Latium: Latins, lakes, and legends

October 18–25, 2027

Rome marks the division of north and south of both Italy and of its own region, Lazio. The provinces of Lazio’s northern half, Viterbo and Rieti, mirror Tuscany, Umbria, and Marche, while the two southern provinces, Frosinone and Latina, have affinities with Abruzzo and Campania. Roma, the province in the middle, has a little of everything and more. This southern half of the region corresponds roughly to ancient Latium.

Though many Italians appreciate the area’s sandy Tyrrhenian beaches and great food—and, to be fair, its history—international tourism treats southern Lazio like flyover country, as if there were nothing to see between Rome and Naples.

We have news for them.

Our itinerary begins with the emperor Hadrian’s villa and the Renaissance Villa d’Este, then heads south to the Castelli Romani and the breathtaking volcanic lakes Albano and Nemi. From there we make a brief foray into the mountainous area known as Ciociaria, and then southwest across the Monti Lepini to the coastal sites south of Terracina. Finally, we head up the coast back to Rome.

Before Rome rose to power, many small villages and sacred spaces dotted central Italy west of the Apennines. Some featured in the myths of Rome’s past: Lavinium, on the coast, was believed to have been founded by the Trojan Aeneas, and Alba Longa, in the Castelli, by his son, Iulus. The goddess Diana inhabited the forests around lake Nemi, while Jupiter lived high above on a mountain overlooking the sea.

Well-preserved Republican towns like Gabii and Minturnae and sanctuaries like Palestrina and Terracina reveal early architectural forms that were swept away by the relentless urban development of imperial Rome. Even the emperors themselves were drawn to the area’s natural beauty, building luxury villas to enjoy its cool breezes and refreshing waters. Before Hadrian, there were Tiberius, at Sperlonga, and Domitian, at Castel Gandolfo.

Details and pricing won’t be published for a while yet, but drop us a line to say you’re interested, and we’ll let you know as soon as we’re ready.