plans, the staff at Gore Mountain promotes a 95% snowmaking deal.!

Cross country skiing is a great activity for families - not only are you able to see the beautiful landscape of the Adirondacks up close, but you also receive an invigorating, whole body workout! Check out these great places around the area to cross country ski that are conveniently located near the Adirondack Lodge:

Garnet Lodge - Visit this nationally recognized cross country ski area with 54 km of set tracks! Groomed for both track and skating techniques, enjoy daily instruction, rentals and night skiing.

Cunningham’s Ski Barn - Full Services sales, ski repairs and rentals.

Lapland Lake - Founded by Olavi Hirvonen and operated by the Hirvonen family, this Finnish style Adirondack resort caters to the avid cross country skier. State of the art snowcats ensure that the grounds are groomed for optimal skiing.

Summer, Spring & Fall Activities :

Whitewater Rafting - Take a whitewater rafting trip through the scenic Hudson River Gorge for a most memorable adventure. We have western-style whitewater adventure right here in the central Adirondacks of New York! The Hudson River Gorge is rated one of the Top 10 whitewater rafting runs in America. And no wonder! This is the Hudson River as she used to be… crystal clear, clean, alive and powerful, as her unbridled whitewater thunders alongside 500-foot granite cliffs, and through awesome rapids like Givneys’ Rift, the Narrows, Little Nasty and Greyhound Bus Stopper. The Hudson River’s whitewater is most powerful in the spring and fall; rafting is somewhat more moderate in mid-summer. Scheduled whitewater dam releases assure terrific rafting fun all season long.
Heritage and History - The history of the Adirondacks is as diverse as its geography. A battleground through three wars, the turf of loggers and miners, the vacation destination of Gilded Age magnates and home to two Winter Olympic Games, the depth and breadth of the region’s heritage is only matched by its glorious scenery. You’ll find forts, museums, historic homes and “Great Camps,” excursion railroads and even sunken wrecks in the Adirondacks. Events ranging from Woodsmen’s Field Days to the No-Octane Regatta to a French and Indian War Encampment bring history to life.

Fishing - Fishing in the Adirondacks is not just limited to the summer season – it’s a year round sport! Take advantage of all the possibilities while vacationing at our Adirondack Lodge accommodations! During the winter months, step out onto the ice and enjoy this ultimate adventure sport. Ice fishing in the Adirondacks includes Northern Pike, Yellow Perch and Trout. Trout season opens April 1st and Bass season opens the third Saturday in June. Whether you prefer the chilly bite of ice fishing or sport fishing during the warmer months - catch the “Big One” in the Adirondacks! Please contact us for guide services.

Hiking - There is great hiking everywhere in the Adirondacks. We would love to suggest options for you that range from a lovely scenic walk right out the back door to an all-out full days hike up to a peak. Some favorites of ours: Crane Mountain, Blue Ledges, Pharoah Mountain Wilderness Region, Buck Mountain, Tongue Mountain and the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Region.

Golfing - There are several beautiful courses within a short drive of North Creek, including several great 9-hole local courses, to the famed Donald Ross course at The Sagamore.

Canoeing and Kayaking - the area is known for its waterways. Experience the thrill of a lifetime and try white water rafting in the Adirondacks! Shoot the rapids on the Hudson River with your own personal guide, and see nature like you’ve never seen it before! White water rafting begins in the early spring and continues through the summer and fall months. Please contact us if you’d like to receive a white water rafting guide for the new season.

River Tubing - Enjoy a unique experience of tubing down the Hudson River through the whitewater. Tube tours and guided rafting adventures.

Snowmobiling - Check out these snowmobile trails and clubs outlined below and find one that sparks your interest. Contact us today for superb Adirondack lodging at our motel.

Trails in Warren County - Offering 200 miles of maintained trails, find the perfect path to suit your snowmobiling expertise. Request trail maps and access snow conditions. For out of state residents, please call (800) 225-5368 for registration information.

Northern Warren Trailblazers - Join the club! Do you love to ride on your snowmobile and want to take part in group activities, snowmobile exhibitions and group camaraderie? Inquire about the Northern Warren Trailblazers!

Thurman Connection - Boasting 118 miles of scenic Adirondack trails in the rustic town of Thurman, enjoy this snowmobiler’s oasis! Experience a longstanding tradition of riding the open trails and enjoying nature.

Rodeos - It might be hard to believe, but Warren County has a number of dude ranches and rodeos available www.1000acres.com, www.paintedponyrodeo.com, www.ridinhy.com.

Horseback Riding - There are numerous options for horseback riding throughout a variety of scenic trails. Near by is the Circle B Ranch 518-494-4888 and Loon Lake Riding Stables 518-494-5168.

Birding - too many options to mention here. For a free Adirondack birding map go to www.adkbirds.com.

Balloon Flights - many options available. Fly over the Glens Falls, Lake George area Call for telephone numbers.

Lake George Village - from miniature golf, to amusement parks, go-karts, lake cruises on beautiful 32-mile long Lake George, visit Lake George Village.

Saratoga - of course the famous horse racing flat track is open through all of August, but the magnificent city of Saratoga is fun to visit year –round.

Exhibits, Museums and Galleries - The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake is on the “not to be missed” list but numerous options abound.

Nearby Cities:
Lake Placid
Lake George
Saratoga

25.07.18.2010

Phone Numbers: Phone: 1-716-278-9676 Fax: 1-716-278-9677

Address: 1 Hillcrest Street Niagara Falls New York 14303

Email Address: info@hillcrestniagara.com

Website: http://www.hillcrestniagara.com

This elegant, Georgian mansion is designed from classical antiquity. Its perfect location on a bricked, private street offers guests quiet seclusion – while allowing them to conveniently walk to most attractions in both Niagara Falls, NY and Niagara Falls, Canada.

Breakfast, at Hillcrest Inn may be served in the Asian dining room, sunroom with its delightful, trickling water fountain or (weather – permitting) outdoors on the terrace over-looking the fall’s upper rapids.

