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Castles and Lakes (Driver Only/Self Touring)

5.01 reviewDay trips

  • 8 hours
  • Free cancellation up to 24h before
  • 2 languages
  • Private tour

Highlights

The Roman countryside is one of the most beautiful, relaxing and peaceful areas of the surrounding area of Rome, and oftentimes underrated by the average tourist, but often sought after by discerning visitors seeking off the tourist beaten path treasures. On this private tour from your accommodation in Rome you'll enjoy the Roman Countryside as you travel to Bracciano to visit the famous Renaissance Odescalchi Castle and admire its pristine Lake Bracciano, experience a culinary delight inside the ancient Medieval hilltop fortress of Ceri, and then explore the ancient and mysterious Etruscan civilization inside the Banditaccia Necropolis in Cerverteri. This is as Tour By Car with only an English Speaking Driver (it does NOT include Tour Guides or Walking Tours). Italian laws permits only licensed tour guides to accompany guests on foot to sightsee. To comply with these strict laws, Driver will wait for you with the vehicle while you SELF TOUR.

Inclusions

What's included

  • Private transportation
  • Deluxe Mercedes Benz Vehicle
  • Bottled water
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • English Speaking Professional Driver
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Parking Fees

What's not

  • Gratuities
  • Lunch
  • Admission fees and Entry Tickets Not Included

Itinerary

  1. This 16th-century castle is in unbelievable condition and still owned by the Odescalchi family. The castle became famous worldwide when American film star Tom Cruise married Katie Holmes at the castle in November 2006. You will have the opportunity to tour the castle and its impressive rooms that were once the private quarters of Kings, Popes, and Lords of the Renaissance era. Entry admission to Odescalchi Castle is currently 8.50 Euros per person. Tickets can be purchased upon visiting the site.

    1 h

  2. A drive to the lake shore will follow so that you can see the dazzling beauty of Bracciano Lake from the promenade along the beach. Originally a volcanic crater, this one of the cleanest lakes in Italy due to the absence of motor boats and strict rules against pollution. Its beaches attract visitors who prefer to relax, swim, sail, canoe, and generally escape hustle and bustle of most crowded seaside beaches.

    30 min

  3. Ceri is a 13th-century town with fortified walls that gives it the appearance of a medieval fortress isolated on top of a steep hill of tufa, a type of limestone that is very common in Italy. Its medieval past dominating the present becomes apparent the moment we arrive at the bottom of the hill. The only street that passes through the fortified wall and leads you into town is wide enough for just a single vehicle to pass through at a time. This rare traffic problem was resolved by installing two traffic lights: one at the entrance into the town, and one where the street ends in the main square. Enjoy a nice homemade lunch in one of the family-owned restaurants for a great taste of the real Italian Cusine.

    1.5 h

  4. This Sanctuary is a very special place for the locals. The Virgin Mary for whom this Sanctuary is named is known for her intercession and helping people who are experiencing difficulties.

    15 min

  5. The Banditaccia Necropolis is significant not only because it is the largest ancient necropolis in the Mediterranean area, but also because it contains some of the only examples of Etruscan residential architecture surviving to this day. Although none of the Etruscan homes survived to this day, you can see the types of homes Etruscans lived in just by walking into their tombs! Considered permanent homes for the dead, the tombs were carved to resemble the interior of residential homes, lavishly designed with a gabled roof, crossbeam, stone couches, chairs, and other architectural details. Entry admission to Cerveteri Baditaccia Etruscan Necropolis is currently €10 per person.

    1.5 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

5.0

  • 51
  • 40
  • 30
  • 20
  • 10

Ratings come from 1 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

Pickup
Pickup is included for everyone.
Ticket type
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operated by
Stefano Rome Day Tours
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Walking on uneven terrain is required in some areas

How it compares in Rome

  • Its from-price is 29% above the median of the 984 day trips we list in Rome.
  • Its length is typical for the group.
  • By number of reviews it ranks 463 of 984.
  • The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Rome

Rome layers nearly three thousand years of history into one walkable city, from the Colosseum and Forum to Baroque piazzas and Vatican art.

Ancient Rome is still in plain sight. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill sit together at the city's heart, the Pantheon still stands with its open oculus, and fragments of temples and aqueducts turn up between apartment blocks. Across the Tiber, Vatican City holds St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Top-ranked sights in Rome: Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel.

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