Rome - Oil and Wine Tour - 5d / 4n

 

Rome – 5 days – 4 nights


Day 1
Arrival at Fiumicino airport

English speaking Assistant will wait for the clients with a nominal sign inside the customs area to help the clients
Transfer with private car to hotel and check-in
Hotel 4* B/B in Central Rome – 4 nights
In the afternoon, meeting in the hotel lobby with the guide to start the tour.

Excursion proposed:
• Half day Classic Rome with private English speaking local guide – walking tour

This walking tour has been designed to cover some of the most intere-sting sites of Rome, such as the Trevi Fountain.

This baroque fountain, designed in 1762 by Nicola Salvi, became fa-mous in Federico Fellini’s movie “La Dolce Vita”. It is also known for the legend of the three coins: throw three coins and make three wishes… It is believed that this act will ensure your return to the Eternal City. Originally a Roman stadium, Piazza Navona still retains its oval race-track shape. Embellished in Renaissance times with spectacular fountains and churches, followed by later additions of art galleries, outdoor restaurants and cafés, this piazza has become the animated centre of Rome’s day and night life. A square full of life and art. A place to admire and to relax. We move on and make our way through the alleys until we arrive to the Pantheon, one of the greatest and best preserved monuments of ancient Rome. Built by Agrippa in 27 B. C, the monument is a great example of architecture. Originally a Pagan Temple, it was turned into a Church in 609 by Pope Bonifacio IV. Our walk continues to Piazza Colonna where we admire the marble column built by the Roman Senate in memory of the Emperor Marco Aurelio. Then we proceed to the Spanish Steps, the hour glass-shaped square that is one of the most popular spots in the city, built in 1726 by Francesco De Sanctis. From the top of the stairs you will admire an unforgettable view of the Eternal City. At the end of the tour you will have free time for shopping in the famous streets surrounding Piazza di Spagna

After the tour, return to hotel
Overnight in Rome


Day 2– FULL DAY TOUR
Full day tour
In the morning, after breakfast, meet the guide in the hotel lobby to start the tour.
Private vehicle at disposition for the tour with pick up and return to the hotel.

Half day Vatican Museum and S.Peter


Tour includes:

• private English speaking local guide
• entrance tickets with reservation to skip the line

This extensive tour will give you an excellent opportunity to see, feel and touch perhaps the most astonishing structure in the entire world. The Vatican City is the world’s smallest sovereign state with one of the richest art collections in the world acquired throughout the centuries by the Popes. The Vatican Museums are one of the biggest in the world, with more than 70.000 pieces of art. It is estimated that more than 16.000 people come to visit them every day. The museums are divided into different sections, with more than 5 miles of corridors in different artistic styles: the Candelabra Gallery, the Tapestry Gallery and the Geographical Map Gallery, where you will also have glimpses of the Pope’s exquisite gardens. You will visit the world-renowned Sistine Chapel, completely decorated with frescos made by Michelangelo. Once a private chapel for the Popes, it is still used as the Conclave for Papal Elections. The visit includes the private room of Pope Giulio II, completely decorated by the painter Raffaello. The tour will continue inside the Basilica of St. Peter, the largest in the world, with its astonishing masterpieces of art such as the “Pietà” by Michelangelo

Free time for lunch, then half day Ancient Rome tour

Tour includes:
• private English speaking local guide
• entrance tickets for Colosseum and Imperial Forums with reservation to skip the line

The journey into ancient times starts by walking into the largest amphitheatre in the ancient world, the Colosseum. During the visit we will see where gladiators and fierce animals challenged each other unto death for the pleasure of the Emperors and the cheering audiences. We’ll take a walk through what was then the centre and heart of Ancient Rome, the Forum, visiting the Senate House, where the destiny of Rome and most of the Western world was decided. Then we’ll reach the Arch of Titus, which commemorates the Emperor’s victory over Jerusalem in 72 A.D and finally admire the Arch of Constantine, commemorating the conversion of pagan Rome to Christianity. We will visit the Imperial Palaces on top of the palatine Hill, one of the historical seven hills, where Romolus founded the ancient city of Rome. To complete this journey through ancient Roman times, we’ll drive by the famous Circus Maximum and the Theater of Marcello (a forerunner of the Coliseum). Our tour ends in Piazza Venezia to admire the huge marble monument dedicated to King Victor Emmanuel II, built at the turn of the last century.

