This immersive six-night journey uncovers the true foundations of Italy, hidden for thousands of years. Long before Rome cast its imperial shadow across the Mediterranean, a highly sophisticated, wealthy, and enigmatic civilisation dominated the Italian peninsula. The Etruscans built thriving city-states, forged masterworks of bronze, and painted vibrant underworlds—yet their history was largely rewritten by the empire that absorbed them. Even Rome’s ultimate symbol, the Capitoline She-Wolf, was forged by Etruscan hands.
Led by renowned Etruscan scholar Professor Simon Stoddart, on this 3-centre tour, explore the landscape, architecture, and urban evolution of a forgotten superpower, with visits to some of the most magnificent sites which illustrate their wealth and sophistication. From coastal trading hubs and dramatic clifftop strongholds, to sacred and political sanctuaries and beautifully decorated burial chambers, uncover the extent and intent of the powerful Etruscan League city-states.
Tour highlights
- Trace ancient networks of Etruscan power across the sacred sanctuaries of Orvieto, the subterranean labyrinth of Chiusi, and the mountain fortifications of Cortona.
- Stand inside the spectacular, UNESCO-protected subterranean burial chambers of Tarquinia to admire 2,500-year-old frescoes.
- Decode the sites with one of the world’s leading Etruscans experts on hand to bridge the gap between classical history and cutting-edge bio-archaeological science.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 / 20 Sep 2027: Tour starts in Rome – transfer to Tarquinia | Welcome Dinner | Overnight Tarquinia
Day 2 / 21 Sep 2027: Exploration of Tarquinia | Painted Tombs | Visit Gravisca ancient port | Overnight Tarquinia
Day 3 / 22 Sep 2027: Travel to Tuscania | Madonna dell’Olivio Necropolis | to Orvieto | Campo della Fiera sanctuary | Overnight Orvieto
Day 4 / 23 Sep 2027: Underground world of Orvieto | Necropolis of Crocifisso del Tufo | Temple of Belvedere | Overnight Orvieto
Day 5 / 24 Sep 2027: Continue to Chiusi | National Etruscan Museum | MAEC Museum with Tabula Cortonensis | Overnight Cortona
Day 6 / 25 Sep 2027: Etruscan tumuli at Sodo | Etruscan bronzes/ceramics at the National Archaeological Museum in Arezzo | Farewell dinner | Overnight Cortona
Day 7 / 26 September 2027: After breakfast, transfer to Florence Airport | Tour ends
Notice about operational control of this tour
Temple World has a long-standing collaboration with the University of Cambridge to plan and operate tours for its Alumni as part of the Alumni Travel Programme. Where minimum numbers are achieved and a tour departs, 10% of the tour cost will be given by Temple World to the University of Cambridge as a donation for each traveller who has a connection to the university (alumni/staff etc). This includes any friends/family travelling with them. However, please note that the University of Cambridge has no control over the operation of the tours in the Programme, which are the sole responsibility of the Operator/s concerned (in this case, Templeworld Limited).
Day 1: Mon 20 Sept 2027 Rome FCO Airport - Tarquinia
Day 2: Tue 21 September 2027 Tarquinia
Day 3: Wed 22 September 2027 Tarquinia to Orvieto
Day 4: Thu. 23 October 2027 Orvieto
Day 5: Fri. 24 September 2027 Orvieto to Cortona
Day 6: Sat 25 September 2027 Sodo and Arezzo
Day 7: Sun 26 September 2027 Tour ends with transfer to Florence's Airport
| Cabin Class | Price | Single Supplement | Optional Flight from London | Availability |
| Standard Twin | £2,950 | £700 | From £300 | Available |
Optional Flights
Temple World can arrange flights with British Airways from London to coordinate with this tour. Timings for the flights will be available from October 2026 when the seats are released for sale.
Private taxis can also be arranged (at extra cost) for those arriving or departing at different times.
Booking your own transport
Clients wishing to travel to Italy by rail or to use airmiles/points to buy or upgrade flights are advised to book their own transport.
The start point of the tour is Rome FCO Airport, and the end point is Florence FLR (Amerigo Vespucci Airport). We will provide group transfer to/from these airports to coordinate with the arrival/departure times of our recommended BA flights. Guests are welcome to make their own way to our first tour hotel in Tarquinia, and from our last tour hotel in Cortona, if they don’t want/need our group transfers. Likewise, those making their own flight arrangements are welcome to join our group transfers; note, it will be your own responsibility to get to/from the pick-up/drop off point, we will not be able to add additional collection points and cannot wait for latecomers.
Those arriving independently can check in to the first hotel from 3pm on the first day of the tour.
There are no activities on the first day until our introductory talk and dinner, which is likely to be at around 6:30pm.
On the last day we will leave the hotel after after breakfast – those who do not need a transfer to Florence FLR Airport can remain at the hotel but will need to vacate their rooms by 11am unless late check-out/extra nights have been arranged.
Very Important! Those who plan to book their own transport should not make any binding or non-refundable arrangements until their place has been confirmed in writing on the tour and Temple World has confirmed the departure of this tour (subject to reaching minimum numbers).
Includes
Twin/Double room with private bathroom (WC, sink and shower) throughout, breakfast daily, five dinners and one lunch, group transfer from Rome FCO Airport and return to Florence FLR Airport, all excursions with local guides, entrance fees, single group transfer to coordinate with the recommended BA flights into Rome FCO and returning from Florence (FLR), expert leader.
