Charming nearby places
Mazzano Romano is surrounded by spectacular villages, all within about 40 minutes drive, some close enough to walk to.
Calcata Must See!
(walking: 1 hr, Car or bus 5 mins Parking is about 1 km up the hill - turn left at the first intersection, and follow the signs to the car park. There is a path to the village. Do not walk on the road)
World famous for its stunning appearance and hippy community, the Treja park is enjoyed by people doing the one hour walk to or from Calcata. Calcata has many small restaurants and bars, a few art shops and a number of shops selling home-made jewellery.
The church of Santissimo Nome di Gesù, dating from the 14th century, once claimed to house the foreskin of Jesus, before the Vatican said ‘we’ll have none of that nonsense’. There are regular art and theatrical performances in Calcata on weekends, as well as an annual chess competition. There is no mobile phone coverage in Calcata.
Faleria
(Walking 1hr 15 mins, Car 7 mins)
The Commune of Faleria is adjacent to Calcata, and can be reached by car in just 2 minutes from Calcata. There is a castle in Faleria that is currently being renovated and expected to re-open in a year or two. Worth checking out.
Civita Castellana
(Walking: 1.5 hr, Car or bus 15 mins) Must see!
The old part of Civita Castellana has a charming main square with bars and a restaurant (I think), a small museum, and the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Maggiore with a large and interesting crypt. A feature of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Mozart played the organ, the town is the re-use of Roman remains in mosaics and in walls. There is also a well reputed museum.
Civita also has a medieval festival every year, featuring a parade and a variety of games, including a version of jousting. The new part of Civita Castellana features a large Co-op supermarket and a very large convenience store.
Lago di Bracciano, Bracciano & castle, Anguilara Sabazia & Trevignano Must see!
(Car, 18 mins)
Lake Bracciano is a large and particularly clean lake, with no motor boats allowed on it, as it is a key water supply for Rome (although there is a ferry across the lake). There are many private beaches operating in the summer, meaning that you pay by the day (around €10, or you can get a season pass). Private beaches means that there are deck chairs or table and chairs, and there is usually a small bar. Anguilara is a water-side town with free beach and a great Gelato bar, as well a other bars and restaurants. Anguillara also hosts a number of festivals through the year, as well as Christmas markets. The closest of the three lakeside towns to Mazzano is Trevignano with an evening vibe for a passeggiata on weekends, and great water-side restaurants.
Bracciano features a very large amazing castle (entry €10) Must see!
which has very few visitors, suits of armour and furnished rooms. Once the castle of the Orsini noble family, more recently it hosted the wedding of Tom Cruise & Katie. An audio guide can help, as the labels are sparse. Check the opening hours, which can be variable. Allow a half-day for a circumnavigation of the lake with stops at the three towns.
Trevignano
features a waterfront of bars and restaurants. www.genstrebonia.it is a restaurant right on the water's edge.
Matteo Truffles experience
(Car: 55 mins)
One of the highlights of the area, just East of Bracciano, book into this well-organised truffle hunt small group event, followed by a 7 course truffle degustation. Conducted in English and Italian, allow most of a day and lots of appetite. see www.matteo-truffles.com.
Nepi Must see!
(Walking: 1.5 hr, Car:18 mins)
This walled town features the now mostly collapsed castle of the Borgias, which can be visited on weekends (around €5), as well as a museum, the beautiful duomo of Santa Maria Assunta and its spooky 11th century crypt. Park in the lower car park and walk up the stairs through the enormous walls to reach the centro storico. There is also a great pizzetta and suppli store, with interesting vegetable dishes. For some reason, Nepi has great mobile phone coverage.
Nepi also has catacombs (Catacomb of St. Savinilla in Nepi), that can be visited by pre arrangement at this site:
www.catacombeditalia.va/content/archeologiasacra/en/catacombs/by-provinces/lazio/catacomb-of-st-savinilla-nepi.html
Lago di Vico
(Car: 39 mins) Must see!
Slightly further afield, Lago di Vico has only a holiday resort with a bar and activities, but is a spectacular sight, particularly at sunset.
Also a great location for a picnic. Enter ASD Windsurfer School in the GPS, and when you are close, look for the one picnic table.