Guests of Hillcrest Inn may reserve the mansion for catered functions or weddings.

Tickets for most tourists, cultural and sporting events can be arranged. Enjoy tour of the wineries of WNY and Ontario. Golf, biking, live theatre, boating and helicopter rides are just a few of the many activities you can choose from during your stay here. Guests of Hillcrest Inn can also receive an 0 coupon book for the local outlet mall.

Your own private mansion, great hospitality, the 10th wonder of the world, loads of fun activities - what more could you ask for on your perfect holiday?!

Breakfast at Hillcrest Inn

Guests at Hillcrest Inn are served a full gourmet breakfast in the Asian Style Dining Room. Sample menus include: Eggs Benedict with asparagus; Waffles with fresh fruit, hot maple syrup and bacon; Eggs with broiled potatoes, tomatoes and sausage. Breakfasts are served with fresh fruit, pastries, coffee, tea and juice.

Parties of 2 or 3 may choose to be served breakfast on the sun porch with a seasonal view of the Niagara River. (based on availability)
Guests of the Master Suite (up to 4) may be served breakfast on their private balcony overlooking the upper rapids. (depending on weather)

Tea, coffee, juice, pastries and the newspaper are always set out for early risers. Cereal and oatmeal available upon request. It is our pleasure to serve vegetarian or special diet breakfasts.

Directions

From Buffalo
From Interstate 190 (off the New York State Thruway), take the Robert Moses Parkway west towards the State Park, exit at Fourth Street - Niagara Falls Convention Center. Make a left turn at Buffalo Ave.(first intersection after the exit) Make an another left at 331 Buffalo Ave. You will see the a sign for Hillcrest Street. We are the gray brick house on the left.

From Canada
Direction from the Rainbow Bridge, Go straight from the customs, make a right turn at Third Street. Go straight untill you reach Buffalo Ave. then make a left turn. Make a right turn at 331 Buffalo Ave. You will see the a sign for Hillcrest Street. We are the gray brick house on the left.

Local Attractions: Clifton Hill, Oakes Garden Theatre, Behind the Falls, Queen Victoria Park, Birds of the Lost Kingdom, Skylon Tower, Sky Wheel, Fallsview Waterpark, Imax Theatre, Whirlpool Aero Car, White Water Walk, Botanical Gardens, Brocks Monument, Floral Clock, Butterfly Exhibit, Jetboat, Niagara-on-the Lake, Helicopter Tours, Zooz, Hydro Plant, Daredevil Museum, Whirlpool Jetboat, Aquarium, Whirlpool Park, Fort Niagara,
Artpark, Helicopter Tours, Historic Lewiston

Nearby Cities: Grand Island, Lewiston, Saint Catharines, Thorold, Toronto, Erie, Buffalo

Chasmar House Bed and Breakfast is a Victorian-Style home built in the late 19th Century. Located within walking distance of Plymouth’s Historic Waterfront, Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II and The Forefather’s Monument. Rooms are tastefully decorated, TV, Air Conditioning and WIFI. All rooms are located off the central staircase from the first to the third floor. Parlor, Dining Rooms and Family Room (TV and Billiards Table) are common areas for your enjoyment.

The Chasmar House offers an breakfast for our guests each morning 8 AM - 10 AM. Included.
Boxed Lunches and a full dinner are available at your request, not included in your room rate.
We are within wakling distance to the historic Plymouth Waterfront, PTown Ferry, Deep Sea Fishing, Evening Cruisesmmer Free Concerts and the Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II.

Located in within walking distance to Downtowen Plymouth, Historic Site, shopping, and 3 miles form Plimoth Plantation and Plymouth’s Long Beach.

Sheila’s Room - decorated in Yellow and pale Blue.
$90.00/night seasonal May-Nov. $80.00/night off season.

Cathy’s Room - decorated in dark Brown and Gold.
$90.00/night seasonal May-Nov. $80.00/night off season.

Mary Beth and Marcia’s Room - decorated in Red and White.
$90.00/night seasonal May-Nov. $80.00/night off season.

Common areas include the Dining Room, Large Parlor, Front and back Porches, Family room with full bar, TV and Billiards.

All rooms are air-conditioned, TV, Wi-Fi wireless, some with fireplaces.

No smoking in the house, area’s are available outside sheltered from the weather. Limited Children, please ask. Pets, small and under control, please ask.

Reservations will be held with a credit card deposit, fully cancelable within 30 days.

Local Attractions: Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II, Mile Standish State Forest, Golfing, Beaches, Deep Sea Fishing, Ferry to PTown

Nearby Cities:Boston, Providence RI
Keywords: Chasmar house, bed & breakfast, bed and breakfast, plymouth, ma, plymouth ma

Staircase

Chasmar

Outside House View

Fireplace

Kitchen Table

Kitchen

Pool Table

Coat Of Arms

Today’s 4-3 ruling is a victory for gay rights groups and San Francisco, which in 2004 issued marriage licenses to almost 4,000 same-sex couples before being ordered to stop. Supporters of the ban have said they would propose a state constitutional amendment barring the unions if the court struck down the ban.

The ruling may reverberate in the U.S. presidential race in favor of the presumptive Republican nominee, Senator John McCain of Arizona. It will force candidates to explain their positions on same-sex unions, said Vikram Amar, a constitutional law professor at the University of California at Davis.

“It’s hard to see how this will end up helping Democrats,” Amar said before the ruling. “It feeds into a kind of perception that this is what liberal activist judges do.”

Democratic presidential candidates Senator Hillary Clinton of New York and Senator Barack Obama of Illinois oppose same-sex marriage while supporting civil unions. McCain opposes gay marriage.

“The California constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex couples,” the majority wrote in its ruling today.

30 Days

The court directed state officials to guarantee that all local authorities comply with the ruling. The decision takes effect in 30 days unless extended by the court.

