Ariccia, of latin origin, is situated between Albano and Nemi lakes on a spur in the middle of two verdant valleys having behind Mount Cavo and in the front a wide valley with view all the way to the sea. The foundation of this town dates back to the 14 th century b.c.It is still possible to see the side of the old volcanocrater where used to be a lake which now is dried out. Gian Lorenzo Bernini , architect genius, changed the face of Ariccia due to the will of Chigi family. Imposing Chigi Palace with its Park is the best reserved 17th century residencein the whole province of Rome. And here is this famous "porchetta (roast sucking pig).Its origins go back to about 3000 years ago when the "Prisci Latini", once a year, got together and gave a big party in order to celebrate the birth of the "Lega Latina". During these celebrations, the priests, who were at the same time butchers and cooks, sacrified swines and boars for Mars. Later the legend goes that during the Roman Empire, it seems that the Porcheta beacame favourite dish of the Emperor Nero, who used to organize luxurious feasts with his friends and moreover he used to give it as a gift to his distinguished guests. From the Roman times the porchetta has survived and is considered today a perfect dish, that can be served together with a slice of homemade bread and a glass of wine!

 

The name of Frascati appears for the first time in the "Liber Pontificialis" towards the half of IX century of Christian era. In the place of present Frascati existed in the antiquity an important compitum, a crossing of roads that connected Rome with Tuscolo, the Labican & Latin way and Via Appia. But as Frascati has kept quite little from ancient roman times it is impossible to rebuild its phases and happenings. During centuries Frascati passed in the hands of different noble families and the face of Frascati turns to be elegant and decent with the treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis in 1559,when the great cardinal families invested their capital in works of great social prestige. This begins the epoch of the splendid renaissance and baroque villas like Villa Aldobrandini, Villa Ruffinella ,Villa Lancellotti,Villa Falconieri,Villa Mondragone, Villa Parisi, Villa Grazioli,just to mention some of them, still today constitute the wonder of Frascati. Currently Frascati is an important residential center with a character in vicinity of Rome.Its position in the centre of Castelli Romani area makes it most popular town in this area and is loved by the romans who arrive in crowds during weekend to stroll along its panoramic terraces,explore the fine boutiques,eat out in typical"fraschette" is definitely to be experienced. These "fraschette" are still run by local families who produce the worldfamous Frascati wine. The particularity is that the owners sell you their wine but you bring your own food and enjoy it in their place.These little "restaurants" are very picturesque to visit and specially in summer time to sit outside by wooden tables and chairs in the middle of square, is the most typical view of italian life.As the italians say…. "Salute and Buon Appetito"! 20 minutes from Il Colle degli Ulivi.

In Touch with the Sky



Nemi
The Jewel in the Middle of Sacred  Forest

This charming little town lay on a rock in the the summit of volcanic lake called by Latin people “Specchio di Diana” (the Mirror of Diana). In the past , on the banks of the lake, a temple was built to worship Diana, the Goddness of Forest and Hunting. The ruins of this ancient temple are still visible. Visitors are fascinated by its labyrinth of lanes and narrow streets facing craftsmanshops and flowered balconies.Nemi is also famous for its wild strawberries and other excellent local products. Nemi‘s lake set in crater of ancient volcano has kept for millenniums  the mystery of two ships which were built by Roman Emperor Caligula for the celebration of  sacred rites.Unfortunately very little is left of these precious ships and now displayed in the museum beside the lake.

 

The earliest settlements in the area appear to have been of southern etruscan culture and dated back to VII century B.C. Known in the antiquity as "Praeneste" it was already an important center around the 8 th century B.C. From this position Palestrina could control the road of trade and communication between north and south.. In Palestrina is the temple of Primordial Fortune,the most important monument from the Republican Era in Lazio with a series of beautiful terraces brought to light during second world war bombing. In 338 the city partecipated in the Latin war against Rome and town was conquired by Romans. Palestrina has been home land of Giovanni Perluigi da Palestrina - the prince of polyphonic music, and cultural center for many artists in the middle age.

 

Subiaco is the most important town in the upper valley of river Aniene and lies in the heart of Regional Natural Park "Monti Simbruini". Its latin name "Subiaquem" comes from artifical lakes which Emperor Nero obtained building a dam on the river Aniene. Here the Emperor had a luxurious villa which is now in ruins. Subiaco is famous worldwide for its two Benedictine monasteries: St.Scholastica (here was printed the first book in Italy) and St.Benedict "Sacro Speco" so unusually beautiful and so close to the rocks that described as a "swallows nest". Saint Benedict came here to look for more rigorous solitude and spent first 3 years in the cave "Holy Grotto" just under present Upper Church of Sacro Speco. Besides these important monasteries Subiaco has a magnificent natural setting – the river Aniene with its limpid waters rich of fish and Mount Livata an important resort for visitors during winter and summer.

 

Set in a picturesque valley, Fiuggi is renowned in Europe for it’s Thermal Baths. For centuries its waters taken by papa Boniface VIII and Michelangelo Buonarroti, have been famous for their curative and disintoxicating qualities. Fiuggi, with its stone built houses and ancient narrow streets has an interesting modern building in its Municipal Theatre, built in 1910. Fiuggi offers visitors two splendid Thermal Bath centres; "Fonte Anticolana" and "Fonte Bonifacio VIll", and it also offers a wide range of hotels in every category. The town has good sports facilities including a golf course, one of best among ltalian courses. Like all Italian spa towns, Fiuggi has loads of great shopping, and plenty of good restaurants serving hearty local food. Fiuggi offers the two main appointments with the tradition: the Festivity of the Stuzze and the Festivity of Saint Biagio, celebrated the 2 and 3 February. It seems that in 1298 it was just the Festivity of the Stuzze to save the city from I besiege of the papal troops. The soldiers arrived in night to the doors of the village and, exchanging fires of the celebrations for a fire, they thought to have been preceded from allies and calmly left. The next day the city, heard of the escaped danger, named the saint of that day, Saint Biagio, as a patron of Fiuggi. During the Festivity, that it derives from ancient pagan rituals of purification, it was used to burn exactly "stuzze",logs that in the centuries have become canes, log of oak and wooden huts covered with twigs of ginestra constructed purposely for the celebrations. The Festivity of Saint Biagio , comes repeated in the first Sunday of August so that also summery vacationing can enjoy the city traditions.

A life is not enough to discover the Eternal city but it doesn't mean that you need to stay in the city to enjoy at the best. After 7/8 hrs. in the hussle and bussle you'll love to find a more relaxing enviroment were cool down and enjoy a more relaxing dinner in a more green and fresh enviroment. We will be glad to share our knowledge of Rome and help you to enjoy the city at the best.

 

For the one who want really discover the beauty of Rome, night walking tour in Rome are also available. After living over 30 years in the city center, that's the only way we still manage to enjoy the real essence of this wonderful city.