Roman Retreats & Countryside Discoveries: A Palazzo Catalani Adventure
Join one Member’s journey exploring timeless wonders throughout Italy
Planning Our Rome Vacation
Rome, Italy, is one of the most historic cities in the world. Popular with tourists for its iconic landmarks like the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the city is often overcrowded during the summer tourist season. enjoy time there in the fall of 2024 when my wife Glenda’s thesis work in preservation design required a trip to Naples; our first thought was to include a visit to Rome as part of the adventure. Thanks to Hilton Grand Vacations, we found an ideal solution for our home base.
Palazzo Catalani is a Hilton Grand Vacations resort located about a 40-minute drive north of Rome Airport in the scenic town of Soriano nel Cimino. This location is well-connected by good roads and has nearby train stations, making it easily accessible to Rome. Staying here offered the option of leisurely visits to nearby historic small towns as well as the iconic city. It also allowed us to take a day trip to Naples via fast train for Glenda’s on-site research at Herculaneum.
Booking the resort via the HGV Max website was easy. We took advantage of the fact that The Club Points tend to cost about 40% less in the off season around late October, with a required 4-night minimum stay. We also booked the night before our return flight at the Hilton Garden Inn Rome Airport which offers a free shuttle to the airport. This plan helped us catch our flight and avoid navigating the famous traffic congestion in Rome.
Arriving In The Eternal City
Most visitors arrive in Rome by air through Fiumicino International Airport or by train at Roma Termini. We took a direct flight from Atlanta on Delta Airlines, leaving in the late afternoon and reaching Rome in the morning. If you use an applicable Hilton Honors™ American Express Card to book the flight, this can be beneficial for earning Hilton Honors points.
The airport is located outside the city and has a direct connection to Roma Termini via the metro and bus system. Popular rental car chains like AVIS, SixT and Hertz also offer service at the airport. You can take advantage of discounts when renting the car using your Hilton Grand Vacations membership benefits (depending on the Tier) or using a Hilton Honors American Express Card through online portals like Expedia.
Palazzo Catalani With Sightseeing Along The Way
Leaving Rome Airport we took the highway route. From prior experience in the streets of Southern Italy, I prefer driving on the highways to avoid congested city centers. Within 20 minutes, we were enjoying scenic countryside views. We made two stops on our way to Soriano as we still had four hours before check-in at the resort.
The historic town of Civita Castellana was our first stop. There is ample parking across from a historic amphitheater and Roman bath ruins that offer a gorgeous view of the hilltop church. A short walk from the parking area takes visitors to the heart of town and the historic church, whose artifacts go back to the Renaissance and the lower Middle Ages. The town of Nepi, famous for the 15th-century Borgia Castle, is about a 20-minute drive away. The town’s church is adjacent to an Etruscan temple older than the Roman Republic. Another impressive sight is the 1800-year-old Roman Aqueduct.
Soriano nel Cimino is located on a scenic hilltop, about a 30-minute drive north of Nepi. The town has many historic buildings that date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, including a famous castle and church. The resort provided us with detailed instructions for free parking at the town’s parking plaza. From there, it was a scenic walk to the resort with clear directions displayed on the main streets.
Palazzo Catalani is a 16th-century building with a Renaissance-style interior that has been converted to a Hilton Grand Vacations resort. The staff were very friendly and courteous. We especially enjoyed the morning breakfast at the beautiful garden surrounded by historic Italian countryside houses. The on-site restaurant also offers dinner on most nights, which we took advantage of for a couple of evenings. There were also plenty of affordable dining options just outside the resort and within walking distance.
Taking In The Sites of Rome
Driving directly into Rome for a visit can be time consuming. From Soriano, it may take about 45 minutes to reach the outskirts of the city, but nearly another hour to reach a parking lot due to heavy traffic. A better option is to drive about 15 minutes to the nearest train station at Orta and take a comfortable 40-minute train ride to Roma Termini. From Roma Termini, the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Trevi Fountain are all within a 30-minute walk. Taking the metro or bus is a better option when visiting Vatican City due to the greater distance.
Visiting Iconic Attractions in Rome
Rome is one of the most important tourist destinations of the world because of its archaeological and artistic treasures. Notable attractions include Musei Capitolini, Galleria Borghese, Trevi Fountain, Vatican City and the Colosseum, arguably one of Rome’s most iconic archaeological sites.
Stunning Attractions In Southern And Central Italy
Thanks to the convenient location of Palazzo Catalani — a little north of Rome — we were able to make day trips to Assisi and Naples, but considered other possibilities listed below.
- Historic Assisi, which includes the UNESCO Heritage site of St. Francis Cathedral, is about a 90-minute drive north of the resort.
- Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is about a two-hour drive north of the resort.
- The City of Perugia, in the Umbria region is about a 90-minute drive north of the resort.
- Beautiful Siena in Tuscany, which is about a 2-hour drive from the resort.
Final Thoughts On Our Spectacular Rome Vacation
Located just outside the historic city of Rome, Palazzo Catalani can be a great place to stay with an affordable number of Club Points, scenic countryside, historic interiors and proximity to many popular tourist destinations that are accessible by car. We highly recommend it for a trip to Southern Italy.
For more inspiration, read “5 Excursions We Loved During Our Tuscany Trip With Hilton Grand Vacations” to discover the wonders of exploring Tuscany.
Key Takeaways
- Rome is a must-see destination with world-famous sites like the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Roman Forum and Vatican City.
- Staying at Palazzo Catalani in Soriano nel Cimino, about 40 minutes north of Rome Airport, allows for easy access to Rome and the surrounding countryside.
- The resort’s location offers straightforward connections via car or train to Rome and other Italian cities, making day trips convenient and enjoyable.
- The journey to the resort featured stops at Civita Castellana, Nepi (home to a 15th-century castle and ancient Roman aqueduct) and the scenic hilltop town of Soriano nel Cimino.
- Beyond Rome, the resort’s location is ideal for day trips to Assisi, Florence, Naples, Perugia and Siena, all within a two-hour drive or train ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the benefit of staying at Palazzo Catalani, a resort owned and operated by Hilton Grand Vacations?
A. The resort offers a scenic, relaxed base about 40 minutes north of Rome Airport, with easy road and train access to Rome and other Italian cities.
Q. What are the recommended ways to arrive in Rome?
A. Rome can be reached via Fiumicino International Airport or Roma Termini train station; both offer easy connections to the city center.
Q. Which attractions are must-sees in Rome?
A. Key sites include the Capitoline Museums, Vatican Museums, Galleria Borghese, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Catacombs, Roman Forum, Trajan’s Forum, Colosseum and Pantheon.
Q. What other destinations are easily accessible for day trips?
A. Popular options include Assisi (St. Francis Cathedral), Florence, Naples (and nearby Pompeii and Amalfi Coast), Perugia and Siena — all within a two-hour drive or train ride from the resort.
Q. Why is Palazzo Catalani recommended for Southern Italy trips?
A. The resort combines proximity to Rome and other destinations, affordable pricing, scenic countryside views and historic charm for an ideal Italian getaway.