After the tour, return to hotel
Overnight in Rome


Day 3 – FULL DAY TOUR
In the morning, after breakfast, meet with the guide in the hotel lobby to start the tour.
Harvest in the Roman Castle area – Full day tour with lunch.

Tour includes:• private English speaking local guide,
• private vehicle at disposition for the tour with pick up and return to the hotel,
• visit to a vineyard for harvest,
• lunch with local food of the area of Roman Castles.

The magical period from late August to mid-October (with variations that vary from year to year in relation to seasonal variations) the wineries open their vineyards offering guests the chance to visit the vines and harvest grapes. Equipped with special boots, scissors, and bucket (which will be supplied by the company). They will be led by the owners who will provide them with all the explanations of the harvest and the ancient legends concerning this particular time of year,. There’s also the possibility of offering the night harvest (see the beautiful charming colors of sunset without the heat of the sun).

After the tour, return to hotel
Overnight in Rome


Day 4 – FULL DAY TOUR
In the morning, after breakfast, meet with the assistant in the hotel lobby to start the tour.
Wine and Oil tasting in the Roman Castle area


Tour includes:
• a private vehicle at disposition for the tour with pick up and return to the hotel,
• private English speaking assistant
• visit to a cellar and wine tasting
• lunch with local food
• After lunch, leaving for a oil farm in the Sabina area for a visit of the oil mill and oil tasting.
• Wine Tasting and lunch in the Roman Castle area.

Your guide, van and driver will meet you at the hotel to drive you south of Rome towards the Castelli Romani wine region. We will travel along the Appian Way enjoying the wonderful view of ancient Roman ruins caught in the middle of vineyards and olive trees. We will visit the village of Castel Gandolfo, summer residence of the Pope, and its famous lake. Finally we will reach the farm and start the tasting of the local wine products, visiting the vineyards and the farm cellar, and we will have lunch with local products. After lunch we’ll leave the farm, to reach the Sabina area for an oil tour.

• Oil tour and tasting in the Sabina area.

Visit to an oil mill, where we will observe closely how olive oil is produced in its various phases, from the collection, to pressing, processing until bottling. At the end of the visit, a variety of bruschettas with tastings of the different products will be offered to the guests.

After the tour, return to hotel
Overnight in Rome


Day 5
• Shopping tour – 3 hours


Tour includes:
• a private personal shopper
• private vehicle at disposition with pick up and return to hotel

A shopping expert will escort you to some of the most famous shops and ateliers in Rome, from fashion to objects and antiques, and will advise you in your purchases, helping you to choose the best for your needs.

After the tour, return to hotel to get the luggage
Transfer to Rome Fiumicino airport by private vehicle.
English speaking assistant will help the clients in the airport


For info on the prices and further customizations, please write us at  info@aitmitaliaservices.com

"MEET THE ROMANS" tour - 7d/6n

"MEET THE ROMANS" tour - 7d/6n

 

“MEET THE ROMANS” Tour

Rome – 7 days/6 nights

This 7 days tour, specifically designed for students of Roman History who wish to deepen their knowledge supported by experts in the field, archaeologists and expert guides, is a detailed description step by step of the life of the population that gave rise to history, and will take you to experience firsthand the places where they lived, enjoyed themselves, fought and died. A tour at the end of which you will no longer need to read books about it, because all you need to know will be explained to you, and you will live it on your own skin!

Day 1 – Arrival + Classic Rome Half Day Tour

Arrival at Fiumicino airport

English speaking assistant will wait for the clients with a nominal sign inside the customs area to help the clients.

Transfer with private transportation to hotel and check-in

Hotel 4* B/B in Central Rome – 6 nights

1 double standard room for 2 adults per room

In the afternoon, meeting in the hotel lobby with the guide to start the tour.

 

Half day tour – Classic Rome

 

Tour includes:

private transportation at disposition for half day

private English speaking local guide – walking tour

vox headsets

 

This walking tour has been designed to cover some of the most intere-sting sites of Rome, such as the Trevi Fountain.

