Guided historical walks

Italy • Lazio • Bracciano

In the lands of Tuscia
This walking holiday has been specially designed for us by Stefano Spinetti. The aim is to discover on foot some of the ancient Etruscan history, wherever possible, in its natural environment and away from the fences and formalities that typify historical sites.

Some of our days

Arrival day

Leaving Rome we reach our hotel in Bracciano, a beautiful town on the shore of a volcanic lake.

Popping in on the Pope's Palace

We explore this medieval city, mysteriously abandoned after 1799. After a visit to the church and the castle, famously drawn by Gianlorenzo Bernini, we walk the tortuous medieval lanes, woven between grassland and woods. We stop off in Oriolo Romano to visit the 16th-century Altieri Palace that preserves the only Popes’ Gallery of the world.

Wolves and deep woods

First we visit the picturesque Etruscan necropolis of Marturanum, then on to the beautiful medieval village of Barbarano Romano where Etruscan tombs can be found. The area is rich in wildlife, including wolves who live in the woods and valleys we walk through.

Manziana

After visiting the castle of Bracciano, we walk through the forest of Manziana and see the perfectly-preserved Roman road and bridge. Leaving the forest we skirt an ancient volcanic caldera, with the typical landscape used for Spaghetti-westerns.

Free day

Relax or take a day out in Rome.

Lakes, tombs and villas

Norchia is the most spectacular rock necropolis of Etruria. The 4th-century BC tombs are arranged on the steep slopes in front of the ancient city. Then we move to Caprarola, to the Farnese Villa, an imposing building planned by Vignola in the 16th-century.

San Giovenale, Blera

Following an ancient Etruscan road through meadows and valleys we reach the necropolis of San Giovenale. Further on we reach "the Devil's Bridge", once a part of Roman communication systems.

Departure day

After breakfast we leave for Rome.