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Villa d’Este (Tivoli) – When the traffic in Rome gets to you, take a picnic and escape with
the kids to the gardens of the Villa d’Este outside of Rome. The fountains
are the best, especially the Avenue of Hundred Fountains, with fountains
in the shape of obelisks and animal heads. |
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Etruscan tombs – From the 7th-5th centuries BC, the mysterious
Etruscans were the sea power in the western Mediterranean. And, like the
Egyptians, they believed you can take it with you. Etruscan tombs, built
to look like houses, were filled with gold and silver jewelry, clothes
and other household furnishings. And the Etruscans liked a good time.
The tomb frescoes show that they enjoyed music and dance, athletics, and
good eating. Two towns, Ceveteri and Tarquinia, on the coast north of
Rome, were once Etruscan cities but today they are notable for the cities
of the dead. |
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 Ceveteri – The Banditaccia necropolis is a huge warren of tombs where you can
run around. The tombs look like dome shaped houses covered with earth. Originally
these were filled with gold and silver and other artifacts many of which
are now in the Villa Giulia and Museo Gregoriano-Etrusco museums in Rome. |
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Tarquinia – The tombs in necropolis of Monterozzi (outside of town) are decorated
with marvelous frescoes. The Tomb of Hunting and Fishing has outdoorsy scenes,
the Tomb of the Bulls, wrestling and athletics. For a big banquet scene,
the Tomb of Leopards shows people reclining on couches, dining on elegant
food, listening to music. |
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Viterbo – If you want to see a very intact medieval town, visit Viterbo. In
the 13th century, Viterbo was a hopping metropolis and today
"you can still smell the meat on the spit." The old part of town
is small enough to enjoy a day wandering through the piazzas, churches,
and meandering streets. Viterbo, off the usual tourist routes, is the perfect
day trip from Rome. |
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Parco dei Mostri, Bomarzo – 18 km from Viterbo is the "garden of monsters" at the
Villa Orsini in Bomarzo. Built in the 16th century, the rocky outcroppings
in the garden have been sculpted into huge animals, elephants, dragons
and gargoyles. Kids will love the "Orc," an ogre with bulging
eyes, two teeth and an open mouth that is over 6 ft. high (definitely
a "big mouth"). |
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Villa
Lante, Bagnaia – Visit the Renaissance "water gardens"
at the Villa Lante. The gardens have superb waterfalls and fountains, even
a table where guests could cool their feet while eating (does that sound
like your dining table at home …) You will need a guide to take you
around the gardens, but there is a park next door for the kids to run. |
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Roman Ship Museum (Fiumicino) – Near
the Leonardo da Vinci airport is the Museo delle Navi. Here you can
see some Roman barges, shallow bottomed boats that were pulled by oxen along
the Tiber river from the port to the city and Roman fishing boats, plus
items salvaged from the ships, such as jewels and small statues. |
