The secrets of Ciociaria & the Roman countryside

Frascati

Day 1: From the airport to the countryside

On arrival at Rome International Airport, you will be picked up by your personal driver and transferred into the Roman countryside. You'll then have a free afternoon and time at leisure for relaxing after your flight. Settle in, find your bearings, and unwind in this breathtaking setting!

Frascati - Castelli Romani - Frascati

Day 2: See the best of Castelli Romani

Today, your driver will pick you up in a private Mercedes to enjoy a guided Castelli Romani tour. Within this parkland, an isolated group of small villages rises up from the Roman countryside, which is famous for its beautiful landscape, good food, and wine.

You will first visit the village of Castel Gandolfo and its palace, the Pope’s summer residence. Continue to the shores of Lake Albano followed by Grottaferrata village, the city of Frascati, and the town of Ariccia. Throughout the tour you'll get to taste fine wines and typical food, such as roast porchetta and pecorino cheese. You'll also visit a winery, vineyard and cellar in the Roman countryside, to enjoy a wine tasting and learn about the stages of local wine production.

Optionally, today you can even enjoy a cooking class with a professional chef! You'll learn how to prepare typical Roman dishes and sit down to enjoy your lunch.

Frascati - Rome - Frascati

Day 3: Discover the sights in Rome & Vatican City

From your hotel, travel to the capital Rome to enjoy a full-day guided visit, starting from Michelangelo’s Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill) where you can look out over the Roman Forum, before continuing on to the Imperial Fora and the ruins of the Colosseum. Next up is a private guided tour of Vatican City. During this trip into the world’s smallest country and centre of Catholicism, you will explore the Vatican Museums, Raphael Rooms, and iconic Sistine Chapel.

You'll get to choose from a selection of optional tours while in Rome, which will help you learn more about its various landmark sites and immerse yourself into the city's fascinating culture.

Frascati - Anagni - Veroli

Day 4: Explore Anagni & Casamari Abbey

Check out of your hotel and journey to Veroli, stopping en-route in Anagni for a guided tour of the 'city of Popes'. Visit the historical centre, walk along beautiful streets to reach the Piazza Innocenzo III, and marvel at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata. See the crypt with frescoes which depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments, and visit the Pope's Palace where the famous Anagni Slap happened in 1303.

As part of the day's programme, you'll also take a tour of the Abbey of Casamari, which was built back in 1203. Benedictine monks founded this splendid abbey, and these days, couples choose to wed here amidst beautiful architecture and a magical atmosphere. Optionally, you could also visit Lake Canterno or the medieval town of Fumone.

Veroli

Day 5: Sightseeing in Veroli & Boville Ernica

Today, you will discover two elegant gems of Ciociaria: Veroli and Boville Ernica.

The historic centre of Veroli is characterised by medieval buildings and many interesting religious landmarks, including the Church of Sant’Erasmo and the Basilica of Santa Salome. Don't forget to tour the remains of the Rocca di San Leucio, dating back to the 9th century.

Afterwards you'll drive to Boville Ernica, a medieval town surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Discover its city walls punctuated with 18 towers, its palaces from the Renaissance period, and its churches and squares. A couple of optional tours are available for you to enjoy here, before it's time to head back to your accommodation in Veroli.

Veroli - Arpino - Alvito

Day 6: Spend a day in delightful Arpino

Today you will journey to Alvito, stopping en-route in the town of Arpino, birthplace of Marco Tullio Cicerone - one of the biggest lawyers and writers from the Roman period.

With your guide, visit the Church of Saint Michael Archangel before admiring the Palazzo del Tulliano, Palazzo Quadrini, and Palazzo Sangermano. In the main square, you'll even get to see a portion of an old Roman street. Later, enjoy a cooking class with a chef in Arpino: prepare fresh pasta with seasonal ingredients, and tuck into your creations with a glass of wine.

Your guide will show you the oldest part of Arpino, where you can admire the old gateway of the Acropolis (Civitavecchia) with its pointed arch. Close by are the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Tower of Cicerone, and the house of Cicerone's ancestors, which you may get to visit before ending your day in Alvito.

