The Best Way to Discover Rome and Beyond

If you have already visited Rome and you want to see something different. Or if you simply want to have some relaxing time in the country, away from the crowded touristy areas. We will drive through the countryside north of Rome , mainly the area called Tuscia (name deriving from Etruscan ) and some of Umbria (name deriving from umbra =shade), the shady heart of Italy . The tour we suggest includes Orvieto (1 hour from Civitavecchia ) and other charming little towns on the way to Orvieto and on the way back from there. After leaving Civitavecchia the first stop could be in Tuscania. Founded by the Etruscan, it became a Roman colony in the 3rd Century b.c. and it appears today as a charming little medieval town. Unfortunately it was badly damage by an earthquake in 1971 and they haven't finished refurbishing the old buildings yet. Driving in the direction of Orvieto you can stop briefly at the town of Montefiascone , another town founded originally by the Etruscans. Built right on top of a hill overlooking the lake Bolsena about 1800 ft a. s. l. it appears today as a really charming medieval town. We will stop there shortly just to admire the view from the hilltop, but we might end up finding the time to wander around the typical streets for a little while. Montefiascone is known also for its production of white. Another place we will visit before arriving to Orvieto is Civita di Bagnoregio. This charming little town was also founded by the Etruscans around 2500 years ago on top of a hill formed by "tufah" stone. The area must have been really different in those days. The natural erosion and earthquakes have in fact changed the town a lot less space on top of the hill than it originally had. In 1794 one of those earthquakes destroyed the sort of natural bridge that linked Civita to the bigger nearby town of Bagnoregio . The natural erosion hasn't stopped and the sides of the hill keep crumbling down and therefore they call Civita "the dying city". It really is a place to see! "Civita, like an island in our memory or a figment of our imagination, is connected by a narrow walkway to reality and to the surrounding countryside; it takes us far away, not so much in distance as in time....
There is a feeling that one is leaving the real world, and this filling becomes stronger after entering the ancient city gate, standing guard over a sheer drop between the remains of two houses with thir windows opened wide over the emptiness.
One almost has the impression that this gate opens into a supernatural world, surviving in another dimension".
We will approach Orvieto from the West and it will appear to us from the distance sitting on its plateau formed by the volcanic "tufah" stone. A great view! We should be arriving there around 1:00 pm . Time for lunch! The people here have their main meal in the middle of the day after which they like to nap. Shops in fact don't re-open any earlier than 3/4:00 pm. It's the famous Italian tradition of the "siesta".You can choose between a light lunch at the wine shop on the main square (weather permitting you can eat outside) and some local cuisine in a typical restaurant housed in the caves that the people of Orvieto dug in the tufah stone underneath the city. After lunch you'll have the time to visit the magnificent Cathedral, one on the most beautiful in Italy . After visiting the duomo you can stroll down Orvieto's quaint narrow streets crammed with colorful shops selling beautiful ceramics. Orvieto produces one of the most famous Italian white wines and the wine shop on the square offers the opportunity to taste some of the local wines and to eat some of the prosciutto, salame and cheeses locally produced. As an alternative and time permitting, you might want to have a more substantial meal and taste some of the region's renowned outstanding foods at a proper restaurant.
Back to your ship between 5:00 - 6:00pm.

Sharetours with discoveryguidedtours.com

Divide the costs with other cruisers rather than just two get together and make your group become 6 or 8 etc..
For example
if you are only 2 people but want to divide the cost with other cruisers...... contact our chat leave your message in our shared tours section placing the name of your cruise and dates and chat with others so instead of spending ie 200,00 euros per person one can divide by 6 which cuts the costs by 60%.

We have made this possible for you from all the major ports of Italy from Civitavecchia Rome, Vatican city , Naples port, Sorrento ,Amalfi coast , Livorno port , florence and siena and pisa just a few of the areas that you can share your expereience with other cruisers and choosing us at discoveryguidedtours.com.

Contacting and ,meeting up with other cruisers that wish to share the cruise date with you our office experts will always be on hand to answer all the questions and verifications that you need.

So get onto the shared tours section chat and meet and contact us to book your splendid tours with us at discoveryguidedtours.com

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Billing information
Payments will be charged at the end of your service according to the rates quoted. We accept your payment in cash, credit card, and cheques.

Currency: All prices are expressed in European currency, Euros " € "

Rates include: Driving guide service. Use of vehicle. Fuel and motorway tolls. Italian Taxes 10% IVA (VAT - Value Added Tax).

Rates do NOT include: * client’s meals * food and beverage * gratuities * 5% credit card commission * entrance fees to museums and monuments unless otherwise noted on the programs. Anything not expressly mentioned as included.

Cancellation policy
Please, note that there will be no charge if you cancel your reservation by fax or e-mail within at least 15 days before date of requested service. If is not done in these terms, our company reserves the right to debit the “no show fee” on your credit card which is:

• Cancellation 1 week before date of requested service: No Penalty
• Cancellation 72 hours before date and time of requested service: 10% Penalty
• Cancellation 48 hours before date and time of requested service: 30% Penalty
• Cancellation 24 hours before date and time of requested service: 50% Penalty
• Cancellation less than 24 hours before the service fully charged.

Transportation
Transportation is furnished by licensed insured professional drivers only, who are qualified to perform public transportation services all over Europe.

Responsibility
Our company does not accept responsibility for any accident regarding theft or damages during the course of our tours.

** General conditions and rates are subject to change without prior notice. **

*We are at your disposal to assist you for more information