Private Excursions 

Castelli Romani

The Castelli Romani area is located 35 km south from Rome and represents one of the favourite destinations of the Romans for out of town trips, because it’s ideally situated. The beauty of the landscape presenting two enchanting volcanic lakes, the local cooking and the delicious wine here produced are all features for an unforgettable exclusive excursion.

The first city we meet along our way is Marino, a famous roman grape cultivation centre where on the first Sunday of October in every year the traditional wine festival takes place. The people celebrate this event with allegorical  wagon processions while new wine flows out from the fountains replacing the water.

Through the “via dei laghi” path we arrive to Castel Gandolfo, the historical summer residence of the Popes that overviews on the Albano lake. Right in front of the Papal House you can find the enchanting fountain by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and the particular S. Tommaso Church built in 1661 having an impressive size dome (it recalls the Pantheon’s Cupola). Further down if you lean out of a small terrace you can have a beautiful view over the lake.

Driving on the long and huge viaduct that crosses an ancient Vulcan crater  we get to Ariccia, where you can see the predominance of the Gian Lorenzo Bernini baroque style. This famous architect dedicated himself to the renewal of “Palazzo Chigi” this time, a splendid baroque house that is currently subject to visits from all over the world because of its castle-like shape with 4 towers. Each first Sunday of September the traditional and well-known Porchetta festival (oven or spit roasted suckling pig flavoured with pepper, rosemary, garlic and other seasonings) is celebrated in the various prays/branches in the open air where you can sit and have a good glass of wine. 

After passing by the ''via dei laghi'', rich in oak and chestnut woods, we reach  Nemi, a volcanic village whose shores are lapsed by the homonymous lake where they discovered the remains of two roman ships. They are now conserved in the Roman Ship Museum together with the ruins of Diana’s Temple. The little strawberries of Nemi growing in the Nemi wood are known all over the world and can be enjoyed at any bar placed by the lakeside. 

The itinerary ends up with Frascati, a city that became famous thanks to its white Doc wine and its sumptuous 16th century palaces belonging to the noble roman families, like “Villa Aldobrandini”, decorated with gardens and waterfalls and gorgeous fountains. Going up along a panoramic street we reach the top of a hill where you can have a thrilling view over a breathtaking landscape. Moreover it’ll be possible to visit the ancient ruins of a forum and a amphitheatre belonging to an old 9th century bC roman city.