Time Machine

Lands in Tuscia!

A travel through time to discover life in Tuscia across the millennia!

The Tuscia region is a geographic area with a center located about 50 miles North of Rome.

This region is named after the Etruscans, who lived in this area before the city of Rome was founded. The left a very strong legacy here. This territory and Etruscan inhabitants played an important role in ancient Rome. After the fall of the Roman Empire, and during the middle ages, this area continued to have a main strategic role in the political and religious life of Italy. Indeed the Tuscia extends from the Mediterranean coast to the Apennine mountains and it was crossed (as it is today) from North to South by a very important ancient Roman road called Cassia which was also largely used by pilgrims on their way to Rome. In the late middle ages the city of Viterbo, main town in Tuscia, became the seat of the Papacy for nearly one century, and - due to its vast forests - used as hide-away by hermit monks.

Away from the most known tourist paths, this area of Italy has preserved its nature and authenticity. The present life in Tuscia preserves strong legacy with its past and traditions. The volcanic origin of this territory makes it a great place for farming and for the growing of grapes, olives, chustnuts and hazelnuts of which the Tuscia is a great producer. Geographically the territory is varied with hills, mountains, rivers, beautiful lakes like Vico, Bolsena and Mezzano, thermal spas. It's located 1.5 hours North of Rome, easy to reach by car from the nearby sea port of Civitavecchia and from the nearby Umbrian town of Orvieto.

This journey will take you along the time-line of this region's culture and traditions

Time Machine Lands in Tuscia

Program of the Trip:

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL AND CHECK IN
Arrival at Rome airport (Fiumicino or Ciampino)
Transfer to the hotel – approx arrival time at the hotel 3:30PM
Check in, afternoon free for relaxation
Dinner (*)

Let's now start the journey through time!

Presentation of the itineraries and activities

NOTE: in this package the activities are concentrated in 4 days; the total number of nights is 5. This trip can be booked as it is presented (total of 6 days, 5 nights) OR each day can be booked separately! Although we suggest spending a whole week in this beautiful part of Italy, the Tuscia region, we think that a trip to Tuscia could make a great day out of Rome (if you are planning to stay in Rome for a few days) or a great day trip from the sea port of Civitavecchia! as, indeede, this area can be reached very easily from the sea port in case you are traveling on a cruise ship! So, if you don't have enough time to enjoy the whole experience, you can pick one of the days we are presenting here below and enjoy a great day in the land of Tuscia!

TO INDICATE IF YOU WISH TO BOOK THE WHOLE PACKAGE AS PRESENTED HERE, OR TO CHOOSE SEPARATE DAYS PLEASE USE THE FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

TO READ ABOUT ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS, TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS AND PRICES CLICK HERE

DAY 2 – "THE ETRUSCANS"
Breakfast
9AM Transfer to the center of experimental archaeology “Antiquitates” (Civitella Cesi, VT)

9:30AM arrive at the center of experimental archaeology “Antiquitates”
Welcome and presentation of the center
Visit of the Neolithic hut (the hut has been rebuilt according to the materials, methods of construction and typical furnishing of the time!)
You can sign up for 3 of the 4 lab experience listed below all related to ancient times techniques:

1. ancient Roman cuisine - with cook expert in ancient Roman cuisine
description and making of two typical ancient Roman dishes (garum: typical Etruscan-Roman sauce; and honey cakes also from a classic Etruscan-Roman recipe)

2. ceramics workshop - with expert archaeologist
modeling of ceramic with a typical technique from the Villanoviana era; and practice with the wheel
With expert archaeologist

3. creating make up creams and perfumes in ancient times - with expert archaeologist
creation of a cream based on animal fat and essences

4. casting metal in ancient times - with expert archaeologist
Practical demonstration of casting of metals with creation of an object in bronze in stone cast

Lunch will be served in a characteristic area within the center of experimental archaeology
Menu: antipasto, two samples of first courses, main course with side dish, fruit, cake and coffee. Water included, wine extra (suggested wine for this lunch: Sangiovese)

Additional details:
- all the artifacts produced during the workshop will be given to you as momentum and memory of the day and of your experience with the center of experimental archaeology
- the class of ancient Roman cuisine can be done all year around in the afternoon; in the Summer this can be done in the morning also
- your guides will be highly qualified professionals specialized in the different disciplines and classes. Not all of our specialists from the center of experimental archaeology are fluent in English, therefor if necessary we will provide an interpreter

The whole day will be characterized by and informal and friendly atmosphere created by our experts and guides, and by the unusual look of the site that evokes ancient times.

5PM end of the activities
6PM back to the hotel
Dinner (*)

DAY 3 - "THE ROMANS"
Breakfast
9AM Transfer to the nature park of Vulci:
stop at the welcome point for an explanation of the model of the park
hike to the site of the remains of ancient Vulci, through the Western Gate; cross the town on the ancient Roman road (decumano) along which can be found the remains of this Etruscan-Roman city. We continue the walk on the decumano road through the Eastern Gate and down the valley of the river Fiora, and then back to the town, in correspondence of the site of the acropolis. The final part of the itinerary takes us to the small lake of Pellicone, after a walk through the woods.
The hike ends with a visit to the Tomb Francois.

