Italian Surprises Tour: First Stop: Lazio…
"MISSION 'CIRCE THE SORCEESS' - ROUTE: TERRACINA-ROME"
8 days / 7 nights Sunday-Sunday
Secret briefing for 007 agents in the "Viaggi D'oro" service
Any resemblance to actual characters is not guaranteed.
The script is unauthorized. It contains many inaccuracies. Even more conventionalities. The sets are real.
A program, also known as a script, from James Bond: addresses, passwords, safe houses!
Mr. Bond recommends changing locations daily. List of locations under our cover:
| 04.01.15 (Sunday) Place of meeting: Boryspil apt. Password: Lazio |
Arrival at Fiumicino Airport (Rome). Nice to see you, Bonds! Transfer (9 km) to www.ostiaantica.net — for a guided tour of Ostia Antica. Yes, Ostia — the mouth of the Tiber! According to Ukrainian intelligence, the ancient Latins founded the port city in the 4th century BC: the Baths of Neptune (2nd century) — a mosaic panel (16 m x 11 m) "Celebrating the Wedding of the Lord of the Sea and Amphitrite," seated on a chariot drawn by four horses. Ahead: the Castle of Julius II (1483) — an example of military architecture, the Road of the Tombs towards Porta Romana, the Agrippa Theatre founded by Agrippa, a friend and son-in-law of Emperor Octavian Augustus, the Forum Square, the House of Diana "Thermopolium" — an ancient bar with a marble counter and frescoes. The catastrophic destruction of Pompeii under the ashes of Vesuvius and the slow decline of Ostia, almost to oblivion… Their fates were different, but Ostia, like Pompeii, has preserved the silhouette, smells, and sounds of an ancient city. Alas, today the city is of interest only to tourists! But the Bonds know: one summer day at 5:00 PM, Gaetano Marino, a CIA agent embedded in the Camorra, was shot point-blank on a beach. The murder coincided with raids by the barbarians of the "Russian World," an Ebola epidemic, and the arrival of a strange colonel. According to unconfirmed reports, the "Russian World" lair is located on the island of Ponza in Desperate Bay. Mr. Bond's task: disguised as mafiosi, establish contact with the Camorra, probe the drug trafficking network, and infiltrate the barbarians' headquarters. Naturally, with minimal damage to Her Majesty's image. The code name for the operation is "Circe the Enchantress." Accommodation in Terracina. Dinner. |
| 05.01.15 (Mon) Address: Riviera of Odysseus (aka Aeneas, aka Ulysses) Password: The Secret of Circe |
Breakfast. Odysseus Coastal Tour: San Felice Circeo, Terracina and the Temple of Jupiter, Sperlonga, Gaeta. According to legend, in one of the caves on the mountain San Felice Once upon a time, there lived a sorceress named Circe, daughter of Helios and Perseis: her treats turned men into pigs. But Odysseus, who dropped in on Circe, received an antidote from the god Helios in the form of advice to use earplugs. Thanks to Odysseus, Circe restored her companions to human form. By the way, what did Homer mean when he told us about this myth? Either all men are pigs, or all women are witches... During the tour, we'll try to unravel the mystery. Old Center Terracina It stands on a mountain: a museum and statues found in the surrounding area, a square, a cathedral, also known as the Duomo, and the Temple of Jupiter: a series of walls with enfilades of arches, beautiful views – entrance fee. We go to the Grotto of Tiberius: the emperor set up a summer residence here, decorated it with fountains and statues; the place was abandoned, earthquakes buried it. But the grotto was dug up and 5,000 statues were found. In the wonderful Sperlonga — tiny streets, let's sit on the piazzetta with a blue sky. The ancient town and resort of Gaeta is named after Aeneas's nurse, Caeta: she is buried here. The first settlements in the harbor appeared in the 8th century BC. Hidden and inaccessible Gaeta It was so named because, after the hero of the Trojan battles, the campaigns of the Roman legions, the barbarian raids of the Saracens, the domination of Byzantium and the reign of Mussolini, NATO naval groups were stationed here in the 1960s. James Bond Info: The Riviera's beaches stretch dangerously for over 35 km. Beware of the San Felice Circeo promontory: it's a convenient spot for snipers. The sand has a deceptively golden hue: wear micro-sunglasses, carefully avoid lost tourists buried up to their necks in the sand, and remove your nanosuit while strolling along the beach. Avoid wearing shoes with antidote, as poisonous shellfish fragments are found at the sea's edge. Don't swim near the Golden Fish—remember the dangers of the coast: we eat fish during lunch in Terracina—for an extra fee! Holy time. Dinner |
| 06.01.15 (Tue) Meeting place: hotel lobby Password: Ciocharia |
