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