Lazio is in central Italy and is surrounded by Umbria, Toscana, Marches, Abruzzo, Molise and Campania regions as well as the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is a hilly region with a varied landscape. The main cities are Rome/Roma, Frosinone and Viterbo. Volcanic lakes and hills, ruins, Rome, the Etruscan sites and cities, Vatican City, castles — this is an interesting and evocative region. Rome is a given — it is one of the most lovely, ancient and friendly cities in the world….it is filled with treasures unimagineable. The piazzas, the fountains, the ruins, the food, the history — Rome is truly unforgettable. Once out of town, you’ll particularly want to visit the Etruscan towns, tombs and ruins — fascinating to see and learn about. The Etruscan culture was amazingly forward thinking and women had a great deal of social freedom not evident in other societies.

The Castelli Romani area is beautiful and definitely worth a visit — very chic, great wine, lush countryside — perfect. The hill towns of Lazio are unique and pretty — even surprising. The seaside resorts of Lazio are wonderful (less known) and offer a glimpse into the history of the area. There’s just so much to see and do in Lazio…..it may take you a trip or two, but you’ll discover that this area has much more to offer than simply Rome/Roma. The food of Lazio is delicious and you’ll find vegetables, fruits, olives, Ricotta and Pecorino cheeses, veal and mortadella on the table….you’ll find good wines like Frascati, Est Est Est, Nettuno, Circeo and Zagarolo too. Make sure you try the fiori di zucca/zucchini flowers, penne all’arrabiata, spaghetti alla carbonara, bucatini all’amatriciana and the carciofi alla Romana/carciofi alla giudia while in Lazio. Many of these dishes have an interesting history……