SHORE EXCURSIONS FROM CIVITAVECCHIA PORT

PORTO ERCOLE AND PORTO SANTO STEFANO - COD. CVSE08

An other itinerary off the beaten path. If you have already visited Rome and you want to see something different, or if you simply want to have some relaxing time, away from the crowded touristy areas. We will drive through the countryside north of Rome. The tour we suggest includes the two most important sea resorts (fishing villages) on the Tuscany south coast, Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole. Departing from your ship in Civitavecchia Port after 50 minutes drive north we'll reach Porto Ercole, the Roman Portus Herculis of antiquity, but finds from a pre-Roman settlement testify to even remoter origins. The town is set in a bay and climbs up a little headland on the eastern coast: though it is a centre for fishing and a bathing resort with every amenity it has retained its ancient appearance despite modern tourist installations. Dominating the whole are the colossal fortifications, masterpieces of XVI century military architecture, that Philip II of Spain had built to defend the Stato dei Presidi. The harbour and sea are dominated on every side from the heights of the fort La Rocca and this is faced by Fort Filippo and Fort Santa Caterina while Fort Stella rises from a distant hill. The old part of the township is reached through an ogival gateway in the Sienese style, cut into the encircling town walls that in earlier times linked the Rocca fort with that of S.Barbara, but, today, these have all but disappeared. The original nucleus, formed of a maze of narrow streets surmounted by arches, dark alleys and steep flights of steps cut into the rock, has an atmosphere that never fails to evoke a response. Looking out over the little square of Santa Barbara is the Palazzo del Governatore which was built at the beginning of the XVI century by the rich Sienese banker Agostino Ghigi. The mansion was plundered and destroyed by the Saracen pirate Cair Heddin Barbarossa, but rebuilt under Spanish domination and was used as the residence of the governor of the fortress. During the Second World War it was seriously damaged and has since been restored. Of the original building there remain only the porches and the facade. At the end of the same square stands the bastion of Santa Barbara, an ancient Byzantine light-house that the Sienese transformed into a small fort. The most ancient church in the township, standing almost directly below the Rocca fort, the church of S.Erasmo, is where the painter Caravaggio was buried after his dramatic death in the locality in 1610. A mile to the north of the Porto Ercole harbour is Porto Santo Stefano.Situated in a picturesque bay, Porto Santo Stefano is not only an important centre for fishing and an animated bathing resort in its own right, it also absorbs the conspicuous movement of holiday-makers who leave from here for the island of Giglio. It is certain that this bay, sheltered from the winds and sited midway along the Tyrrhenian coast, was used by ships ploughing the Mediterranean even in ancient times but use of its present name attached to this specific locality is first to be found in the XIV century. Only when Elban and Ligurian fishermen began to settle here between the XV and XVI centuries did a real urban agglomerate begin to take shape. Decisive moving force was given to urban development when, subsequent to the transfer of authority from the Republic of Siena to the Spanish controlled Stato dei Presidi in 1557, the Spaniards decided to make Porto Santo Stefano the base for their powerful mercantile fleet trading along the upper and central reaches of the Tyrrhenian coast. As the Argentario was in such a strategie position, a series of coastal watch-towers were erected to defend it. One of these, the Fortress is, today, the town's most interesting architectural nucleus. This is a massive building with Aragonese stylistic elements. Interesting excursions can be made throughout the Argentario from Porto Santo Stefano. To go on one of these, the trip round the promontory, is almost a bounden duty. The corniche road that winds its way up hill and down dale for 26 km of coastline offers the tourist a wealth of enchanting views. Another trip to be recommended is to the summit of Punta Telegrafo, where, if it is a clear day, one commands a vast panorama that embraces the Tuscan Archipelago, Corsica, the Tyrrhenian coast and Mount Amiata. Return to the ship in the afternoon.    

USEFUL INFORMATION
Available: all year round
Tour length: 9 hours
Suggested stops: Porto Santo Stefano - Porto Ercole
Pick up - drop off location: At your ship at Civitavecchia Port
Pick up time (suggested): 8.00am
Price includes: private vehicle and English speaking driver, all taxes, insurance, drivers maintenance, gasoline, parking and tolls.
Price does not include: Meals and entrance fees where required.
Vehicle: To be more comfortable we suggest hiring a sedan per party up to 3 people and a van for larger parties.

RATES PER VEHICLE Luxury Sedan Luxury Van Luxury Van Executive * up to 4 people 4 to 6 people 7 or 8 people * up to 4 people Euro 490.00 Euro 550.00 Euro 650.00 Euro 750.00  *Vehicle: To be more comfortable we suggest hiring a sedan per party up to 3 people and a van for larger parties.

BACK TO SHORE EXCURSIONS LIST >>
 

The proposed itineraries are only examples of possible tours, because we arrange  personalized tours. We invite our clients to contact one of our tour coordinator to help them design their own tour; deciding when and where to stop and how long to visit.

Siena Florence Pisa Chianti wine excursion