A mere 25 minutes after rolling off the ferry, I was driving up the steep main street of medieval Tarquinia, very happy to be back in Italy.
I easily found Camere Del Re, my overnight hotel. This cost the princely sum of EUR 54 including an al fresco breakfast and was worth every cent. There was on-street parking a couple of minutes away.
A taste of Tarquinia
I had a little time to wander round before settling down to eat at one of the many enticing little bars and restaurants.
Tarquinia’s sights
Tarquinia is a very well-tended town with lots to see and do. It even has a little theatre.
It’s also on the Via Francigena pilgrim trail, starting in faraway Canterbury.
There were a few tourists but I mainly saw locals out and about on the streets.
An Etruscan past
Tarquinia is in the province of Viterbo and the region of Lazio. The nearby archaeological sites of Tarquinia and Cerveteri are well worth a visit.
The town is also in Tuscia, which was the name given to the area of Etruria after the era of Etruscan dominion.
Waking to good news
I woke up at around 4 the following morning to get the gist of the UK election results and indulge in a little gloating.
After breakfast, I had a leisurely wander round more of the town’s lovely sights.
Tarquinia Lido
I wasn’t due to check into Stefania’s house in Capena until 4 pm, so I thought I’d go and have a look at the nearby lido and have a plate of spaghetti alle vongole.
It was very hot and Lottie found it uncomfortable to put her paws on the sand, so we got back in the car, put the aircon on full blast and set off to Capena…
