Located only 45 minutes from central Rome is a hidden gem called Castelli Romani. When Romans want to take a break from their urban lifestyle, they hop a train or drive to this stunning region known for castles, cooking, and countryside.
Many come for the outdoor activities, including swimming, biking and hiking at two volcanic lakes. Hill towns, such as Nemi, Castel Gandolfo and Arricia, entertain visitors with their bounty of artisan shops and tiny trattorias.
Castelli Romani is the romantically named scattering of wine-producing towns set in the volcanic landscape of the Colli Albani, the Alban Hills, 20 km southeast of Rome and very near Ciampino airport. Today, a couple of the craters are filled with water, making up the lakes of Albano and Nemi. It may look all peaceful and serene, but underneath, the earth here is still seismically active.
Each town is known for its own version of porchetta sandwiches, a decadent combination of juicy pork belly, with Italian salsa verde, on sourdough. A favorite activity in the tiny hill towns is lounging at a table in the town square, enjoying panoramic lake views, and sampling fresh and fruity Frascati wines.
Today the area is a pleasant and popular retreat from the heat that builds up in central Rome. The summer home of the Popes is here at a town on the southwestern side of Lago Albano called Castel Gandolfo, the most popular of the Castelli Romani towns. It’s known as at the Papal Palace and while it’s still used by Pope Francis occasionally, you can tour the Palace when you visit.
The residents of Castelli Romani truly enjoy their celebrations. It’s worth timing your visit around a local festival such as Nemi’s Strawberry Festival, Ariccia’s Porchetta Festival, and Velletri’s Grape and Wine Festival.
To learn more, visit this excellent post in Wandering Italy.
Travel and Dish 
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