Forecast was for partly cloudy with a high of 28 degrees... Perfect weather!!
Chivee is the closest port for Rome. As we have already been to Rome and have seen all the major highlights we opted for a private tour for 8 of us to head into the countryside. Our guide, Fabrizio was there to meet us and off we ventured for a day of fun and good company. First stop was for coffee and pastry at the Castle. As we were too early for our tour of the castle we headed down to see the lake at Anguilla which was a short picturesque drive away. We strolled along the edge of the lake and watched the locals slowly begin their day. What a beautiful and peaceful place. We then headed back to the castle for our 10.30 tour which was gave us an insight into life as it was at the Castle. What an amazing castle that was once a private residence. No photos were allowed inside only of the spectacular view from the top. The main lounge room originally had a 19 metre high ceiling. This was later divided into a room above and a room below still with massive ceiling heights.
Next stop was at a very quaint hilltop village called Calcata. Not many tourists must visit here as it was very quiet other than the odd local and a resident artist that was keen to show us her studio and an old underground wine cellar.
We then headed for our lunch stop at Ceri (pronounced Cherry) which was long overdue as we were all starving. I know hard to believe with the amount of food that is available on the ship!! What a beautiful spot to have lunch overlooking the countryside. You can see from the pic that my lunch was very yummy and so was the local wine.
After lunch we made a quick stop to the Etruscans which is an ancient burial site. The tombs were dug out of rock and earth to bury the dead along with precious vases and pottery. It is amazing when you see how big these tombs are as to how much digging and chipping away must have had to be done as they were originally all under the ground level.
This concluded our day in Chivee... Back on board safely and next stop Livorno for Florence and beyond.
Coffee while waiting for the Castle to open
Lake Bracciano, Anguillara
Castello Odescalchi Di Bracciano
View from Castle
Small hilltop village of Calcata
Lunch at Trattoria "La Rocca"in Ceri, Tuscany
Travelling through the countryside
The Etruscans - Necropoli Etrusche
No comments:
Post a Comment