Laran Tours of Lazio


 Panoramic Sanctuaries, Coffee & Chocolate!

OUT OF ROME / SANCTUARIES


Picture
  • in Rome
    • Ghosts. Witchcraft & Death
    • Be a Gladiator of Rome
    • Borgias: Power Love Betrayal
    • Coffee Houses on The Corso Rome
    • Private Cocktail Class in Rome
  • Weekends Out of Rome
    • Food & Wine
    • Coastal Myths & Legends
    • Castles & Gardens
    • Mysterious Etruscans
    • Spa & Relax!
    • The Appian Way Beyond Rome
    • Sanctuaries in Lazio
  • Discover Lazio
    • Viterbo | Tuscia
    • Rieti | Sabina
    • Rome | Roma
    • Frosinone | Ciociaria
    • Latina | Agro Pontino
  • Photograph Collection
  • Laran's Travel Blog
    • Lazio Escapes
  • About & Testimonials
    • f.a.q.
    • Contact & Hours

This has to be one of our most scenic weekend tours with stunning 360° views throughout the day as we explore this ancient Sabine territory with the option to sample delicious handmade chocolates and stand in the very centre of Italy.

Picture
'Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.' St. Francis of Assisi.
SAMPLE ITINERARY: designed mainly around Medieval history and amazing views, where you will discover the authenticity and character of the area with its pristine natural beauty. The Sacred Valley (Valle Santa) envelopes you in a tranquillity and silence that is hard to find these days allowing you to switch off from the stresses of modern day life for a whole day.

​​During the day there will be visits to the sanctuaries at Greccio (a small mountain town twinned with Bethlehem), Fonte Colombo, situated a short distance from each other and La Foresta sanctuary.

Greccio was the site of the very first 'living nativity' in Europe (1223). You will be able to visit original wooden dormitories and hermitage offering up magnificent views of the entire valley. Descending part way down the mountain we arrive at Fonte Colombo which is where Saint Francis of Assisi's eye operation was performed, and it was also here that he received the Rules of the Minor Friars and you can visit the hermitage where he and his first followers slept. At La Foresta Saint Francis waited for his eye operation (1225 AD). The setting is absolutely charming and has a tranquillity hard to find in our busy modern lives. There is a tiny chapel at La Foresta dating to the 1400's with frescoes partially in tact, and an original alter of circa 1000 years old. It is located in a very attractive rural setting of trees, gardens and allotments where the remaining few monks grow their own fruit and vegetables.

​For lunch - a
t weekends lunch will usually be in an elegant country house restaurant set amidst the hills below Greccio, where you will be served the best of traditional local cuisine refined and reworked in a modern way to add a new element to your tour. During the week lunch will be in one of the several delicious restaurants in the centre of Rieti.

Depending on you individually itinerary you might like to include Rieti - official geographical centre of Italy - for an unusual coffee tasting made from beans that have been aged in oak barrels, coffee beer, or a chocolate tasting at a local artisan chocolate maker which includes chocolate made with extra-virgin olive oil. The coffee has consistently won awards at international coffee tastings.  
​
​If you have a particular interest for ancient cultures we can include a brief visit to the St. Vittoria sanctuary at Monteleone. 
Vertical Divider
Picture
Highlights
  • Visits to the sanctuaries of St. Francis at Greccio, Fonte Colombo and La Foresta.
  • Lunch (cost not included) - let us know if you would like a table reserving at time of booking. It is possible to enjoy an elegant lunch in a country house.
  • ​Optional - exclusive chocolate tasting at a local chocolate boutique; a coffee tasting; visit to the sanctuary & ancient Sabine site at Monteleone Sabino.​
Duration
This will depend on your start location (which can be Rome or Rieti), and inclusions in your itinerary, but we normally recommend 8 hours.
​
Practical Info
Notes
  • There is quite a lot of gentle walking with some inclines. 
​Included
  • English-speaking tour escort and historian.
  • Private chauffeured high comfort or luxury vehicle.
  • ​Complimentary mineral water.

Availability
  • Weekends Only.
  • Upon request.
  • Advance booking required.
  • We don't tend to run this excursion in winter (from mid-November until March) as the risk of extreme weather (ice, snow, fog) could make the journey dangerous with some of the locations being situated at high altitudes.
Inquire About 'Panoramic Sanctuaries, Coffee & Chocolate' Tour
Greccio St Francis Sanctuary - Laran Tours
Picture
Rieti, Official Cente of Italy - Laran Tours
La Foresta, Rieti - Laran Tours
- other tours you might like -

Rome Walking Tours

  • Ghosts, Witchcraft & Death
  • Borgia's: Power, Love & Betrayal
  • ​Private Cocktail Mixing Class​
  • Coffee Culture Experience

Lazio Artisans & Food Tours

  • Pre-Roman Wine & Etruscan Rituals
  • Mozzarella & Olive Tasting Tour
  • Olive Oil in the Heart of Tuscia
  • Exclusive Artisan Salami & Cheese​

Lazio Etruscan Tours

  • Etruscans at Cerveteri & Tarquinia

Lazio Wine Tours

  • Ciociaria: Wine & Medieval Art
  • ​Bagnoregio & Calanchi Valley
  • ​The Roman Elite & Frascati Wine
  • Etruscan Winery & Olive Farm
  • Medieval Towns, Roman Ruins & Ancient Vines
  • ​Medieval Frescoes, Grottoes & Cesanese Grapes
  • ​Pre-Roman Tribes & Coastal Divinities

Lazio Beaches & Spas Tours

  • ​San Felice Circeo Beach & Boat​​
  • ​Hot Springs & Etruscan Cities

Lazio Abbeys & Castles Tours

  • Monasteries of St. Benedict​
  • ​The Borgia Legacy in Lazio
LARAN TOURS OF LAZIO
Exclusive Private Tours, Experiences & Day Trips - Rome & Lazio

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | YouTube

Copyright © 2012-2019 Laran Tours of Lazio. All Rights Reserved.    ​
​Country of Registration: Italy - Registered Number: 2405 | updated June 2019
 
booking terms & conditions
privacy | ​​website terms & conditions​
  • in Rome
    • Ghosts. Witchcraft & Death
    • Be a Gladiator of Rome
    • Borgias: Power Love Betrayal
    • Coffee Houses on The Corso Rome
    • Private Cocktail Class in Rome
  • Weekends Out of Rome
    • Food & Wine
    • Coastal Myths & Legends
    • Castles & Gardens
    • Mysterious Etruscans
    • Spa & Relax!
    • The Appian Way Beyond Rome
    • Sanctuaries in Lazio
  • Discover Lazio
    • Viterbo | Tuscia
    • Rieti | Sabina
    • Rome | Roma
    • Frosinone | Ciociaria
    • Latina | Agro Pontino
  • Photograph Collection
  • Laran's Travel Blog
    • Lazio Escapes
  • About & Testimonials
    • f.a.q.
    • Contact & Hours