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General information The hot springs at Tivoli and Fiuggi . The Alban Hills and the 13 hilltop towns surrounded by vineyards and elegant villas of the Roman aristocracy over the years , including the summer palace of the Pope at Castel Gandolfo . Visit mediaeval Anguillara on Lake Bracciano north of Rome . Explore the countryside of the Ciociaria region near Anagni ( the name of the region comes from the bark clogs worn by the locals until about twenty years ago ). Ostia Antica now inland was once ancient Rome ’ s trading port and the ruins offer a fascinating insight into the Roman way of life . The region north of Rome is very rich in Etruscan remains �visit the necropoli at Tarquinia and Cerveteri . Great monasteries were founded around Rome , especially at Subiaco and Montecassino . The best beaches on the Lazio coast are to be found between Sabaudia and Gaeta . From the town of Bolsena take boat trips to the islands of Bisentina and Martana on Lake Bolseno . Visit the Island of Ponza off the coast near San Felice Circeo .

Cultural highlights The gardens of the Villa d ’ Este at Tivoli . Hadrian ’ s Villa at Tivoli . Villa Lante near Viterbo . Palazzo Barberini in Palestrina which houses a 1st Century BC mosaic depicting the Nile in flood . The Byzantine frescoes in the crypt of the 11th Century Basilica of Santa Maria in Anagni . The Palazzo Farnese by Vignola at Caprarola . The 13th Century Italian Gothic church of Santa Maria Maggiore at Ferentino . 17th Century frescoes by Domenichino in the chapel at Grottaferrata .

Gastronomic highlights The influence of Rome is obvious in this area , supplemented by either proximity to coast or country . Sage , rosemary and bay are used extensively to season . Specialities of the region include Spaghetti alla carbonara , Suppli ( croquettes made with rice , meat and mozzarella ), Carciofi alla giudia ( artichokes fried crisp in olive oil and sprinkled with lemon juice ), Saltimbocca alla romana ( veal with ham and sage ), Torta di ricotta . Frascati is the best known white wine of the region although similar wines made from the Trebbiano grape include Colli Albani and Castelli Romani . Very few red wines are produced , but the best is Torre Ercolana .

Festivals Spring is the main season for festivals in Latium . Genzano holds the ‘ Infiorata ’, Marta has the ‘ Barabbata ’. In the autumn there is the ‘ Sagra dell ’ uva ’ grape festival in Marino .

Our two centre recommendations Our recommended suggestions include Latium and the Amalfi Coast , Latium and Tuscany , Latium and Umbria and Latium and Rome .

How you get there By air Airport at Rome . Daily flights with British Airways from London . ' No-frills ' airlines into Pescara . Hire�cars We include a hire�car with all our holidays to Latium and Abruzzo . Private car transfers can be arranged instead although for Abruzzo and the more countrified areas of Latium the use of a car is essential . By rail Take the Eurostar to Paris , the overnight sleeper to Milan then change for Rome the next morning . Perhaps stay in Rome first and then collect your hire�car ( or have a private transfer ) for your stay in Latium , on the coast or in the country . With your own car We recommend at least two overnight stops in each direction , possibly three one way at least , perhaps in Alsace , the Italian Lakes and Tuscany . Let us advise you on an itinerary and make the arrangements for you .

A day ’ s excursion in Latium along the coast near Sabaudia

Start at San Felice Circeo on the coast and then drive along the sandy beach to the Torre Olevola before continuing along the coast to the attractive seaside town of Terracina , a fashionable resort since Roman times . Stop to see the Roman arch and a Temple of Jupiter a few kilometres from the town . Turn inland across the flat , fertile , drained marshland in the direction of Frosinone but stopping en route to visit the Abbey of Fossanova , an ancient Cistercian abbey .

A short distance from Fossanova is the town of Priverno worth halting at for its 13th Century cathedral and Gothic Palazzo Comunale . From Priverno follow the edge of the marsh northwards to visit the abandoned mediaeval gardens at Ninfa . Depending on inclination at this point , continue sightseeing by visiting Cori or turn back towards the coast past Latina , for a stroll along the beach at Fogliano or Sabaudia . Back through the protected natural area of the National Park of the Circeo .