L'Ombricolo is situated near where the regions of Umbria, Tuscany, and Lazio meet. Known to the ancients as Latium, Lazio extends north of Rome along the western coast of Italy.

The inn's eastward view sweeps down a slope of vineyards and across the Tiber Valley to the hills of Umbria. All around lie the ancient lands of the Etruscans, with Orvieto silhouetted against the northern sky. Beyond, the Tuscan hills roll northward to Siena, Cortona, and Firenze.

This peaceful retreat is conveniently accessible by superhighway and high-speed rail, with Rome only 90 minutes away.

An easy day's drive looping east and north into Umbria brings you to Todi, Spoleto, Assisi, Perugia, and Lake Trasimeno. Nearby to the west is the famous hill town of Cività di Bagnoregio; beyond it lie Lake Bolsena and the Maremma coast of Tuscany. Ancient Viterbo is south.

A perfect base for exploring all these sites, L'Ombricolo is also an ideal first or last stop for your roving holiday in Italy, since Rome's international airport at Fiumicino is less than two hours away by car.

Owner/hostess Dawne Alstrom-Viotti is a world traveler who settled here more than 20 years ago. Her detailed suggestions will help you plan your explorations.