Lazio

The capital of Italy is a city of incredible charm and uniqueness. Everywhere you turn there is something new to see and discover: ancient monuments and ruins, imposing churches, beautiful squares, fountains, palaces and places surrounded by greenery! So it is no surprise that in 1980 the Old Town became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and that today Rome is one of the most popular and visited cities in the world.

The list of things to see is practically endless, but here are 10 places you can't miss:

1. Colosseum: the symbol of the city and one of the seven wonders of the modern world
2. Pantheon: the best-preserved Ancient Roman building in the world which boasts a magnificent, gigantic dome
3. Roman Forum and Imperial Fora: these archaeological areas represent the heart of Ancient Rome
4. St. Peter's Basilica: the largest church in the world and the heart of the Catholic Church
5. Vatican Museums: immense collection of artworks collected by the popes over the centuries, they also house the Sistine Chapel
6. Trevi Fountain: the largest and most famous fountain in Rome, dating back to the 18th century
7. Villa Borghese: a beautiful 80-hectare city park around the famous art gallery, Galleria Borghese, and numerous other buildings
8. Piazza Navona: an elegant square with three fountains and many places to eat and drink
9. Piazza di Spagna: known in particular for the Spanish Steps that lead up to the Trinità dei Monti Church
10. Altare della Patria: national monument erected in honour of King Victor Emmanuel II

The rest of the Metropolitan City of Rome also boasts some very interesting places to visit. These include, of course, Tivoli, with the splendid Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Villa Gregoriana. Tivoli is even more ancient than Rome and definitely worth a visit. Both have spectacular and world-famous gardens. Also Frascati, in the Castelli Romani area, is famous for its large number of villas (and wine production), such as Villa Tuscolana, Villa Falconieri and Villa Lancellotti. The Sanctuary of the Mentorella, so dear to Pope John Paul II, stands on a cliff and can be reached by walking along the 'Pilgrims' Path'.

In a region so rich in history and culture, it is easy to find places where these two elements merge with nature.

It is therefore not surprising that archeotrekking, a type of guided excursion that aims to discover archaeological sites and other places of historical and cultural importance, is so popular in Lazio. In Tuscia, one can admire many archaeological remains surrounded by lush vegetation, as in the case of the Natural Archaeological Park of Vulci and the necropolis of Cerveteri. The Etruscan necropolis of San Giuliano, within the Marturanum Regional Natural Park, is also set in a splendid, wild and varied natural context.

The Treja Valley Regional Park, on the other hand, is a green oasis with woods, gorges and the splendid waterfalls of Monte Gelato, which can be explored on foot, by bicycle or on horseback along marked trails. The splendid Bosco del Sasseto, on the other hand, is an ancient forest where more than thirty different species of trees coexist. The atmosphere is magical and fascinating, particularly in autumn. Another place that seems straight out of a storybook is the Parco dei Mostri di Bomarzo, where monumental sculptures depicting monsters, gods and mythological animals mingle with the vegetation. Another garden not to be missed is the Villa Lante in Bagnaia.

A part of Lazio's historical and natural heritage are also the numerous pilgrim paths and ancient Roman roads that cross the territory and often involve other Italian regions. The Via Francigena, one of Europe's most famous pilgrimage routes, connects Canterbury to Rome and the last 9 stages are located in Lazio. The Walk of St. Benedict (301 km), starts from Norcia, in Umbria, the birthplace of the saint, and leads to Montecassino, with its splendid abbey, in the province of Frosinone, via Subiaco, where there are several monasteries and hermitages founded by the saint, including the Monastery of St Benedict (also known as Santuario del Sacro Speco), located in a panoramic position on a cliff, and the Monastery of St Scholastica. The Cammino di San Francesco allows you to reach Assisi from Rome (or Florence).

Among the ancient Roman roads that can still be travelled (at least in part) on foot, on horseback or by bicycle are the Via Amerina – Cammino della Luce (220 km), the Via Clodia and the Via Appia.

The Latium coastline manages to satiate both the thirst for history and culture and the desire for activities in the midst of nature. In the Reserve Litorale Romano, which includes the coastline and some inland areas between the municipalities of Rome and Fiumicino, one can admire both a series of natural beauties, such as the dunes of Palidoro, the pine forest of Fregene and the mouth of the Tiber, as well as places of historical interest, in particular the city of Ostia Antica.

