Cultural walking tour on and along the Via Appia
Walk along the Queen of the roads - Via Appia Antica
Day 1: Arrival - the Castelli Romani
Pick up at the airport in Rome. Before you start the journey to Castel Gandolfo to your hotel, we would like to give you a little surprise that cannot be found in any travel guide and which shows the grandeur of the queen of the streets (depending on the arrival time). Drive to the hotel in the Alban mountains, to the Alban lake. Dinner at the hotel with specialties from the Lazio region.
Approx. Walking time 30 minutes, 10 m
Day 2: volcanic origins
In the morning you take a hike from Nemi, which is near the
Via Appia Antica lies down to the Nemisee, the mirror of Diana. This is a beautiful panoramic route around the - in contrast to Lake Albano - the less known but more scenic lake. On this
lesser known but more scenic lake. On this hiking trail you will enjoy wonderful views of the lake, which is of volcanic origin. Here you can visit the Museum of the ships of the Caligula. Marvel at the ships that this emperor, who was not wrongly acclaimed, created himself here.
Our way leads up to Genzano, where you have a small lunch.
GEZ 3.0 hrs, 230 m
In the afternoon, an impressive visit to a special church, the Rotonda and the Albano cisterns awaits you. Return and dinner, but not in the hotel but in a very special restaurant.
Day 3: Roma Eterna
The morning is dedicated to Ostia Antica, the once great port city, which was built around 400 BC. Chr. Originated, but its origins are still unclear.
Roman life at that time is still easy to understand here and probably no visitor remains unaffected by the monumental buildings, some of which are very well preserved.
GEZ approx.2.5 hours, 10 m
Have lunch together before you go on a very special hike. Again, we don't want to give away any more, because at least some places should not be exposed to the decline of mass tourism.
GEZ approx. 2.0 hours, 20 m
After this day with many new impressions you return to the Alban mountains. Dinner in a restaurant with special specialties.
Day 4: Where the unexpected awaits you
In the morning you set off towards Terracina. However, this route initially leads to Ninfa. The magic garden, which is considered the world's most beautiful English-style garden, is located on the Pontine Plain.
Thousands of different plants and trees grow here between the ruins of the centuries-old buildings of the Gaetani family and give the impression of an endless calm. The interplay of colors and fragrances offers a true oasis for the senses and it becomes clear why it is called the magic garden. You will start the tour with a special guide from the garden.
GEZ approx.1.5 hours, 10 m
Then we follow the winding road up to Sermoneta with one of the few Castelli that have remained completely intact. Here, below the fortress, you can enjoy a wonderful lunch before continuing on to Norba. Here you will gain impressive impressions on a hike through the ancient predecessor of Norma, which towers high above the Pontine plain and has been around for 500 years. BC was a Latin colony. This archaeological area is almost unknown and will amaze visitors (GEZ 1 hour, 50 m), not only because of its position but also because of its incredible history. The day concludes with the onward journey to Terracina, where you will move into your next hotel. Dinner in the restaurant in this charming seaside town.
Day 5: marvels of people and nature
Anxur - the people of Terracina gave this name to the city of Terracina as early as 500 BC. It formed an important traffic junction and separated the Pontine Plain from that of Fondi through the mountains of the Monti Ausoni, which extend to the coast here and give the city a fantastic backdrop. Our hike begins on Monte S. Angelo in the magnificent complex of the Jupiter Temple (GEZ 2 hours, 80 m). Return to the historic center, where we can still admire the wonderful remains of this brilliant street. Lunch and afternoon at leisure to sunbathe by the sea or to explore this interesting city where the ancient and the new meet. Dinner in the restaurant.
Day 6: Aha experiences!
In the morning we take the trip from Terracina to Sperlonga, more precisely to the Villa des Tiberius and the associated grotto. In the adjacent museum you can find the gigantic finds of the sculptures that once adorned the grotto. In addition, corresponding replicas, which give us a clear idea of the complete marble sculptures and once again marvel at the ingenious monuments and sculptures of the Romans. After visiting the museum and the grotto, take an enchanting path that offers a view of the whole complex, the sea and all the way to Sperlonga. (GZ. 1.5 hours, 80 m)
The hike to Sperlonga afterwards, along the white sandy beach, takes you to the town, which can hardly be more charming. GEZ 1 hour 0 m
In the afternoon we continue the journey through a landscape that amazes. Here you come across an approx. 2.5 km long original piece of Via Appia Antica. On this piece you will follow the extended wheel tracks of the Romans moving along here and will easily be moved back millennia.
Along the coast, on Via Flacca, it goes back to Terracina. Dinner with regional specialties in the restaurant.
Day 7: 150 arches and Roman theater
The morning belongs to Minturno. 150 arches of an aqueduct announce the proximity of Minturno. Unfortunately not conserved, but no less impressive is the enormous work that was created on this level between the era of the Roman Republic and the imperial period. However, a very well-preserved Roman theater and a section of the Appia Antica within the archaeological park tell of life before that, before you return to our times. GEZ 1 hour, 10 m
After a small lunch in a rustic setting, you walk through the Parco di Gianola, where you follow a path of the Oasi Blu that is as multifaceted as it is romantic. GEZ 1.0 hours, 90 m
Then return to the hotel and have a last dinner in the restaurant.
Day 8: Arrivederci Appia Antica
Depending on the departure time, drive back to the airport in Rome. They say goodbye to a part of Italy that is so close to the capital and yet so far from the tourist maps.
© Ulla Kastner
Min. 8, max. 14 participants
Travel dates:
19 - 26 May 2023
01. until 08. Sept.2023
Services included:
3 x B&B in a 4* hotel in Castel Gandolfo
4 x B&B in a 4* hotel in Terracina
2 x evening meals
4 x small lunches
1 x picnic
Entrance fee and guided tour in Ninfa
All local transfers in minibuses
Permanent German tour guide and hiking guide
Services not included:
Travel (we are happy to assist with flight or train connections).
Entrance fees and drinks
All meals not listed
Private expenses
Price per person in a double room: € 2.210,00 from 8 persons onwards
Price per person in double room: € 1.980,00 from 12 persons onwards
Supplement for double room as single room: + € 210,00
