Ancient Sites and Civilizations - October 6-12, 2024

ANCIENT SITES and Civilizations…

Created for anyone who loves exploring, walking and ancient history!  From the evocative necropolis of Orvieto to the jaw-dropping cave roads of Pitigliano, each day includes visits to some of Italy’s most extraordinary ancient sites, including the Santuario Ritrovato – an Roman and Etruscan sanctuary recently discovered in Tuscany that is revealing itself to be one of the most important finds in Italy’s history.

INCLUSIONS

  • 7 days/6 nights stay at Boutique Hotel Vannucci in Città della Pieve
  • Group transportation by private transport service to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport on arrival and departure dates
  • Private transport service to/from all towns and sites included in the itinerary
  • All breakfasts
  • 5 dinners
  • 4 lunches
  • Daily accompaniment to ancient, historic sites in the regions of Tuscany and Umbria
  • Tour of Etruscan necropolises
  • Private “backdoor” visit to one of Italy’s most important, active archeological sites
  • Walk along the ancient cave roads of Pitigliano
  • Guided visit with archeologist inside 5th century Cristian catacombs
  • Medieval village walking tours
  • Private, insider visits (exclusive to Strada Toscana)
  • Pizza night!
  • Free time for shopping and exploring on your own

Not included: Airfare, meals, alcoholic drinks, buses, trains or boat transportation outside of that which is specifically listed in the trip package, gratuities for villa staff and drivers

The Unexpected is Part of the Journey: At Strada Toscana we weave amazing, authentic experiences into every trip, but sometimes unexpected things come up. If a site has an unscheduled closing, we improvise to include something equally as wonderful and interesting. The quality of the trip is never at risk, as our team is committed to excellence, along with our vast, local, Italian connections.

ANCIENT SITES AND CIVILIZATIONS

Trip Itinerary

Day 1, Sunday, October 6: Arrival

  • Highlights: Welcome and trip introduction
  • Dinner

Benvenuti in Italia! Upon arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, sit back and relax as you are transported by our private drivers to your beautiful accommodations in the medieval village of Città della Pieve – and your home base for the fascinating days ahead. After check-in, and some time to get settled, you’ll head out with your trip host for a walking tour of the village,  followed by a classic Italian aperitivo and delicious, regional-style dinner prepared by Chef Vito. 

Day 2, Monday, October 7: Cetona, Sarteano

  • Highlights: Prehistoric grotte, Etruscan necropolis, Chiesa di Belverdere
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, our private drivers will transport us to the most ancient site we’ll be visiting on this tour – a fascinating series of small caves and grottos inhabited thousands of years ago. In this unique complex there is also a cave used by Saint Frances in the early 1200s. After a special private visit inside the precious Chiesa di Belverdere, we continue to an extraordinary Etruscan necropolis overlooking the beautiful Val d’Chiana. Here you’ll have the opportunity to explore around and inside Etruscan tombs and see evidence of a cremation site before we make our way to the picturesque village of Cetona for a delicious lunch served up at our favorite bistro, situated in the sweeping main piazza.

Afterwards we return to Città della Pieve for some free time to rest and recharge. In late afternoon we’re off to explore some of the many churches of the town, as we view medieval and Renaissance masterpieces. This evening we’ll dine at our friend, Gianluca’s, charming trattoria.

Day 3, Tuesday, October 8: Pitigliano, Sorano

  • Highlights: Vie cave, abandoned tomb site (optional), archeological park of Sovana
  • Breakfast, lunch, light dinner

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, our drivers will transport you to a lesser known part of Tuscany, where you’ll discover the vast network of cave roads dug thousands of years ago. This unspoiled area will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time, and it’s here we’ll explore the spectacular Etruscan caves roads and some stunning, carved tombs. After a walk through Sorano’s well-kept archeological park, you might also explore a wooded path to arrive at the “forgotten tombs” – a site that conjures up images of Indiana Jones. So fascinating!

After lunch at a local trattoria, you’ll have time on your own to explore the lovely village of Pitigliano, with its sweeping views over the green forests and rocky outcroppings of this part of Tuscany. This afternoon we’ll head back to Città della Pieve for some free time, followed by a casual apericena together (aperitivo + light dinner).