Breakfast. Holy day or A leisurely trip to Ciociaria - extra charge: Fumone Castle (65 km) and the city of Anagni (20 km)Ciociaria (ciocie – leather shoes with wooden soles) is in the south of the Lazio region, and Anagni was its capital. Let's visit Fumone Castle (800 m), where the last king of Rome, Tarquinius the Proud, hid. On May 19, 1296, Pope Celestine V, the first of two popes to abdicate, was strangled in the castle by order of Pope Boniface VIII after torture, starvation, and disease. Since 1584, the castle has belonged to the Marquis Longhi: in the 17th century, it was reconstructed, creating a "hanging garden" on the roof. In the library, a cabinet containing the embalmed boy, Marquis Francesco Longhi, greets us. He was poisoned in the 19th century by his sisters (his family!) for the sake of an inheritance. God forbid you encounter the portrait of the elderly Marchesa Emilia Longhi Caetani with her enormous, bulging, transparent eyes—every night she searches for Francesco to hold him in her arms and sing him a lullaby. In 306 BC, Anagni was captured by the Romans. In the Middle Ages, it was the residence of the papal families. Popes Innocent III, Gregory IX, Alexander IV, and Boniface VIII were born here. The Cathedral was built on the ruins of the pagan acropolis between 1072 and 1104: we will see a 13th-century mosaic floor and 14th-century frescoes. The frescoes (1104-1250) are completely preserved in the cathedral's crypt. Lunch is an extra charge. Next: For adults – Outlet Valmontone, for children – Rainbow Magicland Park www.magicland.it. Mr. Bonds, please remember when visiting the outlet that the budget for Operation Circe is not unlimited. Remember how much your poker tournament at Casino Royale cost us? Transfer to the hotel (87 km). Dinner |
| 07.01.15 (Wed) Meeting place: Terracina Password: Etruria |
Breakfast. Merry Christmas to you, Ukrainians! Holy day or for an extra charge Conspiracy tour "Ancient Etruria, Lake Bracciano and the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle" Entrance tickets + aperitif at the castle for an additional fee. Departure to the Etruscan capital of Cerveteri (145 km), to visit the necropolis (8th century BC), protected by UNESCO. "Necropolis" in the translation means "dead city," and that's exactly what it sounds like. Another name is Banditaccia (terra bandita - forbidden land). The Etruscans of Cerveteri built a mirror image of their city, and the main Via degli Inferi (ghost road), cut by cart ruts, is the axis of the necropolis, leading to the northern gate and connecting the dead with the living residents of Cerveteri. Next, the Bond squad moves to Bracciano (18 km). It feels as if we've been transported back in time in time or landed in a fairytale town. This walk will add "real Italian landscapes" to your photo collection. A tour of the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle (16th century), which features preserved furniture, knights' armor, a kitchen filled with hunting trophies, a guard observation post, and, of course, history: popes, cardinals, conspiracies, secret betrayals, murders... In 1418, Pope Sixtus IV sought refuge in the castle from the plague raging in Rome. Six years later, the castle withstood a siege by papal troops led by Giovanni Borgia, the illegitimate son of the bloodthirsty Pope Alexander VI. Rumor has it that Isabella Orsini (née Medici) had a habit of spending the night with various lovers, who would disappear in the morning through a trapdoor in the floor of her room, which led to a deep well containing sharp picks and quicklime. Whether this is true or the slander of envious people is unknown. But it is known for certain that Isabella was killed by Paolo's husband, Giordano Orsini, out of jealousy... Aperitif in the castle - extra charge: A man is tested not only by how agile and strong he is, but by how much he can eat or drinkLunch at the castle – extra charge. Return to the hotel (154 km). Dinner at the hotel. |
| 08.01.15 (Thu) Address: Rome Password: Roman castles |
Breakfast. Mr. Bonds, the details of Operation Circe the Enchantress are top secret. The local company's vehicles have been chartered. You have only operational information and one day of daylight available. The schedule is known: departure V Grottaferrata (82 km) on inspection of the monastery www.abbaziagreca.itThe Monastery of Santa Maria da Grottaferrata, or the Abbey of Saint Nilus (Abbazia di San Nilo), is a remnant of the living history of Byzantium in Italy. For the average person, for whom Catholicism = the Roman Rite, it's hard to believe that an hour's drive from Rome, under the direct jurisdiction of the Pope, there exists a monastery where Greek liturgies are celebrated, and where the brethren live according to the canons of Basil the Great. In other words, the Monastery of Grottaferrata is a territorial abbey, meaning that, bypassing the local bishop, it is subordinate to the Pope, and in the "table of ranks," the abbot of Grottaferrata is equal to a bishop. After the tour, there will be a commercial break! Departure to Ariccia (11 km), a walk around the city: Palazzo Chigi rises above the city, opposite is the church of Santa Maria delle Assuncione (Assumption of the Virgin Mary), then tasting lunch. Ariccia is especially delicious. They are preparing porchetta - a piglet stuffed with herbs. Dear Bonds! For the sake of secrecy, please refrain from ordering martinis. You risk exposure! Your secret mission takes place in the Italian region of Lazio. Study the popular wine lists in advance and blend in! Locals prefer their own restaurants – check the coordinates or trust the organizers! Departure to Rome (27 km). Accommodation in a 4* hotel. |
| 09.01.15 (Fri) Meeting place: hotel lobby Password: The Eternal City |