The most beautiful area of the Latium coastline is undoubtedly the Circeo National Park. One of the oldest protected areas in Italy, the park stretches from the mountains to the sea and is rich in biodiversity. Here you can explore caves, cross the Circeo Forest on foot or by bicycle, take a walk on the sandy beach and visit a number of important archaeological sites. Also not to be missed is an excursion to Monte Circeo, where the sorceress Circea is said to have lived. From its highest peak, the Picco di Circe (541m) you can enjoy an incredible panorama!

The Regional Park Riviera of Ulysses includes a stretch of coastline from San Felice Circeo to Gaeta, about 100 km long, and owes its name to the legendary hero of the Odyssey, who stopped here on his way. Alternating between beaches and rocky spots, this beautiful place fascinates visitors with the famous 'Montagna Spaccata' and the 'Grotta del Turco', the Villa of Tiberius with its cave of the same name and various archaeological remains. Some must-see destinations in the area are Gaeta, with its beautiful beaches, Sperlonga, an all-white village, and Terracina, with the Temple of Jupiter Anxur. The Ulysses Riviera is also a paradise for climbing enthusiasts thanks to some splendid cliffs.

Water basins of volcanic or karstic origin, brackish water lakes, artificial lakes: Lazio is the region with the most heterogeneous variety of lakes in Italy.

The most important are those of volcanic origin:

• Lake Bolsena: the largest lake of volcanic origin in Europe and the fifth largest lake in Italy
• Lake Bracciano: the eighth-largest lake in Italy
• Lake Vico: surrounded by the Cimini Mountains, it has a peculiar horseshoe shape
• Lago Albano: the deepest volcanic lake in the region (almost 170 m!) which, together with the nearby Lake Nemi, belongs to the territory of the Colli Albani and the Castelli Romani
• Lake Nemi: known for its strawberries and for a curious story about two Roman imperial ships that were found at the bottom of the lake

Other lakes worth a visit are Lago della Duchessa (of karstic origin), Lago del Turano and Lago del Salto (both artificial), Lago di Paola (one of the four coastal lakes in the Circeo National Park) and the Lake Fondi.

Ideal for outdoor activities surrounded by nature or to cool down on hot summer days, the lakes of Latium are often found in the vicinity of beautiful and picturesque villages, such as Bracciano, Bolsena, which give their lakes their name, Anguillara Sabazia, Trevignano Romano and Capodimonte, but also Etruscan ruins, ancient villas and medieval castles. Another perfect mix of nature and culture!

Lazio also has many surprises in store for those who like to travel to the mountains on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike, as well as for climbing enthusiasts. The highest peaks in the region are in the south and belong to the Monti della Laga. To the east, on the border with Abruzzo, rise the Monti Ernici and the Monti Simbruini. The latter, which belong to the Monti Simbruini Regional Natural Park, are the ideal destination for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking or snowshoeing through forests, caves and water springs. The mountain bike trails in the Simbruini are among the most interesting in Lazio because of their gradients and challenging terrain. On Monte Livata, which is part of the Monti Simbruini, you can also ski, snowboard and go sledding.

Among the most popular destinations for hikers in Lazio are Monte Gennaro, in the Monti Lucretili mountain range, and Monte Redentore, which offers a splendid view of the Gulf of Gaeta. The Monti Cimini, in the north-west of the region, are also very beautiful, surrounding the beautiful Lake Vico. A visit to the magnificent Beech forest of Monte Cimino, declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2017, is highly recommended. Of more modest altitude are the nearby Monti Volsini and Monti Sabatini, also of volcanic origin. Alternatively, it is possible to ascend Monte Soratte, an isolated, uniquely shaped relief in the Tiber Valley, follow hiking trails through the wilderness and visit a series of ancient hermitages with breathtaking views.

The most important mountain in the region is certainly the Monte Terminillo, located in the Monti Reatini. Here, there are numerous hiking and mountain biking trails of varying difficulty. In winter, this mountain becomes an important ski resort.