7 Activities
From Rome to Florence: Explore Medieval History and Natural Hot Springs
Starts from
Rome
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
7
Duration
12 hours
Length
135 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Rome
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
12 hours
Length
135 mi
Linn Haglund
Blogger
- Walk along the medieval walls in picturesque Bracciano Castle.
- Enjoy a lakeside picnic.
- Soak in Tuscany's underrated hot springs.
Take a different route on your drive from Rome to Florence mixed with medieval history, picturesque lake views, and a relaxing soak in one of the most underrated hot springs in Italy. This drive has plenty of epic photo opportunities for photography lovers. Walk the majestic halls in the medieval castle of Bracciano overlooking the tranquil Bracciano lake. Continue to Bolsano lake where you will have a lakeside picnic with some of the country's best takeaway pizza (you might want to buy more than you think you will eat, you are in Italy after all!)
Continue to the lesser-known hot springs of San Filippo where you can immerse yourself in the warmth of the hot water pools cascading through lush trees regenerating any stress before continuing to the enchanting little medieval walled town of Monteriggioni for a magnificent dinner before reaching Florence.
Continue to the lesser-known hot springs of San Filippo where you can immerse yourself in the warmth of the hot water pools cascading through lush trees regenerating any stress before continuing to the enchanting little medieval walled town of Monteriggioni for a magnificent dinner before reaching Florence.
Take a different route on your drive from Rome to Florence mixed with medieval history, picturesque lake views, and a relaxing soak in one of the most underrated hot springs in Italy. This drive has plenty of epic photo opportunities for photography lovers. Walk the majestic halls in the medieval castle of Bracciano overlooking the tranquil Bracciano lake. Continue to Bolsano lake where you will have a lakeside picnic with some of the country's best takeaway pizza (you might want to buy more than you think you will eat, you are in Italy after all!)
Continue to the lesser-known hot springs of San Filippo where you can immerse yourself in the warmth of the hot water pools cascading through lush trees regenerating any stress before continuing to the enchanting little medieval walled town of Monteriggioni for a magnificent dinner before reaching Florence.
Continue to the lesser-known hot springs of San Filippo where you can immerse yourself in the warmth of the hot water pools cascading through lush trees regenerating any stress before continuing to the enchanting little medieval walled town of Monteriggioni for a magnificent dinner before reaching Florence.
Linn Haglund
Blogger
- Walk along the medieval walls in picturesque Bracciano Castle.
- Enjoy a lakeside picnic.
- Soak in Tuscany's underrated hot springs.
Day Itinerary
7 Activities
Day 1
135 mi
Explore Medieval Italy and Indulge in Unspoilt Hot Springs
Make the drive from Rome to Florence interesting by walking the halls of a medieval castle, taking in the tranquility of two of Italy's most underrated lakes, and munching on some of Italy's best takeaway pizza in the beauty of nature. Make sure you bring your swimming suit as you might find more than one opportunity to use it. Surely, you will want to dip in the hot sulfur pools of Bagni San Filippo natural hot springs before you head to the last stop for dinner in one of the if not the smallest walled medieval villages in Italy.
10:001 hr 30 min
Castello Odescalchi
Castle
Open Details
Stop in the medieval town of Bracciano and visit the majestic Bracciano Castle overlooking the tranquil Lake Bracciano. You can take a self-guided castle tour with their phone app which takes you through ancient courtyards, up along the castle walls to epic lake views before you continue inside the castle.
Large halls are decorated with medieval furniture and artefacts, giving you a glimpse of what it might have been like to live in the castle back in the 15th century, when it was built for defensive purposes and as a residence for the papal family's feudal lords at the time.
Large halls are decorated with medieval furniture and artefacts, giving you a glimpse of what it might have been like to live in the castle back in the 15th century, when it was built for defensive purposes and as a residence for the papal family's feudal lords at the time.
42.4 mi
1 hr 20 min
13:0010 min
Church of Corpus Christi
Church
Open Details
Take a quick stop by the Church of Corpus Christi. You can take a peek inside, but the real beauty of this hilltop stone church is the epic views of Bolsano Lake. It is a great place to stretch your legs and take a couple of pictures before continuing.
8.2 mi
15 min
13:3015 min
Pizzeria Lo Spigolo
Pizza Place
Open Details
In Bolsena, stop by the local rotisserie and "Lo Spigolo" to grab some take-away to bring to the lakeside. Entering this traditional little pizza shop will turn on all your senses! Their pizza is mouthwatering, but you can also try other traditional foods like arancino, a heavenly deep-fried rice ball stuffed with meat, cheese, or vegetables.
In case the weather is too bad to eat outside, they do have a little bit of space inside to eat. Then you will just spend a little bit less time at the lake.
In case the weather is too bad to eat outside, they do have a little bit of space inside to eat. Then you will just spend a little bit less time at the lake.
0.5 mi
5 min
14:001 hr 30 min
Lake Bolsena
Lake
Open Details
Have a lovely picnic at the beach of the picturesque Lake Bolsena. In the summer, you can go for a swim too. Nonetheless, this is a favourite to go for a stroll, take in the calmness of the lake, and take stunning pictures. Even if it is a rainy or foggy day and you end up eating at the restaurant, the lake looks absolutely majestic with fog crawling across the surface, so do not get lured by bad weather to explore this place.
12.3 mi
25 min
15:5515 min
Fonte del Rigombo
Landmark
Open Details
Take a quick stop to stretch your legs and pass the fountain, Fonte del Rigombo in Acquapendente. You can either make it a coffee stop or continue straight to Bagni di San Filippo to get more time there.
Or why not make it the Italian way and grab a quick coffee at the bar before heading off to your next adventure?
Or why not make it the Italian way and grab a quick coffee at the bar before heading off to your next adventure?
20.3 mi
40 min
17:001 hr 30 min
Bagni di San Filippo
Landmark
Open Details
It is time to indulge in the natural beauty of one of the lesser-visited hot springs in Tuscany. Surrounded by natural beauty, these hot pools cascade down forming smoke in the air and wrapping you in a delightful warmth.
The hot springs are free to use and open to the public 24 hours a day. However, note that you must pay for parking if you park next to the pools.
The hot springs are free to use and open to the public 24 hours a day. However, note that you must pay for parking if you park next to the pools.
51.4 mi
1 hr 30 min
20:001 hr 30 min
Ristorante Le torri Monteriggioni
Restaurant
Open Details
Take a last stop in the magnificent walled village, Monteriggioni where you can enjoy mouthwatering Italian food at their best restaurant! Sitting outside on the ancient square easily takes you back to medieval times when children were playing in the square, women were chatting in the corner, and guards with spears walked back and forth on top of the walls.
Indulge in a glass of wine with risotto from heaven or try the pasta which is magnificent!
Indulge in a glass of wine with risotto from heaven or try the pasta which is magnificent!