San Carlo

In the hills near Sessa Aurunca, the village of San Carlo is surrounded by green pastures and mountains. It is located near the border of Campania with Lazio region, at the edge of the regional park and forest Roccamonfina-Foce Garigliano. The town is named for the church of San Carlo Borromeo, a bright baroque church built in the 1600s.

The town has only about 1,000 residents and is administratively part of Sessa Aurunca. In Sessa Aurunca, you'll find an ancient Roman theater with panoramas over the olive-covered hills, and some beautiful monuments, churches and piazzas to see.

San Carlo and the area is known for its full-bodied Aglianico red wine and for its equally flavorful cheese, called "caso peruto", a goat cheese infused with mountain herbs. The nearby town of Valogno is a surprise with its murals painted all over the village. And Sipicciano is a hamlet with old world appeal, worth a stroll amidst the old palaces and cobbled lanes.

Despite its small size, there are shops for daily needs as well as a restaurant and a pizzeria.

There are beaches just about a half-hour away, where Lazio and Campania meet. For outdoors types, the regional park offers hiking trails, archeology sites, and interesting unique flora thanks to the extinct volcano that is part of the landscape. There are streams and waterfalls, and hot springs (again, because of the volcanic activity!)

Artisans in this area still craft traditional products from copper, wood (especially barrels) and straw, and ladies still create handmade lace. It's like a step back in time!