Beautiful sunsets in Ariccia, Italy

I was out in the Castelli Romani region, the hillside towns located to the south of Rome, on a  recent Sunday. My younger son was – once again – out there for a track and field meet in the town of Velletri on a  beautiful spring day. On the drive back to Rome, both my…

Read More

A beach fit for an Emperor: Sperlonga

Looking for a Mediterranean summer resort with history? How about 2000 years of history? Ancient Roman Emperor Tiberius, who reigned from 14-37 AD, used to enjoy spending summers in this beautiful seaside retreat on the Tyrrhenian Sea and, millennia later, modern-day Romans still escape the city’s sweltering summers by relaxing on the beach of  beautiful…

Read More

Summer days in Ovindoli, Abruzzo

I’ve already written about one of my favorite winter weekend get-aways from Rome in Skiing in Ovindoli. But for those who love outdoor sports, the town in the Apennine Mountains is also an ideal summer destination. Ovindoli is about a one and a half hour drive east from Rome. It’s located in the region of…

Read More

The Renaissance Villa d’Este in Tivoli

This small city to the west of Rome, once an important stop on the “Grand Tour” of Europe,  is today a bedroom community of Rome, yet it still maintains its distinct character. It makes a wonderful daytrip from Rome, either by car or with frequent trains leaving from Rome’s Tiburtina train station. If you are…

Read More

The “dying city” of Civita di Bagnoregio

The beautiful medieval town of Civita di Bagnoregio, about 100 km north of Rome – within the province of Lazio and just along the border with neighboring Umbria-  is known as la città che muore (the dying city). Dying is, unfortunately, just what Civita di Bagnoregio is doing. The city, originally founded by the Etruscans,…

Read More