Amber Road Tours

Additional information about our Tuscany/Lazio tour

South Tuscany and northern Lazio (the region of Rome) offers some of the most picturesque landscapes in all of Italy – from the gentle cypress-lined hills of the Orcia Valley to the mysterious tomb-lined cliffs of the Maremma. All were a part of the ancient territory of Etruria, that stretched from Rome to Bologna and some say, as far north as the Alps. Etruscan civilization, which dates back to the 10th century BC, reached its peak between the 7th and 5th centuries BC. They were great navigators and traders, builders and engineers; they drained swamps and had indoor plumbing. We will have a glimpse way back in time walking along their roads, visiting their temples and burial chambers, understanding what we can of the stories told by their frescoes and sculpture in places like Orvieto, Sovana, Vulci and Tarquinia.

It’s one thing to visit the medieval towns and villages of central Italy, quite another to actually participate in a medieval festival. Abbadia San Salvatore holds one of the best – the whole town dresses up in costume and puts on a wonderful performance with medieval processions, music, dances, duels, games and trade exhibitions. Dinner is served at outdoor taverns along the narrow streets, which maintain their 13th century appearance; the food, prepared medieval style, is delicious, the cutlery is wooden and the wine glasses ceramic. Not to be missed!

The cooking lesson at Le Casacce in Seggiano is with Enrico Casini, an esteemed and well known wine and gastronomic Chef de cuisine, who in 1985 was voted one of the seven best cooks in Italy under age thirty- five. The lesson is hands-on for everyone; a complete menu that you will be able to repeat in your own kitchen. At the end of the lesson you’ll taste the results over lunch, along with Enrico’s wines – all very entertaining!

Your tour escort is Maria Elena Ciacci, a native of San Quirico d’Orcia (near Pienza) in the Val d’Orcia. Not only witty and charming, she possesses a depth of knowledge about the history and culture of this area. Many people have asked us why we offer this tour only in July. There are two reasons; one is to offer our tour guests the experience of a medieval festival (which invariably occur in the summer months), the other being the availability of Maria Elena.

Hotels on tour
Bolsena’s Etruscan roots date back to 280 BC, when the Romans conquered nearby Orvieto (then Volsinii) and forced the surviving population to relocate to its present lakeside location. In the middle ages Bolsena was located along the Francigena Way, the ancient pilgrim route from northern Europe to Roma. Lake Bolsena is of volcanic origin, 12 km long and 14 km wide with a maximum depth of 150 meters. It is one of the cleanest lakes in all of Europe. The Hotel Royal Bolsena (37 rooms, 4 star), the oldest and most elegant of the town, is situated just twenty meters from lakeside where there are outdoor cafes and restaurants, fishing boats and lovely walks. The town’s historic district and castle are just a few minutes walk from the hotel.

Pienza, in south Tuscany, is a renaissance town, perhaps the earliest surviving example of western urban planning. Built in just three years by the famous architect Rossellino by order of native son Pope Pius II (pope 1458-1564), with designs on creating a second Vatican City and surpassing Siena in both beauty and grandeur. Pius is known as the “humanist pope”. Before ascending to the papacy he was crowned the imperial poet laureate at the court of Emperor Frederick III at Vienna. He wrote novels (racy for his time) and is the only pope to have written an autobiography. Pienza, known as “the ideal city”, has not changed in 500 years – it’s utterly charming. You’ll be staying in one of the deluxe rooms at the Relais Il Chiostro (32 rooms, 4 star), a former 15th century convent overlooking the stunning Orcia Valley, located in the town center.

Orbetello is located on a narrow promontory connecting Monte Argentario to the Tyrrhenian coastline Its roots are Etruscan, Roman, much later became a possession of Naples, then Siena, Spain (1557 to 1707), Austria, and finally the kingdom of Italy. Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano are the other two towns on Monte Argentario, both famous for boating, fishing and tourism. The Hotel San Biagio Relais (41 rooms, 4 star) was built as a courthouse during the Spanish era. Orbetello, which offers lively evening strolls, dining and shopping, is our convenient point of departure for day trips to Vulci, Giglio Island and Tarquinia.