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Rome with a visit to Castel Sant'Angelo – We mix everything, but don't shake it. Time does not wear away stones if they are occasionally rearranged. From the sorting of stones, like prayer beads, great Rome was born: the Colosseum and the Forums, emperors and popes, luxurious palazzi and grand temples... On April 21, 753 BC, the twin brothers Romulus and Remus, descendants of the Trojan hero Aeneas and sons of Mars himself, founded the city. The cathedral of Rome is the church of San Giovanni in Laterano, not St. Peter's Basilica, as many believe. According to the Latin inscription on the high façade, San Giovanni in Laterano is "Mother and head of all churches of the city and the world." The church was built in 314 AD by Emperor Constantine: Charlemagne was baptized here in 774; until the 19th century, popes were crowned at the church's altar, and in 1929, the Lateran Treaty was signed. In the church, you'll see the gate from the Curia building on the Forum, which Julius Caesar touched with his own hands. In Rome, at every square or intersection, no matter how small, you're sure to see a fountain or obelisk. We'll visit the Trevi Fountain, where Anita Ekberg, the heroine of Fellini's film La Dolce Vita, played pranks. The central figure is Oceanus, standing on a shell pulled by hippopotamuses. According to tradition, throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain grants hope of returning to the Eternal City. La Dolce Vita originated on Via Veneto, where the characters of Fellini's film met and hung out among deluxe hotels, elegant boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. Free time |
| 10.01.15 (Sat) Address: Vatican Museums Password: Pope |
Breakfast. Holy day or For an additional fee, an excursion to the Vatican Museums is available. If you didn't make it to the museums, dear Bonds, it's your fault. Don't let Her Majesty down. Go with God! The Vatican is surrounded by a fortress wall, which also serves as the state border. A visit to St. Peter's Basilica is a must-see. Inside is a bronze statue of St. Peter, and visitors are invited to touch his foot, which is not only polished to a shine but has even been worn down several centimeters. But don't rush into the Basilica. St. Peter's Square is conceived and executed in the shape of a keyhole, encircled by a colonnade of 140 statues of saints. Pause for a moment in the portico and approach the Holy Doors—if you pass through the open Holy Doors, you will be forgiven for all your sins, but alas, they are only opened once every 25 years. The cathedral houses the Ukrainian Corner, where you'll see mosaics of St. Vladimir and St. Olga. You can also climb the dome and see the Vatican's courtyard, which is off-limits to tourists. The Sistine Chapel is only visited in the morning. The Vatican Museums, like magical treasure chests, are filled with masterpieces by Raphael and Michelangelo. Visit Raphael's rooms, the Sistine Chapel, where the popes are elected, the Apollo Belvedere Hall, the Sleeping Ariadne Hall, the Tapestries Hall, and more. |
| 11.01.15 (Sun.) Meeting place: hotel lobby Password: to Kyiv |
Breakfast at the hotel. Additional hotel expenses: city taxes, minibar, and other possible charges. Safe transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport. The driver, for your information, was Jason Statham's consultant in Operation Transporter.. AND…….Arrivederchi Roma! End of service. |
Tour cost per person based on 4* hotels (Euros)
| Period |
DBL |
SNGL | Extra bed | Children 2-12 in Double Room (1+1) | Children 2-12 in TRPL (2+1) |
| 04.01-11.01.15 | 598 | 758 | 589 | 598 | 589 |
| INCLUDED IN THE PRICE | NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE | €URO |
| Transport service | drinks, tips, city taxes (on site in hotels) | — |
| Russian-speaking escort for the entire period | Vatican Museums Tour, including entrance tickets and reservations | 50,00 |
| Accommodation in 4* hotels with BB (in Rome) and 4HB (in Terracina) | Full-day excursion to the Fumone and Anagni castles, the Valmontone outlet and/or Rainbow Magicland park | 100,00 |
| Guided tours: | Excursion "Ancient Etruria, Lake Bracciano and the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle", + aperitif at the castle, | 120.00 15,00 |
| sightseeing tour through ancient Ostia | Entry tickets to Cerveteri | 60,00 |
| excursion along the coast of Odysseus | Entrance tickets to the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle Entrance tickets to the excavations in Ostia |
at 8:00 |
| sightseeing tour around Rome | Entrance ticket to Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome | 6,00 |
| excursion to Grotta Ferrata and monastery visit | Fish lunch in Terracina, lunch in Anagni, lunch at the Orsini-Odescalchi castle, |
25,00-35,00 |
| Wine tasting and lunch in Ariccia (excluding drinks) | Tourists can fly from different cities. | 310,00- 350,00 |
| Medical insurance | Headphones for the entire stay | 15.00 |
***return to section Group Tours
Odysseus Coast Tour, trip to Ciociaria, Ancient Etruria excursion, Lake Bracciano, Orsini-Odescalchi Castle, Grottaferrata, Sightseeing tour of Rome with a visit to Castel Sant'Angelo, excursion to the Vatican Museums
You can submit your request by sending it in free form to the email address viaggidoroitaly@gmail.com or contact us at tel.+393467890070
Within 3 days, with the exception of requests marked URGENT, you will be sent a response to your request.
We wish you a pleasant stay in Italy!