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80 Off-Limits Historic Sites in and Around Rome Will Be Open This Weekend

April 25, 2019
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3 min read
Villa Borghese Nettuno
80 Off-Limits Historic Sites in and Around Rome Will Be Open This Weekend
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Ready to cash in your points and miles for a last-minute flight to Italy?

Starting Thursday, April 25, some of the most incredible historic palazzos, monasteries, parks and off-limits sites in and around Rome will be free and open to the public. It's actually a follow up to the first "Giornata delle Dimore Storiche del Lazio," which happened last October. The goal is to showcase the hidden treasures of Lazio, the region that encompasses Rome. The sites will be open through Sunday, April 28.

Though Rome is one of Italy's most visited cities, Lazio often gets bypassed in favor of Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast and other picturesque regions. But Lazio is home to plenty of treasures, too, such as Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia — designed by Bernini and owned by one of Rome's most powerful papal dynasties — and Castello Borghese a Pratica del Mare, the noble Borghese family's palazzo by the coast in Pomezia.

Then there's the Renaissance-era Palazzo Ruspoli, in the seaside town of Cerveteri, which is still home to the princesses Maria Pia and Giacinta Ruspoli.

Palazzo Ruspoli in Cerveteri. Photo courtesy of Rete delle Dimore Storiche del Lazio.

Unlike the Giornate FAI di Primavera, this event is only happening in Lazio — not the rest of Italy. Visitors can explore 29 sites in the province of Rome, which encompasses the city of Rome and surrounding towns like Ariccia, Pomezia, Nettuno and Frascati (the latter of which is known for its vineyards).

The province of Viterbo, famous for its thermal hot springs, will throw open the doors of 16 sites. There will be another 13 sites to visit in Latina, nine in Frosinone and six in Rieti. Most towns are accessible by regional trains that depart from Rome's Termini Station.

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Without a doubt, some of the most incredible sites to see are in the capital city. Travelers reading this from a hotel room in Rome can head over to Palazzo Doria Pamphilj al Corso, which the noble Pamphilij family filled with paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian; and the Francesco Borromini-designed Collegio Innocenziano on Piazza Navona. The former is a museum that normally charges an entry fee, while the latter is typically closed to the public.

Palazzo Doria Pamphilj in Rome. Photo courtesy of Rete delle Dimore Storiche del Lazio.

The sites will be free to visit during Giornata delle Dimore Storiche del Lazio, but the number of people will be limited and reservations (for a maximum of four people per group) are required. To reserve your spot, email dimorestoriche@tosc.it or call +39-063-281-0961. There will also be a series of performances and tastings of local products at some of the sites during the four-day affair.

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at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.