This baroque fountain, designed in 1762 by Nicola Salvi, became famous in Federico Fellini’s movie “La Dolce Vita”. It is also known for the legend of the three coins: throw three coins and make three wishes… It is believed that this act will ensure your return to the Eternal City. Originally a Roman stadium, Piazza Navona still retains its oval race-track shape. Embellished in Renaissance times with spectacular fountains and churches, followed by later additions of art galleries, outdoor restaurants and cafés, this piazza has become the animated centre of Rome’s day and night life. A square full of life and art. A place to admire and to relax. We move on and make our way through the alleys until we arrive to the Pantheon, one of the greatest and best preserved monuments of ancient Rome. Built by Agrippa in 27 B. C, the monument is a great example of architecture. Originally a Pagan Temple, it was turned into a Church in 609 by Pope Bonifacio IV. Our walk continues to Piazza Colonna where we admire the marble column built by the Roman Senate in memory of the Emperor Marco Aurelio. Then we proceed to the Spanish Steps, the hour glass-shaped square that is one of the most popular spots in the city, built in 1726 by Francesco De Sanctis. From the top of the stairs you will admire an unforgettable view of the Eternal City. At the end of the tour you will have free time for shopping in the famous streets surrounding Piazza di Spagna.

After the tour, return to hotel.

Overnight in Rome.

Day 2 – Half Day Tour

In the morning, after breakfast, meet the guide in the hotel lobby to start the tour.

Half day tour Colosseum and Imperial Forums

 

 

Tour includes:

private transportation at disposition for the tour with pick up and return to the hotel.

private English speaking local guide

vox headsets.

entrance tickets for Colosseum and Imperial Forums with reservation to skip the line

The journey into ancient times starts by walking into the largest amphitheatre in the ancient world, the Colosseum. During the visit we will see where gladiators and fierce animals challenged each other unto death for the pleasure of the Emperors and the cheering audiences. We’ll take a walk through what was then the centre and heart of Ancient Rome, the Forum, visiting the Senate House, where the destiny of Rome and most of the Western world was decided. Then we’ll reach the Arch of Titus, which commemorates the Emperor’s victory over Jerusalem in 72 A.D and finally admire the Arch of Constantine, commemorating the conversion of pagan Rome to Christianity. We will visit the Imperial Palaces on top of the palatine Hill, one of the historical seven hills, where Romulus founded the ancient city of Rome. To complete this journey through ancient Roman times, we’ll drive by the famous Circus Maximum and the Theater of Marcello (a forerunner of the Coliseum). Our tour ends in Piazza Venezia to admire the huge marble monument dedicated to King Victor Emmanuel II, built at the turn of the last century.

Free time for lunch, then free afternoon.

After the tour, return to hotel.

Overnight in Rome

 

Day 3 – Full Day Tour

In the morning, after breakfast, meet with the guide in the hotel lobby to start the tour.

Full day Ancient Ostia

Tour includes:

private transportation at disposition for the tour with pick up and return to the hotel

private local English speaking guide

entrance tickets for Ostia Antica with reservation to skip the line

vox headsets

 

By visiting Ostia, the most ancient colony of the Roman Empire, you can feel the atmosphere of life in the time of the Roman Emperors. Surrounded by the Mediterranean pine forest, rich in ruins unique in the world, Ostia was founded in the fourth century BC and it soon became a very important place of business. It was one of the main port of the Roman Empire. The ruins of the city will give us a perfect idea on how the Ancient Romans lived, the spa of Neptune with its famous mosaics, the Theater, the Forum, the House of Diana and the ancient Roman tavern, the “Termopolium”. Along the main street you can look at the remains of ancient storefronts, the only two surviving examples of public toilets in the world as well as extraordinary examples of the Ancient Roman apartment blocks, the “insulae”, dating back to the fourth century B.C. The tour will end with the visit of the medieval town and its castle, through narrow and picturesque alleyways where time seems to stand still.

After the tour, return to hotel

Overnight in Rome

Day 4 – Full Day Tour

In the morning, after breakfast, meet with the assistant in the hotel lobby to start the tour.

