This excursion is ideal for those with several hours to spend at Rome’s Fiumicino airport, and who wish to use that time to visit the extraordinarily beautiful site of Ostia Antica. Ostia was founded as home for the fleet and provisioning point for Rome. The visit includes the main public and religious buildings, the great baths of the forum, the house of Diana, and the spectacular theatre built by Agrippa. Lunch in the heart of Ostia Antica is optional.

Transfer from Rome to Fossanova (near Latina) to visit the famous abbey built by the Cistercians who imported the architectural forms of French Gothic style into Italy. The church with its three naves was consecrated in 1208 and the façade is decorated with a beautiful rose window. It is flanked by the abbey buildings. The upper rooms include the chamber where St. Thomas of Aquinas died in 1274. In the afternoon visit to Ninfa, a mediaeval town abandoned in the 4th century and now overrun by thick vegetation. There are ruins of houses, churches and the town walls, and facing a romantic lake, the remains of the Caetani Castle. All around is a natural oasis, home to several species of bird. Return to Rome. N.B. Ninfa can be visited from April to October, the first Saturday and following Sunday of every month, as well as May 1st and the third Sunday of April, May and June. For groups special visiting arrangements can be made.

Transfer from Rome to Greccio (Rieti) where St. Francis created the first crèche. The old town overlooks the broad plain of Rieti from a height of 705 metres. In the midst of a forest of ilex, 2 km from the town, is the Shrine of the Crèche set up around the grotto where, on Christmas Eve 1223, the poor monk of Assisi celebrated mass recalling the Nativity with models and animals. After lunch departure for the Abbey of Farfa, in Sabina, one of the most important religious and cultural centres of the middle ages. The 6th c. church was rebuilt in 1492 and frescoed by the school of Zuccari and Orazio Gentileschi. It also contains an admirable fresco of the Universal Judgement executed in 1561 by the Flemish painter Beker.

A tour to discover the Eternal City through its most important monuments – from Roman times, at the archaeological area of the Fora and the excavations of Ostia Antica, to the modern city, with its stunning squares, palazzos and fountains, built in every style by some of the greatest artists.