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SURROUNDINGS

Lago di Bolsena (35 kms) is Italy's largest lake formed in the crater of an extinct volcano. The water of Bolsena is so clear, in fact, that it is completely safe to drink it. The local government has gone to great efforts to maintain the lake's natural purity; a technologically advanced purification system has eliminated the errors that might have been made before pollution-awareness was so developed. Luckily no industrial development mars Bolsena's shores, nor its views, and the gently sloping nature of the encircling land limits the amount of spill-off and soil erosion which could effect the water's transparency. The native fisherman still use the lake's water to make the local culinary specialty - a fish soup called sbrosia - a rarity to find.The lake is 12 km. long and 14 km. wide, with a maximum depth of 151 meters. The most important town on the lake is called Bolsena. Like so much of Italy, it bears the signs of almost every important period of the Italian peninsula, going back as far as the Iron Age and progressing through the times of the martyrs, catacombs and miracles and on to the Middle Ages. The Rocca Monaldeschi della Cervara sits at the top of the hill, overlooking the medieval quarter of town. The castle was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. It has been completely renovated and since 1991 has housed the Museo Territoriale del Lago di Bolsena (Lake Bolsena Territorial Museum). The museum is well laid out; each of its three floors is dedicated to various aspects of Bolsena's history, ranging from its prehistoric volcanic origins to its Etruscan-Roman period. A walk along the ramparts of the castle offers a gorgeous view of the entire lake and should not be missed. The Church of St. Christine is the town's other major site. It is a Romanesque church built in 1078 in a typical basilica style over the catacombs where St. Christine, a young woman martyred during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, was buried. From April to September, excursion boats depart Bolsena town headed for Bisentina and Martana, the islands in the lake. Both are privately owned and Martana is not open to the public, but Bisentina is an ex-summer residence of the Popes and has a large church on it. There are also seven small chapels built around the island. Don't think that Bolsena is just for history and culture buffs. It is also ideal for swimming, sailing, relaxation and dining. One of my fondest memories is having a delicious meal of grilled coregone (a local fish from the lake) at one of the many unpretentious restaurants lined up along the shore. If you happen to find one that's serving sbrosia, consider it your lucky day.

Orvieto (20 kms) is a place of great historical importance. So you see tourists the whole year round. Lots of them only visit the well known cathedral, the cathedral square and the central street full of ceramics and souvenir shops. They are wrong, because there is a lot more to see in this city and even more in the surrounding area. You have to go right through Orvieto to get a real impression of the unfamiliar setting of the city and the gleaming city walls on the volcanic tuff stone hill, plus characteristic monuments and museums with Etruscan finds.

SOUTHERN/CENTRE UMBRIA

In Umbria, a region that has gained a name for being the green heart of Italy, tourism is growing because of the unfamiliar harmony between nature, antiquities, historic centres and culture. The quiet of the countryside, good provisions and an inimitable cuisine are the great draw. This region is less touristy than Tuscany and this is especially appreciated by many tourists.

Southern/centre Umbria forms an ideal starting point for enjoying the peace of the surrounding hilly and mountainous landscape and on the other hand making trips to beautifull towns like Todi, Orvieto, Narni, Spoleto, Perugia, Gubbio, Assisi. There are also numerous charming little villages – many of medieval origin - as Amelia, Labro, Spello, Norcia, Bevagna, Montefalco to visit. In many towns and villages you can taste local dishes or buy local wines and olive oil (generally of excellent quality). You can also easily visit – in day trips - famous towns and charming villages in the southern part of Tuscany such as Siena, Arezzo, San Giminiano, Pienza, Cortona, Sinalunga, etc. Many tourists visit also Rome from here (without staying in the city which is very hot in summer) once or more times. It is possible to go by car (journey of 1h-1h30) or by train from the stations of: Terni, Narni-Amelia, Orte & Orvieto.

06/01 - 30/04

01/10 - 20/12

29/04 - 01/07

22/08 - 26/09

29/06 - 24/08

20/12 - 06/01