ITALY
Highlights
- Extraordinary remnants of an ancient civilization amid rolling Tuscan hills
- Orvieto, Sovana, Sorano, Pitigliano, Vitozza
- Hill trails, dirt roads, sunken Vie Cave pathways, old Roman roads
- Etruscan necropolis, painted tombs, cave dwellings, Jewish settlement
We'll start here
Sunday Overnight: Altarocca Wine Resort
Meet for an afternoon walk through Orvieto, an Etruscan city set on a mass of volcanic tufa rock, with stunning views of the Umbrian countryside. Visit the highly decorated 13th-century Duomo and the labyrinth of Etruscan caves and tunnels carved below the city. After the tour, it's a short drive to our stunning resort outside of town.
Monday Overnight: Altarocca Wine Resort
From the hotel, follow the 13th century aqueduct up along a woodland trail overlooking Orvieto, and gain insight into the ancient Etruscan culture. Accompanied by a local expert, we'll walk on a shady dirt road lined with elegant villas and farmhouses to the well preserved Hescanas tomb. Afterwards, walk to an organic farm for a wonderful lunch of fresh regional delicacies. Before returning to the hotel, stop to see Civita di Bagnoregio, a hilltop town, perched on a pinnacle of eroding rock.
Tuesday Overnight: Hotel Sovana
Start the day with a short drive to San Lorenzo Nuovo, to join ˜via Francigena' the old Roman pilgrims' trail that once connected Canterbury to Rome. Views of the undulating landscape offer a spectacular backdrop as we make our way to Lake Bolsena, the largest volcanic lake in Europe. We'll have a boat tour of the lake, then transfer to Sovana, a tiny but historic village set atop a narrow plateau.
Wednesday Overnight: Hotel Sovana
Walk through the village, then down to the low-key but spectacular archaeological park, minutes away. Thousands of years ago, Etruscan stone carvers created narrow, soaring pathways from the soft tufa stone, giving access to an ancient necropolis with highly decorated burial chambers. We will spend the morning exploring the sights with a local guide. After a picnic lunch, we'll lighten the mood with a walk to a very interesting winery whose wine making traditions date back to Roman times.
Thursday Overnight: Hotel Sovana
Today's walk takes us to Vitozza, the honeycomb cave city with over 200 cave dwellings, one of the largest cave settlements in Italy. Although isolated, the caves themselves are lush with vegetation due to natural springs, making them an ideal shelter from prehistoric times until modern conveniences came available in the 18th century. After a visit, walk down to the River Lente, and follow the river through woodlands to Sorano, a village dominated by the Orsini Fortress. Tour the fortress's underground passageways before driving back to Sovana.
Friday Overnight: Hotel Sovana
Walk in the footsteps of the Etruscans along rural trails and ancient passages to Pitigliano, a jewel set on high tufa cliffs overlooking the countryside. We explore the medieval streets and a Jewish quarter once so important it was known as Little Jerusalem. There will be time to explore more of the village, including the old Jewish synagogue, which is now a museum. Farewell Dinner tonight.
Saturday
Say arrivederci at the Orvieto rail station or Rome Fiumicino Airport.
The Vie Cave, roads carved deeply into the landscape, are both spectacular and mysterious.
Terrain: Hill trails, dirt roads and the 'Vie Cave', Etruscan pathways cut out of volcanic tufo rock.
4-8 miles walking per day.
TRIP DETAILS
6 nights from
$3,995.00
Per Person, Double occupancy
(Single Supplement $595.00)
Dates
Arrival: Orvieto
Departure: Orvieto Rail Station or Rome Fiumicino Airport
Hotels - Where we stay
Altarocca Wine Resort
Surrounded by countryside at the borders of Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio, Altarocca Wine Resort overlooks the town of Orvieto, which is 4.3 miles away. The estate is an organic farm of 10 hectares, and offers 2 outdoor swimming pools and a spa. All rooms at the Altarocca feature a patio, and are equipped with a flat-screen, satellite TV and free Wi-Fi. The property has several buildings and rooms can be located in separate buildings up to 1,000 feet from reception. The Michelin-awarded Altarocca Restaurant features a dining hall with panoramic views, and serves Italian cuisine and Umbrian specialties. There is also a poolside bar serving snacks, drinks and light meals.
Hotel Sovana
The beauty of a perfectly conserved medieval village, a one-of-a-kind view of the Tuscan hills and the Romanesque Cathedral, the olive groves in the large park¦, this is what frames Sovana Hotel & Resort. Elegant and intimate with both interiors and exteriors decorated to the finest details, and beautifully embellished furniture which ranges from ancient antiquities to a permanent exhibition of modern art. The breakfast hall and large outdoor garden both have view of the ruins of ancient Etruscan Sovana. The Sovana Hotel and Resort is set in a large park and has a pool and a solarium area. The rustic-chic rooms with exposed beams offer flat-screen TVs and mini fridges. Room service and laundry service available.
Start planning your trip
What Is Included in the Price of My Vacation
- Full-time services of two staff - a Walk Leader and Walk Manager
- A backup vehicle for resting walkers and moving luggage
- Comprehensive Travel Information Package and Reading List
- Diverse itineraries with an emphasis on history, geography, culture, peoples, flora and fauna
- Demonstrations, wine tasting, admissions to museums and historic sites
- All ground transfers (ferries, cable cars, trains, etc.)
- Maps and unique souvenirs to commemorate your trip
- First-class accommodations with cultural and historical interest
- All meals - with choices - (Special dietary requirements? No problem!)
- Wine with dinner
- On-trail snacks and refreshments
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Etruscan Hilltop Towns Photos
ITALY