“The California Supreme court took a giant leap to ensuring justice for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, so we are very, very grateful,” said San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera.

Gay couples already enjoy many of the same legal rights as heterosexual couples under the state’s domestic-partner law. The state has at least 92,000 same-sex couples, more than any other state, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures.

In 2000, 61 percent of California voters supported a ballot initiative defining marriage as between a man and woman. Any constitutional amendment banning gay marriage would be filed as a ballot item and subject to a referendum by California voters.

Schwarzenegger Opposes Amendment

“I respect the court’s decision and as governor, I will uphold its ruling,” said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, in a statement. “As I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state supreme court ruling.”

Attempts to pass gay-marriage bills in the state legislature have previously failed after Schwarzenegger vetoed them.

The lawsuits decided today were filed after San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2004 ordered city officials to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in defiance of state laws that he said discriminated against homosexuals.

The move captured national attention as thousands of couples from 46 states and eight countries flocked to San Francisco City Hall, forming lines down the block to be wed. Massachusetts legalized gay marriage that year.

The initiative also galvanized opponents of same-sex marriage. President George W. Bush called for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning gay weddings and 11 states subsequently amended their constitutions to ban the unions.

Twenty-seven states have constitutional amendments banning gay weddings and 42 states have laws prohibiting the practice, according to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

Struck Down

“This ruling will unite the people of California and will propel their efforts to amend the state constitution,” according to a statement by Liberty Counsel, a group opposing gay marriage that was a party to the litigation. “Such an amendment is necessary to protect marriage from being undermined by the mere majority of four justices of the California Supreme Court.”

In March 2005, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer struck down California’s law barring same-sex marriage as unconstitutional, saying the state can’t prohibit people from choosing marital partners of the same sex just because it has always done so. That decision was overturned in a 2-1 ruling by a San Francisco appeals court in 2006.

San Francisco and gay and civil rights groups argued California’s ban was discriminatory, likening it to 1940s-era laws prohibiting interracial marriage. The California Supreme Court struck down the state’s miscegenation law in 1948.

California’s domestic-partner law, which gives gay couples the same rights as heterosexual couples regarding financial support, property, child custody and taxes, doesn’t go far enough in providing equal treatment to same-sex couples, they argued.

California argued the traditional view of marriage as being between a man and a woman was endorsed by voters in 2000, and that changing that policy should only be decided by voters or lawmakers. Attempts to pass gay marriage bills in the California legislature have failed.

The case is In re Marriage Cases, S147999, California Supreme Court, (San Francisco.)

My annual party is on May 17, 2008. I have created a separate website for my love party. Please visit www.carlhansloveparty.com for more information.

My guest of honor, Noel Boado/Yna Nova, photo is in Outsmart Magazine. She looks fabulous. Check out Yna Nova photo by David Lewis

Outsmart Magazine

Beer and Bugs

According to my plan when I joined the gym last year, I was supposed to be hot and gorgeous with a six pack by this time of the year. Unfortunately, several blockades are always in my path and they are in the form of butter, crab legs and the mudbugs.

I truly believe that the Vietnamese favorite “foreign food” here in the south is the crawfish. There are more Cajun restaurants in Alief (SW Houston), Texas than most cities outside of Louisiana.

We celebrated my niece, Jessica’s 21st birthday with a huge crawfish boil. I made a 20 quarts pot of seafood gumbo to go along with the crawfish. We had enough guests to clean out the giant gumbo pot and 180 pounds of crawfish. YES! 180 POUNDS to go with the beer.

Here are the photos of the crawfish boil. This article is short because I am working around the clock getting ready for the big party. I will update the site once the Love Party is over.

Cherry Grove
Cherry Grove is considered America’s first predominately gay & lesbian resort town. Cherry Grove has a lively nightlife and boasts colorful and charming modest homes and a small downtown area with a hotel, shops, bars and restaurant. The town residents include artists, drag queens, leather men, lesbian moms and a few straight residents. Cherry Grove got it’s name from the predominance of wild cherry trees found there. By the 1960s the community became known for the openly gay and bohemian lifestyle of its residents and international visitors. The town sponsers a variety of events including Home Coming Queen, Pride Fireworks, the Art Show and an annual volleyball game played against the local police. Annual benefit events include PAWS, Breast Cancer, and the Doctors Fund.

The Fire Island Pines
The Fire Island Pines is east of Cherry Grove (and the forest), and is a predominantly gay male town. The town is more than twice the size of the Grove, and there are larger more luxurious homes on wooded lots, some with beautiful gardens. This town is more popular with the young, affluent, fashion and body conscious crowd. The downtown area includes restaurants and shops and is located on a beautiful harbor.

Although the towns have their differences, they do come together each year for the 4th of July Drag Queen Invasion and the annual Pines Party on the beach.

Cherry Grove has two hotels, but due to the size of the rooms, restrictions, as well as the expense, most people opt to have shares in homes. This allows you to experience the outdoors too by enjoying the privacy of your backyard or grilling dinner on your rooftop deck.

Weekly activities include Porsche’s show at Sunsets on the Bay (not to be missed), her amazing impressions of legends like Judy Garland and Janis Joplin, and Bette Davis will keep you rolling. There is the Friday Night Underwear Parties at Tides Friday and Erotica Night on Thursdays as well as local theater productions which have included performances of Vagina Monologues, Twisted Nunsense, Torch Song Trilogy, and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom.

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Travelers are often overwhelmed and enchanted at the same time by the exuberance and friendliness of the locals, by the weight of the history and by the sheer beauty of the city.

However, tourists often find themselves in the throes of the wild, confusing circus, unable to absorb the many delights, adventures and wonders Rome generously offers to everyone brave enough to accept the challenge.

This webpage is our sincere wish to make your stay easier, so that you can appreciate this wonderful city that natives can never desert.

