01, October 2014: Theme parks are probably not the first thing most travellers would associate with Rome but all that might be about to change. Cinecitta World recently opened its gates and is located just 45 minutes from the city, easily accessible via car, direct shuttle or train from many a central family hotel. Rome‘s newest theme park pays homage to, and celebrates, Italy’s cinematic heritage from its golden days when the city was known as “Hollywood on the Tiber” up to the present day.
Visitors will be thrilled by interactive sets such as a submarine or the western set, which is popular with fans of Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns. Dante Ferretti, famed for his set work on Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York, designed all the sets for the park -including a 1920s New York style one paying tribute to the Scorsese film.
Emmanuel Gout, the president of Cinecitta Parks, says, “Here, the idea is that people will also enter not only sets, but the confusion of a place where we are shooting movie. Everything will be illusion. The visitor will become a protagonist of the day, becoming a star, becoming involved in some fake movie.”
In an effort to coax tourists and travellers into making the 45-minute journey from their accommodation in the city, the amusement park also offers a variety of exciting rides – including a corkscrew roller coaster and a water roller coaster in an ancient Rome setting. For those staying in a family hotel, Rome offers plenty for children, and this theme park is another fine example.
It is hoped that this new and very unique amusement park will persuade travellers to extend their visit to Rome in the future. Luigi Abete, president of the Italian Entertainment Group, commented that, “The average tourist spends five days in Paris but two and a half days in Rome. After they opened the Disney theme park outside Paris, the average stay went up.” Travel experts are confident that those booking in to a family hotel (Rome has many, including the excellent Worldhotel Ripa Roma in Trastevere) will find plenty to create a longer child-friendly itinerary of the city.
The park has every potential for bringing about the economic success its creators are hoping for. Unlike most theme parks, Cinecitta offers a wonderful combination of historic and modern day features along with the even more unusual attribute of serving exceptionally good food! Already it is apparent that tourists staying in the city (not to mention local Italians) are more than willing to travel the distance for fine food and a unique experience.
About WorldHotel Ripa Roma:
WorldHotel Ripa Roma is a WorldHotels partner hotel offering 4-star accommodation in the historic Rome district of Trastevere. To find out more about it, visit http://www.worldhotelriparoma.com/ .
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