This tour has been especially designed for anyonewith an interest in ancient civilisations. The Etruscans pre-dated the Romansand when you look at the art, jewellery and pottery that they produced, youwill see how much the Romans absorbed their culture. They were the originalinhabitants of Tuscany and the area north of Rome and indeed, provided three ofRome’s early kings. The Circus Maximus, dating from 600BC was built by anEtruscan, Tarquinio Prisco. The visit will start with the BandicacciaNecropolis, the biggest Etruscan cemetery in the area, covering a site of over300 acres. Much like the ancient Egyptians, the Etruscans set much store by theafterlife and therefore decorated their tombs to mimic their homes and theseare incredibly well preserved. Next onto Caeri, originally an Etruscansettlement, nowadays a medieval fortress for lunch (not included) in anexceedingly good local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit theexcellent Etruscan Museum in Cerveteri, where you will see the more preciousitems excavated from the local tombs; exquisite jewellery, pottery andsculptures. By the end of the day, you will be in no doubt as to what anadvanced civilisation this was.