Rome is on Continental time 6 hours ahead of New York and seven hours ahead of Chicago. In 1996, members of the European Union agreed to observe a “summertime period” from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. The clocks are an hour ahead of solar time (GMT) in winter, and two hours ahead in summer. The clocks change twice during the year.

When arriving or leaving Rome, you are likely to do it at the Leonardo da Vinci airport in Fiumicino (FCO), a little town by the seaside, 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) west of the ring of Rome. It is more known in Rome with the name of the locality, i.e. as Fiumicino Airport (Aeroporto Fiumicino in Italian). The other possibility is that you arrive or leave at the Ciampino Airport, (CIA) a little town 4 km (2.5 miles) south of the ring of Rome.

From the Leonardo DA Vinci (FCO) airport you may go to Rome via train/subway. Follow the arrows in the airport to the train station area, you cannot miss it. Elevators and moving walkways will bring you there. You are not allowed to put trolleys with luggage on the walkways, but you can roll them along the corridors next to them.

A valid passport is required. Italian authorities may deny entry to travelers who attempt to enter Italy without a valid passport. A visa is not required for tourist stays up to three months. For further information concerning entry requirements for Italy, travelers may contact the Embassy of Italy at 1601 Fuller St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, tel. 202-328-5500, or the Italian Consulates General in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, or San Francisco.

Tourists staying other than in hotels for more than one month should register with the local police station and obtain a “permesso di soggiorno” (permit to stay) within eight days of arrival in Italy. Visitors to Italy may be required to demonstrate to the police upon arrival sufficient means of financial support. Credit cards, ATM cards, travelers’ checks, prepaid hotel/vacation vouchers, etc. can be used to show sufficient means.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for child’s travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

Since 1 January 2002 the EURO (€) is the official currency of Italy (together with 10 other European countries. It is divided in 100 cents. Coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents; and 1 and 2 EURO (€). Notes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 EURO (€). Most shops, restaurants and hotels accept all major Credit Cards.

The working day usually begins between 8AM and 9AM and people break for lunch at 2PM. In the afternoon, businesses open from 4PM to 8PM. There is a traditional “siesta” from 2 PM to 4 PM. Dinner is usually late. Usual diner time is 10 PM. It is not uncommon to have midnight dinner reservations.

