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Rare Snow Storm in Rome Disrupts Flights

Feb. 26, 2018
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2 min read
ITALY-WEATHER-ROME-SNOW
Rare Snow Storm in Rome Disrupts Flights
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For the first time in six years, Romans woke up Monday morning to a winter wonderland after a rare storm dusted the city's famous monuments in snow. The storm, dubbed the “Beast from the East,” brought a blanket of snow overnight, shutting down schools and causing major disruptions to ground and air travel in Italy's capital city.

Panoramic view of Rome covered by snow. (Photo by TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images)

According to Reuters, Rome's main airport, Fiumicino (FCO), had only one runway operating on Sunday while the second airport, Ciampino (CIA), was closed overnight. Ryanair, which uses Ciampino as its Italian hub, cancelled all flights to and from the airport, according to Reuters. Despite some delays, most of Italy's other main airports remained opened.

In addition to airport closures, schools and public offices were ordered to close, as many people could not reach their places of work. Police asked residents to stay at home if possible. Local authorities opened several train stations as emergency shelters for the homeless. The city asked other areas to send in snow plows to help clear roads, and snow-removal crews were in place for the winter blast.

Tourists visit the Arch of Constantine during a snowfall in Rome on February 26, 2018. (Photo by VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images)

A number of tourist attractions were also closed, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. Yet many tourist and locals took advantage of the snow and had some fun at parks and sites throughout the city. The Circo Massimo and St. Peter's Square in the Vatican were hotspots for snowball fights, as priests and seminarians were captured throwing snowballs.

Source: H/T Reuters.com

Featured image by AFP/Getty Images

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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.