Destination introduction
Northern and Southern Italy meet in Italy's beautiful capital city of Rome. Home of the Vatican, the first stop for most visitors is the wealth of artistic treasures in its museums. There is too much to take in on one day but the Roman Forum and Colosseum are an easy walk from the central shopping streets, as well as the pretty cobbled streets of the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish steps and Piazza Navona.
North of Rome is the spa town of Viterbo also known for the beauty of the surrounding hills, fine wine and Etruscan history not far from the villa La Scorticata. Further north and nearer the Umbrian border is the area around Rieti which is the central point of the Italian peninsular and a good base for the Apenines and the Sabine hills, where the elegant Palazzo Parisi and La Meridiana are located.
The stunning national park of Circeo lies on the southern coast of Lazio, and has a mixture of sandy and rocky beaches.‑ The mountainous inland area provides a dramatic backdrop for the appealing sandy beaches of Sabaudia and Terracina, while the national park of Circeo is a haven for nature lovers; the lakes and marshlands are full of wildlife such as storks, buzzards and herons as well as eucalyptus groves and wild flowers. It is here where the beautiful Villa Delfino is to be found.
Ponza is a jewel of an island only 8 kms long and just a short boat trip from the mainland, midway between Rome and Naples. Part of the archipelago of the Ponziane Islands (Ponza, Gavi, Zannone & Palmarola), Ponza is a volcanic island, made of beautiful cliffs spaced by tiny beaches and small bays.‑ The main town of Ponza, opens like an amphitheatre above the port onto two levels. The terrace level has walks with shops & restaurants, the lower level bustles with the characteristic life of the port.