Overview
The tour starts and ends in Rome with private transfers to and from the Rome airport, an orientation tour of Rome by night and an incredible journey into the regions of Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany.
Our journey will take us the land around the volcanic lakes of Bolsena and Albano, to hilltop towns such as 'the dying town' of Bagnoregio, an underground world in Orvieto and to learn about the Jewish hisotry of Pitigliano and Sorano. We will try the thermal waters of Viterbo and Saturnia, taste food and wine from Lazio, Tuscany and Umbria and stay in a magnificent spa-hotel and a traditional agriturismo.
For a full detailed description of this incredible tour and educational experience see below!
Itinerary
Day
1
Rome
1
Where we Visit :
Rome Airport (FCO),
Rome City Centre,
Meeting Location :
Rome Fiumicino
Arrive to Rome where you will be met at the airport and driven to the Hotel in central Rome.
Walking tour of Rome visiting the highlights and welcome dinner in Trastevere and enjoy the area so beautiful and charming at night. Overnight at the Diana Roof Garden hotel in Rome.
Walking tour of Rome visiting the highlights and welcome dinner in Trastevere and enjoy the area so beautiful and charming at night. Overnight at the Diana Roof Garden hotel in Rome.
Meals :
Dinner
Day
2
Rome - Tarquinia - Viterbo
2
Where we Visit :
Rome,
Tarquinia,
Viterbo and Villa Lante Gardens
This morning we will leave Rome and head to the Etruscan town of Tarquinia where we will learn more about this mysterious, wealthy population, who were wiped out by the expansion of the Roman Empire. Here we will visit the town and the famous necropolis, another UNESCO World Heritage site, containing over 6000 tombs and some of the most beautiful surviving examples of Etruscan frescoes, full of a wealth of scenes that bring to life this long-lost culture.
We will stop at the beautiful Lake Bolsena for lunch at La Pineta restaurant.
A settlement has existed in Viterbo since Etruscan times, when people first recognized the healing properties of the area’s natural springs. For the next 2 nights, relax as the Ancients once did enjoying the hot and cold waters of Viterbo, in the luxury of our 4-star hotel’s spa complex. You will have the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy some peaceful relaxation enjoying the hotel's spa faciliaties. The afternoon's entrance includes the: thermal calidarium in the Etruscan Cave, Bagnotherapy in thermal and salt water, Kneipp circuit (Finnish Sauna) and a spa kit (bathrobe, towel and slippers).
Keeping the mood relaxed after a hard day, we will enjoy the evening and have dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant and save your energies for tomorrow.
We will stop at the beautiful Lake Bolsena for lunch at La Pineta restaurant.
A settlement has existed in Viterbo since Etruscan times, when people first recognized the healing properties of the area’s natural springs. For the next 2 nights, relax as the Ancients once did enjoying the hot and cold waters of Viterbo, in the luxury of our 4-star hotel’s spa complex. You will have the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy some peaceful relaxation enjoying the hotel's spa faciliaties. The afternoon's entrance includes the: thermal calidarium in the Etruscan Cave, Bagnotherapy in thermal and salt water, Kneipp circuit (Finnish Sauna) and a spa kit (bathrobe, towel and slippers).
Keeping the mood relaxed after a hard day, we will enjoy the evening and have dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant and save your energies for tomorrow.
Meals :
Breakfast, Lunch
Day
3
Villa Lante - Viterbo - Lake Bolsena
3
Where we Visit :
Viterbo and Villa Lante Gardens,
Bolsena,
Our day will start with a guided visit to the Mannerist gardens at Villa Lante, famed for their waterfalls, fountains and dripping grottoes. The gardens were badly damaged by Allied bombs during WWII, but the later half of the 20th century saw them lovingly restored so that today they are listed as one of the Grandi Giardini Italiani - Great Italian Gardens.
A short drive takes us to the beautiful Medieval town of Viterbo. Our guide will lead us through the streets and back in time to the days when the city was home to the popes who had escaped the violence of Rome. We will visit the Palazzo dei Papi, the 13th century papal residence and the city's cathedral, where houses the tombs of 2 of the popes, followed by some free time to explore the city and have lunch.
