What to do in the Castelli Romani: the 2 best experiences

The fresh pasta course with tasting in Frascati is a unique experience that allows you to learn about the historic town in the Roman countryside and enjoy your fresh pasta prepared with the chef, accompanied by local wines.

Frascati, close to chaotic Rome, offers an oasis of relaxation and immersion in Italian culinary traditions. The experience begins with a walk to discover the origins of the town and continues with a visit to a winery where you will taste wines from the family vineyard, such as Frascati Superiore DOCG and Lazio IGT.

After tasting the wines and traditional appetizers, you will immerse yourself in the preparation of fresh Roman pasta. You'll cook and pair your pasta with your favorite sauce, choosing from Carbonara, Amatriciana and Cacio e Pepe, with vegetarian and vegan options available upon request.

Finally, you'll visit the charming cave under the cellar, used as a shelter during World War II, concluding an experience rich in history and flavor.

Horseback riding in Rome's Appia Antica Park will allow you to discover unique archaeological finds as well as breathtaking landscapes rich in history.

The excursions last 1 hour and are also suitable for those who have never ridden a horse before. You will start from the riding stables and together with an experienced guide you will cross the roads that characterize the Archaeological Park at the gates of Rome.

Also, during the walk through the Park in the Roman Ager, you will have the opportunity to cross Via Appia Antica, the most important road of ancient Rome.

Along the way, your guide will illiustrate the archaeological finds explaining their history.

Helmet will be provided by the facility while sportswear with long pants and closed shoes is required.

Walk through the vineyards and picnic in the hills on Lake Bracciano.

Program

Your experience starts with a guided walk through the rows of vines and a visit to the Cantine Capitani winery, where you will discover in a simple and clear way how their wines are made.

At the end of the tour, you will receive a picnic basket with a bottle of your choice-white, red, or sparkling wine-and a selection of local, km 0 products.

Horseback riding by Lake Martignano is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature just a few kilometers from Rome.

The experience is suitable for all levels of experience. At the stables, the instructor will teach you the basics of how to approach the hike, and afterwards you will go out for the walk.

The activity takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes and you will immerse yourself in Martignano Park. You will walk through the fields and trails between Lake Bracciano and Lake Martignano until you reach the shore of the latter.

Comfortable sportswear with long pants and closed shoes is required to participate in the walk.

Horseback riding with lunch or dinner in the hills at Bracciano allows you to have a relaxing experience surrounded by nature in the Tolfa Mountains.

This experience is suitable for everyone, even those who are approaching the world of horseback riding for the first time.

Depending on your level of experience, the instructor will decide whether to have you do 30 minutes of lessons at the camp and 30 minutes of walking (mandatory for minors) or do 1 hour of walking directly.

During the walk you will go into the braccianesi hills from where you will have a suggestive over all the surrounding landscape.

When booking you can choose from 3 options.

Walk with lunch

Following the horseback ride (lasting 1 hour) you can have a rich outdoor picnic lunch with seasonal products. The picnic includes:

•    cured meats
•    cheese
•    bruschetta
•    1 plate of couscous with vegetables

Walk with dinner

By choosing to take a 1-hour horseback ride in the afternoon, you can enjoy a dinner that includes:

•    appetizer
•    1 first course
•    grilled meat

With overnight stay

For those who wish to stay the night at the estate, è overnight stay can be booked. This experience also includes the 1-hour horseback ride.

Comfortable clothing with long pants and closed shoes is recommended.

In case of food allergies and intolerances it is possible to contact the facility after booking.

Horseback riding in Ostia Antica allows you to enjoy an atmospheric experience in the countryside of Rome riding a horse.

This experience is suitable for everyone; even those who are approaching the world of horseback riding for the first time.

Two ponies are available for children ages 6 to 13. Younger children will be accompanied on foot by an equestrian guide.

When booking, you can choose from 2 options.

1-hour ride

Before departure there will be an initial briefing to familiarize yourself with the horse followed by the 1-hour walk in the pine forest always accompanied by the guide.

2-hour walk

After an initial briefing to familiarize you with the horse you will leave for a 2-hour walk in the pine forest accompanied by the equestrian guide.

To carry out the walk a sportswear is required with long pants and closed shoes.