Catacombs and Ancient Appia / Villa dei Quintili

 

Tour includes:

pick-up from the Hotel. A private transportation will be available during the excursion

private English speaking local guide

vox headsets

entrance tickets for the following sites: Catacombs of S’ Sebastian, the area of Massenzio circus’s, the area of Cecilia Metella’s Mausoleum and Castle, and Villa dei Quintili.

A relaxing and educational tour along the path of the Appia Antica, immersed in the green and far from city traffic. Here you can find a large number of marks and monuments telling the story of Rome’s Republican period and of the Empire. Among the most famous, the Porta San Sebastiano and the Aurelian Walls, the Tomb of Geta, the Tomb of Priscilla, the area of the Imperial Palace and Circus of Maxentius, the large round Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and the Catacombs of St. Sebastian, above the Basilica of Praetextatus. The numerous churches along the Appian Way date back from Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque times. Among them the Churchof St. Maryin Palmis, better known as Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis. Medieval towers and fortifications are also found along the way, often built on the ruins of ancient Roman monuments, such as the castle built by the Counts of Tusculum around the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella. Finally the gothic ruin of the Church of St. Nicholas.

Free time for lunch

 

This is a villa of the second century AD, founded by two Roman consuls, Sextus Quintilius Condiano and his brother Sextus Quintilius Valerius Maximus, covers at least 24 hectares. In 182 Emperor Commodus, also known as ”the Gladiator Emperor”, after having sentenced the Quintili brothers of death for conspiracy, subtracted them the villa, embellished it with constructions, expanding it until it became the largest and richest house in the suburbs, on which he left the imprint of his obsession with fighting into the arena: Commodus was in fact the only Roman emperor to combat in the Colosseum. Inside the villa, the area known as the “Maritime Theatre”, proved to be an arena used for training, fighting and where the emperor was performing for a selected audience. And it was the master of the gladiators Narcissus, Emperor’s personal trainer, who murdered Commodus in 192 in the bathroom, still visible today along with other huge rooms, with still intact walls and a breathtaking view, a green landscape with streams, slopes and plenty of water carried up by the two ancient aqueducts Claudius and Anio Novus.

After the tour, return to hotel - Overnight in Rome

Day 5 – Full Day Tour

Departure to Pompeii by private transportation with English speaking driver.

Meet the guide on site and start the visit to Pompeii Archaeological Site.

 

Tour includes:

pick-up from the Hotel. A private transportation will be available during the excursion

private local English speaking tour guide.

vox headsets.

entrance tickets for Pompeii with reservation to skip the line.

 

Discovery tour of the archaeological excavations of Pompei where has been brought to light the ancient Roman city destroyed tragically following an eruption of the nearby volcano Vesuvius, occurred in 79. The most famous Italian site, due to the rapidity with which the ashes of the volcano fell on the ancient Roman colony, still sees intact ruins that have gone unchanged for centuries.

 

After the tour, return to hotel

Overnight in Rome

Day 6 – Half Day Tour

Baths of Caracalla

Tour includes:

private transportation at disposition with pick up and return to hotel

private local English speaking guide

vox headsets

entrance tickets for Baths of Caracalla with reservation to skip the line

 

Ancient Romans considered the spa as a daily meeting place, where one could either make business or conspire against Emperors or Senate rivals. Wrapped in the peaceful atmosphere of the monument, you will plunge into the past and get an idea of how the different sections of the spa worked, how the Romans spent their time and social space and about the role of the baths in the daily life of Ancient Rome. During the visit you will discover the real dimensions of pomp and grandeur of the baths, which were truly accessible to every walks of life. Besides the reconstruction of the architectural complex, you will also discover the rituals and habits of bathing and how they contributed to encode one of the most distinctive elements of ancient Roman society.

 

After the tour, free afternoon

Return to hotel

Overnight in Rome

Day 7 – Departure

Transfer to Rome Fiumicino airport by private transportation.

