Wine and Country in Castel Gandolfo

Take a break from hectic Rome and visit its beautiful countryside: ‘Roman Campagna.’ Castelli Romani’s fertile land produces wonderfully fruity wines. This is a unique chance to see some of the region’s most picturesque towns and their castles, including Castel Gandolfo and the papal palace, while trying some typical dishes such as fettuccine ai funghi and porchetta.

Simply drive half an hour drive from Rome to find yourself surrounded by gentle wooded hills, vast green pine trees, abundant olive groves and fruity vineyards. Welcome to ‘Campagna Romana,’ an area so famed for its beauty that in the romantic period it was the most painted landscape in Europe and an essential Grand Tour stop. Byron, Goethe and more were inspired by the region.

Noble families chose the beautiful region to build their summer residences, hence all the castles. There are several little communes and each has a noble castle dominating the town. The land is volcanic and amazingly fertile. The most famed town is Castel Gandolfo, home to the Pope’s official summer residence, the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, which has spectacular views of Lake Albano.