Summer in Rome — hot and dusty, with fashionable people in linen, cobblestones, a bright blue sky, orange roofs, wooden shutters, and full of bustle until siesta, when everyone gets out from under the sun and chows down. On mozzarella di bufala, crusty fresh baked bread, local floral-tasting olive oil, cold Frascati wine, sparkling water, gelato, etc., etc. I lived in Rome for half a year ten years ago, and it is just heavenly. Or some people might think it’s dirty, rundown, disorganised, and in your face. It does involve the prospect of being sandwiched in a non-airconditioned Metro car with some people who do not ascribe to the value of deodorant. And some of the buildings are crumbling a bit. But what place is perfect?
I lived outside of Rome in an area called the Castelli Romani, in which Aeneas supposedly founded Alba Longa. It was much quieter than Rome itself. I lived next to a vineyard and olive grove, close to other similar farms. The lady up the road sold students large quantities of wine that she made by stamping grapes in her bathtub. This wine was known colloquially on campus as “Good year”, not because it was harvested in a good year, but because it tasted faintly of tyres. Oh the things students will drink…. While living there, I studied subjects like ancient drama and art history, visiting Roman amphitheatres and art galleries. I could continue…I have a lot of nostalgia for this place.
Via Truus, Bob & Jan too! on Flickr
I started looking for venues in the Castelli Romani since it is possible to rent out an entire villa there and thus provide both food and accommodation to our guests. Like a hotel wedding but grander, in a historic villa. I found a few nice villas and reception venues, and the town halls themselves for the ceremony were quite grand. I was quite tempted when I saw Albano town hall was quite castle-y and one can have catering in the garden.
Via leosagnotti on Flickr
Additional things this area has going for it: Mary (one of my bridesmaids) and myself both know the area well (in fact we met there for the first time when we realised we both needed roommates for the next year, and that’s how history was made). It’s quite handy to get to from Ciampino airport, reachable by Ryanair, making it cheaper for our guests to attend. And who would argue with Italian food and wine?
Cons: there is no nice beach nearby — there is water but it’s not that nice. Castel Gondolfo, the Pope’s summer residence in the Castelli Romani, has Lake Albano, which is good for swimming, but in the heat of summer, people would rather be at a sandy ocean beach. Also, getting married in/near Rome feels a bit too religious to us, and we’re planning on a civil ceremony.
So many options! Which place will we choose? We need to book a flight soon to finalise venues…but to where? Stay tuned….
