Rome has numerous monuments and attractions to visit, but why not get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a day and explore the Lazio countryside?
Our Castles and Lakes Tour is the perfect way to discover some of the interesting sights that lie beyond Rome, in the beautiful and mainly unspoilt region of Lazio.
The tour’s first stop is the small town of Bracciano, which is reached via the Roman Via Aurelia road that dates way back to 241 BC. This quiet town is home to Odescalchi Castle, a well-kept castle that was made famous when Tom Cruise decided to marry his bride (Katie Holmes ) there in 2006.
There is a tour of the castle (7 Euros including guide) which will also bring you o the tower with excellent views of the nearby Bracciano Lake.
After the castle we will take a walk around the village where you can do a spot of shopping, sight seeing and enjoy a nice stroll.
Next stop will be the actual lake itself. Lake Bracciano is one of Italy’s cleanest and largest lakes, with a circular perimeter of approximately 20 miles, and was originally a volcanic crater. It is a popular location for sunbathing and swimming for those who want to avoid the busy beaches.
After a relaxing stop-off at the lake, we will continue to the small village of Ceri, just outside Cerveteri. This picturesque village occupies a fortified plateau of tuff and was inhabited by the ancient Etruscans, as well as the Romans. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the Romanesque Church of the Madonna di Ceri with its Giotto-inspired frescoes and ‘cosmati’ floors.
After lunch at one of the excellent value-for-money restaurants, we will head to our final stop, Cerveteri. This home to the ancient Etruscan tombs, built by a civilization that we know very little about and who occupied parts of Italy even before the Romans.
Please remember: To enter churches, you will have to have your shoulders and knees covered, otherwise you will be refused entry!
Tour Highlights
Bracciano :: Bracciano Lake :: Odescalchi Castle :: Village Shopping :: Etruscan Tombs :: Church of the Madonna di Ceri
Pick up time: approximately 9.00am
Full tour details can be found here: http://www.stefanorometours.com/tours/castlesandlakes/
We look forward to seeing you in Rome!
with love,
the Stefano Rome Tours team
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