While Rome is positioned well for travel across the country and the European continent, if you’re in town and looking for a weekend away or a day trip, look no further than the Castelli Romani and Frascati.
The Castelli Romani is umbrella term given to a series of towns in the Roman countryside. Lying southeast of the city at the foot of the Alban Hills, the area is rich in agriculture. Historically it was the holiday of choice for nobles and Popes and to this day, Castel Gandolfo remains the summer residence of the Pope.
Importatly: Castelli (or more precisely Ariccia) is the answer you’ll get when you ask any Roman where they go for the best porchetta (rolled spice pork). The stuff can be found anywhere in any of the towns in the Castelli. From restaurants to streetstands and famously in a fraschetta. This type of casual restaurant are famous to the zone and is a place where you may have your porchetta served to you on a sheet of paper, wine served in anything but a wine glass and staff who joke around and more often than not, start a random sing-a-long. So aside from the homestyle feel and food, they are a lot of fun!
Oh and of course porchetta goes washed down perfectly with wine. The Castelli is rich in vineyards and Frascati is home to the world famous white wine of the same name, which can be found in homes and restaurants around the world.
Here’s my photo guide to food and wine and things to do in some of the towns in the Castelli Romani
QUICK FACTS
How to get there:
By car (recommended): Frascati is approximately a 1 hour drive from Rome.
There are also train services that connect Rome to Frascati and some of the other smaller towns. Visit Trenitalia for timetables and information:
http://www.trenitalia.com/
Where to stay:
Frascati:
Villa Mercede (4*)
http://www.villamercede.com/
Grottaferrata:
Park Hotel Villa Grazioli (4*)
http://www.villagrazioli.com/en/
Food Tip:
Eat at Il Torchio in Frascati. Book ahead.
I hope you can visit this beautiful part of the world soon!
Signing off from Trastevere,
Baci Maria
Note: My accommodation needs in Frascati were sponsored by Villa Mercede and Park Hotel Villa Grazioli. But as always, I am under no obligation to say nice things about them.
