A walking tour of the Tuscia Viterbese region is like pressing “rewind” three thousand years: a powerful, lush green land of tuff, deep gorges, volcanic lakes, and dense forests, where history is evident everywhere—from Etruscan necropolises to medieval villages and Renaissance masterpieces. This region is so rich in beauty that we’ve decided to present it to you from two perspectives: the environmental and naturalistic, and the historical and cultural. To do this, you’ll be accompanied on this hiking vacation in Lazio by an environmental guide—who played an active role in opening the various trails you’ll walk—and a historical-artistic guide, who will join forces to give you a complete and spectacular view of this area. Our base is in the heart of Viterbo, the splendid “City of the Popes”: over these six days in Lazio, you’ll enjoy a series of excursions, such as the one to the Lake Vico Nature Reserve and the beautiful Civita di Bagnoregio, as well as guided tours of the Park of the Monsters in Bomarzo and Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola. Tuscia is a mosaic of fairy-tale forests, volcanic lakes, trails winding through ferns and moss, mysterious parks, and noble estates: come discover it with us at a leisurely pace!
WHERE ARE WE GOING?
Program
First day
Arrival and guided tour of Viterbo
We arrive in Viterbo in the early afternoon—the wonderful City of the Popes—where a guided tour of the historic center led by an art and history expert awaits us! Over 2,500 years of history, the city has spanned eras and undergone transformations, leaving an extraordinary legacy: stone alleyways, towers, fountains, palaces, and squares that tell the story of its medieval period in particular—among the best-preserved in Europe. A perfect first taste to get into the spirit of Tuscia, step by step.
This first visit sets the stage for days of pure discovery in the Tuscia Viterbese region, featuring guided group excursions and cultural tours.
Second day
Lake Vico and Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola
Today, we will explore the Lake Vico Nature Reserve on a guided hike. Lake Vico is one of the most picturesque volcanic lakes in Lazio, nestled in a basin surrounded by woods—a landscape that, according to legend, was formed when Hercules drove his club into the ground to challenge the local inhabitants. Here we will hike on Monte Venere, one of the most recent volcanic formations in the area, to immerse ourselves in the magnificence of the cool, silent beech forest.
In the afternoon, we will head to Caprarola for a guided tour of Palazzo Farnese, one of the magnificent symbols of the Renaissance: monumental spaces, dramatic vistas, and frescoed rooms that will leave you speechless.
Third day
Civita di Bagnoregio and Sant’Angelo, the fairytale village
We organize carpooling to travel to Civita di Bagnoregio, the famous “dying city,” perched on a tuff plateau with striking vertical cliffs. We’ll reach it on foot from the village across the way, following a path that evokes the ancient route, far from the modernity of the bridge. A stroll through narrow streets, arches, and small squares before heading back, where the atmosphere is still and poetic. On the way back, we’ll stop in Sant’Angelo, a truly dreamlike place: a small village that seems to have stepped out of a fairy tale. We’ll then return to Viterbo in the afternoon. Those who wish can take advantage of the nearby Terme di Bullicame, ancient Roman baths with free admission, even mentioned in Dante’s Inferno!
Fourth day
Etruria in the Green: Marturanum and the “Ghost” Town of Monterano
Today we have a double excursion: in the morning, we drive to the Marturanum Archaeological Park in Barbarano Romano, where we enter a landscape that seems to hold secrets. In the woods, amid roots and tuff, tombs, monumental ruins, and Etruscan artifacts emerge from the vegetation, as if nature had protected them for centuries.
In the afternoon, however, we change scenery and venture into the Monterano Nature Reserve, an unspoiled and fascinating environment featuring springs, waterfalls, wild pastures, and sulfur vents. Here lies the famous “ghost town” of Monterano: living ruins that allow us to walk among houses, towers, churches, and the baronial palace, imagining daily life of the past in an almost cinematic silence.
Fifth day
Bomarzo: The Mill Trail, the Etruscan Pyramid, and the Park of the Monsters
The Bomarzo area is a treasure trove of wonders: untamed nature, views of the gorges, and traces of the past everywhere. We walk among large peperino boulders covered in moss and ferns, descend toward the water past small waterfalls, and climb back up through the woods to one of Tuscia’s most enigmatic landmarks: the Etruscan Pyramid.
We then arrive in Bomarzo for a guided tour of the Sacred Wood (Park of the Monsters): a unique, visionary place where, in the 16th century, Vicino Orsini transformed stone and symbols into a narrative that speaks of philosophy, religion, and a worldview.
Sixth day
After breakfast, it’s time for final goodbyes and the return journey. This group vacation in Viterbo comes to an end, where volcanic landscapes and millennia of history coexist at every turn: from the stone-paved alleys of the City of the Popes to the tranquil shores of Lake Vico, passing through the Renaissance grandeur of Palazzo Farnese. The suspended vistas of Civita di Bagnoregio, the almost secretive atmosphere of the Tuscia woods, the Etruscan ruins nestled in the greenery of Marturanum, and the thrill of walking among the ruins of the “ghost town” of Monterano all leave a lasting impression. And then there is Bomarzo, with its untamed energy: the trail winding through gorges and peperino boulders, the mysterious Etruscan Pyramid, and the astonishing Sacred Forest of Monsters. You return home with an incredible palette of greens in your eyes and the certainty of having discovered an authentic Tuscia—still largely unknown and capable of leaving a lasting impression.
accommodation in double rooms in 3-star hotels
Entrance to Palazzo Farnese, the Park of Monsters, and the Mill Trail
breakfasts at the hotel and 4 dinners at a local restaurant
guided tours with a historical-artistic guide: Palazzo Farnese, Parco dei Mostri, Sentiero dei Mulini; guided tour of Viterbo
environmental guide Jonas from day 1 to day 5 
health and baggage insuranceTravel to/from Viterbo, lunches, 1 dinner, tourist tax where applicable, and anything not listed under "Includes".
Single occupancy from €90.
3-Star Hotel in Viterbo - VT.
Located in the heart of Viterbo since 1965, this is a simple yet well-maintained hotel where a warm welcome makes all the difference. Comfortable rooms, a buffet breakfast, private parking, a rooftop garden, and all the essential amenities you need to explore the city with ease, surrounded by history, leisurely strolls, and a peaceful atmosphere.
Viterbo is easily accessible by train; you will most likely need to change trains in Rome.
In any case, we recommend traveling to Viterbo by car, as transportation during the week will be provided by participants' cars.
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