Frascati

About

While the village of Frascati wasn’t officially founded until around the 7th century, the area has been a getaway since the 1st century BC, when the senator Lucullus built a holiday villa here. In the surrounding hills, the eponymous wine, known as the ‘Golden Wine’ in Rome, has been produced since the days of the Republic. The town is one of several historic hilltowns near Rome known collectively as the Castelli Romani, which are known for their wine. Romans will often drive here just for an evening of fresh air, food and wine. Famous for its villas, built from the 16th century onwards, many are still privately owned and closed to the public. Fortunately, the Villa Aldobrandini’s grounds are open to the public, and is the only Papal garden not owned by the state. Here, great views, and a massive neo-Classical ‘Water Temple’ await.