English speaking assistant will help the clients in the airport

————————-

Price includes:

• 6 nights in 4* Hotel in Rome.
• Daily full breakfast.
• A full program of touring and sightseeing, including entrances tickets for Colosseum and Imperial Forums, Ostia Antica, Catacombs of S. Sebastian, the area of Massenzio Circus, the area of Cecilia Metella’s Mausoleum and Castle, Villa dei Quintili, Baths of Caracalla and Pompeii.
• Private transportation throughout with a qualified driver.
• 3 full day time guides and 3 half day time guides.
• VAT.

 

Price doesn’t include:

• All lunches and dinners if not mentioned above.
• All the other voices not included above.
• Hotel city tax to pay directly from the clients on the spot.

 

For payment by wire transfer: add bank charges at the total price.

Prices are in euros.

Prices may vary according to a rising of fuel costs.

For info on the prices: INFO@ATMOSPHERAITALIA.AITMITALIASERVICES.COM

New Year in Tuscany - Premier Villas - Olivo

 

  NEW YEAR IN TUSCANY 2012-2013

PREMIER VILLAS FOR RENT

 

Val D'Orcia ( Si )


a perfect equilibrium between historic architecture and modern design.




In Tuscany in the south of Siena's district. In a gentle valley flanking the Park of the Val d'Orcia, along a popular pilgrimage route to Rome.
Only 12 Kilometers far from highway A1 (Chiusi-Chianciano Terme exit) just halfway between Rome and Florence

 

OLIVO

sleeps 14



Indipendent Farmhouse

500 sq. mt.
the house sleeps max 14


LAYOUT
Ground floor:

Large dining-room and sitting-room divided by a big brick arch; direct access to the garden.

Kitchen next to the dining-room with door looking on the garden.

Spiral staircase leading to first floor.

Service bathroom.

Two double rooms with twin beds, each room has a private bathroom with shower.

One double room with quen size bed, private bathroom with shower and independent entry from the garden.

External wood oven.


First floor:

 

Direct access to the first floor from the upper level of the garden; thus the possibility of two entrances.

Conversation corner with two sofas.

Three double rooms with twin beds, private bathroom with shower.

One double room with two queen size beds, private bathroom with shower.


Outdoor: Private swimming pool 6x12 mt.



RATES :
NEW YEAR 2012-2013: ( In 28 December or 29 December ) 4 nights 2.650,00€
AGENCY FEE 15,00€ P.P. ( Max 5 )


EQUIPMENTS
Telephone in each room connected to switch board
Hair dryer in each bathroom
Television
Video recorder on request
Kitchen with electric oven, dishwasher, frig/freezer
Washing-machine, ironing board and iron
Swimming pool

INCLUDED SERVICES
Cleaning service three days per week (2 hours)
Change of laundry twice weekly (Wednesday and Saturday)
Gardening service
Daily cleaning of the pool
Removal of garbage

ADDITIONAL SERVICES (on request)
Heating during winter months
Use of telephone, e-mail, fax, internet
Transfers, auto hire
All reservations, including restaurants, hotels and/or taxis
Washing or dry-cleaning
Sauna or fitness gym
Baby sitting (reserve in advance)
Cook (reserve in advance)
Breakfast (reserve in advance)


TERMS & CONDITIONS.
Check-in from 5 to 9 p.m.
Check-out before 11 a.m.
Arrivals after 9 p.m. are not accepted.

We ask our guests to respect their houses and use them appropriately.

Because of the constant risk of fire on the property, we request you to be sure your cigarettes are properly extinguished after use.

Please keep children under your supervision. The administration, is not responsible for accidents.

On roads inside the villa speed limit is 5 km/hr.

In an emergency our staff is always at your disposal, even during the night.

No domestic animals can be accepted.