In the afternoon, we will visit Cantina Leonardi near Bolsena Lake to learn about wine production in Lazio and sample some of the local wines, including Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone for which the area is famous.
Evening at leisure in Viterbo and overnight here.
A short drive takes us to the beautiful Medieval town of Viterbo. Our guide will lead us through the streets and back in time to the days when the city was home to the popes who had escaped the violence of Rome. We will visit the Palazzo dei Papi, the 13th century papal residence and the city's cathedral, where houses the tombs of 2 of the popes, followed by some free time to explore the city and have lunch.
In the afternoon, we will visit Cantina Leonardi near Bolsena Lake to learn about wine production in Lazio and sample some of the local wines, including Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone for which the area is famous.
Evening at leisure in Viterbo and overnight here.
Meals :
Breakfast, Wine Tasting
Day
4
Civita di Bagnoregio - Orvieto
4
Where we Visit :
Civita di Bagnoregio,
Orvieto,
Today will begin in the slightly ethereal town of Civita di Bagnoregio. Balanced precariously on a hilltop of ancient tufa and commonly known as the ‘dying town’, its unique nature and incredible beauty have led to it being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status. We will step back in time as we explore the Medieval houses and churches of the half-abandoned town, progressively being eroded by nature.
Driving over the border into neighbouring Umbria, we will stop at Orvieto, another Etruscan town. For centuries the residents of Viterbo kept a secret about the tufa hill on which they lived: inside they had carved miles of tunnels to allow them to escape if ever the city were under siege. Our visit will start at the Labirinto di Adriano (Hadrian's Labyrinth) where we can visit some of the tunnel network before stopping to taste some typical Umbrian dishes for lunch.
In the afternoon our tour of the city will include Orvieto’s magnificent black and white striped Duomo and spectacular, if often disturbing, frescoes of the Last Judgment.
Our next stop of the day will be the Tuscan area of Maremma and the agriturismo La Parrina. Here will we enjoy this property based on organic products from the farm before turning in for the night under the roof that once hosted President Kennedy!
Overnight here.
Driving over the border into neighbouring Umbria, we will stop at Orvieto, another Etruscan town. For centuries the residents of Viterbo kept a secret about the tufa hill on which they lived: inside they had carved miles of tunnels to allow them to escape if ever the city were under siege. Our visit will start at the Labirinto di Adriano (Hadrian's Labyrinth) where we can visit some of the tunnel network before stopping to taste some typical Umbrian dishes for lunch.
In the afternoon our tour of the city will include Orvieto’s magnificent black and white striped Duomo and spectacular, if often disturbing, frescoes of the Last Judgment.
Our next stop of the day will be the Tuscan area of Maremma and the agriturismo La Parrina. Here will we enjoy this property based on organic products from the farm before turning in for the night under the roof that once hosted President Kennedy!
Overnight here.
Meals :
Breakfast, Lunch
Day
5
Sorano, Pitigliano & Saturnia
5
Where we Visit :
Saturnia,
After an organic breakfast, we will drive through the beautiful countryside of Southern Tuscany to our first stop of the day. Sorano is one of Tuscany’s picturesque hilltop towns, that was once a stronghold of the powerful Orsini Family, whose castle continues to dominate the town today.
The next stop will be the town of Pitigliano. Although Etruscan in origin, Pitigliano is known to the discerning few who venture here, as ‘Little Jerusalem’. And why? During the creation of the ghetto in the anti-Semitic papal states, a large Jewish population fled over the border to neighboring Tuscany. Here they were welcomed by the ruling Orsini family, who believed the migrants could help in reviving the town’s failing economy.
Lunch today will be in a light lunch of local products and wines in a wonderful cellar under the houses of Pitigliano.
