Country and City
Itineraries
Just a few kilometers from
Rome you can go boating, windsurfing or canoeing on volcanic lakes, walk or
bike in the colorful countryside, taste unique typical foods and experience the
history, traditions and ancient culture among Etruscan ruins and in medieval
castles.
Rome Today
A trip inside the
contemporary reality of the eternal city, visiting 20th and 21st
century sites and museums - Maxxi, Gnam,
Macro. Your journey begins with the Rationalist style of the EUR and Foro
Italico districts, through the working class areas from the Twenties and
Thirties - Garbatella, Quarticciolo and Pigneto -, and the newest architectural
challenges, such as Renzo Piano’s Auditorium and Richard Meier’s “Dives in
Misericordia” Church.
As with most lakes in this region Lake Vico is of
volcanic origin; it is surrounded by cane fields and is horseshoe shaped. Mount
Venere is 800 meters high, with several walking and biking trails. At the "well
of the devil" - a semi-vertical grotto – there is a great view of the
entire lake. Be on the lookout for foxes and wild boar!
The coastline is great for bird
watching, cycling and water sports - windsurfing, sailing and canoeing. Overlooking Lake Vico
is Caprarola with a XVI Century Farnese Palace; the Sagra della
nocciola occurs here at the end of August and an opportunity to taste local
chestnut based specialties, sweets and
ice cream.
Bolsena On the border of Lazio and Umbria, and between Viterbo and
Orvieto, Bolsena is the largest volcanic lake in Europe. Excellent for water
sports, it has English style
gardens - Bisentina island - and wild
nature – Martana Island. You can also spend time on one of the local fishing
boats or cruise aboard a traditional Bolsena Lake boat, day or night.
Among the trails that you can follow, the most intriguing is Sentiero
dei briganti used by smugglers and outlaws. Food lovers will enjoy a
vast assortment of restaurants along the coast and specializing in local fish
specialties rigorously accompanied by Bolsena olive oil and wines.
Bracciano This lake is located further south, between Rome and
Viterbo provinces and close to the Lazio beaches. The three major communities
around the lake are the city of Bracciano,
Anguillara Sabazia e Trevignano Romano. Overlooking the lake is the Orsini
Odescalchi castle, famous for vip weddings; this 15th century
structure is also a museum. Nearby is the Air Force Museum with over 60 planes,
motors and other equipment.
History Culture and Archeology
Lazio gets its name from the
Latini, a people who arrived in the area in the second millennium b.C. This Indo
European population established itself on the Palatine hill and eventually
expanded itself to the other six hills of Rome. The region was home to the
Etruscans, north of the Tiber river, the Latins in the center, the Falisci in
an area in between Etruscans and Latins, and the Capenati, an italic people
heavily influenced in language and customs by the Sabines, the Latins and
Etruscans.
Archeology Lazio is among the richest archeological regions in the world,
with major Etruscan cities such as: Cerveteri, Tarquinia, Vulci, Veio and
Volsini that peaked between the VII and V Centuries b.C. Our trip begins in Vulci, an ancient Etruscan city
suddenly overwhelmed by the advancing tide of Rome; walking through the
princely tombs of its Necropolis you will witness the glorious and lavish past
of the Etruscan aristocracy. A majestic silhouette stands out in the
background: the medieval castle of the Abbey, which towers over the Fiora river
valley. Next, the Niki de Saint Phalle’s Tarot Garden, a unique theme park.
The first monasteries in Central
Italy appeared around 529 and the founding of Monte Cassino Abbey. Lazio
region has several medieval borgoes, located on hilltops and often containing
museums and private collections.
Appia Antica A unique tour
of the Appian Route, the “Regina Viarum”, a route walked by millions of people
over the past two millennia. The “Via Appia” linked Rome with the Southern
Italy; along the way, you will discover monuments, clues about who built and
owned them, and visit the Catacombs. Then, a rustic and appetizing lunch “al
fresco” under a pergola.
Roman Castles and Museums The area just south and east of Rome, known as the Castelli Romani e
Prenestini, comprises a network of museums and archeological sites in several
small historic towns. The twenty cultural venues are representative of the
area’s rich historic, artistic and
cultural heritage in: history and archeology, anthropology, science and the environment, culture and religion.
A
unique opportunity for vacationing families and culture professionals alike to
walk ancient trails, become acquainted with old traditions and visit: historic towns, churches, convents, medieval palaces, aqueducts, imperial navy ships, wine producing towns and even a toy museum.
Folklore and Traditions
On August 5 it snows in the eternal city. Rose petals
fall on the congregation in the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. This event is a
re-enactment of the snowfall that took place on the Esquilino hill on this day
in 352 a.C., when the Virgin Mary indicated to Pope Liberio the location where
the church should be built.
Before dawn, every January 13, a large oak log is lit in Capena.
As the flames embers all the citizens light up a cigarette; this very ancient
tradition ends with a benediction of the animals and a parade of the local area
horses dressed in vivacious colors.
Viterbo celebrates Santa Rosa on September 4 with a procession led by a
very large statue of the saint placed on an elaborate cart; the first one dates
back to 1663. In Viterbo Province:
Marta On May 1414 a procession of the Chiesa
della Santissima del Monte: a wooden stand (the fountain) is carried by four
holding an image of the Madonna adorned with fruits and flowers follone by the
clergy and citizenry parading in groups representative of their trades.
A unique celebration takes place on August 15 - Ferragosto – in Oriolo Romano as a long procession
accompanies the statue of the Virgin Mary of the Star along the streets of this
XVI Century medieval borgo, built as "ideal town" by the Church – an
early example of a planned community! In the main piazza, a "rodeo" by
maremmani butteri, the southern Tuscany cowboys.
On Fat Tuesday members of the Purgatory Fraternity,
wearing black hoods, parade through Gradoli’s streets led by banner and drums,
knocking on doors to collect food for the “Dinner in Purgatory” eaten on Ash
Wednesday.
Tuesday is market day in Latina: new and used clothes
bancarelle with home furnishing, fruits and vegetables. Best day to visit is
the first Tuesday of the month when, it is claimed, all the new and fresh stuff
arrives!
Frosinone A feast know as “Radeca” may have pre-Christian orgins.
Frosinone is a very old town and this event may have its roots in pagan fertility
and procreation rituals. The long radeca leaf represents the agave, the ancient
symbol of fertility. The event takes place on July 26 to celebrate an
insurrection against the Roman Republic and the French army that protected it.