You could say that this is our ‘Rolls Royce tour.’
We have exceptionally attractive accommodation situated on the slopes of Lake Albano. It is particularly safely situated within its own estate that includes gardens, a swimming pool, a soccer pitch and of course superb views that can be enjoyed from sunny terraces.

The Villa Palazzola
The Villa is almost perfectly placed to provide tours for students with special needs and we offer a warm welcome to groups large and small.
I can only describe its location on the slopes of Lake Albano in superlatives. If you have a moment please follow the link to the Palazzola website and you will see what I mean. Alternatively, we can send you a DVD giving a 12 minute virtual tour of the villa and its surroundings.

The villa is located in 16 acres of protected forest, sports grounds, nature trails and gardens. There is an attractive swimming pool, tennis court and five a-side football pitch.
From its terraces, there is a breathtaking view over Lake Albano, and the Mediterranean Sea. On the other side of the lake is Castelgandolfo, where the Popes have, throughout the centuries, escaped the summer heat and noise of Rome. In the distance you can see the Mediterranean Sea at Anzio.
Rome is spread out below and the Dome of St. Peters is clearly visible.

Accommodation
The Refectory
With its long oak tables and high vaulted ceiling the refectory is most attractive. Murals were painted on the walls by German Medical Officers during the Second World War.
The Library
There is a very extensive collection of books, including excellent Art History and Classical Studies/ History sections. Comfortable armchairs are gathered around the fireplace. During the winter months students and staff can gather round the fireplace where we will offer soft drinks and wine to students and staff before dinner.
There is a small, but well stocked bar as well as a buttery, where tea and coffee are always available.
A common room offers another warm and comfortable meeting room.
There are three lecture rooms that enable participants to hold meetings and seminars. It is well equipped with audio-visual facilities.

Bedroom accommodation
Steps, worn thin over time, lead from the cloisters to bedrooms. They have been modernised and decorated to offer spacious, attractive accommodation for one or two participants. There is a washbasin in each room and plenty of bathroom and toilet facilities at the end of each passage.
At one stage in the Palazzola’s long history it was used by the Portuguese Ambassador. Some 200 years ago a new wing was constructed. The extensive accommodation here has been completely modernised. The ‘new wing’ (some 400 years old) now has full en-suite facilities.

There is a lift for wheelchair bound guests as well as specially adapted bathroom facilities.

Catering
The dining facilities are excellent. Breakfasts are continental.

A typical lunch would be:
* Fresh pasta with tomato sauce
* Kebabs, with mixed vegetables
* Fresh fruit dessert
* Local red and white wine/ fruit juice/ bread

The kitchen staff will prepare picnics as required, or we can arrange for a meal in a restaurant in central Rome or in one of the villages that lie by the side of Lake Albano.
Dinners are a more elaborate version of lunch. It is also possible to arrange barbecues in the estate. Villa Palazzola is found at an almost perfect mid-point between the many local towns like Ariccia, Rocca di Papa, Albano, Nemi and Marine Frascati. Each has its own vibrant traditions of gastronomy.

At the end of a day’s excursions, we can arrange to have dinner in one of these villages, or in central Rome.

Over many hundreds of years of contemplation and prayer the PALAZZOLA has inspired artists and painters and the beauty, peace and security of the site offers a restful coolness and balm to visitors.

OUTLINE, EXAMPLE ITINERARY FOR A FIVE DAY TOUR
DAY 1
We try to arrange flights that arrive in Rome by mid-afternoon.
The group will be met at the airport by the Tour Director who will accompany participants to the Palazzola by coach (30 minutes).

On arrival tea and biscuits will be served and rooms allocated.
Participants will enjoy an introductory walking tour of the Villa, conducted by our Chaplain..
You will see the tomb of Scipio Africanus cut into the rock. It is decorated with the ‘fasces’ - emblems recognising his exalted position as a Consul of Rome.
Your guide will take you along a spur from the Appian Way that runs through the grounds to open pastures above. Roman Legionaries made their way on this road to the peak behind the estate that was dedicated to Jupiter. Here they offered a sacrifice before marching back to the Appian Way and so on to Rome to enter in triumph.
Walking back past the swimming pool and tennis court we will admire for the first time the views from the beautiful formal garden terraces. From here you will look down to Lake Albano below and across the lake to Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer residence.

Supper on arrival
Your group will be introduced to the villa itself and hear some fascinating stories about its past. During the evening students can have coffee and tea or soft drinks from the buttery. There is a well stocked bar for adult participants.

DAY 2
Castel Gandolfo
After breakfast we will transfer to Castel Gandolfo. This is the Holy Father’s Summer retreat and can be seen across Lake Albano from Palazzola. We provide free time here. Participants can:

• See the Swiss guard
• Visit the fine church
• Explore the tourist shops
• Enjoy a drink in a pleasant environment

Lunch in the Palazzola

The Bioparco
Rome boasts a very interesting and attractive zoo that is devoted to the preservation of the environment

DAY 3
A morning visit to the pretty town of Nemi for coffee.
People come from near and far to visit this town perched on the slopes of the lake.
There are shops selling a wide variety of local produce. For example there are wild strawberries and other fruits, local mushrooms and other funghi, fine hams and the local Porchetta spiced meat, their farm produced cheeses, wonderful Frascati wines and homemade bread and biscuits.

Lake Albano
We will drive down to the shores of Lake Albano for our picnic lunch.

An afternoon by the Mediterranean
From the terraces of the Palazzola one can see the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. Now, we will transfer to the coast near Anzio to enjoy some relaxation, ice creams and seaside activities.

The Poolside
We will return to the Villa in time to enjoy some time by the pool.
When in use the pool is professionally supervised.

Supper in the Palazzola.

Evening Film
The Villa has a comfortable television lounge and in the evening we will show a video film selected from our extensive collection.

DAY 4
Transfer into central Rome.
The Coliseum
The Coliseum has become to Rome what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris - a ‘must see’ monument. We will conduct a short but fascinating tour designed to make the story of the Colosseum real, alive and exciting to our students..

The Time Elevator
Thanks to panoramic screens, flight simulators and a state-of-the-art surround system, you will be projected into the cinema dimension: a deep jump in time through 2750 years and the most important events in Rome’s history. A one hour show with high tech virtual projections of the most famous monuments. Rome will never look the same!

The Trevi Fountains
We will walk the short distance along the Via Del Corso to the Piazza Di Trevi for a pleasant time enjoying the beautiful fountains and some café society.

The Pantheon
Onward walk to visit the Pantheon on the other side of the Via Del Corso. One of the great classical sites in Rome, a Roman building that is still in use today, but only preserved through its re-dedication as a Christian Church.

Piazza Navona
Our tour will end with a visit to the beautiful fountains in the Piazza Navona, designed by Bernini. The students will enjoy the bustle and activity of this square that never sleeps. There is always something to see, including the numerous shops and stalls. Return to Palazzola.

DAY 5
Our last morning will be spent in the bowling alley in Ciampino close to the airport or another included activity.

Afternoon return flight.