Grand Hotel Palace, Rome

GRAND HOTEL PALACE
Via Vittorio Veneto 70
00187. Roma, Italy

Boscolo Hotels suffer from too cutesy post modern decor....lots of shiny surfaces, in your face color schemes and supposedly edgy furniture. No longer in the Boscolo chain, this hotel has retained the decor but improved service. Large rooms, spacious bathrooms, big windows allowing natural light from the roman sun to enter and brighten things. Unfortunately despite its good location, Via Veneto is no longer the go to spot in Rome. Walk around in late evening and you will be accosted by street walkers, people trying to lure you into dubious night spots and you will have to go some distance to find a friendly coffee bar or shop. Many cafés are shuttered and some storefronts closed. The "dolce vita" has left decades ago. That said, it is probably one of the safest places to be in Rome, considering the American Embassy is directly across the street!
This is good solid choice for business travelers, but would not rate it highly for leisure consumers...there are too many better choices in the Eternal City.

View from my window.

ROMA SPOSA 2015 "Italian Wedding Experience"

The 27th edition of this yearly wedding expo called Roma Sposa (literally Rome Bride) was held once again at Rome's convention center called " Nuova Fiera di Roma", a complex of nondescript  hangars located midway between Fiumicino Airport and center city from January 15th to the 19th 2015.

Not knowing what to expect, our group of writers, bloggers, and journalists representing the USA, Great Britain, Israel and Russia entered the first of two pavilions and were immediately enveloped by an organized chaos resembling a middle Eastern souk. The cacophony of sounds emanating  from cheesy wedding singers, vendors inviting prospective customers into their booths as well as groups of families loudly opining about each display, welcomed us. Yes, this is how business is done in Italy! Leisurely, happily, sometimes loudly but ultimately seriously. The wedding business is a multi million Euro affair in Italy generating revenue for multiple enterprises and ultimately the government's coffers.

As we meandered through the intricate maze of corridors accompanied by organizers and representatives of the Fair, we could immediately see that transactions were actually taking place, contracts were being signed, and the futures of some families would eventually be legally and socially intertwined long before the actual wedding day and ideally long after.

As more and more foreigners choose Italy not only for their honeymoons, but also for their destination weddings, I want to make my readers aware that this event could be the ideal one stop shopping and planning destination for all things "wedding".
The eclectic array of vendors include the ubiquitous wedding gown displays, wedding planners, vintage cars and limousines, catering locations and reception halls, make up artists, restauranteurs, Travel agents, jewelers, purveyors of entertainment, real estate agents, furniture manufacturers, and yes even a real helicopter on display for those wanting to arrive in ultimate decadent style before entering their jacuzzi on wheels. Yes indeed, they went there...a full jacuzzi in a modified vintage American limo!
Twice daily fashion shows from various design houses showcasing the latest trends in wedding apparel for both men and women can be used both  as a reprise from the  barrage of visual and sensory overload, and a time to envision what style will most suit you and will best compliment your special day. I had no idea wedding gowns could be purchased in almost every color under the sun including black...goth wedding anyone? Some featured designers showed dual use gowns, which converted  from  the flowing floor length and traditional , into  lace shorts, or pant suits in time for the reception ; something for all tastes and budgets.

The most unique feature of the fair is "Wed Academy" ( I'm pretty sure they were not referring to Wednesday but I digress...).  This is a separate area where prospective couples can have one on one consultations with some of the top ranking experts in their respective fields, therefore cutting through the extraneous and focusing on the desires of the individuals who ultimately will spend a large portion of their savings for their one very special day.

For my readers and clients in the USA, I can serve as that liaison since unfortunately many of the vendor's command  of the English language is woefully lacking.
I have had experience in locating, booking and arranging all the services one may need for a wedding in Italy. I travel there frequently in order to network, make contacts and sift through what I feel may most appeal to American audiences.
From airline tickets to transfers, hotels and all services described above, feel free to contact me, your Italian concierge!