Lunch in a typical farm house on the picturesque Lake Mezzano

During lunch, set in the garden of the farm house overlooking Lake Mezzano, an expert cheese maker will show the art and process of cheese making, from the milk to the so called "primo sale"; guests will have the opportunity to taste the "cagliata" and warm ricotta.

Afternoon excursion in the countryside "hunting for wild herbs": their role in the italian tradition, how to recognize and use them!

Return to the hotel
Dinner (*)

DAY 4 - "THE MIDDLE AGES"
Breakfast
9AM transfer to Viterbo
Tour of the historical center of Viterbo: "A trip back to the Middle Ages"; walk with guide through the alleys of the medieval quarter of "San Pellegrino", the largest, most characteristic and well preserved medieval quarter in Italy, a real jewel and great example of architecture from the 13TH century. Visit of the Papal Palace which was the seat of the Pope in the 14TH century.

1PM lunch in one of the most charming and characteristic restaurants of Viterbo, in the heart of the medieval quarter

Afternoon free to shop and relax in the Viterbo (if you wish, our guide can remain at your disposal for the afternoon)

6:30PM Visit to one of the local cheese farm
dinner-tasting of cheeses and other local produces

Return to the hotel after dinner

DAY 5 - "THE RENAISSANCE"
Breakfast
9AM transfer to Caprarola
9:40AM Guided tour of the Farnese Palace, originally a fortress built on a pentagonal plant, transformed in the 1500s in a magnificent palace for Alessandro Farnese, nephew of Pope Paul III, by the architect Jacopo Barozzi from Vignola, known also and simply as "Vignola"; spectacular interior design - as the famous "Scala Regia" stairway - , frescoes and gardens.

11:30AM transfer to Bagnaia

12PM Visit the palace and gardens of the spectacular Villa Lante, again based on a project of Vignola. The gardens, which are the main point of interest, are one of the finest example of Italian gardens in Italy, with its fountains, decorated basins, waterfalls, amazing bushes, and statues made from the local stone, the so called "Peperino" from its color like black pepper.

1:30PM lunch in a characteristic restaurant in the area of Bagnaia

3:30PM transfer to Bagnoregio
Tour of the picturesque village of "Civita" di Bagnoregio also known as the "dying city" as the side of the hill on which the town was build is suffering a slow but constant erosion. Once abandoned, this town has returned to a new life as modern techniques of construction and consolidation of the terrain have made it possible to restore it in part. The surrounding territory called "calanchi" is a region which look is very similar to the famous Badlands in South Dakota which territory suffers the same type of geological erosion.

6PM visit to one of the best wineries of the area. Tour of the vineyard, of the areas dedicated to the process of wine making, and visit to the cellar where wine is aged.

8PM dinner at the restaurant inside of the wine farm, traditional menu (antipasto, first course, main course, side dish, cheese and cake) accompanied by tasting of 5 different wines

Return to the hotel

DAY 6 - DEPARTURE
Breakfast
Transfer to the airport

Time Machine Lands in Tuscia

FORM FOR REQUEST OF ADDITIONAL INFOMATION

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PLEASE COMPLETE THIS REQUEST BY INCLUDING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IN THE FIELDS BELOW:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS TRIP

COSTS: Euro 2,535.00 for a party of 2; this cost includes all of the activities presented in the above itinerary

This price is to be intended for one couple (2 persons); for larger parties such as families and groups of friends we will provide a taylor made quote as the above price does NOT apply for every 2 persons! Indeed, for example, the cost for two couples (4 people) or for a family of 2 adults + 2 children (4 people) would be different and way more convenient!

So, if you are a large party, or even a group (15 or more people), please ask us for a personalized price!

Moreover, the type of transportation will have to be choosen accordingly with the size of the group.

NOTE: according with the opening days of the sites, and in order to be able to do the days in the right sequence of time, the day 1 of your trip should NOT be a Thursday or a Friday. If you can only arrive on these days of the week, we can re-arrange the visits, but the "journey through time" will likely not be on the right time-line.

ADDITIONAL COSTS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE PRICE:

- accommodation: as you can choose the type of accommodation you prefer among:

   - Bed and Breakfast

   - Farm house (agriturismo)

   - historical home

   price vary depending on the type of accommodation

- evening meals (only those at the place of your accommodation as all of the others that are part of the activities are inlcuded!)

   meals that are not included in the above price are indicated in the itinerary with the symbol (*)

- transportation, as you can choose between the following options:

   - renting a car from AVIS and use our driver to navigate to all the sites

   - using our limo service

Since different choices generate difference prices, and also cost of transportation depends from the size of the group (and so from the number of passengers) we did not include accommodation and transportation in the quote. The quote of Euro 2,535.00 covers all of the activities and meals indicated in the itinerary for a party of 2. For parties larger than 2 people we will send a personalized quote.

TAKE A STEP FURTHER INTO ITALY'S

NATURE, HISTORY AND TRADITIONS WITH

QUESTIONS? You can also contact us at nerone.cc@gmail.com