Incantato Destinations: Sperlonga and Gaeta

The region of Lazio today features a varied landscape of volcanic lakes, mountains, ravines, and olive groves. The area was inhabited at least 60,000 years go, although the first signs of a significant civilization date back to the 10th century BC. Aside from Rome, the YPAS travelers will also be visiting other towns in the Lazio region, including two in the south: Sperlonga and Gaeta.

 


A seaside town surrounded by sandy beaches, the old town of Sperlonga is marked by whitewashed buildings and narrow alleyways. The modern part of town lies down on the seafront. 
In ancient times, this area was a favorite retreat for the Romans during the hot summer months, which is why there were villas built along the coast. Archaeologists found a luxury villa complex on the outskirts of town, along with some amazing 2nd century BC Hellenistic sculptures in a large cave open to the sea.

The historic center of Gaeta is dominated by a mighty Aragonese castle. However, the town's most outstanding feature is the Duomo's elegant late Romanesque bell tower with its lofty summit topped by a roof of colored ceramic tiles. 

Exciting Incantato Destinations: Rome

• Rome's early history is shrouded in legend. According to Roman tradition, the city was founded by the twin Romulus and Remus on April 21st, 753 BC
• Due to its centrality on many levels, the city has been nicknamed "Caput Mundi" (Latin for "Capital of the World") and "The Eternal City"
• Its rich artistic heritage and vast amount of ancient, notably architectural and archaeological sites, contribute to the city's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 
• Rome is the third most visited tourist destination in the European Union
• The city is also an important worldwide hub of the cinematic and filming industry, home to the important and large Cinecitta Studios, which saw the filming of several internationally acclaimed movies, as well as television programs
• The Rome metropolitan area is the world's 35th richest city be purchasing power
• The city hosted the 1960 Olympic Games and is also an official candidate for the 2020 Olympic Games
• Rome is an important center for music, and it has an intense musical scene, including several prestigious music conservatories and theaters. It hosts the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (founded in 1585), for which new concert halls have been built in the new Parco della Musica, one of the largest musical venues in the world
• A Jewish influence in the Italian dishes can be seen, as Jews have lived in Rome since the 1st Century BC. Examples of these include "Saltimbocca alla Romana," a veal cutlet, Roman-style, topped with raw ham and sage and simmered with white wine and butter, as well as "Carciofi alla giudia" - artichokes fried in olive oil, typical of Roman Jewish cooking

Discovering Rieti with Incantato Tours

Though most international travelers know about and have visited big Italian cities like Florence and Rome, or famous smaller ones like the towns of Cinque Terra or the Amalfi Coast, few know just how many hidden gems are sprinkled throughout the Italian countryside. Rieti is one of these - a town that's important to Italians (and Italian history) and virtually unknown to American tourists.

(Bonus fun fact: One notable exception is Kobe Bryant, who went to school in Rieti - and speaks fluent Italian - because his dad, Joe, played basketball in Rieti from 1984 to 1992.)

Rieti is the name for both a city and a province (like a county) in the region (like a state) of Lazio. Many Italians know Rieti because it's along a major route to get to Rome (also, incidentally, in Lazio). As the capital of the region of Rieti, the town also is a major cultural and commercial center for the many tiny towns in northern Lazio and southern Umbria.

Historically, Reiti was a major site in the Sabine nation long before Italy was united, and later became a strategic point in the early Italian road network that linked Rome to the Adriatic Sea. Rieti also became a favorite Papal seat and was the site of several important historical events, including the marriage of Constance Hauteville in 1185, the crowning of Charles I by Pope Nicholas in 1289, and the celebration of the canonization of St. Dominic by Pope Gregory IX in 1234.

Interesting features of modern Rieti include the Cathedral, with a stunning Romanesque bell tower built in 1252 and a statue of St. Barbara by Giannatonio Mari; the Palazzo Vescovile – or Bishops Palace – with its Rennaissance windows and a Grand Hall housing the Diocese Gallery; and the Santa Maria in Vescovio, an 8th century church with frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries depicting the Last Judgment and scenes from the Bible.

As the center of the Rieti province, the town of Rieti also features a number of gelaterias, clothing stores, delicious restaurants, and the surprisingly diverse music store Mussicisti.

The Rieti Valley also is an important part of the Cammino di Francesco, or Saint Francis Walk. Along with Assisi and the Verna, Saint Francis made the Rieti Valley his home. It is here that he created the first Nativity in Christianity in 1223, wrote the Rule of the Franciscan Order, and most likely composed The Canticle of All Creatures.