Lazio

Mild winters (8°C avg Jan), hot dry summers (30°C avg Jul). Coast and lakes (Bracciano, Bolsena) moderate temperatures.

Rome is intense, theatrical, deeply lived. Outside Rome: Castelli Romani wine towns, Sabina olive country, Etruscan Tuscia, Circeo seaside. Long outdoor seasons.

Rome: $2,500–$4,500/mo. Surrounding towns: $1,200–$2,000.

Gemelli, Spallanzani, Bambino Gesù — all world-class. Vatican-affiliated hospitals are excellent.

Founded 753 BC. Capital of the Roman Empire, the Papal States, and modern Italy (since 1871). 2,800 years of continuous civic life.

• ◆Rome is the only city to contain a sovereign state (Vatican City).
• ◆Home to more UNESCO sites than any other Italian region.
• ◆Italian government, EU agencies, and FAO are headquartered here.
• ◆Cinecittà — 'Hollywood on the Tiber' — was Europe's largest film studio.