Things to see
The Arch of Constantine The People and Senate of Rome built this arch out of preexisting materials in 315 AD for both the tenth anniversary of the great emperor, and in honor of his victory over Maxentius at the battle of Ponte Milvio in 312.
Campo de’ Fiori Tradition would have it that the name comes from Flora, Pompeo’s lover, but more likely it comes from the fact that in the late 1300’s, the piazza was abandoned for a brief period, and became a meadow. Since 1869, it has been the home to a vibrant and colorful market. In the center rises the monument to Giordano Bruno, who in 1600 was burned here at the stake as a heretic for contending that the universe has no center.
The Capitoline (Piazza del Campidoglio) - Michelangelo designed this elegant piazza for Pope Paul III in the 1530s. It took about 100 years to complete, but, although some of his ideas were modified along the way, it is still much as he envisaged it. It stands on top of the Capitoline, politically the most important of ancient Rome’s seven hills and site of the three major temples - to Jupiter, symbolic father of the city; Minerva, goddess of wisdom; and Juno Moneta, a vigilant goddess who was expected to sound the alarm in times of danger. The temple of Juno, the site of which is now occupied by the church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, housed the sacred Capitoline geese, in commemoration of the gaggle that supposedly raised the alarm when the Gauls attacked Rome in 390 BC. The best approach to the Campidoglio is via the great ramp of steps called the cordonata, also by Michelangelo, sweeping up from Via del Teatro DI Marcello. At the top they are flanked by two giant Roman statues of mythical twins Castor and Pollux, placed here in 1583. The palace facing you at the top of the steps is the Palazzo Senatorio, Rome’s city hall, completed by Giacomo della Porta and Girolamo Rainaldi to a design by Michelangelo. To the left is the Palazzo Nuovo and to the right the Palazzo dei Conservatori, together forming the Capitoline Museums. For four centuries, the central pedestal of the square supported a magnificent second-century equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, placed here by Michelangelo. The statue you see today is a faithful computer-generated copy; the original, after years of restoration, is now behind glass in the Palazzo Nuovo.
Colosseum (Colosseo) - Piazza del Colosseo (06 700 4261). Metro Colosseo/bus to Piazza del Colosseo. Open 9am-6pm Mon-Sat; 9am-4pm Sun. Admission L10,000; included in joint ticket with Palatine and Museo Nazionale Romano. Built in AD 72 by Vespasian on the newly drained site of an artificial lake in the grounds of Nero’s Domus Aurea, or Golden House, the Anfiteatro Flavio, to give this monument its proper name, hosted gory battles between gladiators, slaves, prisoners and wild animals of all descriptions.
Il Ges? - Piazza del Ges? (06 697 001) Bus or tram to Largo Argentina or Piazza Venezia. Open church 6am-12.30pm, 4-7.15pm, daily; Loyola’s rooms 4-6pm Mon-Sat; 10am-noon Sun. The huge Ges? is the principal church of the Jesuits, the order founded by Basque soldier Ignatius Loyola in the 1530s.
Fountana Trevi - The fountain was built by the architect Salvi (1735) in the time of Clement XII, and decorated by several artists of Bernini’s school. It is the front of a large palace (Palazzo Poli) decorated with statues and bas-reliefs on heaps of rocks. The fountain is not only celebrated for its excellent water but for the legend that whoever drinks it or throws a coin in the fountain, will assure his return to Rome.
Pantheon The inscription on the architrave of the portico “M. Agrippa L. F. Cos tertium fecit” refers to a temple erected by Agrippa in 27 B.C. to the tutelary divinities of the Julia family. In reality, Agrippa’s building was destroyed by a great fire in A.D. 80. Recent studies have proven that the present Pantheon is a reconstruction of the temple from the time of Hadrian. The interior measures 43,40 meters in diameter, and the same in height. Light and air still enter through the opening at the top (a circle of 8m. 92cms in diameter).
Palazzo Farnese - Construction on this palace was begun in 1517 by the cardinal Alessandro Farnese ( the future Pope Paulus III), after a design by A. DA Sangallo the Younger. Upon the death of the architect, the task was handed down to Michelangelo, who gave it the grand cornice and the central balcony. The palazzo, which faces a piazza bearing its name, is today the home to the French Embassy.
Piazza Navona - Bus to Corso Vittorio Emanuele or Corso Rinascimento. This tremendous theatrical oval, dominated by the gleaming marble composition of Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, is the hub of the centro storico. The piazza owes its shape to an ancient stadium, built in AD 86 by the Emperor Domitian, which was the scene of at least one martyrdom (Saint Agatha was thrown to her death here for refusing to marry), as well as sporting events. Just north of the piazza, you can still see some remains of the original arena, sunk below the level of Corso Rinascimento (which can be entered with permission). The piazza acquired its current form in the mid-seventeenth century. Its western side is dominated by Borromini’s fa?ade for the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone and the adjacent Palazzo Pamphili, built for Pope Innocent X in 1644-50. The ‘Fountain of the Four Rivers’ at the center of the piazza, finished in 1651, is one of the most extravagant masterpieces designed - though only partly sculpted - by Bernini. Its main figures represent the rivers Ganges, Nile, Danube and Plate, surrounded by geographically appropriate flora and fauna. The figure of the Nile is veiled, as its source was unknown, although for centuries the story went that Bernini designed it that way so the river god appeared to be recoiling in horror from the fa?ade of Sant’Agnese, designed by his great rival Borromini. In fact, the church was built after the fountain was finished. The obelisk in its center came from the Circus of Maxentius on the Via Appia Antica. The less spectacular Fontana del Moro is at the southern end of the piazza. The central figure (called the Moor, although he looks more like a portly sea god wrestling with a dolphin) was the only part designed by Bernini himself.
Piazza DI Spagna - The first thing that strikes one is the monumental flight of steps (1772) whose sinuous lines harmoniously follow the slope of the hill. At its feet is the Fountain of the Little Boat by P. Bernini.
Piazza Venezia - Bus to Piazza Venezia. Piazza Venezia is dominated by the glacial Vittoriale, a piece of nationalistic kitsch that outdoes anything dreamed up by the ancients. This vast pile, entirely out of proportion with anything around it, was constructed between 1885 and 1911 to honor the first king of united Italy, Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy. Centered on an equestrian statue of the king, who sports a mustache three meters long, it is also the home of the eternal flame, Italy’s memorial to the unknown soldier. As for the piazza, six main roads converge here, making it a dizzying roundabout. The west side is formed by the Palazzo Venezia, now an art museum that also hosts temporary shows of varying standards. The palace, one of the first Renaissance buildings in Rome, was built in the late fifteenth century for the Venetian Pope Paul II. Centuries later Mussolini established his headquarters here, delivering regular orations to the crowds (brought together to order) from the balcony overlooking the piazza, where pedestrians were prevented from standing still by security-obsessed guards.
Piramide Cestia This pyramid was built during the last years of the Republic (1st century BC) to hold the ashes of Caius Cestius, Praetor, Tribune and Septemvirate of the Epulos, as the inscriptions recall.
Roman Forum The Roman Forum was the center of the civic and economic life of Rome in the Republican era and kept its prominent role even in the Imperial age. The monumental complex lies between the Capitol, the Imperial Forums, the Colosseum and the Palatine.
San Giovanni St. John in Lateran is the Cathedral of Rome, the mother of all churches in Rome and in the world. Founded by Constantine, during the time of Silvester (314-335) it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. The current basilica dates from the 17th century.
Santa Maria in Cosmedin Piazza della Bocca della Verit?, 18 (06 678 1419).Bus to Piazza della Bocca della Verit? Open 9am-6pm daily. Santa Maria in Cosmedin was first built in the sixth century, next to the Temple of Hercules Victor. It was enlarged in the ninth century, and given a beautiful campanile in the twelfth. Between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries, much of the decoration was replaced with Cosmati work: the spiraling floor, the throne, the choir, the thirteenth-century baldacchino, over the ultimate example of recycling, a Roman bathtub used as an altar. If you want to prove a point, stick your hand into the Bocca della Verit? (the ‘Mouth of Truth’) a worn stone face under the portico that was probably an ancient drain cover, and is said to bite the hands of liars. According to legend, it was much used by husbands to test the faithfulness of their wives. The scene in Roman Holiday where Gregory Peck ad-libs getting his hand bitten, eliciting a (reportedly) unscripted shriek of genuine alarm from Audrey Hepburn, is one of the most delightful moments in cinema. In the sacristy is a fragment of an eighth-century mosaic of the Holy Family, brought here from the original Saint Peter’s.
Santa Maria Maggiore St. Mary Major is the greatest of many churches dedicated to Our Lady; it is the only Roman basilica that, in spite of several additional decorations, has retained its original shape. It was built, as the legend goes, in 352 BC after an appearance of the Blessed Virgin. The basilica, also called “Liberiana”, dates from the time of Pope Sixtus III(432-440).
Theater of Marcellus Begun by Caesar and dedicated thereafter by Augustus to the memory of his nephew and son-in-law Marcellus, this was one of greatest theaters in ancient Rome. It could hold around 15,000 spectators. It was used as a source of building materials, then as a medieval fort belonging to the Pierleoni family. It was then transformed by Peruzzi the architect into a sumptuous renaissance palazzo for the noble Savelli family.
The Vatican City Saint Peter’s Basilica
Saint Peter’s (San Pietro) Metro Ottaviano/bus to Piazza del Risorgimento or Piazza della Citt? Leonina
Basilica Oct-Mar 7am-6pm, Apr-Sept 7am-7pm, daily. Admission free.

