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Join us for a week on Lake Bolsena in Lazio, 70 miles from Rome, explore the lake and its surrounding typical towns, visit Orvieto with its magnificent cathedral and the fascinating medieval quarter. Villa Lante at Bagnaia which has one of the most spectacular gardens to be found in Lazio and to the Palazzo Farnese at Caprarola a 16th century palace designed by Vignola for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, one of the most magnificent palaces in Italy. All entrance fees to the cathedral, the museums, the park and the villas are included in the price of the holiday.
You will be able to see the procession of Corpus Domini which has taken place every year since 1337, this historical procession has 400 participants in splendid hand made medieval costumes. Later in the afternoon see the dying city of Civita di Bagnoregio after crossing the 300 metre long approach bridge with spectacular views.
Our other included tours are to Tarquinia, an ancient city of the Etruscans to see the National Archaeological Museum and the painted Etruscan tombs, which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and to Vulci with its natural and archaeological park, and another tour to the Villa Lante and the Palazzo Farnese.
 You will be based at the Hotel Eden, Bolsena, on the shores of Lake Bolsena. It's a three star hotel, managed by a family, with swimming pool, garden and lake private beach. The restaurant provides excellent Italian cuisine. Your accommodation will be on a half board basis with wine and water included. All rooms are with private bathrooms, safe, satellite-TV, telephone and air conditioning.
Lake Bolsena is the largest volcanic lake in Europe, it's known as the lake you can drink (il lago che si beve) the water is so pure and clean that the local fisherman use it to make a fish soup called Sbroscia.  It's surrounded by a green landscape with a lush vegetation due to the climate and fertile volcanic soil. All the way around the lake you will find stretches of beaches filled with fine volcanic sand, where you can relax, swim and take the sun. Take a boat from the port of Bolsena for a tour of the lake and see its 2 islands Martana and Bisentina.
Ten minutes walk from your hotel is the pretty town of Bolsena, situated on the Volsini hills and bordered by the via Cassia, the ancient road from Rome to Siena, which is still in use today. Bolsena was originally an Etruscan town and is now the home to about 3,000 people.  Visit the Castle of the Monaldeschi, the church of Santa Christina where the festival of Corpus Christi was instituted, or just stroll through the pretty streets with their enticing shops, restaurants and cafes.
From Bolsena you can take local buses to some of the towns surrounding lake Bolsena, Gradoli, Montefiascone, Grotte di Castro and Viterbo where you can visit the famous thermal baths. For the more energetic there are well mapped walks, or cycles can be hired or even a boat.
 A full day excursion is included to Orvieto a spectacular city set on an immense outcrop of volcanic rock and dominating the surrounding countryside, and in the afternoon to Civita di Bagnoregio.
Our other excursions will be to Tarquinia to see the National Archaeological Museum and its Etruscan treasures, and the painted tombs outside the city and then on to the ruins of the ancient city of Vulci and the surrounding natural and archaeological park.  And to Villa Lante at Bagnaia which has one of the most spectacular gardens to be found in Lazio and to the Palazzo Farnese at Caprarola a 16th century palace designed by Vignola for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, one of the most magnificent palaces in Italy.
All entrance fees to the cathedral, the museums, the park and the villas are included in the price of the holiday.
The price of the holiday starts from £799.00 which includes flights from London half-board accommodation, three tours and the services of our representatives and guides. There are front lake view rooms with balcony available at a supplement.
Flight & Cost Supplements
The cost of your holiday includes flight London to Rome Return of £100.00 should the airline charge any more we will pass this on to you. Prices are based on exchange rate of 1.10 Pound to the Euro. NB: Should this change considerably we will pass this on to you. We advise you to book early to save money and avoid disappointment. Transfers can be arranged for other airports, should you want to fly a different route, supplements will be advised.
Please note that lunch is not included in the tours but appropriate stops will be made to enable you to have lunch.
 On day 2: The historical procession of Corpus Domini - 400 people in wonderful medieval costumes with drums and trumpets, standard bearers and the representatives of the medieval city, the Podesta, the Captain of the People, the Constable, the knights and squires. The religious procession celebrating the legend of Bolsena follows the historic procession. An unforgettable occasion which dates back to 1337 and has continued uninterrupted since then.
Later we will visit Orvieto cathedral one of the most splendid gothic cathedrals in Italy which took more than three centuries to build, you will see the Capella Brizio with the frescoes by Luca Signorelli which inspired Michelangelo in his last Judgement found in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.
 On day 6: Tour to see the Villa Lante - The gardens are laid out in three terraces, you will be able to see the Fountain of the Dolphins, the Fountain of the Giants, the Cardinal's Table, used for outside banquets with water running in the centre to keep drinks cool, the Fountain of the Lamps which feeds into the enormous pool of the Quadrato with the Fountain of the Moors.
