aranda

We plan to spend a few days in Castel Gandolfo (the Pope's summer residence outside of Rome on Lake Albano) for a few days at the end of our trip to Italy in May. Has anyone been there? Any info you could share would be greatly appreciated as info on this area seems to be hard to come by.

Many thanks, and happy trails,
Aranda

Steve_James

Hi Aranda - I've visited several times (- I have a cousin who lives there).

It's an attractive small town with a lovely view over Lake Albano (- a volcanic crater lake)
http://tinyurl.com/9y56r8

These views will give you a feel of the centre:

http://www.lanprolab.net/castelgando...e/piazzanotte/

http://www.lanprolab.net/castelgando.../piazzagiorno/

Lake Albano:

http://www.lanprolab.net/castelgandolfo/comune/lago/

Papal Residence - photos:

http://tinyurl.com/8npz77

http://tinyurl.com/8pkl86

Hope this helps ...

Steve

aranda

Steve James:
Thanks for much for your reply and the info. I was not able to open all the photos you forwarded, but I did get a general feel for the place.

It is interestering that I can't seem to pull up much info on Castel Gandolfo, other than the Pope staying there in the summer it doesn't seen to generate much interst. Which could work in my favor as the area may be less filled with tourists.

I will share any info I do come across and will file a trip report upon return in May.

Thanks again,
Aranda

TDudette

Great shots, Steve, what kind of camera do you use for the 360s?

Some of the gardens reminded me of Tivoli.

Aranda, it looks like a nice place to visit, eh?

tuscanlifeedit

I've been there! We found that in September, most (if not all) tourists at the lake front were Italians.

We had nice food and scenery, and there were some enjoyable things to look at. Porchetta trucks seemed to abound.

There were some very interesting articles we found on things to do and see, but we were stuck there after 9/11, and couldn't get our act together to visit historical and archaeological sites. However, we did like the area, the lake, and surrounding towns.

ekscrunchy

Are the porchetta trucks around every day or only on Sundays?

tuscanlifeedit

We saw them on the weekend, but I am pretty sure it wasn't Sunday.

Now that I exercise my brain on the subject, it was Saturday. Also, there was a porchetta stand that seemed permanent on the lake front.

We bought sandwiches twice; once from the stand and once from a truck outside of Castel Gandolfo.

Steve_James

I think it's a lovely little place - and makes a relaxing base for touring the Colli Albani hilltowns.

The lakeside is very popular with Romans on summer weekends, but otherwise it's fairly quiet and laid back.

http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/lazio/castelgandolfo.html

TD - The 360 ones are good, aren't they? Not mine though, I'm afraid

Steve