Italy - a layer cake of history
Italy is a layer cake of
history and this is even more true in our area north of Rome known as Etruria,
Tuscia or the Viterbese.
Follow
these itineraries or have us design one for you.
Etruscan Exploration
The mysterious, smiling Etruscans built a
series of cities, founded leagues, painted frescoed tombs and lived the good life here in Tuscia (northern Lazio) over 2,700 years ago.
Visit the necropolis at Tarquinia with its unique painted tombs or that near Cerveteri noted for its tumuli , Vulci’s bridge and
museum, Tuscania , Viterbo’s museum
with a wealth of artifacts found in the tombs. Trek to the rock carved
cliff tombs at Norchia or Grotta Porcina near Vetralla, Castel d’Asso and
San Giuliano near Blera . Easily visited sites just 50 kms north of Rome
include Sutri’s mysterious amphiteatre.
Canino
and Vulci have a
myriad of Etruscan and Roman sites. You can immerse
yourself completely in the area’s history by staying overnight in the Casale
Bonaparte which
once belonged to Napoleon’s brother, Luciano, the
Prince of Canino….and also the prince of tomb robbers!
Roman Rambles
Walk
on stretches of the ancient Roman roads: the
Via Clodia, Via Amerina and via Cassia. During the summer season there are
plays, opera and
concerts at Ferento, a Roman
theatre in the countryside near Viterbo. Walk through ancient Roman cities
like Falerii Novi, Volsinii at Bolsena, and Ostia Antica near Rome’s airport. Near
Vetralla take a dip in the hot pools where Roman soldiers once cured their
wounds.
Medieval Meanders
Europe’s best preserved medieval centers is Viterbo’s
San
Pellegrino. The first conclave was held in the Papal Palace in
13th century. The quiet historic centers of Vitorchiano, Barbarano Romano
, Civita di Bagnoregio and Tuscania are
musts. On the other side of the
Tiber in the Sabina area visit Otricoli and Casperia , a car-free hamlet. Every hill top town has a fortress, tower or castle to visit.
Renaissance Repertoire
Visit the splendid palaces and gardens of Palazzo Farnese in
Caprarola, Villa Lante in Bagnaia, Palazzo Ruspoli in Vignanello, S. Martino al Cimino with its oval town plan, Bracciano’s
Orsini-Odescalchi castle, Bomarzo’s Sacred Wood or Monster Park. Vignola
and Michelangelo’s works can be admired . Every town has several churches, palaces with frescoes and architectural
details.
Featured Festivals

When to come to this part of
Italy? Each season has its reason . Sept. 3 in
Viterbo for the Macchina di S. Rosa’s
night-time procession, on July 23 Saint
Christina’s feast is celebrated in Bolsena,
Easter in Tarquinia , May 14-the Barabbata at Marta on Lake Bolsena, May 19-I Pugnaloni at Acquapendente . Wine festival in August at
Montefiascone.
Sports
& Shopping
World class golf courses , tennis courts , sailing on
Bracciano, Vico and Bolsena lakes. Mediterranean beaches and even tree-shaded beaches on Lake Bolsena
.You can hang-glide above Montefiascone, archeo-bike , ride
horseback or trek through Etruscan sites and on Roman roads. The area is a
shoppers’ paradise with outlets featuring ceramics, clothing, wine and extra virgin olive oil direct from
producers.
Humble Hamlets
Blera, Vallerano,
Vignanello, Sutri, Farnese, Proceno, Acquapendente all
have fascinating historic centers. A walk through the narrow
streets brings you close to the way people lived (and are still
living) in these villages hundreds
of years ago.
Gastronomic Treats

Gelateria for ice cream,
il forno for pizza and bread. The local family-run trattorie serve
home-made pasta, wild boar and sausages. Vegetables include artichokes, wild
asparagus and extra virgin olive oil. Sagre or festivals celebrate the area’s
wine, chestnuts, mushrooms, beans and oil. Don’t miss the Purgatory lunch held
on Ash Wednesday where over 3,000 people enjoy a seated banquet with a
menu unchanged in over 700 years.
Local Characters

Artisans, costumed
revellers, shepherds: these are just a few of the interesting people you may meet…but few foreign tourists

|