Our last stop, will be in the tiny spa-town of Saturnia; population 280! According to legend, the spring was created during a fight between the gods Jupiter and Saturn. When a thunderbolt Jupiter had aimed at his father missed its target and fell to Earth, it struck the ground with such force that it penetrated hell and from there the steamy, smelly waters flow! The smell may take a little getting used to, but the waters are guaranteed to be warm and relaxing at any time of the year for those brave enough to jump in!
In the evening, we will head for the coast where you can take a walk near the sea Porto Santo Stefano area and have dinner on your own before getting back for the last night and flight home.
Overnight at La Parrina.
The next stop will be the town of Pitigliano. Although Etruscan in origin, Pitigliano is known to the discerning few who venture here, as ‘Little Jerusalem’. And why? During the creation of the ghetto in the anti-Semitic papal states, a large Jewish population fled over the border to neighboring Tuscany. Here they were welcomed by the ruling Orsini family, who believed the migrants could help in reviving the town’s failing economy.
Lunch today will be in a light lunch of local products and wines in a wonderful cellar under the houses of Pitigliano.
Our last stop, will be in the tiny spa-town of Saturnia; population 280! According to legend, the spring was created during a fight between the gods Jupiter and Saturn. When a thunderbolt Jupiter had aimed at his father missed its target and fell to Earth, it struck the ground with such force that it penetrated hell and from there the steamy, smelly waters flow! The smell may take a little getting used to, but the waters are guaranteed to be warm and relaxing at any time of the year for those brave enough to jump in!
In the evening, we will head for the coast where you can take a walk near the sea Porto Santo Stefano area and have dinner on your own before getting back for the last night and flight home.
Overnight at La Parrina.
Meals :
Breakfast, Lunch
Day
6
Tivoli - Castelli Romani
6
Where we Visit :
Tivoli,
Castelli Romani,
Today we move back towards Rome, stopping in two places that have long been the playgrounds of wealthy Romans, popes and emperors.
Our first stop will be the town of Tivoli which offers stunning views over the Roman countryside. Here we will visit the famed water-gardens of the UNESCO world heritage site Villa d’Este, where fountains, waterfalls, jets and water spouts, entertain visitors simply by the power of gravity.
In the afternoon, we will tour the Castelli Romani, the hills which surround Rome and a popular escape from the heat of the city in the summer months. Our tour will take us around another famous volcanic lake: Lake Albano, passing wealthy country homes, the Pope's summer residence and a Byzantine-Greek monastery before we reach Frascati where we will enjoy dinner and our final night at the Villa Tuscolana.
Our first stop will be the town of Tivoli which offers stunning views over the Roman countryside. Here we will visit the famed water-gardens of the UNESCO world heritage site Villa d’Este, where fountains, waterfalls, jets and water spouts, entertain visitors simply by the power of gravity.
In the afternoon, we will tour the Castelli Romani, the hills which surround Rome and a popular escape from the heat of the city in the summer months. Our tour will take us around another famous volcanic lake: Lake Albano, passing wealthy country homes, the Pope's summer residence and a Byzantine-Greek monastery before we reach Frascati where we will enjoy dinner and our final night at the Villa Tuscolana.
Meals :
Breakfast, Dinner
Day
7
Castelli Romani - Roma FCO
7
Where we Visit :
Rome Airport (FCO),
After breakfast at Villa Tuscolana, private transfer will take you back to Rone train station as it is finally time to get to the south of Italy. Chatch the train to Naples and the Amalfi cost for another 3 wonderful nights.
Meals :
Breakfast
Map
Inclusions/Exclusions
Tour Highlights and What's Included
- Detailed explanation of sites
- English speaking professional tour guide
- Entrance Fees
- Hot springs visit
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Tastings of local products
- Wine Estate Visit
- Wine Tastings
- Return transfers to FCO
What's Not Included
- Gratuities of any type
- International fights
- Local City Hotel Tax Paid Directly to Hotel
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Personal Expenses or Extras at hotels
Pricing & Availability
Please contact us today by either phone or email for assistance with this booking.
Email : team@italyvacationspecialists.com
Toll Free : 1-866-779-2565
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