The Legacy of the Etruscans: Latium, Umbria & Tuscany

Monday, October 13, 2025: Fly to Rome, Italy
Depart home today on independent flights to Rome.

Tuesday, October 14: Arrive in Rome | Transfer to hotel | Welcome dinner
Upon arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport (FCO), you are met and transferred to our hotel. Take some time to relax before we gather for an introductory meeting. Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner at a local restaurant. Two nights at the 4-star Hotel dei Mellini. (R,D)

Wednesday, October 15: Rome: National Etruscan Museum of
Villa Giulia, Galleria Borghese
This morning we visit the National Etruscan Museum, which has housed works from pre-Roman Italian antiquity—especially from the Etruscan civilization—since 1899, within the gorgeous setting of Villa Giulia. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the striking Galleria Borghese, one of Italy’s most fascinating museums, housed in a splendid, 17^th-century villa. Along with bas reliefs and ancient mosaics of outstanding quality, it displays paintings by Titian and Caravaggio as well as sculptures by Canova and Bernini. Return to our hotel and enjoy dinner and the evening at leisure. (B,L)

Thursday, October 16: Vatican City: Gregorian Etruscan Museum | Florence
This morning we visit the Gregorian Etruscan Museum within Vatican City. The museum, founded by Pope Gregory XVI and inaugurated in 1837, was one of the first expressly dedicated to Etruscan antiquities. The museum focuses on artifacts unearthed at some of the most important cities of ancient Etruria, which was originally part of the territory of the Papal State. After lunch at a nearby restaurant we drive to Florence, where we check-in to our hotel. Dinner and the evening are at leisure. Two nights at the 4-star Gallery Hotel Art. (B,L)

Friday, October 17: Florence: Uffizi Galleries, Accademia Gallery, National Archaeological Museum of Florence
We begin the day with a tour of the Uffizi Galleries, which are renowned for collections of ancient sculptures and paintings that date from the Middle Ages to the modern period. Their masterpieces include Renaissance artists Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Botticelli, Tiziano, and Michelangelo. After lunch at a local restaurant we visit the Accademia Gallery, one of the world’s most important sculpture museums. It houses the most sculptures by Michelangelo, including the world-famous David. Conclude our day with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum of Florence, whose collections include some important and iconic Etruscan works, especially in bronze. Return to our hotel and enjoy the evening and dinner at leisure. (B,L)

Saturday, October 18: Volterra: Walking tour, Guarnacci Etruscan Museum, Etruscan acropolis, Roman amphitheater | Cortona
This morning we depart Florence and drive to Volterra, where we set out on a walking tour. View the remarkable city walls that date back to Etruscan times, as well as the historical and charming town center, including the Palazzo dei Priori and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. After lunch at leisure, we explore the Guarnacci Etruscan Museum, Etruscan acropolis, and Roman amphitheater. Continue on to Cortona, where we check-in to our hotel and then gather for dinner. Three nights at the 4-star Hotel San Michele. (B,D)

Sunday, October 19: Cortona: Walking tour, Museum of the Etruscan Academy & the Town of Cortona | Sodo | Cortona
Among the many villages of the Val di Chiana, Cortona is particularly fascinating due to its preserved sites, including various palazzi, cathedral, Diocesan Museum, and Church of Saint Francis. Enjoy a walking tour of its city center and discover the Museum of the Etruscan Academy and the Town of Cortona (MAEC) with its unique exhibits, including the renowned Etruscan bronze lamp. After an independent lunch and time to explore on your own, we drive a short way to explore the noble Etruscan tomb complex at Sodo. Return to Cortona and gather this evening for a group dinner featuring the local pici pasta dish. (B,D)

Monday, October 20: Perugia: Walking tour | Chiusi: National Archaeological Museum | Cortona
Over the centuries, Perugia has been dominated by numerous populations. Evidence of this can be found in the area’s many archaeological sites, starting with those of the Etruscans who likely founded Perugia in the 6^th century B.C. We take a walking orientation tour of the city, which includes the Etruscan Arch, the cathedral undergrounds, and the Etruscan water well. After an independent lunch we drive back to Cortona, stopping along the way in Chiusi, which is famous for its splendid Etruscan ruins. Numerous excavations have brought to light unique pieces and precious glimpses back in time that we will see in Chiusi’s National Archaeological Museum. Back in Cortona, we gather to have dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Tuesday, October 21: Orvieto: Walking tour, National Archaeological Museum | Tarquinia
After a leisurely start this morning, we drive to Orvieto and take a walking tour of the city center. Step into the iconic Duomo, among the most majestic achievements of Italian architecture, with its imposing Gothic façade and wondrous frescoes by Luca Signorelli. After an independent lunch we visit Orvieto’s National Archaeological Museum. Continue on to Tarquinia, where we check-in to our hotel and then gather for dinner. Three nights at the 4-star Hotel Valle del Marta. (B,D)

Wednesday, October 22: Necropolises of Tarquinia & Monterozzi | Pitigliano | Tarquinia: National Archaeological Museum
The necropolises of Cerveteri (which we visit tomorrow) and Tarquinia, UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2004, constitute a unique and exceptional testimony of the ancient Etruscan civilization, the only urban civilization of the pre-Roman Age. The frescoes found inside the tombs—true-to-life reproductions of Etruscan homes—faithfully depict this disappeared culture’s daily life. These tumuli, or burial mounds, are the only examples remaining anywhere. Today we enjoy an exploration of the necropolises of Tarquinia and Monterozzi, and then delve into the magical fairy-tale village of Pitigliano for an independent lunch and a guided stroll in its center. Return to Tarquinia, where we visit the National Archaeological Museum before gathering this evening for dinner. (B,D)

Thursday, October 23: Cerveteri | Tarquinia | Farewell dinner
This morning, we explore the vast archaeological site of Cerveteri and the Cerveteri National Archaeological Museum. The necropolis’ tombs are laid out following an urban plan with streets, piazzas, and quarters (or neighborhoods) and reflect both the historical period in which they were built and the status of the family to whom they belonged. The most significant is the Tomb of Reliefs, completed in the 4^th century B.C. and accessed through a long stairway dug into the rock. It showcases a tomb typical of a well-off Etruscan family of the 4^th and 3^rd centuries B.C. We return to Tarquinia, where the afternoon is at leisure to have lunch, relax, and pack before we gather this evening for a farewell dinner. (B,D)

Friday, October 24: Transfer to airport | Fly home
You are met at the hotel and transferred to Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) for flights homeward. (B)