Villas and parcs in the region Lazio

Day 1: Benvenuti in Lazio
Drive to your hotel in Castel Gandolfo, the 4 * Hotel Castel Vecchio, right next to the Pope's Summer Palace. Arrival in the afternoon. After checking in a little time to relax. You will then have the evening menu with the culinary delights of Lazio at the hotel.

Day 2: A magic garden
A magic garden will be opened for you today: Ninfa. This enchanted piece of earth, a place already abandoned in the 14th century, will surely cast a spell over you. You can also listen to the history of this unique garden. Not far away you will pass the Valvisciolo Abbey, founded in the 8th century by Greek monks. In the 13th century it was rebuilt by members of the Templar order, then around 100 years later the Cistercians took over the monastery.
Proper style, that is to say, the Middle Ages: You drive to Sermoneta with one of the few castelli of the Middle Ages that have remained completely intact and a wonderful fortification of the Caetani family. Here you will be introduced to a specialty for lunch! After a short walk through this magical place, we would like to introduce you to a very close place that is very unusual: Norma. Located high above the Pontine Marshes, you will find the original city called Norba, which existed well before the Romans. You will take a short excursion through the remains of the ancient city of the Volsk people and be amazed at the very mysterious history of this formerly large city. After this varied day, drive back to the hotel and end the day with a nice dinner in a very special restaurant.

Day 3: What would the surrounding area be without its villas?
Tibur was one of the most important cities in Lazio and was founded in the 5th century BC. Chr. Tibur - what is this place? Well, the name Tivoli is certainly much better known, associated with famous gardens that outshine even the most beautiful gardens today. It is almost a "must" to see Tivoli's most famous garden, the Villa d'Este, which is world famous for its sophistication, with water features, fountains, grottos and ponds. It is easy to understand why the famous travelers of earlier eras raved about this place! After a lunch break in Tivoli (lunch could be organized), another park attracts interest, the villa of the Emperor Hadrian, Villa Adriana. Here you can immerse yourself in the history of the ancient Romans and their magnificent works. Tivoli Villa Adriana was built in AD 117 as the residence of the Emperor Hadrian and is now one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Day 4: Unknown jewels in the shadow of Rome
After breakfast you will get to know the imposing Albano cistern and the impressive Rotonda church. Then we invite you to see the replicas of the ships of the wicked Emperor Caligula at Lake Nemi, an enchanting crater lake in the Museo delle Nave. The town of Nemi itself is the city of wild strawberries. Enjoy this small but charming town high above the "mirror of the goddess Diana", as the lake is called, and don't forget to taste the local specialty! Afterwards you circle the Alban lake to go for a stroll in a "wine village": Frascati. Of course it is almost a must to taste the wine in a rustic "Fraschetteria" and to enjoy the excellent "Porchetta". A short visit to the gardens of Villa Aldobrandini will then round off the day. In the evening you will take the menu in a renowned little restaurant.

Day 5: The painter's landscape
The so-called painter's landscape of Lazio describes the area between Palestrina and Subiaco because it was visited and painted by many German painters. Ludwig Richter, Ludwig Tieck and many others came for the scenic charm of this area and immortalized it in their pictures. The journey will lead through this still beautiful, little-touched landscape to Subiaco. At first you will experience a refreshment here for lunch before you are amazed. A very special monastery, namely Sacro Speco, a Benedictine monastery, high above the Aniene valley and built directly in and on the rocks, will be your goal. Here was the self-chosen domicile of St. Benedict after some very bad experiences in Rome. You will surely listen intently to this story and be amazed by this unexpected beauty of the monastery. The return journey will lead through other charming places that don't show the proximity of Rome. The day ends with an evening meal in a restaurant!

Day 6: The Park of Miracles
In the morning you will start the day with a unique visit. A very special park awaits you in Bomarzo, near Viterbo: Parco dei Mostri, the park of wonders! Here you will get to know a mannerist garden from the end of the 16th century, which is also called "sacred forest". The mystical is mixed with the grotesque - just let yourself be surprised! At lunchtime you will have a snack in a beautifully located small restaurant
Not far away you will visit the famous Villa Lante in Bagnaia. This villa is completely different because it was created in the Italian manner. A real gem among the various villa gardens. Then return to the hotel in Castel Gandolfo, where you will have a farewell menu in a restaurant.

Day 7: say goodbye
Depending on the departure time, the transfer to the airport takes place. We hope you enjoyed the days.
Alternatively, you can book additional days in Rome. We are happy to assist you.
© ulla kastner

min. 4, max. 15 participants

Travel data:
April 09-15, 2022
May 21-27, 2022
June 13-19, 2022
Sept 10-16, 2022

Services included:
6 x overnight stays in a 4 * hotel in Castel Gandolfo
6 x dinner in a restaurant or hotel
4 x lunch
1 x snack
All transfers on site
Constantly experienced tour guide
Entrances
Guided tour in Ninfa

Not included:
Arrival (we are happy to help you find cheap flights)
All meals and drinks not listed
Tips and personal expenses
Trip cancellation insurance

Price for 10 or more participants per person in a double room: € 1,660.00
Double as single: + € 175.00

With fewer participants
Price for 4 or more participants per person in a double room: € 2,160.00
Price from 6 participants per person in a double room: € 1,930.00

For fixed groups of 4 people or more, please ask for an offer with regard to price and date