After meeting your driving guide near the gangway of your ship, you will start with a drive to the hilltop towns south of Rome.

 

People call these villages the Roman Castles since they originate from the castles that the Roman nobles built on the most suitable hilltops of their property. Over the years many people built their homes outside the castles so to be protected by it and finally they built walls around the city for even more protection. When better times came, in the Renaissance era, those castles were converted into villas and the nobles spent their summers there with a cooler climate than Rome. The location and the climate were ideal for growing grape vines and the area has always been known for producing superb white wines. These wines are usually named after the town where they are produced and the most famous is the wine produced in the town of Frascati. The area has beautiful hills and lakes and the little towns have a special atmosphere making these hills very popular for the Romans that live in Rome.

The first one of the towns we reach is Grottaferrata, there we can visit the Abbey founded in the 10th Century by St. Nilo. Afterwards we proceed driving on the beautiful "Via dei Laghi" (the road of the lakes) to Nemi. The road goes up the hills between the woods of the Alban Hills and offers breath taking views of the villages and the lakes.

 

VISIT NEMI

Nemi is a lovely little town overlooking the lake and known for producing special strawberries. Finally we'll reach Castelgandolfo which is the most charming of the small towns in this area. It will be possible to make a stop at a local trattoria for a typical lunch.

 

Castelgandolfo is splendid little town sitting right on the edge of what, millions of years ago, was the crater of a volcano and is now a beautiful lake. The town owes its name to the fact that it developed around the castle of the Gandolfo family. Pope Urban VIII Barberini, in the 17th Century, made of it the Summer Residence of the Popes. Even today the Pope spends the hottest months of the year there.

 

The general area is also known for its outstanding food and there's a lovely little restaurant, right in the old part of town where, weather permitting, one can have lunch on a beautiful terrace overlooking the lake. There are family run restaurants and all the people that work there are really dedicated and will serve you an unforgettable lunch!

Castelgandolfo is in the area that's famous for its wines, you probably heard of Frascati , Marino, Velletri...etc. The young man in charge of the restaurant is an expert sommelier so he can help you make a good choice!

 

The vehicle and driver will be at your complete disposal for the entire duration of the tour.

If you like, you can ask your driver to modify your tour to meet your complete satisfaction.

 

Note: Tour sequence may be changed to avoid traffic or demonstration congestions but will always cover the mentioned sites.

 

If you would like to have lunch our driver can suggest a snack bar, restaurant or pizzeria. To avoid unpleasant surprises its always best to inform your driver on how much you would like to spend and the time involved. Our rate also includes taxes, tolls, fuel, insurance and parking fees. It does not include private guides, entrance fees, gratuities or meals unless specified in our confirmation.

 

Our English speaking driver will give a general overview regarding the history of the sites and monuments while in the car before you enter. He will allow all the time you need to visit with NO RUSHING as in group tours.

 

Extra Note: Please dress respectfully for visiting religious monuments; local custom requires covering knees and shoulde