INFORMATION AND REQUEST: INFO@AITMITALIASERVICES.COM

STUPOR MUNDI, FREDERICK II

Stupor Mundi

 

 

 

STUPOR MUNDI, FREDERICK II

AND THE DREAM OF A UNIVERSAL EMPIRE

"An important tour to discover the Castles of Frederick II in Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia”                             

"a guided tour through history, to understand the military, political and social characteristics of each castle you are going to visit"

for organized groups, minimum 25 people.  Validity: September, 2012. April, May, June 2013

 

PROGRAM

• 1* day, Lamezia Airport/Cosenza. Arrival at Lamezia Airport (or Paola Train Station), transfer to Cosenza by bus, check-in at the hotel (4*), situated in the historical centre, dinner and overnight stay. 34

• 2° day, Cosenza/Cosenza. After breakfast, a visit to the Norman Castle, then transfer to the National Gallery of the Arnone Palace. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel, free afternoon for a walk in Via Mazzini, to admire the MAB, (Outdoor Art Museum), with the possibility of some shopping. Dinner at the hotel. After dinner tour of Cosenza by night, with a special shuttle bus with the accompaniment of a storyteller. 

 

• 3rd day,  Cosenza/Roseto Capospulico/Barile. After breakfast, check-out and departure for Roseto Capospulico to visit the Castle. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, departure for Barile, a nice locality in the Vulture region, passing through the Dolomites of Lucania. Arrival in the evening, check-in at the Grand Hotel Garden (3*), dinner and overnight stay. 20+44         

COSENZA. Cosenza was an important strategic hub, a meeting point between Crati and Busento; the city controlled a fertile valley. San Pancrazio Hill already hosted a fortress in the Bruzia era and later an Arab Fort. Frederick II of Hohenstaufen built his Castle on the previous Norman Castle site belonging to Roger II. This fortress replaced a previous Greek one. According to tradition, in 1235 Frederick II jailed his son, Arrigo the Lame, guilty of collusion with the  municipalities of Northern Italian towns that rebelled against the Emperor.

 

ROSETO CAPOSPULICO. A monastery situated on the cliffs of the Gulf of Taranto, in the XI century it became Castrum Petrae Roseti, thanks to  Guiscardo, a boundary between his land and Roger’s lands. Frederick II confiscated it from the Templar Knights (their architecture is still visible today) in order to leave it to his legitimate heirs after his death, in doing so he assigned the territory of Roseto to his true heir, Manfred. 

 

 

• 4th day, Barile/Melfi/Ripacandida/Venosa/Barile. After breakfast, departure for Melfi and visit of the Castle; then, transfer to Rionero in Vulture, to visit the Cantine del Notaio (Notary Cellars), one of the most important producers of the famous DOC wine of Basilicata, Aglianico del Vulture; here, we will taste this special wine. In the afternoon, transfer to Ripacandida, to visit the Sanctuary of San Donato (that is about to be included among the UNESCO world heritage sites) twin church of the Assisi Basilica, for the beautiful frescos situated in the chapel; later on visit to SS Trinità, Venosa, a Norman Church, and the tomb of Roberto il Guiscardo, and to the Aragonese Castle. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. 44+23

MELFI. Even the Melfi Castle was an ancient Norman Fortress that Frederick restored giving it its current appearance. Melfi is a strategic crossroad in the human and political history of  Frederick. In Melfi he met Bianca Lancia and probably they conceived Manfred here. In 1231 he promulgated the Augustee Constitutions, in which he expressed his political ideas. The philosopher, Michele Scoto, and Frederick’s confidant, Pier Delle Vigne, helped to write the Constitutions. It’s strange how two of the most important figures of those happy years in Melfi, Bianca Lancia e Pier delle Vigne, shared the same fate, they both committed suicide for the accusations, probably unfounded, of Frederick, that was now at the end of his life.   

 

VENOSA, In 1456 the Halley’s Comet appeared in the sky of  Venosa, six months later, in December, a violent earthquake destroyed the city and its fortifications. Fourteen years later, Pirro del Balzo, Lord of Venosa,demolished the ancient Romanesque Cathedral to build a Castle.  He took as its models the great castles of Naples, Castelnuovo and Maschio Angioino. The castle had a double function, it was a military fort and an aristocratic residence.

 

RIPACANDIDA Sanctuary of San Donato “A miniature Assisi”.  An ancient tradition states that Ripacandida was founded after the invasions of the Goths guided by Alarico in the V century A.D., which forced the inhabitants of  Candida Latinorum to leave their village. In order to defend themselves from the barbaric invasions, the citizens chose to build their houses on the hill, where there was a temple dedicated to Jupiter. It was fortified by the Lombards and during the Norman era, it took part in the First Crusade, at the time of Boemondo of’Altavilla, son of Roberto Guiscardo. The Church of San Donato  is mentioned in a papal bull of 1152. It is considered a national monument, its architectural style is Romanesque with a beautiful portal that dates back to the  XVII century. Recently it has become a twin Church of the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi because of its frescos representing episodes from the Old and New Testament.

