The Lazio region often fades into the background once its gleaming and important capital city of Rome is mentioned, but the area surrounding the Eternal City has much to offer. A generous stretch of coastline and a sprinkling of islands offer “Dolce Vita” vibes and evidence that the Roman Empire took advantage of the region’s strategic position. It is littered with historical ruins of Etruscan and Roman civilizations, temples, castles, necropoles, villas, and more. Civitavecchia, the port of Rome, dates to the 2nd Century and is still a hub of Italian maritime transportation. The inlands of Latium, the region’s Latin name, offer no shortage of lakes, rivers, mountains and volcanoes, perfect to cycle a winding road, trek through forests, or relax in a warm thermal spring. The territory is also ideal for the cultivation of grapes, producing excellent wines like Frascati Superiore and Cesanese del Piglio. Settle in with a fried zucchini blossom stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies and enjoy the truly effortless grace of Lazio.
A photograph of the region
Italy’s DMCs share with DUCO tips on gastronomy, landscapes, and secret treasures
In the verdant valley of Comino in Southern Lazio our favorite little spot is a rustic trattoria restaurant on a multigenerational dairy farm. Their cheese production has been taking over the lactose world and the farmhouse also hosts a historical gem: the vacation home of writer D.H. Lawrence in Italy.
What makes it so special?
For about two centuries, this family has handed down the culture of pastoralism from parent to child. The farm breeds a particular, semi-wild sheep-goat. The herds graze every day in the pure air between high mountain pastures and pristine valleys, which contribute to their overall excellent health. The specialty cheese made here is a Pecorino Picinisco DOP, with an aging process different from the Pecorino Romano that you may have tried on your pasta in Rome. Each product is a sensory experience, as the cheeses are cured in naturally ventilated cellars and encase the natural flavors and memories of these pastures.
How can visitors best experience this gem?
Embrace slow food! The proprietor is a passionate yet humble man who meticulously explain the production process and history of each product on the platter of award-winning cheeses at your table. Enjoy a cheese making demonstration and farm visit afterwards. In our paraphrased words of D.H. Lawrence, “Life is ours to be spent (eating cheese), not to be saved.”
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DMC Your Private Italy takes us to the Roman countryside to discover the heavenly gardens of Villa Barberini.
What outdoor treasure is worth discovering in Lazio?
Twelve miles from Rome on the blue waters of Lake Albani lies Castel Gandolfo, the papal palace, and gardens where the splendor of art and the glory of nature co-exist in admirable balance. The gardens are an unparalleled space of immeasurable beauty – from the magnolias to the Path of Roses, from aromatic herbs to lilies and holly oaks. Pause among the ruins of the imperial theater and discover what is left of the crypto-portico, a grand and romantic structure with panoramic views extending out to the blue lines of the lake.
The gardens also house an antiquarium, built upon the structure of the villa belonging to the Roman emperor Domitian in 80 AD. It hosts a remarkable collection of artifacts in seven separate rooms, including original floors and historical fragments from the Domitian Villa, a beautiful collection of statues, and remains of sculptures dating back almost 2000 years.
How can visitors best visit this structure?
The gardens are open to the general public and are the perfect discovery for a half-day trip out and away from the bustling city. If you want to visit in style, rent some golf carts to cruise the grounds.
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Luxury DMC Imago Artis leads us to a garden full of mysterious and valuable statues in the northern Lazio, near the Tuscan border.
What makes it so special?
The Sacro Bosco, or Sacred Grove, is sometimes called the “Park of Monsters,” as it seems to come right out of a magical fairytale. Gigantic 16th Century statues hide among the greenery, concealing esoteric and mythological messages. The garden is beneath the Orsini Castle, and the noble family created the park wanting to both impress and confuse their guests. For this reason, some people have discovered an alchemic itinerary in the garden: from the “Orcus” to the “Dragon,” the “Elephant” to the “Giant” and the “Leaning House,” the statues create a surreal atmosphere that has inspired famous artists throughout the centuries, notably, Salvador Dalì.
How can visitors best experience this gem?
Though it would be easy to find the Sacro Bosco on a map, the deep and mysterious meanings of the sculptures and the curious history of the park are best recounted by a professional local guide.
For more information about Imago Artis, click here.