Experience Italy:
Member Event in the Heart of Italy

On arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport there will be three complimentary scheduled transfers to the resort. 

At the resort, the rest of the day at leisure to familiarise yourself with the resort and facilities. 

This morning, we head south of the resort into the Italian Viterbese region. This historic central Italian region lies just north of Rome and south of Tuscany. It is packed with history, palaces and gardens. With many areas dating back to the Etruscans, you are never far away from touching the past.

The temperate climate and lush countryside make it an ideal location for country villas and gardens, and today we will visit two of the best in the area, and some say Italy. The first stop will be Villa Farnese, also known as the Villa Caparola, which sits above the small town of Caprarola. Around a pentagonal shaped mansion lie exquisite gardens, which are a fine example of an Italian Renaissance garden. There will be time to wander through the gardens and take in their fine design before we have time for lunch at leisure.

Today’s excursion takes us through the area of an inactive volcanic crater that houses Lake Vico within the Cimini Mountains. This afternoon, we travel north again skirting the shores of Lake Vico to Bagnaia, near Viterbo to visit the second glorious gardens of the day. Villa Lante, apart from its two attractive houses, is characterised by its harmonious water-gardens – they feature cascades, ascending terraces, several fountains on different levels and dripping grottoes. Whilst the villa and garden origins date back to the 1500s, both were heavily damaged during WW2 and carefully restored in the years after.

In the evening, we return to our resort for an evening at leisure.

The central Italian region of Umbria lies beside the Viterbo region. The historic town of Orvieto, sited on the top of a distinct mound of volcanic rock, is one of the region's main towns. Orvieto is famous world-wide for its excellent white wines, as well as nationally for its Etruscan grottos and cuisine.

We head off this morning first for Orvieto Scalo, the upper, historic town atop the volcanic mound. Here we will meet our guide and ascend to Orvieto’s historic hill-top centre via funicular. Upon reaching the old town, our Orvieto guide will lead us on a walking tour including Orvieto’s famous, ornate Duomo Cathedral with its Renaissance centre-piece frescoes by Signorelli.

Afterwards, we will enjoy lunch at the famous Ristorante Pasticceria Adriano. This unique restaurant sits atop a labyrinth of ancient Etruscan caves and galleries. Here we will have lunch on a tasting menu of local Orvieto food and wine specialities, explained by the owner before an underground tour of the caves and grottoes.

Afterwards, enjoy some time at leisure in Orvieto to wander the narrow streets and visit the local shops selling woodcrafts, wines and pottery before we take the funicular back down to the coach and return to resort.

The Tuscia region is located in the northern part of the province of Viterbo and derives its name from the Etruscans who settled there thousands of years ago. The area is today famous for the good quality local produce that it offers.

This morning we after breakfast and, skirting the southern end of Lake Bolsena to discover one of Italy’s most famous products – wine! The hill-town of Montefiascone is famous as being the summer home of the Pope's, with many residing there over hundeds of years. But it is also famous for its DOCG wine, a light white wine - Est! Est! Est!

We will visit a local wine producer and enjoy a tasting of numerous wines, as well as their olive oil, and enjoy a tour of their cellars, There’ll be time of course to purchase a few bottles for you to take with you.

We'll then enjoy some time to explore the historic village. And make sure to see the dome of Sta Margherita Cathedral - architects from Rome used the dome of Montefiascone's cathedral as the basis for that at St Peter's in Rome! 

If time allows, we'll visit the nearby village of Vitorchiano for time at leisure before we return to the resort for an evening at leisure.

A bright and early start awaits us as we head to one of the highlights of the tour – Siena. 

One of Tuscany's largest towns, and one of the most historic in Italy, Siena is home to many famous sights, but none more so than its main square, the Piazza del Campo. The sloping shell-shaped square plays host to the famous palio horse race twice a year and is the heart of the UNESCO Heritage city. 

We'll discover more about Siena on a walking tour, with a visit to the striking cathedral and Piccolomini Library, with its famous frescos. After lunch, we'll have time to explore the warren of streets and unique boutiques that form the centre of Siena's historic heart, before we make our way back to Soriano.

This morning, we head off to the countryside between Viterbo and Montefiascone to see where the sumptous food of the region comes from at a local bio-organic farm. 

Here, we'll see as fresh ricotta cheese is made before our eyes, as well as learn about the local cinta senese breed of pigs, renowned as producing some of the best salamis and hams in Italy. 

Afterwards, we head to nearby Montefiascone for a cooking class, where we will get the chance to make our own pasta for lunch and enjoy other local rustic dishes made by the chef.

There's time to enjoy a glass of wine from the local vineyards and learn more about the grapes and wine production. 

In the late afternoon, we return back to Soriano for a final evening at leisure.

Sadly, it's the end of our Italian adventure. There will be three scheduled departures from the resort to Rome Fiumicino Airport.