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Tour Features
The beauty of the Lazio region is often obscured by the fame of Rome but the region has a lot to offer besides the Eternal city: a wealth of art, history, culinary traditions and culture that this tour will help to disclose.  Thus, Rome will only be the starting point before moving on to discover the Castelli Romani area with Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence, the medieval quarters in Viterbo, the verdant Ciociaria, where old rural traditions are kept alive and ancient abbeys infuse visitors with calm and peace.  A tour to discover off-the-beaten-track places but also time spent learning to prepare a true Roman meal tasking local wines and lots of genuine, rare foods.

Slow Food Presidia and other Recommended Products:

• Caciofiore Romano cheese


• Fresh cheeses of Tuscia


• Susianella cold cut


• Extra Virgin Olive Oil of Colli Etruschi


• Wines and typical cakes of Ciociaria


• Wines of the Castiglione Teverina vineyards

Points of Interest:

• Rome


• the Castelli Romani area - Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’ summer residence, Genzano and Frascati with the splendid Villa Aldobrandini


• Viterbo - the enchanting medieval center and the Papal Palace, once seat of the Popes


• Casamari - its fascinating ancient abbey, a perfect example of Cistercian architecture


• Castro dei Volsci - the old preserved hamlet with its stone houses built into the hills, stone walls and tiny streets


• Fiuggi - the town whose thermal baths were famous since the times of ancient Rome

 

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1) Arrival
Arrive at Rome airport, collect your car and transfer to the Hotel Villa Fiorio in Grottaferrata, near Rome. Time to settle in, then move to the Ristorante l’Oste della Bon’Ora for a welcome dinner of traditional local fare and Slow Food Presidia products from Lazio and an introduction to the Slow Food philosophy and activities. Return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 2) Rome
In the morning, transfer to Rome for a cooking lesson on the Roman traditional recipes at the Scuola dell’Associazione Cuoche per Caso (“Accidental Cooks Association”), using the fresh produce bought at the market, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, regular tour of Rome including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine, the Circus Maximus and Piazza Venezia, with a short stop at the Trevi Fountain. Free time. Return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 3) The Castelli Romani: Castel Gandolfo, the Albano Lake, Genzano, Frascati
In the morning visit the Castelli Romani area. We suggest: a first stop in Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’ summer residence, on the shores of the Albano Lake; visit of the historical centre and free time to stroll along the lake shore. Arrive to Genzano and visit of the historical Sergio Bocchini’s bakery to attend a demonstration of bread-making and sample the Pizza Bianca (white pizza bread). Continue on to Frascati and visit of the wonderful Villa Aldobrandini and the magnificent old city center. Traditional dinner at the Osteria San Gaetano della Comunità degli Osti di Frascati, with local dishes and wines from Lazio and a tasting of some traditional delicacies such as the Pupazza, Pangiallo, Ciambelline al vino (biscuits for dipping in wine), together with Cannellino wine. Return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 4) Nepi, Colli sul Velino
In the morning transfer to Colli sul Velino, near Rieti. Before going to Colli sul Velino, we suggest a visit to Cerveteri and a tour of the unique ancient Etruscan Necropolis. Cerveteri was one of the major Etruscan centres, playing a role of primary importance in Mediterranean trade from the 7th to the 4th century BC. The Banditaccia necropolis, situated on a tufa plateau to the northeast of the city, is the most important Etruscan necropolis in the vicinity; it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Alternatively, we suggest a stop at the wonderful Bracciano Lake. Move to the Tenuta dei Ronci wine cellars in Nepi, to taste the wines made with the vines cultivated on this ancient land. Take a guided tour of the farm and enjoy a sampling of wine, extra virgin olive oil, typical cold cut and cheese, traditional biscuits. Transfer to the Relais Villa D’assio hotel in Colli sul Velino and overnight.

Day 5) Viterbo, Castiglione in Teverina
We suggest: departure for Viterbo. Visit the magical town center, steeped in history. Walk through the narrow streets with a guide to discover the little shops selling handmade pottery and jewellery from Tuscia and the typical fare, such as the bread and cakes produced by the Artigiapan historical bakery. Departure for Castiglione in Teverina, a beautiful ancient town set among the Volsini mountains. Visit the Wine Museum and its laboratory dedicated to local wines. Move to the Trebotti cellars to taste the wines made with the vines cultivated on this ancient land. Take a guided tour of the farm and enjoy a sampling of honey, extra virgin olive oil and Susianella cold cut, then take a lesson in traditional cookery and have a light dinner. Return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 6) The Ciociaria Area, Casamari
Departure for the fascinating Ciociaria. On the way there, stop in Ferentino for a visit of this ancient little town and a lunch with Ciociaria’s traditional dishes at La Mula. In the afternoon, we suggest to visit the fascinating Casamari Abbey. This is an important historical, cultural and spiritual focal point in Lazio that still houses the monks today. Transfer to the Hotel Ambasciatori in Fiuggi and overnight.

Day 7) Castro dei Volsci, Fiuggi
Departure for Castro dei Volsci, a small town in the Ciociaria area, visit the old preserved hamlet with its characteristic stone houses built into the hills, stone walls and tiny streets. Cookery introduction dedicated to the traditions of Ciociaria followed by lunch at the Locanda del Ditirambo restaurant. In the afternoon, we suggest a visit of Fiuggi and the historical city center. Back to the hotel and overnight.

Day 8) Departure
Departure for Rome airport.

 

Hotels

Hotel Villa Fiorio 4*, Grottaferrata (Rome)
Located in a beautiful pine park and characterized by antique furniture, the Grand Hotel Villa Fiorio is an aristocratic villa surrounded by the splendor of the Roman Castles just a few minutes far from the most beautiful city of the world. In the garden there is also a wonderful swimming pool, ideal for pleasant relaxing moments. The Villa was built at the beginning of the 20th century as a private residence and only later, in the 50s it was refurbished into a hotel.

Hotel Relais Villa d’Assio 4*, Colli sul Velino (Rieti)
Recently opened – the Relais Villa d’Assio enjoys a quiet and peaceful location, nestled amongst Rosea’s picturesque countryside. Set within a charming 19th century village and immersed in stunning natural scenery – the Lungo wildlife reserve, the Ripasottile Lake and Mount Terminillo. The hotel boasts 40 rooms furnished to the highest of standards and with all expected facilities and comforts.

Hotel Ambasciatori 4*, Fiuggi (Frosinone)
The hotel offers an harmonious atmosphere of the typically Italian affection. The wonderful, splendid lobby, is a meeting, but also a starting point from where a myriad of different places and activities await you to be discovered. Another highlight of the hotel is its Tangerine Spa. Covering an area of 600 square meters, it has a warm pool with hydro-therapeutic course, a sauna, a Turkish bath, as well as an elegant beauty farm in which the hotel guests may enjoy various pleasant treatments.

*if the hotel is unavailable, a similar one will be provided

Car Rental

Car included in the tour price:
Group C (Category Small & Compact) - FIAT Punto EVO 1.2cc or similar

The rental includes:

• Unlimited mileage


• Collision damage waiver


• Theft protection


• Airport fee


• Road tax


• Railway fee


• One way rental fee (drop-off in a destination different from that of the pick-up)


• Administration costs


• VAT

Additional Options:

• GPS Navigator


• Baby seat


• Booster cushion


• Additional driver fee

Maggiore Rent A Car Locations:

• Rome Ciampino Airport


• Rome Fiumicino Leonardo Da Vinci Airport


• Rome Railway Station Termini: Via Giolitti 34

CALL: 1-800-ITALY-25 to book your Lazio Fly & Drive Culinary Vacation today!