Further afield, Rome, Florence & more
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Mazzano is a great base for exploring central Italy. Leave your big bags in Mazzano, and take overnight or longer trips to the nearby famous places of Italy.
Rome
(Car, train, 56 mins; bus train 1 hr 10 mins, walking 7 hours on the Via Francigena)
You can do a day trip to Rome, or stay one or many nughts. One can travel between Mazzano and Rome by car, combination of car and train, or bus and train. There are buses that leave from near the Mazzano roundabout and go to Saxa Rubra interchange (about 40 mins), where a small train goes to Flaminia station near Piazza del Popolo (about 10 mins). Alternatively one can drive to Saxa Rubra. An alternative way to travel to Rome is to drive to Cesano (15 - 20 min drive), and from there catch a very modern country train that goes to various stations including Trastevere and Valle Aurelia. At Valle Aurelia you can change to the metropolitana. Alternatively, an overnight or two night trip to Rome works very well, taking just small baggage makes it much easier to get about. Rome is hot and full of tourists from June to mid September, so other times of year are recommended.
Tivoli Gardens
(Car 1 hr 5 mins)
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Villa d'Este gardens, featuring 500 fountains, were built in the 16th century near the town of Tivoli. The xx fountains are now a UNESCO world heritage site. To the south of Rome, but easily reached from Mazzano Romano by virtue of the Grande Raccordo Annulare (GRA), the ring-road around Rome. It may be necessary to book tickets in advance.
Castel Gandolfo
(Car: 1 hr 10 mins)
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Also south of Rome, Castal Gandolfo is a pretty town with stunning views over lake Albano, which can be appreciated from the many restaurants that over look the view.
There is also the summer papal palace, where one can view the Pope's private apartment and have a bus tour of the enormous gardens. If going to Castel Gandolfo, one must stop at Ariccia for the famous Porchetta.
San Gimignano
(Car, 3 hrs)
On the way to Florence, and not far from Siena, its origins date back to Etruscan times, but now mostly features 13th to 15th century architecture, in particular 72 towers and tower houses.
Siena
(car: 2.5 hours)
Siena was one of the most important cities in medieval Europe, and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The University of Siena, originally called Studium Senese, was founded in 1240, making it one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world. Sienna is particularly known for its annual horse race, referred to the Contrade di Siena, it is in fact part of a medieval re-enactment.
Florence
(Car: 3hrs )
Easily reached by car for a 2 or 3 day visit from Mazzano.
and so much, so much more!
It would takes years to explore Tuscany and Lazio, and a lifetime to even scratch the surface of the marvels of Italy.