Palaces and Gardens in Tuscia

PRICE

Contact us for a quote.

The tour can be tailored to your group’s needs.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• 3 nights at a hotel, half board;
• Entry and aperitif at Palazzo del Drago in Bolsena;
• Italian-speaking guide for the whole tour;
• PromoTuscia assistance;
• Medical/baggage insurance.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• Flights;
• Drinks with meals;
• Hotel porterage;
• Hotel tourist tax;
• Extras, tips and anything not expressly listed under “what’s included”.

HOTEL

• 4-star hotel in Viterbo or Bolsena;
• Alternatively a 3-star hotel in Soriano nel Cimino.

PALACES AND GARDENS IN TUSCIA

A fascinating journey to discover the historic gardens and palaces of this splendid land.

Meet the guide at an agreed location and depart by private coach for Upper Tuscia. Transfer to Lubriano to visit Palazzo Monaldeschi della Cervara, which takes its name from the prestigious Orvieto noble family who turned a convent into a small country castle (11th century). Its still-visible Baroque style was given by Paolo Antonio Monaldeschi. The Misasi family, the current owners, allow not only a visit to the interiors but also a fine gastronomic experience, with an ancient culinary art handed down through generations. In the afternoon, transfer to Bolsena and a visit to the Palace of the Dragon Prince, an elegant and evocative Renaissance residence with a notable cycle of pre-Zuccari Mannerist frescoes and a terraced garden offering a splendid view of Lake Bolsena, where a relaxing aperitif is served. Hotel check-in, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Guided visit of the Moutan Botanical Centre, founded in 1993, which over about 15 hectares holds the largest collection in the world of Chinese tree and herbaceous peonies (around 600 species, varieties and natural hybrids). Meeting with Emanuele Bortolotti, visionary garden and landscape architect, who in his book “The Unexpected Garden” champions the value of small and private green spaces. Born in Milan in 1955, he co-founded the AG&P studio (Garden and Landscape Architecture) in 1986.

In the afternoon, transfer to La Vigna, owned by the D’Amico family in the striking setting of the Calanchi — a varied, lush garden contrasting with the bare landscape, where countless shrubs and fragrant roses are scattered among the topiary and even in the vineyard. A tasting follows of the excellent wine produced in the family’s sumptuous cellars, created by the great architect Luca Brasini and dug beneath the vines and hanging gardens to keep the ideal temperature of 16°C. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Bagnoregio in the heart of the Valle dei Calanchi and a visit to the Hortus Unicorni in Vetriolo with its eclectic owner — a splendid botanical garden overlooking the Calanchi valley, home to magnolias, lilies, peonies, irises, box hedges and ceanothus. Time for lunch, then transfer to Civitella d’Agliano to visit Paul Wiedmer’s fabulous garden “La Serpara”, a sculpture garden in a park of Roman origins, discovered gradually and enriched each year by contemporary artists, friends of the owner, who accompanies visitors in person. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Vasanello to visit the Orsini Misciattelli Castle, begun in 1278 by Orso Orsini; over the centuries it belonged to families such as the Della Rovere, Colonna and Barberini, before being acquired in 1907 by Monsignor Luigi Misciattelli, who began its restoration. Lunch offered at the castle. Then departure for Vignanello to visit Castello Ruspoli, long contested among the Vico, Aldobrandini, Orsini, Borgia and Naldini families, and from 1530 held by the Marescotti Ruspoli line up to the present day. At the end of the visit, transfer to Rome Termini or Fiumicino airport and end of services.