Day 1
Arrive in Viterbo

Day 2
Free day in Viterbo, excursion to Villa Lante: a ‘city walk’ round Viterbo, (2 miles, 1 hour).

Walk (or bus) to Bagnaia to see the Villa Lante Gardens. (5.2 miles, 2 hrs 30).
Cycling options total 15.4 miles.

Day 3
Viterbo to Montefiascone
Walking: cross a plain with thermal springs, then follow a fine section of the Roman Via Cassia to Montefiascone (2,070 ft). (9.7 miles, 5 hrs).
Cycling: a quiet road with two brief steepish climbs from valleys to Tuscania (fine churches), then across open country and another climb to Montefiascone. (31.5 miles, shorter route 11.4 miles)

Day 4
Montefiascone to Bolsena
Walking: follow the route of the ancient Via Cassia, until it disappears in woods. Then paths and farm tracks with fine views of the lake lead down to Bolsena (1,080 ft). (10.4 miles, 5 hrs 30).
Cycling: descend 1,000ft to the picturesque village of Capodimente, and continue along the shores of the lake before a final stretch along the Via Cassia to Bolsena. (22.9 miles)

Day 5
Free day in Bolsena, excursion to Acquapendente: explore Bolsena, or the island of Bizentina. Optional walk/cycle from Acquapendente. (12.2 miles, 6 hrs).
Cycling route round trip 27.3 miles.

Day 6
Bolsena to Orvieto
Walking: follow the old pilgrim route, across a high plateau (2,000 ft) with extensive views, towards Orvieto. (10.2 miles, 5 hrs 30).
Cycling: after a steep climb cross a plateau to the town of Bagnoregio, before descending through superb scenery to Orvieto. (20 miles)

Day 7
Free day in Orvieto
Optional ‘city walk’ (approx. 2 hrs)

Day 8
Return to the airport.

You can extend your holiday in Orvieto or Rome.

Terrain

Walking: volcanic ash paths, farm tracks, Roman and Etruscan roads, occasional mule and forest paths and (near towns) stretches of asphalt.
Cycling: deep Etruscan lanes, quiet country lanes, occasional strade bianche (small gravel roads) and, of course, busier roads at entrances to towns.

When to go

Start any day from 01 Apr to 24 Oct

On Route

**Viterbo: walled city. Piazza San Lorenzo, Papal Palace, church of Santa Maria Nuova. Fine medieval contrada of San Pellegrino.

**Bagnaia - Villa Lante Gardens: Vignola's Renaissance masterpiece using the natural flow of water, at their best in summer. (Closed Mondays).

**Roman Roads: paved sections of the Cassia Antica, lined with pink cyclamen in autumn.

*Montefiascone: position with magnificent views. Church of San Flaviano with famous tomb of Bishop Fugger.

**Bolsena and the Lake: castle, pilgrim 'double' church of Santa Cristina, Etruscan temples and Roman remains. Swimming in the lake in summer and autumn.

***Orvieto: magnificently situated walled town on a tufo crag. Cathedral and Capella della Madonna di San Brizio with frescoes by Fra Angelico and Signorelli, Etruscan tombs, Pozzo di San Patrizio (St Patrick's Well), with its double spiral staircase descending 200ft, built by Sangallo 1527-37.

* Isola Di Bisentina: Idyllic island with church by Antonio Sangallo the Younger (Il Giovane). Accessible by fast motor launch service.

Flights & Transport

Recommended Destination Airport: Rome

There is a shuttle from Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino airports to the Central Stations (Termini, Tiburtina and Ostiense) from where the last train to Viterbo leaves at approx 21.30. On the return, Orvieto is on the main Milan–Florence– Rome line, so there are frequent express trains (Rome Termini station, 1 hour 10 mins). Public transport on route: start and end of each stage is accessible by public transport daily.

Taxis
From Rome Airport to First Hotel - approximately 143 Euros.
From Last Hotel to Rome Airport - approximately 165 Euros.

Notes
No. of luggage moves included: 3

No. of nights with half board (dinner included):0

Cycle hire: £60 / $108

Shortest / Longest days walk: 2.5 / 6 hrs