Day 4, Wednesday, October 9: Chiusi 

  • Highlights: Chiusi national museum, Chiusi underground, 5th century catacombs
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast this morning, it’s off to the nearby town of Chiusi – once the expansive, ruling city-state of the Etruscan civilization. Here we’ll join up with an exceptional local guide/archeologist who will share her expert knowledge of the local history, as we visit various sites, including Chiusi’s National Etruscan museum (rich with treasures found in local tombs), an incredible underground passageway, and a virtual labyrinth that houses decorated burial urns. After a full morning of stunning discoveries, we continue to nearby Lago Chiusi for a lunch featuring brustico – a delicious preparation of the local lake fish that dates to Etruscan times.

In the afternoon, we continue on to the nearby countryside where our guide will take us inside early Cristian catacombs. She’ll also translate some of the fascinating Latin inscriptions, and explain how the catacombs were used throughout the centuries. Afterwards we’ll return to Città della Pieve where you’ll have the evening explore, relax and dine on your own.

Day 5, Thursday, October 10: Orvieto

  • Highlights: Etruscan pasta lesson, private cantina tour, pizza night
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, it’s off with our private drivers to the scenic hill town of Orvieto, an ancient city layered in thousands of years of extraordinary history. First stop is an Etruscan necropolis (city of the dead) where you’ll get an up-close look at an ancient burial site and its unique family tombs. Afterwards we’ll continue to the historic center of Orvieto, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit the 13th century cathedral, as well as take an underground tour (optional). Lunch is on your own (so many inviting cafes to choose from) followed by time on your own explore or shop.

In the afternoon we’ll make a stop at the 15th century “double helix” well of San Patrizio before continuing back to Città della Pieve for some free time to relax and recharge. This evening you might enjoy a friendly aperitivo with your fellow travelers before we head to our friend, Cristian’s, bistro for a dinner featuring “Etruscan pasta with contadino sauce”.

Day 6, Friday, October 11: San Casciano dei Bagni 

  • Highlights: Visit to active archeological site
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, our drivers will transport us to the charming village of San Casciano dei Bagni, situated on a picturesque hill, teeming with mineral-rich, hot springs that have been used as thermal baths for centuries. Here we’ll meet up with our friend, Ludovico, for a private visit inside a newly discovered archeological site, featuring the remains of Roman sanctuary and ancient temple. Truly extraordinary! Afterwards we continue to our friend, Daniela’s chic restaurant, nestled beneath the walls of the castle, for aperitivo and a delicious, Tuscan-style lunch.

This afternoon  you’ll enjoy some time on your own before heading to a private home for aperitivo and pizza!

Day 7, Saturday, October 12: Departure

Early morning departure for Rome Fiumicino Airport

ACCOMMODATIONS Boutique Hotel Vannucci

Hotel Vannucci began as a project of Vittoria Spinola, daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele II, who fled Pisa (and an arranged marriage with her elderly husband) to start a new life with her lover in Città della Pieve. Here, she and her soon-to-be new husband, Paolo, built two villas that became luxurious holiday accommodations for wealthy Romans vacationing in the countryside. In 1903 one of the villas became Hotel Vannucci, and today it maintains the elegance and refinement of its inception, with luxurious sleeping rooms, marble bathrooms and inviting gardens. A stay here is truly special, nestled just outside the medieval walls of the historic, and unspoiled, village of Città della Pieve. 

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A WORD ABOUT Our Extraordinary Meals

From pecorino cheese, drizzled with chestnut honey, to peposo, slow-simmered in red wine and rosemary, our hand-selected menus for the Ancient Sites and Civilizations Tour include delectable dishes, many that link to Italy’s culinary history – like brustico, an Etruscan dish made with delicate white fish from Lago Chiusi (smoked over coals) and pici, a local pasta with origins dating back more than 2,000 years. Plus our lunches and dinners include exceptional wines, some made from ancient grape varieties. In short, the meals on this tour our an adventure in-and-of themselves.

DATES & DETAILS

  • Dates: October 6-12, 2024
  • Trip Price: $3,295 USD – $3,795 USD (select room type upon booking)
  • Room Descriptions:
    • Single: Single occupancy, single bed, private ensuite bathroom
    • Classic: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
    • Superior: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with tub/shower combination
    • Deluxe: Double occupancy, double bed or two singles, private ensuite bathroom with tub and shower (specifically for couples or friends traveling together)
  • $700 deposit is required to secure your space on this tour
  • Terms and Conditions

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