Top Things to do in Castelli Romani
The 10 Best Things to do in Castelli Romani, Lazio
Discover the best top things to do in Castelli Romani, Italy including Azienda Biologica De Sanctis, Minardi Frascati Winery - Antico Casale Minardi, Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo, Lago di Nemi, Villa Falconieri, Villa Aldobrandini, Frascati Centro storico, Ponte di Ariccia, Giardino Barberini, Palazzo Pontificio.
Restaurants in Castelli Romani
1. Azienda Biologica De Sanctis
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
2. Minardi Frascati Winery - Antico Casale Minardi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 139 reviews
While in Rome, take your chance to experience one-of-a-kind Guided Wine Tours of one of the famous Frascati Wine vineyards! You will also have a chance to enjoy a fun Pasta Making Class or Pizza class with our traditional Chef! Or a nice horseback riding experience with a qualified instructor in our Ranch! Here, at the Minardi Historic Winery, or Antico Casale Minardi, you will taste genuine wines and olive oil, as well as delicious Italian food! The Farmhouse has a beautiful deck overlooking Rome and an original wine tasting room linked with the old cellar. Wine Tours and Pasta or Pizza Making Classes upon booking! Organization of events, parties and Country Weddings!
Reviewed By 570graceh
WOW! What an experience, I found Minardi wine tours on trip advisor, Alfredo was incredibly quick to respond and accommodating for our groups specific dietary requirements and tight timings. Max - our host around Frisanti - is such a character! and very knowledgeable of this beautiful historical town where we got to try local bread and wine. After a short while walking round the town, we were picked up and taken on the short journey to the vineyard which absolutely takes your breath away, and is steeped in family history. Alfredo’s father showed us around and it was amazing to hear from a 9th generation wine maker. He was incredibly passionate and had many stories to tell! We then tried the families’ DOCG white wine and local olive oil with bread in the wine ‘museum’ which led into a 4 course tasting menu with matching wine - all of which was exceptional - hats off to Luigi the chef who also has a hidden operatic singing talent which we were lucky enough to witness as this experience was booked for my birthday! Luigi and Alfredo surprised us with a piano and operatic show and it was just fabulous. Thank you to you all - you made our final night in Italy a night we will never forget.
3. Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,000 reviews
Reviewed By sharonhW264WM - Las Vegas, United States
Castel Gandolfo was declared property of the Holy See in the 13th century, but the castle was not built until the 17th century when other villas and cottages were being built in this area. It was renovated by Pope Pius XI in 1929 and has been used as the pope’s summer residence since them. During WWII 40 babies were born in the bedroom here, to mothers trying to escape the Nazis. Pope John Paul recovered from his injuries here when he was shot in 1980. The current Pope Francis declared that it should be open to the public since he preferred to stay in Rome and work. As we entered the gates of the Apostolic Palace, we passed the small fleet of Mercedes cars used by the Pope and the “Popemobile” with the bulletproof shell. Continuing, we made our way through display rooms showing the costumes of the Swiss Guards, the portable throne used to carry the pope in processions, and other items used by the pope. Next came galleries with portraits of all the popes, followed by a lovely cream, yellow, and gold waiting room where guests who had an audience with the pope were taken first. From there, we went through a series of waiting rooms (ante-rooms). A group of people might be granted an audience, but ultimately only one would actually see the pope. The others in the group would go as far as their “status/permission” allowed them and would wait in their assigned ante-room. The last ante-room was normally reserved for the wife of the man who had the audience. Finally came the magnificent throne room where the pope received the person granted an audience. Following that, all rooms were private. The general public was not allowed—only his private secretaries. A series of offices came next—some with elaborate desks and bookshelves and others with much simpler furniture. Then the pope’s bedroom, which was a bright and airy corner room with creamy yellow walls and mint-green drapes on four large windows. The furniture—a large bed, wardrobe, desk, and table with chairs—was made of beautifully carved wood and looked comfortable and lived-in. The bedroom opened onto a lovely little chapel with an altar and the pope’s own chair and kneeler. Following the chapel was a large gallery which led us back to the square outside. We really enjoyed being able to see this historic place. We have been to Italy on many previous occasions, but Castel Gandolfo was never open to the public before—and could be closed again, at the discretion of the pope. Don’t pass up the opportunity to see it if you can!
4. Lago di Nemi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 511 reviews
Reviewed By renatapN6159KV - Rome, Italy
Nemi is for sure one of the most suggestive villages in Lazio. This village, one of the 16 Roman Castles, is known throughout the world for the beauty of its landscapes and for the strawberry festival held every year on the first sunday in June. In that occasion thousands of tourists come from every part of the world. Nemi is loved by couples , by families and by groups of friends. It' s the perfect place to have a rest, to relax , to spend a holidays period and to admire the sunset. Here the temperature is fresh and pleasant at any time of the year, particularly in summer.
5. Villa Falconieri
6. Villa Aldobrandini
7. Frascati Centro storico
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 573 reviews
Reviewed By mwatson80 - Sonoma County, United States
We visited the center of Frascati during our wine tour with The Old Frascati Wine Tour (see full review on their page;) ... Our guide took us to some really great spots that were off the beaten path and would have been pretty hard to find on our own including the oldest and last wood burning oven in town (amazing pizzas, bread and 'porchetta') and really cute piazzas and shops, tasting delicious local products along the way. We had considered taking a day trip to Tuscany but when we considered the price and time commitment we opted for The Old Frascati Wine Tour and we're so glad we did! The town is an easy 25 minute train ride from Rome (and costs only 2.10 euro) and the whole half-day tour only cost 55 euro and included this walking mini food & wine tour around town, transportation to the family-fun winery (everyone there was so sweet and knowledgeable) and finished with lunch in a locals-only restaurant back in the center of town. Great value, great fun! Grazie!
8. Ponte di Ariccia
9. Giardino Barberini
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 159 reviews
Reviewed By jacqi1950 - Newnan, United States
These gardens are magnificent ! This is where the popes spent their summers and it is now open to the public .
10. Palazzo Pontificio
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By Venus234
Me and my family of 4 adults made a day trip to Castel Gandolfo from Rome via train. It is a less than one hour journey, but with multiple stops on the way, as its not a high speed train. It stops at 5 to 6 small towns before reaching Castel Gondolfo. ONE SURPRISE we were met with upon reaching our destination was the lack of any sort of transportation to take us from the train station to the Pontifical Villas or the Palazzo Pontificio. We, as all others who disembarked the train, had to walk our way to the Palace (you may call in Pontifical Villas or the Palazzo that lies at its entrance. It is the centre of the town and the main tourist spot in Castel Gandolfo basically) which was located on a hill. Now, there are two routes that take you to the Palace. You can take the first route by simply walking up the slightly steep road that the train station is located on. As you start for the Palace, you will determine the correct direction by making sure that the Albano Lake is on your right hand side and the hill on your left hand side. This road goes straight until it bends in a U-turn and takes you to the Palace. The second route, is a much steeper short cut. It appears on your left hand side less than a km from the train station. It is a steep, zigzag, cobbled hill track that alternates with the seemingly longer road route to the Palace. The hill track is the one we took. This route has both positive and negative sides to it. The only plus point I can imagine is that by virtue of being a hill track, it is covered with trees and we walked the entire time in a cool shade and were saved from the scorching July sun. The negative point is that the track was way too steep. This angle was unexpected and uncalled for so it was a bit annoying. We had to stop 6 to 7 times to catch our breath and I doubt if the hill track even proved to be a short cut.. The only good thing was the shade of tree. So i suggest if the sun is not too bright and its not so hot, you should take the road rather than the hill track.
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