Before Rome . . . A Walk in the Footsteps of the Ancient Etruscans

A Walking Tour – Tuscany, Italy

July 26-August 6, 2012

Join us on a mystical journey back 7000 years to walk in the footsteps of the ancient Etruscans. You will start the tour in the Etruscan villages of Pitigliano, Sorano, and Sovana, where you will walk the “hollow roads”. These trails are excavated in the tufa (yellow volcanic rock typical of this area) and are like tunnels winding down from the hills to the banks of the river or valley. The “hollow roads” were still the only way between the villages as late as the 1940’s.

You will spend 2 nights in Sovana where you will indeed feel like you have stepped back in time. Then it is over to the coastal region of Tuscany. You will walk the trails around Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano. There will also be a day trip to the island of Giglio to explore the ancient castle and swim in the Mediterranean. There will be a day trip to Tarquinia to visit the world famous National Etruscan Museum and the Monterozzi Necropolis (subterranean tombs).

Then it is onto Rome where you will spend 2 days exploring ancient Ostia Antica, the Coliseum, and the centuries old Basilica of San Clemente. You may want to stay an extra day to explore Rome on your own before heading back to modern civilization in the United States. This is definitely a tour for those who have seen all the popular tourist destinations in Italy and are now looking for the hidden treasures of ancient Tuscany.

Lodging will be in a country estate overlooking the Mediterranean in Porto Ercole, a hotel in Sovana, and a centrally located hotel in Rome. The estate has 8 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, a full-sized swimming pool, and garden terraces for dining and relaxing.

Day 1: Arrive in Rome and then drive to Sovana, where you will be spending 2 nights.
Day 2: Walk on the “hollow road” to Sorano. Dinner that night in an Etruscan
restaurant.
Day 3: Short walk to visit Etruscan ruins and then drive to Porto Ercole and Casa
Moorehead where you will be spending the next week.
Day 4: Walk to Porto Ercole and explore Old Town
Day 5: Walk to ancient Benedictine Cathedral overlooking the Mediterranean
Day 6: Visit Island of Giglio with its remarkably preserved village at the top of its
mountain
Day 7: Day trip to Siena with a walking tour
Day 8: Day trip to Tarquinia
Day 9: Day trip to Montalcino and a wine tasting at the enoteca.
Day 10: Depart Porto Ercole and onto Rome with afternoon walk to Coliseum and
Basilica of San Clemente
Day 11: Spend the day exploring the ancient ruins of Ostia Antica.
Day 12: Depart for home.