Click Here to view The Other Rome photo gallery.

From October 3-10, Historic New England’s Appleton Circle hosted its 2007 European Travel Adventure, The Other Rome.

Rome is known as Caput mundi "capital of the world", la Città Eterna "the Eternal City", Limen Apostolorum "threshold of the Apostles", la città dei sette colli "the city of the seven hills" or simply l'Urbe ("the City"). The entire center of the city, one of the few in Europe to escape bombing during World War II, is designated as a World Heritage Site. This reflects the thousands of years of history, art and architecture layered there. It is a perfect environment in which to seek understanding of classical culture and design influences that inspired New Englanders in the past, and continue to inspire us today.

The goals of Appleton Circle trips are to welcome members to buildings, collections and experiences that they cannot secure on their own, and to do so with a congenial group of people interested in architecture, decorative arts, museums and preservation. Rome travelers report that those goals were fully achieved. The trip combined special tours to the very best museums in the Eternal City—all but one conducted privately, before or after public hours—with visits to private palaces and apartments that included opportunities to meet and learn about the city from its leading families. The 24-person group was accompanied by British art and architecture expert James McDonaugh, who also lectures for the Courtauld Institute, and at times by Duquesne University Professor Elizabeth Lev. Both offered inspired insights into the treasures and tribulations of Roman history.

Our home during our stay was the historic Hotel Eden, located adjacent to the Villa Borghese and affording one of the best views in the entire city from its rooftop terrace. From an opening banquet at the Casino Valadier on the Pincian Hill overlooking the city, to two lunches in palazzos of Rome’s great families featuring warm hospitality amidst extraordinary art and architecture, the trip offered exciting surprises at every turn. Some travelers identified the private evening visit to the Galleria Borghese with its extraordinary collection of Bernini sculpture to be their favorite event. Others selected the day out to Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli, followed by an opportunity to explore a 17th century private castle and dine with the owner, as a top event. Other favorites were a special evening at La Caccia, which has been called “the most aristocratic and exclusive” of all of the private clubs in Italy, and an extraordinary private evening tour, opera singer performance and candlelight dinner in the Princess Isabelle apartments at the Galleria Colonna.

All agreed that the two hours spent in the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel after hours was an experience that will long be remembered. The typical day sees 17,000-23,000 visitors touring the Vatican Museums, with Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel constantly filled. For our evening tour we were the only visitors, alone in the museum and chapel except for the guards.

The 2007 Appleton Circle tour was made possible by the generous help of Historic New England Council member Lewis S. Allen, who greatly assisted our staff by volunteering his time and expertise for trip planning. After exceptional trips to London in 2005 and Paris in 2006, plus annual trips across the United States, Appleton Circle travel experiences are in great demand. We expect to offer two international experiences in 2008, too be announced to members in late 2007. If you are not already an Appleton Circle member, join now to show your support for Historic New England and to share in outstanding events and experiences at home and abroad.

Click Here to view The Other Rome photo gallery.