Day 1: Arrivals

We make our way to the lovely town of Frascati, about an hour from the centre of Rome and famous for its white wines. Ever since ancient times, Frascati has been a haven for the Roman elite, including Cicero who wrote his Tusculan disputations here. Depending on arrival times, your tour director will host an introductory talk and included welcome dinner either today or tomorrow.

Day 2: Palestrina and Nemi

We start the tour with a short drive to the enormous sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia in Palestrina probably the largest sanctuary Italy. Built in the 2nd century BC, a series of vast terraces rise one above the other on the hillside, connected by grand staircases and crowned by the round temple of Fortune. It was dedicated to Jupiter’s first born, the aptly named, Primigenia, and was associated with motherhood and good fortune. Transformed over time by two important Papal families, the original pagan complex is famous for its staggering mosaics, including an intricate Nilotic scene, complete with exotic animals and people.

In the afternoon, we drive to Nemi where we visit the ancient and venerable Temple of Diana, as well as the museum of the luxurious barges built by Caligula for his amusement on Lake Nemi. These were hugely opulent boats which had improbable amenities, such as heated baths.

Day 3: Ostia and Portus

Very few sites are able to transport us back to ancient Rome like Ostia, the bustling port city at the mouth of the Tiber, which serviced the Eternal City, providing it with the food which kept its enormous population alive and the luxuries which kept the elites happy. The city was abandoned in late antiquity because of malaria, meaning its apartment blocks, bars, baths and storage units are incredibly well preserved. It is in Ostia, rather than Pompeii, that we get an idea of what life was like in Ancient Rome. It was a mini-Rome: its apartments, which are preserved up to the third floor, were identical to those found in the metropolis. We continue a short distance to Portus, the port system constructed by Claudius and Trajan to improve the frenetic trade going to and from Rome. Here we learn about the intricacies of ancient shipping and docking.

Day 4: Tivoli

Today we explore two of Italy’s finest and most extensive villas in the gorgeous little town of Tivoli, a short drive from our hotel. We start with the enormous villa built by Hadrian to escape from the pressures of ancient Rome. The size of Pompeii, this sumptuous villa was a microcosm of the Roman empire, reproducing some of its most famous sites. We start at the awe inspiring Pecile, a copy of the Stoa Poikile in Athens, and we end with the spectacular Canopus, which brings the Nile back to life. In between these sites, we walk through a myriad of different parts of the villa, which were built in order to service the thousands of courtiers and slaves who kept the empire ticking.

After lunch in Tivoli, we explore the extraordinary Renaissance Villa d’Este, built by Ippolito d’Este as a personal fiefdom and private get-away from Rome, which was not only stressful but had the temerity not to elect him Pope. Here, we see what is, perhaps, the most extraordinary garden in Italy, complete with a staggering number of elaborate fountains.

Day 5: Caprarola and Bagnaia

Today we move hotel to Viterbo, exploring en-route two of Lazio’s most famous Renaissance villas, built by Roman elites who vied with each other in fashioning the most exquisite idyllic escapes from Rome. The Villa Farnese at Caprarola was initially built by Pope Paul III as an imposing fortress and was later transformed into a summer getaway by his descendant, Cardinal Alessandro il Giovane. The stupendous, terraced gardens of the Villa Farnese were created by the celebrated architect Jacopo Barozzi, nicknamed il Vignola, who also was responsible for the gardens in the beautiful Villa Lante at Bagnaia, which we will visit in the afternoon. This villa, which was initially built for the Cardinal Gianfranceso Gambara and was later acquired by Ippolito della Rovere, the 1st Duke of Bomarzo, consists of two little houses and is above all known for its formal Italian gardens. It is considered one of the finest in Italy.

Day 6: Cerveteri

The importance of the Etruscans to ancient Rome is difficult to exaggerate; from religion to art and togas to everyday words, the Etruscans, who were the first lords of Italy, defined much of what we see as Roman. Cerveteri (Etruscan Caere) was one of the most important Etruscan cities, and here we explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Banditaccia cemetery, a veritable city of the dead with streets of tombs from different ages, from the huge tumuli to later tombs which look like apartment blocks, as well as those which are underground chambers. Walking inside tombs, which are mini representations of Etruscan houses, we are transported to the world of these early Italians. In the afternoon, we make our way to the modern city of Ceveteri to visit its wonderful archaeological museum, which houses the exquisite remains found in the nearby cemeteries.

Day 7: Tarquinia

On our last full day, we discover the Etruscan city of Tarquinia, home to the last Kings of Rome before the foundation of the Republic in 509 BC. We start with the Monterozzi cemetery, which houses no less than 6000 underground tombs, including 200 which contain the best-preserved Etruscan frescos to be found anywhere. These depict a variety of lively scenes, including banqueting, funerary games, and mysterious doors which open into the world beyond this. After time for lunch in the charming mediaeval town of Tarquinia, we explore its archaeological museum, famed for its wonderful Etruscan artefacts, including painted sarcophagi, and the sculpture of a winged horse.

We end the tour this evening with a private and exclusive dinner at Villa Muti Bussi, a noble seventeenth-century residence rich in art and history. Its dining room, adorned with frescoes, is a wonderful setting for a farewell dinner celebrating our time together discovering the wonders of Latium.

Day 8: Departure

We make our way home, or why not complement your trip with a few extra days enjoying Rome itself, or by relaxing in the spa facilities of our hotel in Viterbo.