Not included
Transport to/from Italy, arrival/departure transfers if arriving independently, lunches (except for one included lunch), dinner on one evening, travel insurance, drinks other than water, coffee and tea with meals, tips to drivers & local guides.
Single supplement: £700 for solo occupancy of a room throughout (limited number available)
Fitness Guidelines
We have graded the fitness level required for participation in this tour as Moderate. There are no strenuous hikes but the terrain can be uneven and/or on a gradient. Whilst sightseeing we may be out and about for several hours at one time, and it is important that everyone is able to keep up with the group or we will not be able to see all the sights advertised in the time available. It is possible to remain behind at the hotel on some of the days instead of sightseeing.
Although there are no strenuous hikes or lengthy walks in the itinerary, due to the size of the group and amount of sightseeing, we would recommend that the tour is not suitable for anyone who needs to walk at a ‘slower than average’ pace or uses a walking aid such as a stick, crutch, or walker around the house or to get around their local area. If unsure whether this tour is suitable for you, please check with us.
Note: We know that age is not always a reliable indicator of fitness, but prospective participants over the age of 80 will be given a letter to be signed by their GP to say they are fit enough to undertake this tour, and this will be sent out with your final statement.
If unsure whether this tour is suitable for you, please check with us.
Immunisations
NHS Fit for Travel advises travellers to France don’t normally need any immunisations as long as all UK childhood vaccinations and boosters are up to date. Please seek professional medical advice to discuss your personal circumstances at least 8 week before departure. NHS Fit For Travel Website
Visas
UK and other EU passport holders do not currently need a visa to enter France, but under post-Brexit rules, UK citizens can now only spend 90 days per 180 days in any Schengen country. Nationals of several other countries, including South Africans, do require a visa in advance. Please check with your local French consulate. In 2026, a new visa-waiver system called ETIAS will be introduced for short stays in the EU – this page will be updated as and when there is news re the date this will apply from.
Trip Scholar
Simon Stoddart, Professor of Prehistory, University of Cambridge
Professor Simon Stoddart is a leading authority on Etruscan archaeology and Mediterranean prehistory. He is a Professor in Prehistory at the University of Cambridge, a fellow of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and the acting deputy director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research. His expertise merges landscape archaeology, computer visualization, and archaeological science to reconstruct how Etruscan state formation, urban nucleation, and socio-political systems evolved over time. With forty years conducting fieldwork in the region, he is part of the team interpreting the Etruscan city-state of Tarquinia.
Professor Stoddart is author of Power and Place in Etruria (Cambridge University Press, 2005) and co-author (with Nigel Spivey) of Etruscan Italy (1990) by Nigel Spivey and Simon Stoddart, published in 1990, an influential text in modern Etruscology, as its analysis has helped shift how scholars approach pre-Roman Italy by prioritising hard archaeological and anthropological data over traditional, text-based narratives.
Lectures during our tours
All our tours are accompanied by an academic ‘trip scholar’ as well as local guides. The local guide or guides provide the day-to-day guiding on our tours, whilst the trip lecturer will give regular lectures on his/her specialist subject throughout to provide an academic overview. Lectures/talks usually last 30-40 minutes including questions and answers (if applicable). These are generally held in the evenings before dinner and attendance is optional. We don’t usually specify before travel which days the lectures will be given (for operational reasons) but guests can expect them roughly every other day as a minimum, with some lecturers giving some kind of talk or presentation more frequently.
We
recommend spending a night in Rome before the tour, in order to visit the National Etruscan Museum/ Museo Nazionale Etrusco – those with more time could spend an extra night there if wanting to visit the Etruscan Necropolis at Cerveteri, where thousands of tombs are laid out as if they were a town, with streets, squares and circular tumuli carved from volcanic tufa rock. Another interesting site is the Etruscan town of Sutri, which also features rock-cut tombs, as well as an impressive amphitheater carved straight into the tufa. Both are located around 50km from the city and can be explored as part of a private or small group guided tour.
We have a number of recommendations for accommodation in Rome and can quote a hotel, airport transfers and guiding if wished.
As an example, the 4 star Hotel dei Mellini offers good value for money (in our opinion), not too large (with 80 comfortable rooms), located just two blocks from the Tiber River, close to Lepanto Metro station and within a 15-minute walk from both the Vatican City and the Spanish Steps. From here it’s a 25 minute walk or 7 minute cab ride to the National Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia on the other side of the river. Prices for the Hotel dei Mellini start from around £180 per room per night, B&B.
After the tour, we shall include a group coach transfer to Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport – those who wish to stay on longer in Florence or the Tuscany region can use this as the jumping off point for their extended stay. We can quote for private transfers into the city or to anywhere in the surrounding area, and would love to suggest our favourite hotels if you would like recommendations and quotes. We are able to book private villas and car hire in this area too.
Call us on 0208 940 4114 to speak to your tour coordinators Lia or Alice for a quote to add a few nights (or more) in Rome, Florence or Tuscany, or any other extensions before or after the main tour.
Suggested Reading
Your trip scholar will put together a selection of suggested books for those who would like to find out more about some of the themes of the tour. When this is ready we will post the list here as well as sending a paper copy out to all those booked on the tour.