Free guided tours of the basilica in English set off from the information office at 2.15pm Mon-Sat; 3pm Mon, Wed-Fri; 2.30pm Sun.
Dome Oct-Mar 8am-4.45pm, Apr-Sept 8am-5.45pm, daily. Admission L7,000; with lift L8,000.
Grottoes Oct-Mar 7am-5pm, Apr-Sept 7am-6pm, daily. Admission free.
Necropolis apply at the Uffizio degli Scavi (06 6988 5318/fax 07 6988 5518/ Email).Open 9am-5pm Mon-Sat. English-language tours must be booked at least 25 days ahead of your visit. Admission L15,000.
Treasury Museum Oct-Mar 9am-5.15pm, Apr-Sept 9am-6.15pm, daily. Admission L8,000.
Vatican Gardens. Phone the Vatican Tourist Office (06 6988 4466) to book a tour, at least three or four days in advance. Admission L20,000. The splendid square and colonnade, Bernini’s finest work, form a superb entryway to the greatest church of Christendom, dominated by the magnificent Dome carried out by Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana. The basilica rises over the foundations of a paleochristian Church, which, according to tradition, was built over the tomb of the Martyred Apostle Peter.
Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel - Since renovated, the Sistine Chapel has become the most visited site in Rome. I have seen it both before and after renovation and can easily understand why. Make sure you go early to the museum, as lines do get long.

The Scene

Despite the odd bout of finger wagging from the Vatican, Italy has long been notably free of anti-gay legislation. In the first half of this century, life was cheap, attitudes were relaxed, and boys were both. Today, the spread of affluence has broken the traditional link between poverty and sexual availability, although off-duty national servicemen have sometimes been known to turn wrist-engineers for a small fee.

Rome’s gay venues open and close at an alarming rate, so a phone call to check the bar still exists is a good idea before you slip into something sexy.

Some bars charge no entrance fee but oblige you to buy a drink. A growing number of venues ask you to show an Arcigay annual membership card, which costs L20,000, can be bought in any venue that requires you to have it, and gives you admission to many clubs throughout Italy. Some bars, though, still have their own membership cards, valid only in the individual venue and usually costing 20 Euros In most bars, you are given a printed slip on which the barman ticks off what you consume; you pay the total amount on leaving. Be careful not to lose your slip, as you’re liable for a stiff penalty if you do.

The sheer imperial scale of Rome is sure to knock you out.

It’s hard to say what you’ll find most breathtaking about the Eternal City - the arrogant opulence of the Vatican, the timelessness of the Forum, the top speed of a Fiat Bambino, the gory resonance of the Colosseum, trying to cross a major intersection, or the bill for your caffe latte.

Make like the locals and souse your senses in the glut of pleasures the city has to offer, from the grandiose thrill of feeling centuries of turbulent history under your feet to the small but potent intoxication of eating chestnut gelati on a hot day.

The main tourist season starts at Easter and runs until October; peak periods are in spring and autumn, when the tour buses pour in and tourists are herded around like cattle. Numerous outdoor festivals and concerts and the fact that Romans desert the city for the beaches and mountains, which means very light traffic and a less-crowded city centre, makes summer almost worth the heat. If you do visit in summer, try to hit the sights early, take a long lunch and a nap, and then head out again around 18:00 to take advantage of the cooler evening. Be aware some restaurants and shops close for the month of August. Winters are usually mild with few tourists and some fun events around Christmas time.

Rome’s mild climate makes it visitable year-round; however, spring and autumn are without doubt the best times to visit, with generally sunny skies and mild temperatures (although late autumn, November, can be rainy). July and August are unpleasantly hot (many Romans desert the city in August so many businesses close at this time); from December to February there is briskly cold weather, although it’s rarely grey and gloomy.

Try packing this little sampler into three days: start with the obvious choices of the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica. Catch your breath over a leisurely lunch around Piazza Navona. Pass by the Pantheon before exploring the Roman Forum and Colosseum in the afternoon. Make a night of it in lively and atmospheric Trastevere.

Spend a morning at the market in Campo dé Fiori and the Capitoline Museums. Let the ancient wonders at Palazzo Massimo alle Terme captivate you, before plumbing Rome’s multilayered history at the San Clemente Basilica. Wander through Villa Borghese and visit the magnificent, and hopefully prebooked, Galleria Borghese. Or get some retail action at the swish designer stores around Via Condotti. Naturally, spend your evenings on a passeggiata (stroll) - with gelato - from Piazza di Spagna to the Trevi Fountain. Check out ‘Il Campo’ for fun after dark, or stay out far later than you should in Testaccio.

Vowing never to touch a bottle of wine for at least another five hours I emerge onto the noisy and painfully bright streets in search of sugar-laced caffeine. I find a bar and wolf down an espresso before heading off to the Museo e Galleria Borghese. I’ve booked my ticket and before long I’m standing before a Bernini sculpture wondering how he made such hard, grey marble seem so soft. Not being a Baroque genius I give up and move on to the Caravaggios. Sated on art my thoughts turn to lunch. I know a good, old-fashioned trattoria near the Pantheon where you can get great pasta and a very drinkable house white and still have enough money left for a coffee at the Caffè Sant’ Eustachio. It’s a long walk, past the five-star hotels and touristy restaurants on Via Vittorio Veneto down to Piazza Barberini and busy Via del Tritone. By the time I sit down I’m famished. Fed and watered, I jump on a tram for Trastevere and make my way slowly up Via Garibaldi to the Janiculum Hill. I love the view from the top and pass a pleasant half hour trying to work out which dome is what. By now the heat of the afternoon’s giving way to the cool of the evening and I feel my energy returning. I’m going to need it for the night ahead - an aperitivo, dinner in San Lorenzo and then…well, then, whatever.

If sightseeing in Rome has one fault, it is simply that there is too much to see. Home to some of the most amazing sights in the world, a trip through the streets of the Italian capital will leave you spellbound.

