ROMA | LAZIO

Discover Rome

Rome, the capital of Italy, is also the largest Italian municipality with about 3 million inhabitants within the metropolitan area.

Rome, the Eternal City, is among the world’s main tourist destinations.
Tourists are attracted by its history and artistic beauty, its Mediterranean climate, the surrounding countryside, and exquisite Roman cuisine. Founded on the banks of the Tiber, Rome is built on seven hills: the Campidoglio, Viminale, Quirinale, Esquilinio, Celio, Palatino and Aventine.
Tradition has it that Romulus and Remus founded Rome in 753 B.C. Every corner of Rome is a wealth of beauty and culture. Art is everywhere: among the best-known monuments are the Colosseum, Forum Romano, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Barcaccia Fountain, but it is impossible to do justice to the beauties of the Eternal City in a few words. Rome’s churches, palaces, squares, museums, fountains, villas, gardens and archaeological sites all make it unique.

The lush countryside surrounding Rome offers opportunities for unforgettable holidays. A favourite holiday spot since ancient times is Colonna, known for its scenic beauty, the artistic wealth of its historic centre and its production of excellent wine (Montecompatri D.O.C.). The Palazzo Gallese and the churches of St. Rocco and Nicholas of Bari are well worth visiting.
About 20km from Rome is the city of Frascati, which Rome conquered from the Latins. In addition to enjoying the panoramic view and the art in the historic centre, you can sample many Roman delicacies such as noodles with chicken giblets, abbacchio (suckling lamb), oxtail alla vaccinara, and tripe alla Romana.
Important writers have always favoured Marino, an ancient village that has hosted Giuseppe Ungaretti and Alberto Moravia. Marino offers visitors a wide choice: the Basilica of St. Barnabas or the Fountain of the Four Moors, whose waters turn into wine during the grape festival celebrated on the first Sunday of October. Monte Porzio Catone, situated on a hill near the ruins of the Etruscan town of Tuscolo, has always been associated with natural beauty. Nature lovers will appreciate the Orchid Show in March, the Apricot Festival in June and the Festival of New Wine in December.

On the foothills of Mount Artemisio lies the ancient city of Velletri, which produces excellent extra virgin olive oil and the Velletri red and white D.O.C. wines.
The greatest interpretation of landscape gardening is to be found at Tivoli’s Villa d'Este, where the immense, scenic, terraced slopes are filled with lush vegetation and artificial waterfalls and fountains.