 

• 5th day, Barile/Lucera/Trani/Casteldelmonte/Barile. After breakfast, departure for Lucera and visit of the Castle. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, transfer to Trani for a visit to the Castle. Afterwards transfer to Castel del Monte. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. 

 

LUCERA. Lucera and its castle witnessed an extraordinary political experiment of Frederick II. The Castle, built on the ruins of a Roman Acropolis, was used to lock up and monitor 1200 Muslims from Sicily, reluctant at any attempt of peacemaking. An example of ethnic cleansing that paid off as the Muslims became loyal subjects of Frederick II and, later on of his son Manfred. Charles of Anjou further enhanced the military potential of the place and its long walls continued the tradition of  Lucera’s parade ground..

 

TRANI. The Castle of Trani overlooks  a hostile and dangerous sea. It was built on a cliff surrounded by shallow water at the centre of the bay to protect the eastern border of the Kingdom. Frederick II had Pietro Tiepolo, son of the Doge of Venice and Podestà of Milan, hanged in a tower of the castle ,after he was taken prisoner during the Battle of  Cortenova in 1237. The castle was Manfred’s favourite residence. He married his second wife Elena Ducas in 1259 in Trani.

 

CASTEL DEL MONTE. Castel del Monte is an enigma, one of the many left by Frederick, certainly the most fascinating. It’s not a fortress, it doesn’t have any peculiarities and it is not situated in a place of strategic importance; it is not a hunting  residence: too refined and completely devoid of any structure suitable for this purpose. It is not a noble residence, there aren’t any reception halls, services and hallways. So what? Maybe it is a place of knowledge, or a treasure to keep?

 

• 6th day, Barile/Lagopesole/Acerenza/Barile. After breakfast, departure for Lagopesole and visit to the Castle, with a multimedia show about Frederick II. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, the visit continues to Acerenza and its Cathedral. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

 

LAGOPESOLE. Lagopesole Castle was one of the last castles built by Frederick, in the last ten years of his reign. Almost certainly, as he often used to do, he turned a former Norman fortress into a  very big residence. Maybe thinking about his love Bianca Lancia? We don’t know for sure, but Lagopesole became the final residence of another princess. They say there are nights, in Lagopesole, especially during full moon, where an intense light appears and disappears in the direction of the castle, people can hear moans,desperate cries and sobbings.

They say it is Elena degli Angeli,  the happy bride of Manfred of Svevia, coming back to the place where she found happiness in search of her beloved husband and children lost forever. 

They also say that in less enlightened corners of the countryside Manfred, unaware of his wife’s presence, wanders in search of his lost happiness, he rides a magnificent white horse wearing a long green coat …you may be able to see him wandering around the castle..

 

ACERENZA CATHEDRAL. Situated on the border between Puglia and Basilicata, you can find Oppidum di Acherunthia, described by François Lenomant,as one of the most beautiful and wild villages in Basilicata. The Assumption Cathedral has a Romanesque and Gothic style and it is one of the most important monuments in Basilicata.

 

 

• 7thday,  Barile/Matera. After breakfast, check-out and departure for Matera, check-in late morning. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, guided tour of the Sassi of Matera, where Mel Gibson shot his famous movie The Passion of the Christ. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. 

• 8thday, Matera/Bari, after breakfast, check-out and transfer to Bari. End of services.

 

Amount per person: 764. the price includes: overnight stay in Cosenza in hotel (3* S) for two nights,  overnight stay in Barile, hotel 3* S, overnight stay in Matera, hotel 3* S, in double room. Full board  (HB in hotel and all meals), visit to the historical centre, local tour guide where provided, GT shuttle bus, from the arrival in Calabria, to the departure from Bari.

 

INFO E PRENOTAZIONE: INFO@AITMITALIASERVICES.COM