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| Duration | Destination | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| 8 days and 7 nights | Italy (Viterbo, Rome) | Italy (Rome) |
Day 1 Rome
Arrival in late afternoon. Check-in at the hotel, and then you are free to explore the city. Perhaps you join the sophisticated crowd who head to the city’s chic cafés and bars, its hidden piazzas and glamorous boutiques. Alternatively, there are great shopping opportunities in Via del Corso, Rome’s main thoroughfare lined with shops to suit every taste and budget. Dinner and overnight stay in Rome
Day 2 Rome
This morning we will have a sightseeing tour of Rome whisking through the city’s most important neighbourhoods and sites, from the ancient to the modern. We will hear fascinating stories about the Colosseum and see the Arch of Constantine and the Forum, once the administration, business and commercial center of Ancient Rome. We will continue to the Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo, the Palazzo Venezia, as well as the Vittoriano, a huge monument dedicated to the first Italian King, Vittorio Emanuele II. Of course we will admire the famous Trevi fountain ad will explore the Spanish Steps area before we reach one of the most famous balconies of Rome, Pincio Terrace. From here, you can see above Piazza del Popolo, one of the most elegant squares in Rome, with its obelisk and the Twin Churches. Remainder of the day is yours. Take a coffee in the famous Caffe Greco, once the haunt of Keats, Byron and Wagner, walk along the window shops in the Via Condotti or simply wander where your feets take you stopping off where you wish. Dinner and overnight stay in Rome.
Day 3 Rome
Today, we will discover a treasure trove of art, history and religion: the Vatican. The Vatican Museum’s art collection, one the most important in the world, houses the wealthiest privately owned collection of masterpieces, showcased in rooms with walls decorated by Raffaello. The real masterpiece, however, is next door: Michelangelo’s painting of the Sistine Chapel, which revolutionized the world’s idea of art. The Sistine chapel is still shaping the future of the Papacy: this is where the cardinals lock themselves in to elect a new Pope after the former one has passed away. Our Vatican tour ends with the tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world. The magnificent and breath-taking complex spans back to 4th century BC, when it was commissioned by Emperor Constantine, though the new cathedral took over 100 years and all of Italy’s greatest artists to build. We will admire here Michelangelo’s famous Pietà and Bernini’s amazing bronze Baldacchino. Note: Modest dress to enter the cathedral, as in all churches in Italy. Shoulders and knees must be covered. No shorts please. Dinner and overnight stay in Rome
Day 4 Tivoli: Villa Adriana, Villa d’ Este
Today we will drive in the countryside out of Rome to visit two UNESCO heritage sites in the town of Tivoli. We start with the Hadrian’s Villa, the largest and most magnificent example of a Roman country residence and probably one of all times. We will tour this beautiful complex of imperial palaces, baths, pools, theaters and temples: closing your eyes you will go back in time and imagine to be at the court of the Roman Emperor. Later we will drive to the marvellous Renaissance Villa d’Este, known for the beauty of its magnificent gardens and fountains. This was the residence of Cardinal Ippolito d’Este in the mid 1500s. The playful fountains and “water games” here were created from the plans of famous artists and architects as Bernini and Pirro Ligorio. You may have time for a brief stroll at Tivoli’s historical center before returning to Rome. Dinner and overnight stay in Rome.
Day 5 Caprarola: Farnese Palace, Vignanello: Castle of Ruspoli
Today we drive to Caprarola where we will visit the Palazzo Farnese and its gardens, one of the finest examples of late Renaissance architecture and Italian Renaissance garden period. The Palazzo Farnese started out as a fortified castle designed for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese (the future Pope Paul III) in the 16th century, but turned into a villa for the family of the grandson of Pope Paul III, also known as Alessandro Farnese. The villa’s fortress theme is carried through by a surrounding moat and three draw. We continue on to Vignanello to see the Ruspoli Castle. Originally part of the papal estates, the castle Ruspoli was built in the 9th century by Benedictine monks. In the course of its long history the fortress has been occupied by a series of noble families such as Farnese e Marescotti who added important modifications. Today the castle is as it was planned by Ottavia Orsini in 1610. The garden, which still retains its original form, must be considered one of the most beautiful parterres in Italy. Handel was hosted and composed during his Italian years at the castle. We will have a guided tour of the castle and gardens. Dinner and overnight in Viterbo.
Day 6 Parco dei Mostri in Bomarzo, Viterbo
Departure to the Holy Wood of Bomarzo, also called Monsters Park of Bomarzo, treasure of Mannerism art of XVI century. The park, a fascinating testament to love and grief, was commissioned in 1552 by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini for his beloved wife, Giulia Farnese. You will be surprised here by the continue succession of animals and strange stone figures: the dragons fight, the Ogre, the Sleeping Beauty, and more. The next stop is the pope’s city of Viterbo, which has kept a medieval air with its high crenelated walls, medieval towers, beautiful stairs, old shops and significant palaces. We will have a tour including Piazza della Morte, the old majestic square, the Palazzo Farnese, the elegant Papal Palace, where the Popes used to reside in the 13th century, the Renaissance cathedral and the medieval quarter of San Pellegrino, a labyrinth of lanes with small antiques shops and wonderful flower decorations on the balconies. Return for dinner and overnight in Viterbo.
Day 7 Tarquinia, Tuscania
Day dedicated to the ancient Etruria, the teritory ruled by the highly advanced yet mysterious pre-Roman civilization, the Etruscans. Emerging around 8th century BC from mysterious origins, Tarquinia was the most significant of the 12 Etruscan city-states and it reached the peak of its splendour in the Middle-Age. Today, Tarquinia is famous for the impressive painted tombs we will visit inside the Monterozzi Necropolis, located on the outskirts of Tarquinia. The interior of these tombs contained not only fresco masterpieces, but also a treasure trove of precious objects and sarcophagi that further give us a glimpse into the life of the Etruscans and their superior craftsmanship that rivaled even the most advanced ancient civilizations. We continue on to Tuscania, one of the oldest towns in Italy, another Etruscan establishment and one of the most important crossroads of inner Etruria. What we see now is a charming medieval village with a spectacular view of the valley. We will stroll through the old streets that take us to the quaint Piazza del Duomo and its fountain and then we will visit two important old churches with Gothic architecture and Pagan influences: San Pietro built in the 8th century and Santa Maria Maggiore, built in 11th century. The churches are situated outside the town’s fortified walls, the initial settlement of the city before the Black Death of the 14th century. Return for dinner and overnight in Viterbo.
Day 8 Viterbo
Breakfast and departure for return journey. End of our services.
Accommodation, depending on your option, in good 4* hotels centrally located or 3* not centrally located hotels, double occupancy rooms, as described:
4 night accommodation in hotel in Rome on a half-board basis, drinks not included
3 night accommodation in Viterbo on a half-board basis, drinks not included
Local English speaking guides in Rome, Viterbo. Other languages are available on request.
Entrances to the Basilica San Pietro, Vatican Museum, Villa Adriana, Villa d’ Este, Farnese Palace, Castle of Ruspoli,
Parco dei Mostri in Bomarzo, Monterozzi Necropolis in Tarquinia, San Pietro and Santa Maria Maggiore Church in Tuscania
City tax
Bus GT for the entire tour with arrival and departure from Rome airport, including all expenses (check point and parking fees, board and lodging for driver)
| Day | Overnight | Itinerary highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Rome - airport Viterbo Rome |
| Place | Economy | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Rome | 3 Stars | 4 Stars |
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