Great walks, good company, wonderful food: recipe for an unforgettable trip! Here's a peek at this spring's adventures, from Orvieto to the mountains south of Rome:
Following a well-preserved stretch of the Via Amerina past a striking array of Roman bridges and tombs, we arrive at the walled city of Falerii Novi, home of the ancient Faliscans. Then the road negotiates a labyrinth of steep gorges, passing a series of medieval castles and towers, and skillfully finding a comfortable route along gentle slopes now lush with hazelnut groves. After the scenic hill town of Orte above the Tiber River, we enjoy the classic rolling hills of Umbria: olives groves, vineyards, panoramic vistas of the Tiber Valley and the snow-capped Apennines.
The Abbey of Fossanova - Italy’s finest example of Cistercian architecture – stands along the ancient foothill route running south from Rome. From here we traverse the beautifully rugged Ausoni mountains to Terracina, with its famous temple of Jupiter on a promontory high above the Mediterranean. Below it the Emperor Trajan cut back the mountain to let the Via Appia pass: numerals in the stone record the depth of the cut. The town itself is a stunning collage of architectural elements from the past.
Special October ’06 Via Amerina Preview Expedition - booking closes July 30! 6 days/5 nights – $1250 per person (double occupancy; air fare excluded; a minimum number of participants is required) – write for details
