Duration : 8 Hours
Starting From:Our Countryside, Castles, and Cute Villages day trip from Rome is ideal if you’ve already been to Rome enough times and are looking for something different without a lot of driving. The Medieval villages on our itinerary are perfect destinations for those seeking a taste of authentic Italian culture in a setting of immense natural beauty.
Features of our Countryside, Castles, and Cute Villages day trip from Rome:
Pick-up and drop-off at your Rome lodgings
45-minute drive to Lake Bracciano in an air-conditioned vehicle
The Medieval hamlets of Calcata, Bracciano, Anguillara Sabazia, and Trevignano Romano
Option to visit Bracciano Castle (entry fees not included; subject to closure without notice)
Panoramic vistas, natural beauty
A genuine experience of small-town Italian culture
Bracciano is a charming village situated on the lake bearing the same name but the scene-stealer in this Medieval show is Bracciano Castle. The castle, whose proper name is Castello Orsini-Odescalchi, has been hosting the rich, famous, and powerful for hundreds of years. Royalty, nobles, ambassadors, and important religious figures from all over Europe — even popes — have come to the castle to negotiate deals and discuss policies that have had historical implications not only for Rome (the city-state; Italy was not unified as a nation until the 19th Century) but for important European countries as well.
Bracciano Castle stands as a fine example of Italian Renaissance military architecture, constructed by the powerful Orsini family in the 15th Century. A couple of centuries later, the fortunes of the Orsini had changed and the castle was auctioned off. The illustrious Odescalchi family purchased it in 1696 and opened it to the public in 1952.
Bracciano Castle has everything you come to see a castle for: high stone walls, watchtowers, a drawbridge. Inside, you get a picture of the opulence of a time gone by in its rooms decorated with frescoes, tapestries, coffered ceilings, and antique furnishings. Add to this a terrace with breathtaking views of Lake Bracciano and a secret garden, and you have an ideal venue for events and weddings. (You might recall that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were wed here in 2006).
Throughout its history, Bracciano Castle has been a place of lavishness and intrigue. Today, it remains one of the best-preserved castles in Italy, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience history.
For an excellent description of the rooms and spaces at Bracciano Castle:
https://www.italyheritage.com/visit-italy/landmarks/lazio/roma/bracciano-castello-orsini-odescalchi.htm
The entry fee at Bracciano Castle (Castello Odescalchi) is 8.50
Euro, to be paid on the spot. The castle is privately owned and is
subject to closure with little or no notice. We will view the castle from the exterior if entering is not possible.
Like Atlantis, the early settlement at Anguillara Sabazia disappeared under the sea. In the case of Anguillara, however, we're sure that the Neolithic village that existed here around 5700 BC was engulfed by Lake Bracciano as water levels rose.
A Roman settlement sprang up in Anguillara in the 1st Century BCE, which subsequently became a feudal holding of the Anguillara family in Medieval times. Today, with its lively lakeshore area, the village is a popular weekend getaway for the citizens of Rome. The old town is quite enchanting and offers panoramic views of the lake.
Besides the quaint atmosphere, Anguillara also serves up culture and history to visitors. Notable works of art can be found in Anguillara's churches, and frescoes in Palazzo Baronale. You can learn about local farming culture at the museum housed in the bastions of Anguillara’s Medieval towers. At La Marmotta, on the outskirts of town, a Neolithic Exhibition Center recounts the story of the original ancient settlement.
For a listing of things to do in Anguillara:
https://www.summerinitaly.com/guide/anguillara-sabazia
Sitting right on the shores of Lake Bracciano is Trevignano Romano. This delightful village is a great place to appreciate the beauty of the lake; you can stroll for almost 2 km on the seaside promenade or take a seat at an outdoor cafè to enjoy a beverage along with the view.
In town, cobblestone streets and houses in warm shades of lemon, peach, and salmon welcome you. The principal piazza invites you to tarry at one of the restaurant patios under the old clock tower.
Ancient history also abounds in Trevignano. The village dates back to Etruscan times, before the rise of Rome. Two important necropolises were unearthed near Trevigano in the 1960s. Artifacts from the excavations can be viewed in the local civic museum, located right on the main square.
Trek up to the hill to the remains of Orsini Fortress, and you'll find a lookout point from which you'll get fabulous views of the lake and the church of Santa Maria Assunta.
To read more about Trevignano Romano:
https://rometravelogues.com/trevignano-romano-italy-guide/
Included:
Not included:
*What to expect from your driver on a private day trip or shore excursion:
Our
drivers will share with you the facts and history of the places and
monuments you will be seeing from inside the vehicle. Note that drivers
in Italy are not permitted to share information once you have exited the
vehicle, nor can they accompany you on foot. You will have the
opportunity to stop in each area listed on the itinerary to explore on
your own. We can arrange a private guide for you if you wish to be
accompanied inside churches, archeological sites, and other points of
interest.Cobblestone streets, uneven surfaces, and changes in elevation could make this service difficult for those using mobility aids.
Is this tour private?
Yes, this tour is private. You will have a vehicle and driver for your group only.
Is the driver also a guide?
Kindly note that our drivers are NOT licensed guides. Our drivers will share with you the facts and history of the places and monuments you will be seeing from inside the vehicle. Drivers in Italy are not permitted to share information once you have exited the vehicle, nor can they accompany you on foot. You will have the opportunity to stop in each area listed on the itinerary to explore on your own. We can arrange a private guide for you if you wish to be accompanied inside churches, archeological sites, and other points of interest.
Does this tour include lunch, admission fees, or gratuities?
No. Admission fees, meals, and gratuities are not included in the rate
What is the duration?
Up to 8 hours. No reductions are given should you wish to shorten the service.
There will be a full charge made to your credit card for no-shows and
bookings canceled with less than 72 hours notice, including the cost of
any pre-purchased tickets. Pre-purchased tickets are not refundable
under any circumstances.
Please keep us apprised of any problems
or changes during your travels (flight delays and changes, missed
connections, port changes, etc.) and we will do our best to adapt. If
you are on a cruise ship and it does not come into port, your service
will be annulled and no penalty will apply (with the exception of
skip-the-line tickets; you will owe us for any entrance fees we have
pre-paid on your behalf, regardless of circumstances.)
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