Centre of the former Roman Empire, word at the time stated that: ‘All roads lead to Rome’ and when you get there you will soon see why. A wonderful blend of the old and the not so old, from the ancient Colisseum to the wealth and splendour of the Vatican City, the city has attracted some of the world’s finest artists, architects and engineers throughout the centuries. Evidence of their presence is to be found on every street and square making it a unique destination where walking around strongly resembles walking through the world’s biggest museum.

Most would recommend that you begin your sightseeing trip in the centro storico where there is a vast collection of both Classical and Christian sights contained in an area that you can easily navigate on foot. Realistically, however, it doesn’t matter where you begin because there are certain attractions where everyone ends up. Among these are the aforementioned Vatican and Colosseum, the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Piazza Navona, the Catacombs, the Sistine Chapel and the hundreds of churches and piazzas which are scattered throughout the city.

The most important thing to remember is that you are not going to see everything. Some focus on the main attractions spending plenty of time on each one. Others spend their stay rushing from one attraction to the other trying to fit as much as they can into a very short space of time. Whichever option you choose, rest assured that you will enjoy it thoroughly but if you do intend returning, and you probably will, the former is probably the better of the two.

In Rome, nine out of ten restaurants are trattorias. More than a restaurant, a trattoria is where you spend the evening, a cafe, a bar, and living room in one. Everyone likes to eat out, until quite late, all the time. Romans will sit and chat (and drink) after all the food is gone. The worst treatment a foreigner will get comes while waiting for a table, or being seated (some restaurants will segregate foreigners). You should either eat with a group of locals, or just ignore it and join the fun (when in Rome…) Remember that most places will not open before 8pm and tables are scarce by 9pm. It helps if you make a reservation. If you just show up without one, don’t show up hungry. A “no sorry” from the host may mean that you might have to wait around and a table may free later. It is customary to order appetizers, pasta, main dish, coffee or grappa. You may omit a course, but remember that main dishes usually come without sides, and the pasta dish will not be meal-sized. The meal is never rushed; if you think you are getting the silent treatment, toss out the words for water (”acqua”), wine (”vino”), or the check (”conto”) to get your waiters attention. Even though the tip is included (”service com pris”), it is considered an insult to offer you the bill before you request it. In most restaurants they are expecting you will stay until closing.

Pompeii is the one of the most important archeological sites anywhere. Almost every other ancient urban site is simply the remains of a ghost town, long ago deserted by its citizens who carried away with them everything of value. Prior to the eruption of Vesuvius, Pompeii was a thriving city. Then it was buried with so little warning in 79 AD that Pompeii was literally frozen in time. If we want to know details about what life was like in a Roman city during the first century, I think by studying Pompeii we can get the very best perspective with the least speculation. We can understand how the privileged rich man and the ordinary slave lived from day to day in the Roman Empire during the time when Christianity was beginning to spread throughout the Mediterranean. About 150 miles to the southeast of Rome, Pompeii is surrounded by the region of Italy called Campania (or Campagna, which means “countryside” in Italian).

On a rare day, after a period of rain and wind, the smog will clear so that Mount Vesuvius can be seen from Naples.

There many tour companies that will arrange a day tour to Naples and Pompeii.

“Edyta” Bed & Breakfast in downtown Rome, Italy

Website: http://www.rome-bed-breakfast.eu
Address: Via rattazzi 65, 00185, Roma, Italia
Phone: 0039 064453066
Email: reservation@rome-bed-breakfast.eu

You are welcome to “Edyta” Bed & Breakfast in downtown Rome, Italy. Our wide rooms with private bath, air conditioning, and tv, are situated in an ideal place for discovering central Rome and its treasures. In fact, although it is very close to the main railway station and metro station “Termini” , the building is in a silent street. But most important is that we are so close to the main monuments of the city. For example, from the B&B you can reach both the famous Colosseo and S. Maria Maggiore in only a few minutes walking. Greetings from Rome!

Your B&B in Rome! Here you will find rooms with private bath, in an ideal place for discovering Rome and its treasures. The bed & breakfast is downtown Rome, but in quite street. It is very close to the main railway station Termini, and to the most famous monuments of the city.

From the B&B you can reach both the famous Colosseo and S. Maria Maggiore in only a few minutes walking. It is located on the first floor of a typical Rome bulding . The rooms have been recently restored, they are comfortable and welcoming. Every room has a private bathroom and air condition. The breakfast is rich and delicious.

Siamo lieti di accogliervi nel nostro B&B a Termini, nel centro di Roma. Le nostre ampie camere con bagno sono dotate di ogni comfort. Nonostante siamo a due passi dalla stazione centrale Termini, siamo collocati in una strada tranquilla. Le nostre ampie camere, da poco ristrutturate, sono dotate di ogni comfort, bagno privato, aria condizionata, televisione, cucina in comune. Offriamo una completa colazione tipo continentale.

Dal nostro B&B potrete raggiungere rapidamente le principali attrazioni della città, come ad esempio il Colosseo o la chiesa di S. Maria Maggiore in cinque minuti a piedi, oppure S. Pietro o Piazza di Spagna in meno di venti minuti con la metropolitana.

Local Attractions: Roman Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Catacombs, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps

Nearby Cities: Ciampino, Grottaferrata, Marino
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You are welcome to “Edyta” Bed & Breakfast in downtown Rome, Italy. Our wide rooms with private bath, air conditioning, and tv, are situated in an ideal place for discovering central Rome and its treasures. In fact, although it is very close to the main railway station and metro station “Termini” , the building is in a silent street. But most important is that we are so close to the main monuments of the city. For example, from the B&B you can reach both the famous Colosseo and S. Maria Maggiore in only a few minutes walking. Greetings from Rome!

Your B&B in Rome! Here you will find rooms with private bath, in an ideal place for discovering Rome and its treasures. The bed & breakfast is downtown Rome, but in quite street. It is very close to the main railway station Termini, and to the most famous monuments of the city.

