Just 30 kilometers from Rome is the hill town of Nemi, one of the most picturesque and unspoiled comunes in all of Italy. A peaceful counterpoint to the hustle and bustle of Rome, Nemi has two major claims to history. Its namesake lake was the focus of the Cult of Diana, who believed it served as a "looking glass" for the goddess of hunting and wilderness. Later, the notorious emperor Caligula built several opulent barges that he used on the lake, the remnants of which remain today. But if that's not enough to justify a visit to this charming town, how about its annual Strawberry Festival? Every May and June, it draws visitors from all over the country to sample its sweet local strawberries at the Sagra delle Fragola. The small, wild strawberries grow abundantly in the rich soil of the volcanic crater, and during the festival, local restaurants use the mild, balanced berries in recipes that range from sorbet to fruit salad to the always popular strawberry liqueur. Sounds like a sweet way to absorb ancient Roman history. Nemi is an easy day trip for guests at the St. Regis Grand Hotel, Rome, or any of Starwood's Rome properties.
