THE SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
CASTLE TOUR
Escorted single-day tour of medieval castles 1 hour north of Rome. Inclusive of transport, lunch, admissions, product samples. By arrangement, visitors can be escorted from central hotels in Rome or Florence.
The tour includes at least three castles:
Medieval fort, redecorated in 1492. Fresco of the only known portrait of Lucrezia Borgia. Silk brocade, woven 500 years ago, still decorates the walls. The sunken grounds are a series of terraced gardens, and host a rare example of an Italian labyrinth. currently being restoration.
Handsome 1502 castle on the site of an ancient fort. Summer residence of the pope, who went toe-to-toe with Michelangelo about the Sistine Chapel. Moat-like surround. Now a state museum of Etruscan times.
Spirals and secret passages between the family quarters in this impressive fortress built (and often shared) by two of the Renaissance’s most important and warring families, the Orsini and the Borgi. The site of many of history’s famous nuptials. Remarkable medieval kitchen.
Quirky castle, magnificent garden and setting. A family tree dating back 700 years hangs outside the blacksmith’s station in the main hall, the aula principale, and the landscape is designed to be its replica. The family had saints, as well as sinners in its long line.
The last resort for the eccentric family that once had owned all of the castles on this itinerary. This is a Renaissance pleasure park whose massive and mysterious sculptures were inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy.
Nighttime tour of one of Italy’s oldest castles, protecting a spring that even now is a best-selling bottled water. The Franchigena Way (the pilgrimage popularized in “The Canterbury Tales”) goes through its walls.
A circular courtyard inside a pentagonal fort, converted to luxury living. Grotesque motifs were in style when the stairway was decorated. All then-known themes in the world were needed to fresco the massive walls --- and then they hung the curtains! Horses could be ridden to the master bedroom.
