The history of the area around Rome has been closely interwoven with that of the great capital for thousands of years. At first the scene of republican Rome's early wars of expansion, the countryside and hills which surround the city were later occupied by the luxurious homes of the noble and the wealthy. At the so-called Castelli (Grottaferrata, Frascati, Ariccia) the great families built their villas for summer residence. Wandering round the small towns of the hinterland one comes across fortresses and palaces everywhere. The many terme (spas) to be found in the area, such as Acque Albule, so called because of its sky-blue opalescent waters, have been frequented by Romans of every epoch. Today the many attractive spots in the province of Rome are visited by thousands of tourists. The lakes and beaches of the coast are a popular destination for outings. The Alban Hills are an ideal setting for long Sunday rambles, and on summer evenings lingering over dinner in one of Fiumicino's renowned fish restaurants can be most agreeable. The roads are in good condition and the well-run system of public transport has persuaded many Romans to leave the city chaos behind and move to the province, becoming commuters between Rome and the countryside. Pilgrims and tourists, too, can follow their example: a trip to Rome can be fully enjoyed even if one chooses to stay in one of the pleasant little towns surrounding the city.
