General Information│Teacher Biography│A Typical Day│About Velletri│Excursions

Excursions - An Integral Part of the Educational Experience

A unigue benefit of the educational experience of La Scuola Appia Vecchia is the program of afternoon excursions. After the morning's instruction and a full midday meal, Professoressa Valentini and her husband, Joe Cerullo, serve as your guides to a variety of attractions in the Velletri-Rome area. Many of these venues are difficult, if not impossible, to access without an automobile. Your stay at La Scuola Appia Vecchia could be your best opportunity to visit these exciting places.

A Sample of Excursions

Villa Adriana was constructed beginning in 117 AD by Emperor Hadrian. He wished to have a retreat away from Rome, and chose a site near modern day Tivoli. The villa is more reminiscent of a small city, with several palaces, a theater, and large kitchens to serve hundreds of visitors. Despite centuries of despoilation, the villa remains impressive and is not to be missed.
The Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome are an extensive network of underground burial crypts and chapels fashioned out of volcanic stone by early Christians. The oldest known artistic representation of The Virgin Mary is a feature of the tour of the catacombs.
The World War II Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Nettuno (next to Anzio) is a moving tribute to American soldiers who lost their lives in the liberation of Sicily and Italy. There are perfectly tended and geometrically perfect rows of white crosses and Stars of David in the cemetery, and the chapel lists the names of the missing in action.
Castel Gandolfo is a small town in the hills overlooking Lake Albano, famous as the summer home of the Pope. There are beautiful views of the lake from the town. The parish church, St. Thomas of Villanova, was designed by Bernini.
The Roman Ships Museum - Nemi houses the remains of barges excavated from the bottom of Lake Nemi in 1929-1931. The ships themselves were triumphs of marine architecture and were commissioned by Caligula (37-41 AD). The museum was built during the Mussolini regime specifically to house the ships. Although the ships were largely destroyed by a suspicious fire in 1944, the remnants of the barges and the museum itself are well worth a visit.
The Etruscan Museum in Rome details the culture of the mysterious Etruscans, forerunners of the Roman civilization so well known to us. The famous sarcophagus of the young married couple ("Sarcofago degli Sposi") is part of the museum's permanent collection.
Gourmet meal at the famous Benito al Bosco. Add your name to the list of popes, politicians, entertainers, and other notables who frequent this highly regarded country restaurant and hotel.
Back to the top

Your particular itinerary of afternoon excursions may not include all of the locations listed above, and certainly may include other equally interesting sites. Joe Cerullo and Professoressa Valentini vary the excursions to suit the interests of their students.

Follow the link to the Excursions Photo Gallery for more information.

HOME│THE SCHOOL│ABOUT US│TESTIMONIALS│F.A.Q.│ALUMNI │CONTACT INFO│PHOTO GALLERY│DISCLAIMER