Day 1 - Tivoli and Villa Gregoriana
Arrive at Fiumicino airport. Meet your tour leader. Transfer to a B&B in Tivoli. Check into your room. Visit Villa Gregoriana in the afternoon. Villa Gregoriana is a complex of wooded parks, paths, waterfalls, grottoes and vegetation extending to the foot of the ancient acropolis. It’s a suggestive natural park immersed in greenery and situated near Rome. Commissioned by Pope Gregory XVI in around 1834, this splendid unspoiled place was a must for artists and nobility alike, who came to the ancient city of Tibur on their grand tour in the nineteenth century. After the visit enjoy a welcome drink in one of the local restaurants.
Dinner at a typical restaurant in the center of Tivoli.
Day 2 - Tivoli and Villa d’Este, Subiaco, Palestrina, Veroli
In the morning visit Villa d’Este. Villa d'Este is one of the symbols of the Italian Renaissance and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a gem of architectural and landscape splendor. The extraordinary complex is famous all over the world for its splendid fountains characterized by wonderful and suggestive water displays and for being the most beautiful example of the Italian Renaissance garden in Europe.
Free time for lunch.
Transfer by bus to Subiaco.
Explore the Monastery of St. Benedict. The Monstery enshrines the cave (Sacro Speco) in which St. Benedict lived as a hermit before he organized his first monastic community. Located amid spectacular natural scenery, the monastery is still active but welcomes visitors to pray at Benedict's cave and explore the church covered in beautiful medieval frescoes.
Transfer to Palestrina and have some time to explore this small charming town where the past and the present coexist.
Transfer to Veroli. Welcome drink in the garden of the monastery of the 13th century, where we will stay overnight.
Dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Day 3 – Montecassino, Atina, Posta Fibreno
Transfer to The Abbey of Montecassino, one of the most known abbeys in the world. St. Benedict had the strength to transform a lost and isolated place in a well-structured Christian monastery where everyone could have the dignity he deserved, through work and prayer. A majestic abbey, destroyed several times, was rebuilt in an irreproachable manner, where art and spirituality, immersed in a spectacular silence, can be breathed at every corner. Visit the abbey with our guide.
Transfer to Atina, a small town located in Comino’s Valley, for a wine tasting. The wine that we will taste is the Cabernet di Atina, a local red wine. The wine tasting will be accompanied by some of the excellent local produce.
Lunch at a typical restaurant.
Spend a relaxing afternoon at Posta Fibreno Lake’s Natural Reserve.
Return to Veroli.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – Ninfa gardens, Fossanova Abbey, Amaseno
Transfer to the gardens of Ninfa. The Gardens of Ninfa, built on the ruins of the medieval town of Ninfa in the Pontine Marshes, has been classified by the New York Times as one of the most beautiful and romantic gardens in the world. Declared a Natural Monument by the Lazio Region, the garden, given the delicate environmental balance, may only be visited on certain days of the year, but the beauty of this place is well worth a visit.
Transfer to the Abbey of Fossanova. Declared "National Monument" in 1874, the abbey is the oldest example of Gothic-Cistercian art in Italy. We will visit it and we will have a tipical italian pic-nic in the abbey’s garden.
After the lunch we will move to the valley of Amaseno. The Valley of the Amaseno is an uncontamitated, lush, healthy area, yet not touched by the industrialization. The buffalo is historically linked to this territory. The popular tradition is rich in tales and stories of rural life regarding an animal, today known and appreciated especially for its milk, from which the renowned mozzarella is traditionally made. Visit a local dairy factory to see how mozzarella is made and of course to taste it.
Return to Veroli.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5 – Alatri, Trisulti, Veroli
In the morning a transfer to Alatri, a beautiful town with its unique and imposing Cyclopean walls.
Transfer to Trisulti to visit la Certosa di Trisulti. This famous and stately Carthusian monastery was founded by Pope Innocenzo III in 1204 in the middle of secular woods. Inside you can see the rich invaluable works of art Church and the ancient Pharmacy (XVII Century). The Monastery is a "National Monument" from 1879.
Enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants with spectacular view.
Transfer to Veroli. In the afternoon a guided visit of the city to discover its history and attractions. You will love the fortress of San Leucio with its small church and you will be surprised to find Holy Stairs in Santa Salome’s church (there are 3 Holy Stairs in the world - in Gerusalemme, Rome and Veroli!)
Free time for dinner in Veroli.
Day 6 – the Abbey of Casamari, Boville Ernica, Fumone
Visit the abbey of Casamari in the morning. This Cistercian abbey was built in a lonely site, according to the strict rules of austerity laid down by Saint Bernard, and was consecrated in 1217 by Pope Honorius III. It is a lovely example of early Italian Gothic architecture.
Transfer to the town of Boville Ernica, “la città dell’olio” listed among the most beautiful villages of Italy. To this day its imposing walls are still intact. Within the walls is a quaint historical centre full of alleys, squares and streets. Visit the abbey of San Pietro Ispano, that is of a great historical interest for its precious works of art, such as Giotto’s mosaic, the perfectly preserved frescoes and bas-reliefs.
Lunch in one of the local restaurants.
After lunch visit an oil mill to discover the secrets of olive oli making.
Return to Veroli and have the afternoon at your pleasure.
Transfer to Fumone in the evening. Explore this beautiful small town on your own and have dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Day 7 - Rome
Transfer to Rome in the morning.
A full day guided visit of the city that used to be the center of the world - "Roma Caput Mundi".
Visit the Colosseum, the Imperial Forum and the Vatican City with its amazing St. Peter’s Basilica. Have a relaxing walk along the most beautiful squares of Rome to see Spanish Steps, Navona square, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain where at end of the day you will toss a coin and make your wish to come back to Rome.
The walking tour we propose you will allow you to see the monuments from the outside and entry fee are not included. You will have some free time for lunch.
Check in into your hotel.
A special dinner to say "Arrivederci Roma" is reserved at a typical authentic roman trattoria in Trastevere district. Musicians dressed in tradition costumes of the 18th century will sing for you traditional folk "romanesche" songs.
Day 8 - Departure
Transfer to Fiumicino airport and depart home.