Note that other picnic areas are often privately owned and are by paid entrance.
Castel Sant'Elia
(Walking 3 hrs, Car: 25 mins) Must see!
Another hilltop town, which overlooks the Basilica of Sant Elia, dating back to the 8th century. There are frescoes dating to the 11th & 12 centuries. There is a small entrance fee for foreigners.
Sant Elia features a number events through the year, inclluding Carnevale Castellese in January or February, a characteristic parade of allegorical floats, Visciolo and cappellacio festival in the first week of July.
Caprarola and the Palazzo Farnese Must see!
(Car: 34 mins)
A cute town, Caprarola hosts a chocofest each September. It also features the octagonal Farnese palace and huge gardens – allow an hour or two to explore.
Check opening hours at:
www.polomusealelazio.beniculturali.it/index.php?it/239/palazzo-farnese
Sant'Oreste & Bunkers of Monte Soratte
(Car: 36 mins) Must see!
Monte Soratte is a very big hill that can be seen for tens of kilometres around – such as from the roundabout in Mazzano. The town of Sant.Oreste is definitely worth exploring, with beautiful lane ways and stunning views.
Just outside Sant Oreste are the extraordinary Bunkers of Monte Soratte comprising many kilometres of world war 2 bomb shelter, and a 1960s nuclear shelter. Only open on Sunday, you must book into a tour online (€10) selected from www.bunkersoratte.it. The tours are terrific and take over 2 hours. Bookings are made by email to prenotazini@bunkersoratte.it Most tours are in Italian, but there are sometimes English tours, or you can request an English tour, if you pay for a minimum of 10 people ((€100) – but worth doing for 2 or more people, as the tour is so fascinating. Ensure arrival 30 minutes before the tour to find parking and walk the last part of the way.
Sutri
(Car 30 mins) Must see!
Sutri overlooks the main road of the Cassia, which goes from Rome to Viterbo. There is a Roman amphitheatre, Etruscan necropolis and many Etruscan tombs clearly visible as one drives through. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta features an interesting crypt and 13th century frescoes.
Sutri also has a set of intereresting antique stores, Il Mercante in Fiera.
Vallelunga motor sports
(Car, 10 mins)
Occasionally from Mazzano, you can hear cars practicing at the Vallelunga racing track, about 4 kms away. Check the program at www.track-days.it/shop/autodromo-vallelunga.
Viterbo
(Car, 40 mins)
Viterbo is a mini-Rome, a walled city with vibrant shops, restaurants and bars. While Viterbo is slightly further away than Rome, there is plenty of parking. While this city of around 70,000 people dates back to Etruscan times, in the early medieval period (1100-1300) it was one of the most important cities in Europe with up to 50 castles under its control. The Museo Nazional Etrusco (Etruscan museum) in Piazza della Rocca features the only remains of an Etruscan chariot, dating back to around 300 BC.
Vignanello & Gallese
(Car, 35 mins)
Slightly further north, Gallese has a charming enclosed borgo, and is known for fine dining, walking and a castle which opens to the public for various festivals, including a sausage festival at the end of September and a wine and oil festival on the 3rd weekend of November. Nearby Vignanello features the fine seasonal and economical Vigno restaurant, Via Valle Maggiore, 1 Ph +39 324 565 1051. https://www.facebook.com/VignoTrattoria
Bolsena (Car: 1.5 hrs)
Bolsena is a tad beyond Viterbo from Mazzano, but worth the visit for spectacular views of the valley and lake.
Terme dei Papi
(Car: 45 mins)
For total luxury pampering, the thermal baths Terme del Papi offer a range of indulgences that can be enjoyed for a few hours or even days, including several swimming pools, salt caves and a luxury hotel and restaurant. See https://termedeipapi.it/en/home-en/ for packages.
The International-style facilities mean that reception staff speak English. Bring swimmers, bathrobe and slippers.
Civita di Bagno Reggio
(car 1.5 hrs)
In the region of Viterbo, no one should miss the disappearing town of Bagno Reggio, famous for its decaying clay surrounds, is soars above the surrounding countryside, and is only reached by means of a long footbridge.