This pentagonal palace dominates the town of Caprarola was built to celebrate the power and glory of the Farnese family. You will climb an elegant spiral stair case completely frescoed to gain access to the piano nobile where room after room is decorated with frescoes displaying the life and history of the Farnese family. At the entrance to the gardens you will find the Fountain of the Pegasus, with its winged horses striking their hooves against the rock to send up a jet of water. In the afternoon we go to Caprarola to see the Farnese Palace built in the 16th century for Cardinal Alesssandro Farnese by Vignola. It was from 1948 until 1955 the summer residence of the President of the Italian Republic.
Day 1 - Saturday, June 09, 2012
London - Rome - Bolsena
• Make your way to the airport for flight: London Stansted to Rome Ciampino.
• Depart London Stansted 14:00, Arrive in Rome Ciampino 17:25
• You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your Hotel Eden, Bolsena
• Expected arrival around 21:00 for dinner.
Day 2 - Sunday, June 10, 2012
Orvieto, Corpus Domini - Civita Bagnoregio
 • Tour of Orvieto to see the historical procession of Corpus Domini, 400 people in wonderful medieval costumes with drums and trumpets, standard bearers and the representatives of the medieval city, the Podesta, the Captain of the People, the Constable, the knights and squires. The religious procession celebrating the legend of Bolsena follows the historic procession. An unforgettable occasion which dates back to 1337 and has continued uninterrupted since then.
• Later we will visit Orvieto cathedral one of the most splendid gothic cathedrals in Italy which took more than three centuries to build, you will see the Capella Brizio with the frescoes by Luca Signorelli which inspired Michelangelo in his last Judgement found in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. • In the afternoon we make off to Civita Bagnoregio, the dying city approached by a 300 metres bridge and sat high on an outcrop of tufa, as you walk over the bridge you will see the unique scenery of the Calanchi.
• In the evening we will return to Lake Bolsena where later you will be able to see the firework display on the lake to celebrate the festival of Corpus Domini.
Day 3 - Monday, June 11, 2012
Lake Bolsena
 • Day at leisure
• Join us for an exploratory walk along the lakeside followed by a walk around the historic town of Bolsena who's origins can be traced back to 3rd century B.C. including walking up to the Monaldeschi Castle and climbing further to see magnificient views to Lake Bolsena.
Day 4 - Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Tarquinia
 • Tour to Tarquinia. Home of the National Archaeological Museum which houses some stupendous Etruscan artefacts including the famous winged horses and then on to see the painted Etruscan tombs on the outskirts of Tarquinia dating back to the 6th century BC, in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Later we visit the ruined Etruscan city of Vulci which had its origins in the 9th century BC set in a natural and archaeological park, walk on the stones of a Roman road, catch sight of the unusual Maremma cattle roaming in the park.
Day 5 - Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Lake Bolsena
• Day at leisure
• Take a guided walk, hire a bicycle, take a boat tour on the lake, or a local bus to Viterbo and visit the thermal baths, or to some of the other towns surrounding the lake.
Day 6 - Thursday, June 14, 2012
Bagnaia, Caprarola
 • Tour to Bagnaia to see the Villa Lante with its formal gardens and fountains, largely laid out by Cardinal Gambara during the 16th century.
Caprarola to see the Farnese Palace built in the 16th century for Cardinal Alesssandro Farnese by Vignola. It was from 1948 until 1955 the summer residence of the President of the Italian Republic. This pentagonal palace dominates the town of Caprarola was built to celebrate the power and glory of the Farnese family. You will climb an elegant spiral stair case completely frescoed to gain access to the piano nobile where room after room is decorated with frescoes displaying the life and history of the Farnese family.
Day 7 - Friday, June 15, 2012
Lake Bolsena
• Day at leisure
• Take a walk, hire a bicycle, take a boat tour on the lake, or a local bus to Viterbo and visit the thermal baths, or to some of the other towns surrounding the lake.
Day 8 - Saturday, June 16, 2012
Bolsena - Rome - London
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Transfer from Bolsena to Rome Ciampino Airport
• Departure for London 17:50
•Arrival London Stansted 19:30.
Gay Friendly 3 Stars Hotel Eden
 You will be based at the Eden Hotel on the shores of Lake Bolsena. It's a three star hotel, managed by a family, with a 16mt swimming pool, garden and private lake beach. The restaurant provides excellent Italian cuisine.
The Eden Hotel was built in 1930, with the name of "Locanda Eden" in the old town centre. Later on it was renamed "Eden degli Amici" because the fascist regime could not tolerate any English word: it was named again "Hotel Eden" after 1948 and was completely restructured on the occasion of the 2000 Jubilee Year.
 Eden Hotel located 800 meters from the town center and 20 meters from the shore of the lake. In confortable position, on the stupendous scenery of the lake of Bolsena,we can offer an ample parking lot, a beautiful beach and an exellent restaurant.
In the hotel restaurant, hotel guests can appreciate the particularities of the local cuisine,with specialies of the lake and the sea. The ample rooms are the ideal place for banquets and other ceremonies.
The 40 soberly fornished rooms are endowed with private facilities,color tv, bar fridge, telephone and air conditioning. The hotel is situated at only 20 meters from the shore of the lake and offers sunny gardens and private beach. There's also an ample extemal parking lot.
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