Shore excursions from the Port of Civitavecchia

• Rome on your own

• The best of Rome

• Do it your way

• The Roman Countryside

• An excursion to the spa at Saturnia

• Food and wine tour - ancient Etruria

• An excursion to Orvieto and Civita di  Bagnoregio

Contact us to arrange pick-up and drop-off at the port of Naples or Sorrento for the arrival and departure of your cruise ship.  Shore excursions can be arranged for 2 to 60 passengers.

Prices depend on:

• Number of hours

• Season of travel

• Number of passengers

Contact: VISITS TRAVEL CENTER

Italy boosts a wealth of beautiful countryside and the area surrounding Rome is no exception!  This excursion takes you from the pier through the Roman hills and back.

The Campagna - or countryside - around Rome is enchanting; rolling hills and lush farmlands are dotted with farmhouses, villas and palaces.  You will reach the lake Albano in the crater of an extinct volcano. Winding your way up the top of nearby hill you will stop for a short stroll in the lovely medieval town of Castel Gandolfo, where the popes have kept their summer residence for centuries. In fact Castel Gandolfo's Papal Palace and gardens are actually part of the sovereign Vatican State.

At noon enjoy a typical local lunch with plenty of home-made wine. After lunch you will head to Rome along the old Appian way, one of the first ancient roman military roads.

One of the most impressive sights you will see along the way is the tomb of Cecilia Metella, mausoleum of a roman noblewoman, the daughter of a roman general, who lived during the time of Julius Caeser.

Proceed by the Catacombs, the curious underground maze of tunnels hallowed out of volcanic rock, where the earlier Christians, persecuted by the Romans, had to practice their religion in secret and bury their dead. Drive by the bath of Caracalla, Colosseum and Venice Square.

Return to the ship.
 

This tour is designed for guests who wish to spend the day in the relaxing atmosphere of the baths of Saturnia.

After disembarking the ship you will proceed on a 1 hour drive north through the Roman then the Tuscan Countryside to the legendary Saturnia.  Ancient legend tells of how the god Saturn, furious with human beings for how often they fighted and discussed , hurled a bolt of lightening to earth, forming a crater from which some tepid water began to gush.

This legendary place, well known to the Etruscans and the ancient Romans for its regenerating powers, still exists today: It is Saturnia, where sulphurous water at a constant temperature of 37° rises from the thermal springs and which provides therapeutic properties together with extraordinary sensations whoever steps into this water can never forget the feeling of well-being, relaxation and calm given by the warmth that surrounds your body and the way one's mind relaxes on contact with the sweet unique nature of the Maremma area in Tuscany.

People can come to Saturnia all year round and reap the benefits, but, obviously, some periods are more suitable than others. When the weather begins to be, or is still quite good, Saturnia is as its best. Even if the outdoor temperature is a little low, people feel fine in the water.  All you need is a bathrobe for when you come out. Also, there are not so many people and you have the possibility to enjoy the thermal water with some privacy.  Therefore, the main season is from March to October included.

The place is ideal for relaxing among the green surroundings, going on excursions, visiting rural culture centres (agriturismo) and good eating; the Maremma is in a central location that allows you to arrive at the archaeological sites such as Pitigliano, Sorano Sovana in about one hour.

Return to the ship.
 

After leaving the Civitavecchia dock you will drive northeast through the countryside to reach after approximately 30 minutes Tarquinia.

It has the greatest Etruscan museum in the world, with well-preserved sarcophagi, paintings, tombs, frescoes from the 6th to 1st centuries B.C. and the largest Etruscan necropolis. The heart of Southern Etruria, Etruscan capital, mediaeval township, archaeological site of international fame and an intense cultural life, rises 133m above sea-level on a plateau from which it scenically overlooks the Marta River valley and the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Visit the aristocratic Palazzo Vitelleschi, in itself a masterpiece of Gothic-Renaissance architecture, now housing the National Museum. Proceed the visit to The Etruscan necropolis, just outside the town that includes the most beautiful and well-preserved tombs of the ancient world, which bear witness to the cult of the dead of a fascinating and enigmatic people.  They are unique in themselves and only comparable with the Egyptian tombs.