From the B&B you can reach both the famous Colosseo and S. Maria Maggiore in only a few minutes walking. It is located on the first floor of a typical Rome bulding . The rooms have been recently restored, they are comfortable and welcoming. Every room has a private bathroom and air condition. The breakfast is rich and delicious.

Siamo lieti di accogliervi nel nostro B&B a Termini, nel centro di Roma. Le nostre ampie camere con bagno sono dotate di ogni comfort. Nonostante siamo a due passi dalla stazione centrale Termini, siamo collocati in una strada tranquilla. Le nostre ampie camere, da poco ristrutturate, sono dotate di ogni comfort, bagno privato, aria condizionata, televisione, cucina in comune. Offriamo una completa colazione tipo continentale.

Dal nostro B&B potrete raggiungere rapidamente le principali attrazioni della città, come ad esempio il Colosseo o la chiesa di S. Maria Maggiore in cinque minuti a piedi, oppure S. Pietro o Piazza di Spagna in meno di venti minuti con la metropolitana.

The sheer imperial scale of Rome is sure to knock you out.

It’s hard to say what you’ll find most breathtaking about the Eternal City - the arrogant opulence of the Vatican, the timelessness of the Forum, the top speed of a Fiat Bambino, the gory resonance of the Colosseum, trying to cross a major intersection, or the bill for your caffe latte.

Make like the locals and souse your senses in the glut of pleasures the city has to offer, from the grandiose thrill of feeling centuries of turbulent history under your feet to the small but potent intoxication of eating chestnut gelati on a hot day.

The main tourist season starts at Easter and runs until October; peak periods are in spring and autumn, when the tour buses pour in and tourists are herded around like cattle. Numerous outdoor festivals and concerts and the fact that Romans desert the city for the beaches and mountains, which means very light traffic and a less-crowded city centre, makes summer almost worth the heat. If you do visit in summer, try to hit the sights early, take a long lunch and a nap, and then head out again around 18:00 to take advantage of the cooler evening. Be aware some restaurants and shops close for the month of August. Winters are usually mild with few tourists and some fun events around Christmas time.

Rome’s mild climate makes it visitable year-round; however, spring and autumn are without doubt the best times to visit, with generally sunny skies and mild temperatures (although late autumn, November, can be rainy). July and August are unpleasantly hot (many Romans desert the city in August so many businesses close at this time); from December to February there is briskly cold weather, although it’s rarely grey and gloomy.

Try packing this little sampler into three days: start with the obvious choices of the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica. Catch your breath over a leisurely lunch around Piazza Navona. Pass by the Pantheon before exploring the Roman Forum and Colosseum in the afternoon. Make a night of it in lively and atmospheric Trastevere.

Spend a morning at the market in Campo dé Fiori and the Capitoline Museums. Let the ancient wonders at Palazzo Massimo alle Terme captivate you, before plumbing Rome’s multilayered history at the San Clemente Basilica. Wander through Villa Borghese and visit the magnificent, and hopefully prebooked, Galleria Borghese. Or get some retail action at the swish designer stores around Via Condotti. Naturally, spend your evenings on a passeggiata (stroll) - with gelato - from Piazza di Spagna to the Trevi Fountain. Check out ‘Il Campo’ for fun after dark, or stay out far later than you should in Testaccio.

Vowing never to touch a bottle of wine for at least another five hours I emerge onto the noisy and painfully bright streets in search of sugar-laced caffeine. I find a bar and wolf down an espresso before heading off to the Museo e Galleria Borghese. I’ve booked my ticket and before long I’m standing before a Bernini sculpture wondering how he made such hard, grey marble seem so soft. Not being a Baroque genius I give up and move on to the Caravaggios. Sated on art my thoughts turn to lunch. I know a good, old-fashioned trattoria near the Pantheon where you can get great pasta and a very drinkable house white and still have enough money left for a coffee at the Caffè Sant’ Eustachio. It’s a long walk, past the five-star hotels and touristy restaurants on Via Vittorio Veneto down to Piazza Barberini and busy Via del Tritone. By the time I sit down I’m famished. Fed and watered, I jump on a tram for Trastevere and make my way slowly up Via Garibaldi to the Janiculum Hill. I love the view from the top and pass a pleasant half hour trying to work out which dome is what. By now the heat of the afternoon’s giving way to the cool of the evening and I feel my energy returning. I’m going to need it for the night ahead - an aperitivo, dinner in San Lorenzo and then…well, then, whatever.

If sightseeing in Rome has one fault, it is simply that there is too much to see. Home to some of the most amazing sights in the world, a trip through the streets of the Italian capital will leave you spellbound.

Centre of the former Roman Empire, word at the time stated that: ‘All roads lead to Rome’ and when you get there you will soon see why. A wonderful blend of the old and the not so old, from the ancient Colisseum to the wealth and splendour of the Vatican City, the city has attracted some of the world’s finest artists, architects and engineers throughout the centuries. Evidence of their presence is to be found on every street and square making it a unique destination where walking around strongly resembles walking through the world’s biggest museum.

Most would recommend that you begin your sightseeing trip in the centro storico where there is a vast collection of both Classical and Christian sights contained in an area that you can easily navigate on foot. Realistically, however, it doesn’t matter where you begin because there are certain attractions where everyone ends up. Among these are the aforementioned Vatican and Colosseum, the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Piazza Navona, the Catacombs, the Sistine Chapel and the hundreds of churches and piazzas which are scattered throughout the city.

The most important thing to remember is that you are not going to see everything. Some focus on the main attractions spending plenty of time on each one. Others spend their stay rushing from one attraction to the other trying to fit as much as they can into a very short space of time. Whichever option you choose, rest assured that you will enjoy it thoroughly but if you do intend returning, and you probably will, the former is probably the better of the two.

Local Attractions: Roman Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Catacombs, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps

Nearby Cities: Ciampino, Grottaferrata, Marino
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