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Ciociaria: between acropolis and majestic abbeys

Duration
5 Days/4 Nights
Location
Ciociaria (Lazio)
Departing from
Rome / Naples *
Starting at
on request
ciociaria visit
Overview

Ciociaria is an area located in the centre of Italy, in the predominantly mountainous province of Frosinone, halfway between the Tyrrhenian coast and the Abruzzo Apennines. Its privileged and difficult to access position has always been of great strategic importance for people such as the Volsci, the Samnite and the Ernici who have lived in these territories.

An area where small perched villages dominate the surrounding valleys and steep paths lead to luxuriant natural wonders, rivers and caves.

In this journey through time you will admire the remains of medieval fortresses and castles built by ancient people and you will visit some of the most important abbeys of the “region”.

Highlights
  • Arpino visit and lunch in a restaurant with typical local products
  • Visit of the Acropolis of Alatri and the unique fresco of Christ inside a labyrinth
  • Casamari Abbey
  • Liri Island Waterfall
  • Natural Reserve of the Posta Fibreno Lake
  • Abbey of Montecassino
  • Caves of Pastena and Castro dei Volsci small town
  • Anagni and the crypt of San Magno
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Travel Itinerary

Day 1

THE VILLAGE OF CICERO

Departing from Rome you will reach Arpino, the homeland of Cicero, you will admire the old town with its churches and streets. For lunch you will stop in a typical trattoria and taste the simple local cuisine based on legumes, extra virgin olive oil and cheeses. To follow a walk towards the so-called "Civitavecchia" where you will be able to see the remains of the still well-preserved ancient walls and admire the view of this village at the top. 

alatri visit ciociaria
Day 2

ALATRI

Accompanied by a local guide you will visit Alatri, you will walk through Regina Margherita square and enter the cloister of San Francesco where you will admire an extraordinary fresco depicting Christ inside a labyrinth. You will  then visit the Acropolis of Alatri, with its dual function of Sacred Space and defensive garrison, in its dominant position over the city. The megalithic walls also called cyclopean due to their majesty and the two monumental gates date back to pre-Roman times. Today the Acropolis and the walls represent the oldest and most celebrated monument in the city. 

In the afternoon you will learn about the history of the Casamari Abbey, an important Cistercian monastery, also used in ancient times as a shelter for sick people. Here you can still buy liqueurs or natural remedies prepared by the skilled hands of the Cistercians.

At the end of the day you will take a relaxed walk to the little town of Isola del Liri, where you can enjoy an aperitif along the river overlooking the famous waterfall that flows right in the city center.

Day 3

NATURAL RESERVE OF LAGO DI POSTA FIBRENO

You will immerse yourself in nature on a route at the natural reserve of Lago Di Posta Fibreno. A lake with a bizarre zigzag shape that stretches to become a river, a postcard landscape framed by hills overlooking the water. The huge water source maintains a constant temperature throughout the year of about 10-11 degrees ° C and is inhabited by a rich biodiversity. Depending on the season and with a little luck, you will be able to observe grey herons, marsh harriers, foxes, and other predators.

You will finish the day with a visit to the extraordinary Abbey of Montecassino, a Benedictine monastery located on the top of Montecassino town and to the Polish cemetery located inside it.

ciociaria visit terrace
Day 4

CAVES OF PASTENA AND CASTRO DEI VOLSCI

Excursion into the depths of the earth to admire the most interesting forms of underground karst at the Pastena Caves. You will visit majestic and evocative halls, stalactites, stalagmites, columns with bizarre shapes and underground lakes accompanied by an internal guide. You will continue with a visit to the village of Castro dei Volsci. Here you will cross the narrow streets paved in terracotta to reach the suggestive terrace overlooking the Ciociaria and the monument that represents the strength and courage of the “madri Ciociare” who lost their lives to protect their daughters during the Second World War.

Day 5

Anagni

 On the way to Rome you will stop at Anagni, known as the city of the Popes. You will have a short visit to the old town and to the Cathedral of Anagni, here you will see the Caetani Chapel and the suggestive crypt of San Magno which preserves a cycle of frescoes created between 1100 and around 1250 and depicting scenes from the Old and New Testament. A pictorial cycle of exceptional beauty, also known as the Sistine Chapel of the thirteenth century.

anagni visit ciociaria
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*All travel itineraries are custom-made and the city of departure can be changed on request. For more detailed information and a personalised quote do not hesitate to contact us.

**Accommodations and experiences availability & prices should be reconfirmed at the moment of the booking. 

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