Escape Rome for a day on this tour to the GARDEN OF NINFA and then to SERMONETA one of the best preserved medieval towns in Italy . Enjoying a scenic drive south of the city, through the Agro Pontino countryside and the Riviera d’Ulisse area, we reach Ninfa, declared a “ natural monument “ which has been described as “the most romantic garden in the world”. After this full immersion in a botanical heaven, we will lead you to a typical “agriturismo” (farmhouse that provides accommodation) for lunch before visiting Sermoneta and the Caetani Castle.
HOTEL, B&B, OTHER
8:30 AM
The RIVIERA D’ULISSE: is a Regional Park that stretches along the entire southern coast of the region of Lazio, an area which in addition to offering breathtaking landscapes and marvellous views, also embraces a wide range environmental features such as promontories, falaises, caves and seabeds teaming with life as well asa rare examples of Mediterranian vegetation.
The AGRO PONTINO countryside: the Pontine Marshes, a flowering landscape where wheat, fruit and wine grapes are cultivated with modern cities with both prewar and postwar architetcture where a duct system runs through the dried-out area, however the battle of the Swamps is never quite over, dredging continuously the channels.
NINFA : the name derives from a Roman temple dedicated to Naiad Nymphs goddesses of spring water, which is still located in the garden. The city was destroyed in the XIV century and was only in the XIX century that Ada Bootle Wilbraham and her son, built an actual Anglo-Saxon style garden and restoring some ruins including the Baronial Palace. There are 1300 botanical species including magnolias, birch, water iris, several Japanese maples, cherry trees, apple trees and the tulip are spectacular. Many varieties of roses and tropical plants can also be admire over the 8 acres of landscape. The Roffredo Caetani Foundation still deals with protecting the GIARDINO DI NINFA and the CASTLE OF SERMONETA.
SERMONETA : it is a walked hill town with a XIII century Romanesque Cathedral called CATHEDRAL of SANTA MARIA ASSUNTA and a massive CASTLE. Practically in Sermoneta the castle and the town are one. Within concentric rings of walls, in medieval times, townspeople lived and farmers came to take shelter from marauders. The Lords ( Caetani Family) held a last time of defence in the tall tower where if necessary they could cut themselves off by pulling up the drawbridge. The Castello Caetani , XII century, was transformed by Borgia Pope Alexander VI into a formidable fortress. The dark and light stones, the quiet of the narrow streets and the bastions hint at siege and battle take you back in time.
Your day trip ends with return to Rome.
