On the footsteps of the mysterious Etruscans
Discovering the most spectacular archaeological sites of southern Etruria
2026 Tour Dates:
May 3 -10;
May 17 - 24;
May 31 - Jun 7;
Jun 14 - 21
Aug 30 - Sep 6;
Sep 13 - 20;
Sep 27 - Oct 4.
$3,200/person (excluding airfare and transportation to Orte)
Trip lenght: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Group size: 4-8
Our tours are designed for families or small groups of friends who will have exclusive use of the villa
In this fascinating and adventurous tour you will discover the sites and the refined culture of the Etruscan people, the forerunners and masters to the Romans. The itinerary includes visits to the Unesco Sites of the necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia, with their wonderful wall paintings that help shed some light on the mysterious and still little known life of the Etruscans, walk into secret lush landscapes frozen in time; visits to undiscovered hilltowns of Etruscan origin and to a few of the powerful twelve Etruscan city-states, such as Orvieto and Vulci, that were the last to fall under the Roman hegemony.
Day 1
Benvenuti in Italia!
Arrival at the Villa dell'Acquedotto. Today, after a detailed review of the tour program and a question and answer session, we will sit down together for a welcome dinner of typical dishes from the local culinary tradition.
Day 2
Hilltowns founded by the Etruscans
This morning, after breakfast, we’ll start by visiting the ancient town of Orte, the Etruscan Horta, located on a high plateau at a bend of the Tiber River. After lunch, we’ll visit Vasanello, another nearby town of Etruscan origin. We will continue on a white road to explore the hidden archaeological area Palazzolo, a small settlement of Etruscan origin in the territory of Vasanello. We will conclude the day taking part in a cooking class by our cook and we will have dinner at home.
Day 3 Rock-cut Necropolis and Thermal Waters
Today we will venture on foot in the archaeological site of Norchia for an exciting outing to the most spectacular of all of the rock-cut necropolises of Etruria. We will see the spectacular tombe a dado (cube tombs) carved in the volcanic tufa cliffs and the ruins of a church and medieval castle. We will pause for a picnic lunch featuring local food and wine products. In the afternoon our exploration will continue with a visit to some of the thermal springs in the area around Viterbo, which were already frequented and enjoyed by the Etruscans and the Romans. We’ll complete our day’s adventure in the city of Viterbo, the capital of the province, known as the “City of the Popes”. Before returning home, we will visit a favorite cantina of locally produced wine before dining at a local restaurant.
Day 4 Necropolis of Tarquinia and Archaeological Park of Vulci
After breakfast, we will leave for Tarquinia, the old Tarchuna, a mighty city founded in a strategic position, at a few kilometers from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Along the road we will see the original site where the ancient city once stood, the rise of the Civita (City), on which are the ruins of the temple of the Ara della Regina (Altar of the Queen). We will visit the famous Necropolis of Monterozzi, an Unesco world heritage site of exceptional archaeological interest. We will then reach the Tyrrhenian Sea, where the ancient harbour of Tarquinia once stood and we will have lunch at a local restaurant. We will continue our journey with a visit to the beautiful archaeological and naturalistic park of Vulci, an ancient Etruscan‐Roman metropolis. Tonight we will end the day with a relaxing dinner at the villa.
Day 5 Orvieto, an Archaeological site and the Historic Center
We will begin the day with a short drive to Orvieto, the Etruscan Velzna, one of the twelve Etruscan city states. Before entering the historic center of the city we will stop at the foot of the cliff to visit the striking Necropolis of the Tufa Crucifix (6th century BC). Immediately after entering the city we will take a break for lunch. In the early afternoon we will follow our guide in a visit to the impressive and beautiful gothic cathedral,. The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore the city, its exquisite shops, or the famous water well by Sangallo the Younger. Upon returning home we will have dinner with typical local dishes prepared by the cook, who will share some of her culinary secrets.
Day 6 Necropolis of Cerveteri and the Ancient Harbour
During the morning we will visit the extraordinary funerary complex of Cerveteri, the powerful Caere. We will visit the spectacular Necropolis of the Banditaccia, yet another Unesco world heritage site. We will admire the exceptional tombs, embellished by refined decorations, that reproduce the Etruscan homes. The tombs are part of an organic urban plan in a fascinating “city of the dead” that testifies of the great sense of devotion that the Etruscan civilization had for its dead. Lunch will be at a local restaurant and in the afternoon we will reach the nearby coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea to visit the archaeological area of Pyrgi, one of the harbours of Cerveteri, in the vicinity of the suggestive Castle of Santa Severa. We will back home by dinner time.
Day 7 Rome, National Etruscan Museum
Today we will go to Rome to visit the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia. The villa, in addition to hosting the most representative museum of the Etruscan civilization, is one of the most refined examples of later renaissance architecture. We will admire the precious archaeological finds, among which the wonderful Sarcophagous of the Spouses, discovered at the Necropolis of the Banditaccia of Cerveteri, and the famous Pyrgi gold tablets that allowed the experts to partially comprehend the indeciphrable Etruscan language. After a break for caffè or cappuccino, we will take a nice walk through the Park of Villa Borghese and stop for lunch in a cafeteria inside the park. The afternoon will be free to explore the historic center of the city. We will return to Orte and in the evening we’ll have a grand celebration dinner at the Villa.
Day 8 Arrivederci e Buon Viaggio!
After one last breakfast, the driver will accompany you to the train station of Orte. Thank you for having joined us!
Itinerary specifics subject to change
INFO & BOOKING
On Request. Please contact us at info@leterrae.com