Alvito - Isola Del Liri - Alvito

Day 7: Take a tour of Isola del Liri & Sora

Today, visit another unique gem of Ciociaria: Isola del Liri. This town is unique and well worth a visit, due to the waterfall in its historic centre and the amazing Castle Boncompagni Viscogliosi that it calls home.

Journey on to the historical centre of Sora, with an en-route stop to visit the Abbey of San Domenico - a beautiful landmark built on the ruins of the villa of Marco Tullio Cicerone.

On arrival into Sora, visit the Cathedral of Maria SS Assunta in Cielo followed by the Santa Restituta Church. Explore the ancient part of Sora, known as the Canceglie, where you'll find narrow streets that wind along the slopes of the mountain; on your stroll, you may come across small churches, tucked away in hidden places.

Later on, stop in Posta Fibreno to relax and enjoy an aperitif with a lake view. You can choose to set out on optional tours, or return to your accommodation to relax.

Alvito - San Donato Val Comino - Alvito

Day 8: Beauty & history across charming villages

Today you'll take a tour of Alvito, located in the Val di Comino - an area rich in nature and small mountainside villages. Alvito is home to a beautiful historic centre and landmarks of great value, including a selection of palaces. Explore Cantelmo Castle, an ancient fortress with fascinating ruins.

In the afternoon, visit the charming village of San Donato Val Di Comino, listed among the 'Most Beautiful Villages in Italy'. Take a walk along stairways and narrow streets, which open out to small squares dominated by beautiful churches: the sanctuary of San Donato, and the Cathedral of San Marcello. On your walk, you may also come across small workshops where locals crochet or work on iron and pottery.

Alvito - Picinisco - Alvito

Day 9: Immerse yourself in the local history & food

Your driver will take you to an agriturismo located within a historic villa. In 1919, a famous writer spent some days here during his travels to Italy with his wife; today the villa is a woking farm, where you can visit the room where the writer lived. Meet the owner of the farm and visit their cheese laboratory: pecorino cheese is made here and delivered all around Italy and the world, and you'll get to learn about its production and taste it alongside other dairy products. Next, enjoy lunch: a wonderful chance to taste local products such as lamb, vegetables, and olive oil.

In the afternoon you will reach the small village of Picinisco, surrounded by mountains and the natural beauty of the National Park of Abruzzo. Marvel at the remains of a castle bombed during WWII, then stop at a shop where ice cream is made the traditional way.

A range of optional tours are available today, as well.

Alvito - Atina - Alvito

Day 10: Visit wineries & taste local wines

On your tour today, discover the different wines of the Valle di Comino. First you'll visit an old and famous winery where you will taste Cabernet DOC, a full-bodied red wine, and learn about all the stages of wine production.

Continue your day with a visit to Atina, an ancient village listed among the best in Italy. Here, marvel at the Cathedral of Santa Maria built between 1725 and 1746, the Piazza Marconi, and the portico of the Palazzo del Vescovato. You can also admire the remains of structures and inscriptions from the Roman period, including three ancient tombs. Atina is famous for its Cabernet red wine, as well as for its cannellini beans. You'll enjoy lunch here before continuing to another winery, to taste Maturano - a typical white wine of the Atina area.

Alvito - Monte Cassino - Alvito

Day 11: Explore Montecassino Abbey & a lovely village

This morning, your private driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby and take you to your next accommodation close to Rome's airport, with a stop along the way at Montecassino Abbey - the oldest monastery in Italy which rises 516m above sea level.

Visit the cloister, followed by the Basilica at St Benedict and Scholastica's grave. In the crypt you can admire astonishing golden mosaics, while in the museum, you will see magnificent paintings, wonderful manuscripts, and ancient books.

You will also stop en-route in a beautiful village - Castro dei Volsci, to spend some time amidst its most scenic neighbourhood: the Porta della Valle, filled with little stone houses and narrow streets.

Alvito - Rome

Day 12: Farewell, Italy!

Enjoy your last breakfast in Italy and check out of your hotel. Your driver will then take you to the airport in Rome for your onward journey. Goodbye for now - visit again soon!