Castel Gandolfo

If you have time while visiting Rome, plan a day trip to visit the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo (or in other words, the Pope's summer residence). The papal summer residence is about a 40 minute train ride from Rome located along Lake Albano. Pope Francis broke tradition and opened up the residence to visitors. Touring inside you can find a collection of Pope mobiles and an extensive exhibit of pope portraits. If you take the audio tour, you can learn so much about the highlights each Pope's pontificate.

Details for the museum visit can be found on the Vatican Museums website. (You can even schedule a train ride from the Vatican to the Castle)

Be sure to schedule enough time for lunch! Order a dish of porchetta (roast pork) a split-roast pork flavored with herbs.