Divine Day at the Pope's Summer Residence - VIP Private Experience

An unforgettable day in Castel Gandolfo: history, nature and authentic flavours

A few kilometres from Rome, immersed in the gentle countryside of the Castelli Romani, lies a place that is unique in the world: Castel Gandolfo, the village that for centuries has been the summer residence of the popes. Here, between the deep blue of Lake Albano, the Renaissance gardens and the majestic Apostolic Palace, an experience of art, history and taste unfolds in a day designed for those who want to experience papal tradition at first hand and at the same time enjoy an unforgettable journey of the senses.

The tour takes you on a voyage of discovery through this secret, fascinating place, with a 7-hour itinerary that begins with the convenience of being picked up directly from your hotel in Rome and ends with a peaceful return, enriched with unique emotions, knowledge and flavours.

The Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo: summer residence of the Popes

The first stop on the tour is the entrance to the historic Apostolic Palace, the heart of the Pope's summer residence. This imposing yet elegant structure dominates the village of Castel Gandolfo and encompasses centuries of history. Built in the 17th century to a design by the architect Carlo Maderno and later extended by the famous Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the Palace has been the summer residence of the Popes for over 400 years, providing a welcome respite from the sweltering heat of Rome.

The Residence contains ceremonial rooms, original furnishings, works of art and documents that tell the story of the daily life of the Popes away from the Vatican. Walking through its halls is like immersing oneself in the history of the Church, discovering curiosities and little-known details, such as the Pope's private study, the reception rooms and the private chapel.

The Palace has only recently been opened to the public, thanks to Pope Francis, who decided to transform these once exclusive rooms into a place of culture and hospitality, allowing visitors to admire with their own eyes a heritage that had previously been accessible only to a select few.

The Barberini Gardens: a Renaissance oasis of nature and archaeology

After visiting the Palace, the tour continues with an equally fascinating experience: the discovery of the Barberini Gardens, located within the vast papal estate. Here you will be escorted in comfortable golf carts, allowing you to effortlessly admire one of the most beautiful and historic gardens in Italy.

The Barberini Gardens are built on the ruins of the ancient imperial residence of Domitianus (81-96 AD), who chose this enchanting location to build his villa. Walking through the flowery avenues, you can still see the remains of the Roman villa, such as theatres, nymphaeums and panoramic terraces.

Designed in the 17th century for the noble Barberini family, the gardens combine formal Renaissance style with a rich botanical variety: avenues of holm oaks, Baroque fountains, terraces with breathtaking views of the lake and well-tended vegetable gardens that still produce fruit, vegetables and aromatic herbs. These genuine products, grown in accordance with tradition, will be the focus of the second part of your tour.

Cooking class at the Papal Farm

After breathing in art and history, it is time to enjoy the most experiential part of the day: a Italian cooking class surrounded by greenery, inside the Papal Farm, an exclusive area adjacent to the gardens, recently renovated and accessible only to participants of this tour.

Here, an expert chef will teach you how to prepare two types of fresh pasta with their sauces and how to make a traditional tiramisu, one of the world's most popular desserts. This is not just a cooking class, but a real journey into Italian gastronomic traditions: you will get your hands dirty with flour, knead dough, roll out pasta and discover the secrets of recipes handed down from generation to generation.

The products used come directly from the Papal gardens: fresh fruit, seasonal vegetables and aromatic herbs. This makes the experience not only tasty, but also authentic and sustainable, linked to the land surrounding Castel Gandolfo.

Lunch with views of the Lazio countryside

After the cooking class, your efforts will be rewarded with a delicious lunch served in the private area of the estate, with spectacular views of the surrounding nature. You will be able to taste the dishes prepared by the chef, accompanied by local wine from the Castelli Romani, renowned since Roman times for the quality of their vineyards.

Lunch will be a convivial and relaxing moment to share the emotions of the morning, savour the genuine flavours of Italian cuisine and admire the enchanting landscape surrounding Castel Gandolfo.

Return and possibility of extension to the Vatican

The day ends with a return to the hotel at around 13:00 (14:00 on Sundays), thanks to our private transport service.
For those who want an even more complete experience, there is the possibility of continuing in the afternoon with a visit to the Vatican Museums, one of the most famous artistic treasures in the world. Your driver will then take you directly to Vatican City, where an expert guide will take you on a three-hour tour of the masterpieces of the Papal Collections, capping off a truly unforgettable day.

Castel Gandolfo: a timeless village

In addition to the palace and gardens, the tour is also an opportunity to discover the village of Castel Gandolfo, one of the most beautiful in Italy, perched on a rocky spur overlooking Lake Albano. The picturesque village, with its medieval alleys, quiet squares and artisan shops, has been voted one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and is well worth exploring outside the guided tour.