The fresh pasta course with tasting in Frascati is a unique experience that allows you to learn about the historic town in the Roman countryside and enjoy your fresh pasta prepared with the chef, accompanied by local wines.

Frascati, close to chaotic Rome, offers an oasis of relaxation and immersion in Italian culinary traditions. The experience begins with a walk to discover the origins of the town and continues with a visit to a winery where you will taste wines from the family vineyard, such as Frascati Superiore DOCG and Lazio IGT.

After tasting the wines and traditional appetizers, you will immerse yourself in the preparation of fresh Roman pasta. You'll cook and pair your pasta with your favorite sauce, choosing from Carbonara, Amatriciana and Cacio e Pepe, with vegetarian and vegan options available upon request.

Finally, you'll visit the charming cave under the cellar, used as a shelter during World War II, concluding an experience rich in history and flavor.

Pic nic among the estate's vineyards in Frascati based on typical local products and a bottle of wine.

Program

After a brief introduction and a walk through the estate you will receive your picnic basket for the picnic among the vineyards.

Inside the basket you will find: a bottle of water, a bottle of wine (red or white of your choice), salami, cheese, a mortadella sandwich, as well as everything you need to eat.

In the setting of the Merumalia vineyards, overlooking Rome, an experience combining wine, cuisine and territory awaits you.

Program

The experience begins on the panoramic terrace, and prevde a walk through the rows and from the visit to the winery, during which you will be explained the philosophy of production and the stages of processing. It will end with a tasting of organic wines paired with a seasonal menu prepared with local products.

It is possible to add Grappa tasting with chocolate (+5€ per person) or a second course with matching glass (+20€ per person).

Tastings are held on the terrace on sunny days or in the indoor panoramic room in case of bad weather.

Guided tour with tasting at Casale Mattia, a historic family-owned estate and the first organic farm in the Frascati area.

Program

The experience begins with a walk through the vineyards, which have been cultivated organically for more than 30 years. Accompanied by a family member, you will discover the different grape varieties, the vine cycle and the sustainable philosophy that guides production.

The tour continues to the winery, where you will get an up-close look at the winemaking and aging processes that make Casale Mattia's wines unique.

At the end of the tour to personalize the experience you can choose from 2 options:

Tour with 2 wines: tasting of 2 selected wines, accompanied by appetizers.

Tour with 3 wines: tasting of 3 organic wines, paired with a rich board of local specialties, including Prosciutto, cheeses and typical wine donuts.

Two tasting experiences to choose from, all designed to discover the winery's terroir and organic wines at the Merumalia estate in Frascati, overlooking vineyards with views of Rome.

Basic Tasting

The experience includes a tasting of 3 glasses. A guided tour among three Merumalia labels selected according to the season. No food pairings are provided.

Classic tasting

The experience begins on the panoramic terrace, continues with a walk through the vineyards and a visit to the winery, where the processing stages are explained. This is followed by a tasting of 3 organic wines paired with a board of local cured meats and cheeses and a tasting of 1 locally produced oil.

In case of food allergies or intolerances, it is possible to contact the facility following the reservation.

For an additional €5 per person, it is possible to add the Grappa and chocolate tasting.

An’experience designed for those who want to get up close and personal with the work of the winery and taste local wines in a welcoming and relaxed environment.

The visit begins with a guided tour of the winery with an indicative duration of 1h–1h30 that illustrates the history of the estate, production techniques and the peculiaritiesà of the wines of the area.

Following the customizable tasting, you can then indicate your preferences and choose the labels to taste. There are three options for you to choose from.

Classic Tasting

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Essential tour for those who want to discover the winery in a simple and genuine way. Tasting of 3 wines, a small pairing with cheese, sliced meats and local breadsticks.

Tasting Selection

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A more complete experience that includes tasting 4 wines, accompanied by a wider selection of local cheeses and cured meats, bread with local oil and typical dry cakes.

Tasting with Light Lunch

The most convivial formula, which combines the visit with a tasting of 4 wines and a seasonal light lunch with ready-made local dishes, such as eggplant parmigiana, decomposed panzanella, omelet with vegetables and dry desserts.

The Light Lunch experience è guaranteed upon reaching the minimum number of 10 people.

È it is also possible to add, upon request, the Metodo Classico with a small surcharge of 2€ per person.