Latium (or Lazio in Italian) lies at the very cultural and historical heart of Italy, with Rome at its centre and is bordered by the Apennine mountains to the east and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west. The whole region holds countless treasures for the visitor and its very geography and history produce a wealth of varied scenery and sites. A journey through Latium is a journey back to the heart of European civilisation with important Etruscan and Roman remains in evidence throughout the region. Their ancient civilisations are to be found in the obvious and not so obvious places, from temples to stones, from arches to pavements. There are also numerous villas, gardens, abbeys, spas, lakes and hill towns. The countryside is rich and fertile, hilly inland and flat towards the coast. Palms, olives, vines and fruit abound. On the other side of Italy is the little-known region of Abruzzo, rich in beautiful coastline and mountains. It is easily combined with Latium for your holiday and worth visiting for a more off-the-beaten-track region.
Local highlights
Cultural Highlights
The gardens of the Villa d`Este at Tivoli. Hadrian`s Villa at Tivoli. Villa Lante near Viterbo. Palazzo Barberini in Palestrina which houses a 1st Century BC mosaic depicting the Nile in flood. The Byzantine frescoes in the crypt of the 11th Century Basilica of Santa Maria in Anagni. The Palazzo Farnese by Vignola at Caprarola. The 13th Century Italian Gothic church of Santa Maria Maggiore at Ferentino. 17th Century frescoes by Domenichino in the chapel at Grottaferrata.
Festivals
Spring is the main season for festivals in Latium. Genzano holds the `Infiorata`, Marta has the `Barabbata`. In the autumn there is the `Sagra dell`uva` grape festival in Marino. The influence of Rome is obvious in this area, supplemented by either proximity to coast or country.
Gastronomy
Sage, rosemary and bay are used extensively to season. Specialities of the region include Spaghetti alla carbonara, Suppli (croquettes made with rice, meat and mozzarella), Carciofi alla giudia (artichokes fried crisp in olive oil and sprinkled with lemon juice), Saltimbocca alla romana (veal with ham and sage), Torta di ricotta. Frascati is the best known white wine of the region although similar wines made from the Trebbiano grape include Colli Albani and Castelli Romani. Very few red wines are produced, but the best is Torre Ercolana.
Getting out and about
The hot springs at Tivoli and Fiuggi. The Alban Hills and the 13 hilltop towns surrounded by vineyards and elegant villas of the Roman aristocracy over the years, including the summer palace of the Pope at Castel Gandolfo.Visit mediaeval Anguillara on Lake Bracciano north of Rome. Explore the countryside of the Ciociaria region near Anagni (the name of the region comes from the bark clogs worn by the locals until about twenty years ago). Ostia Antica now inland was once ancient Rome's trading port and the ruins offer a fascinating insight into the Roman way of life. The region north of Rome is very rich in Etruscan remains -visit the necropoli at Tarquinia and Cerveteri. Great monasteries were founded around Rome, especially at Subiaco and Montecassino. The best beaches on the Lazio coast are to be found between Sabaudia and Gaeta.From the town of Bolsena take boat trips to the islands of Bisentina and Martana on Lake Bolseno. Visit the Island of Ponza off the coast near San Felice Circeo.
Travel arrangements
How you get there
By Air: Airport at Rome (Daily flights with British Airways from Heathrow and Gatwick, daily flights with Alitalia from Heathrow).
Hirecar: We include a hire-car with all our holidays to Latium and Abruzzo, However you may prefer a taxi tranfer instead. Please ask us for a price difference. By Rail: Eurostar to Paris and then the overnight sleeper to Rome. Perhaps stay in Rome first and then collect your hire-car (or have a taxi transfer) for your stay in Latium, on the coast or in the country.
With your own car we recommend at least two overnight stops in each direction, possibly three one way at least, perhaps in Alsace, the Italian Lakes and Tuscany. Let us advise you on an itinerary and make the arrangements for you.