Intro:
Not too far from the Eternal City midst the tranquil countryside of Rome lay the last vestiges of Ancient Rome’s and Etruria’s greatness: Ostia Antica and the Banditaccia Necropolis in Cerveteri. On this tour you will spend the first half of the day exploring the beautifully preserved 2nd century ruins of the once thriving Ancient Roman city of Ostia Antica, and afterwards, walk among the sacred tombs of the mysterious Etruscans who ruled central Italy for centuries as the most advanced civilization west of the Mediterranean until overtaken by the invincible Romans.  But with so many stunning medieval towns crowning Lazio’s hilltops, it is only fitting that we visit one for lunch!

Your professional driver will pick you up from your hotel at 9 AM, and after a short 30 minute drive from Rome, you will arrive amidst the ruins of the ancient Roman city, Ostia Antica.

The name “Ostia” means “mouth”, referring to the mouth of the Tiber River where Ostia was originally located in its earliest days from 1400-400 BC. Due to silting, it is now situated further inland by 3 kilometers within a lush park-like setting that nature lovers are sure to enjoy.

Ancient tradition suggests that Ostia was founded by the fourth king of Rome, Ancus Marcius approximately 7th century BC.

Most of the buildings that have been excavated were built in the first half of the 2nd century AD when such notable emperors such as Trajan and Hadrian ruled. Due to the addition of a harbor district, Ostia became rich and prosperous with a population of roughly 50,000 until the fall of the Roman Empire, and eventually fell into disrepair and ultimately abandoned by 9th century. It was through its abandonment that this ancient city became preserved beneath deep layers of time.

As your feet settle on the timeworn cobble stones following the footsteps of ancient Ostians, a distant echo of the hustle and bustle of daily life in this once prosperous city magically transports you to the ancient days of Rome as you wander though the remnants Ostia’s apartment buildings, cemetery, bars, bakeries, commercial store fronts, outdoor theater, a forum, pagan temples, communal baths and latrines, sculptures, mosaics and more.

After visiting Ostia, we will drive the short distance to Ceri, one of the most picturesque medieval villages in Italy.

Ceri is a 13th century town with fortified walls that give it the appearance of a medieval fortress isolated on top of a steep hill of tufa, a type of limestone that is very common in Italy, and primarily used by the ancient Etruscans for their tombs, as you will soon discover in Cerveteri.  

Against the enchanting backdrop of this medieval setting you will have lunch fit for a king. Ceri is famous for its two excellent restaurants, "La Sora Lella" and "La Torre". Both restaurants serve exquisite cuisine in the "Maremma Laziale" style, which is influenced by the Tuscan part of Maremma. This cuisine is more linked to the inland than the sea.

La Sora Lella won many awards and prizes for its Ravioli filled with artichokes, and many tour guests have raved that this particular entrée remains the best meal that they experienced during their visit to Italy. Another entrée that is different and delicious is the polenta served on a traditional wooden board, as it was done in the days gone past.

After lunch, we will take a short drive to Cerveteri.

Situated on the outskirts of Cerveteri, the Banditaccia Necropolis has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site along with the Monterozzi Necropolis in Tarquinia.   

English novelist D.H. Lawrence wrote in “Etruscan Places”:
"The Etruscans were the people who occupied the middle of Italy in early Roman days and whom the Romans, in their usual neighborly fashion, wiped out the entire area to make room for Rome with a big “R”.

The Romans were not the first "big" civilization in Italy; the first ones to start commerce and cities were the mysterious yet amazingly advanced Etruscans.

One of the most fascinating characteristics of this necropolis is that it spans over 6 centuries of the Etruscan civilization, making this the largest city of the dead in the Mediterranean area. You can see the progression of the early 9th Century BC Villanovan  rock-cut trenches containing urns, to the complex 3rd century BC city-like planning of tombs with roads for processions. From primitive pottery ossuaries to elaborate hut shaped tombs carved out of the living tuffa rock and rich in structural details, you can see ancient cultural and architectural advancements unfold all around you.

Although none of the Etruscan homes survived to this day, you can see the types of homes Etruscans lived in just by walking into their tombs!  Considered permanent homes for the dead, the tombs were carved to resemble the interior of residential homes, lavishly designed with gabled roof, crossbeam, stone couches, chairs, and other architectural details.

Of the many tombs you will visit, the most famous is the 4th century BC Tomb of the Reliefs that includes multiple funerary niches and relief carvings on the walls representing weapons as well as religious and domestic objects.

Rarely crowded, this ancient city of the dead surrounded by Lazio’s magestic valley makes for a lovely and enjoyable stroll among the tombs. You may even find that you have it to yourself to explore at your leisure, leaving you alone with the overwhelming sense of holiness and peace on this sacred burial place... and if you listen closely enough, you just may hear the souls of the Etruscans speaking their hearts to you.

From here we will make our way back to Rome where your driver will drop you off at your hotel at approximately 5 PM.

Please note
Entry tickets: 6.50 Euros per person to be paid upon arrival at Ostia and 6.50 Euros per person to be paid upon arrival at the Etruscan Tombs of Cerveteri.
Please note that this tour is not offered on Mondays as Ostia is closed to the public on Monday.