Rome Eternal City

An old legend tells that the Eternal City will exist till its Colosseo will last. This monument is with Foro Romano the symbol of the Roman Empire's capital, the San Pietro Basilica rapresents instead the Christian Church. Thanks to the popes this city is also the capital of the art , with its marvellous churches, cathredrals, aristocratic palaces, castles and Villas, as Villa Borghese and Doria Pamphilj rich of gardens. In Rome co-exist in harmony the Roman ruins with the severe medieval palaces and Baroque buildings. Of particular interest are the fountains, as that of Piazza Navona or the other famous for the Anita Ekberg bath in the Fellini's film " La dolce vita" not far from Via Veneto. Shoppers cannot fail to find something of interest in Via Condotti and Via del Corso with their exclusive shops, restaurants and cafès. The tourist wandering through these streets can have a snack in Casina Valadier dear to the poet Gabriele d'Annunzio. The cultural life is in Rome very lively, with interesting international exhibitions and espositions, museums, and rich art galleries that you should visit with a particular attention. In the evening after have eating in elegant restaurants or in typical Trastevere trattorie tasting the local cooking, you can enjoy yourself in this sleepless city. 

Rome, not just a capital 

The province of Rome is the worthy backdrop to the capital city's many treasures. It is an area where you can discover the sea, nature, good cooking and towns full of history and art. 

The countryside 

Sea, hills, lakes, rivers and vineyards - the area around Rome offers a kaleidoscope of distractions and attractions for nature-lovers. The coast extends from north to south, from the area around Fiumicino and the towns around the Bracciano lakes to the border with Latina province. In the north-west there are the Tolfa and Sabatini mountains, but also the nature oases and the Macchiagrande, Macchiatonda, Torre Flavia and Canale Monterano reserves. In the Tiber valley the Treja Valley Park stands out along with the Nazzano-Tevere-Farfa and Mount Soratte nature reserves. The Tivoli - Subiaco area, through which the River Aniene flows, includes the Monti Lucretili and Monti Simbruini regional parks and is characterized by the green of the olive groves. The Prenestina and Lepini Mountains area is set between the Aniene Valley and the Alban Hills. The volcanic lakes of Nemi and Albano are features of the Castelli Romani region, popular as a holiday area since Antiquity thanks to the climate and gentleness of the countryside. 

Itineraries 

The Roman Tuscia and Cerveteri in particular are the ideal destination for anyone wishing to learn about the Etruscan civilization, thanks to the remains of the imposing necropolis, protected by UNESCO. Just as numerous are destinations connected to spirituality, with the itinerary linked to the Franciscan hermitages and Benedictine abbeys, like those at Subiaco and Vicovaro, from the Hermitage of Camaldoli to the Hermitage in the Tolfa Mountains. Mediaeval and renaissance towns and castles are to be found especially in the Castelli region, such as the Villa d’Este in Tivoli, with its decorations by Vasari and Cellini, as well as its renowned novelty fountains, the Villa Gregoriana with its splendid cascade, Frascati (Villa Aldobrandini), but also Villa Falconieri, Villa Lancellotti, Villa Tuscolana (which belonged to Lucien Bonaparte), Villa Torlonia, Villa Mondragone and Villa Muti. At Santa Marinella and Bracciano there are the castles of the Odescalchi, at Morlupo the Orsini castle, and at Montelibretti the Barberini castle just to mention a few. 

Festivals and folklore 

In a land of such ancient history there are a large number of festivals and popular traditions which have been handed down through time. One of the most famous and spectacular events is the Corpus Domini Flower Festival at Genzano, but also the pilgrimages to the region's sanctuaries. No less important are the festivals and celebrations linked to local produce, from wine (Marino) to the strawberries of Nemi. 

Sport and leisure 

The diverse terrain makes it possible to practise all kinds of sporting activities, from hiking to water sports. Mineral water therapy dates back to Antiquity and can be experienced at the Baths at Stigliano, Palestrina and Tivoli. For ski-lovers there are resorts on Mount Livata near Subiaco. The coast is dotted with seaside resorts where the night life reigns in the summer, although its main centre throughout the year is in the many night clubs of the Capital.