Enjoy lunch in Fattoria valle del Marta a well known wine and oil producer of the area or in a typical trattoria in Tuscania.Proceed to Tuscania. It was a powerful Etruscan town.

Near the town, particularly along rivers, there are many Etruscan and Roman necropolis, with Etruscan tombs that has returned many things of Curunas family (IV- II cent. B.C.), now in show, with furnishings, inside Archaeological National Museum of S.Maria del Riposo (XV cent.).  In the Medieval historical center the beautiful Roman basilica of San Pietro (VIII-XI-XIII cent.) stands on the old Etruscan acropolis, and has a 13th century façade with symbols of the Evangelists. The interior has massive 11th century columns with beautiful capitals and decorative paving.

A second church, Santa Maria Maggiore (VIII-XII cent.), now out of the inhabited area and completely surrounded from his boundaries, is also worth seeing.
Wine tasting is available at La fattoria del Marta for addiniona 8 .00 euro per person.Please let us know if you wish to go there!

Return to ship.
 

This tour is perfect for those who wish to take in the flavours and history of Etruscan Italy and enjoy the taste of typical italian products.

Drive along the country roads through the lush landscapes for a short ride to Tarquinia. Already "Pliny the Elder" praised this land as the perfect place for cultivation of vineyards.  After a short visit of the cities Etruscan Museum Palazzo Vitelleschi , Medieval city walls and surrounding landscape proceed to La Fattoria Valle del Marta a well known 4 generation wine and oil producer, located in the breathtakingly beautiful River Marta Valley and nestling under the walls of charming mediaeval town of Tarquinia.

There are many things to do at the Fattoria and depending on the season you might do one or the other or some interesting combination, including:

• A short tour of the Olive orchards and Grape vineyard when you arrive at the farm.  A local guide will describe the process of making olive oil in Italy and we give you a chance to visit old tools used to make olive oil.  And then a sampling of local wine, olive oil with typical Bruschetta, homemade biscuit, jam and honey, accompanied by liquors. All products can be shipped anywhere.
   
  Cost per person 15.00 euro.
  Duration: 30 minutes
  Tour subject to availability
   

• Grape Picking: (This tour is available only from August 20 th to November 10 th for a minimum of 15 people)
  
  Spend 2 hours with Mario or Franco, the owners of the farm, to pick grapes that wil be pressed and bottled under your own label and sent to you 60 days later.  (Remember that in order to produce 12 bottles of wine (0,75 cl each) you will need to pick 20 Kg or 42 pounds of Grapes).  Then, in a more relaxed atmosphere, you will take a short class about how to distinguish different characteristics of wines - which of course you will be able to taste.
  
  Cost per person 15.00 euro.
  Duration: 4 hours
  Tour subject to a minimum of 15 people and is only available from August to November

This tour is perfect for those who wish to take in the flavours and history of Etruscan Italy and enjoy the taste of typical italian products.

Drive along the country roads through the lush landscapes for an hour ride to Orvieto which is perched on a plateau of tufo rock (soft volcanic rock) that was once an island in the sea that covered the Paglia valley below. Here you will have time to explore one of the finest Duomos in Italy, a gem of Gothic architecture and take an hour long tour of the underground city with it's winding tunnels and Etruscan artefacts.  This tour allows you to explore 3000 years of history by following the ancient passageways, tunnels, stairs and hidden rooms.

Another important stop is St. Patrick's well. Built on the orders of Pope Clement VII who sought refuge here during the sacking of Rome, this 203 feet deep well boasts double spiralled staircases for easier access to the water.

After exploring this charming town with amazing views you will head to Civita Bagnoregio, an almost deserted town accessible only by a foot bridge.  With only 25-50 inhabitants it resembles a ghost town. Here you can stroll the narrow streets and marvel at the existence of a place where time stopped several hundreds of years ago.

On the return to Civitavecchia stop and view a spectacular panorama of Lake Bolsena from Montefiasacone town and visit the church of S. Flaviano where thge founde of wine est est est is buried!!!

We can substitute Orvieto with a visit of Tuscania instead or Tarquinia.

Return to ship.