Travel,Study in  Italy Advice and Services

Thanks to 60 years of experience and a vast  network of contacts in journalism, education and tourism in Italy,we can help organize  special activities for independent travelers, students and in depth travel. Books published by   Etruria Editions can  deeply enrich an experience  in central Italy.

 

A  decade  ago  I  published  a  blog 50YearsinItaly, to  celebrate   the  half century  of  arrival  in  Italy.  This  has  been  updated/replaced  by  my  SUBSTACK  magazine “The  Painted Palazzo”   with  over  50  issues. 

You will discover many  things  that it took this  author 60 years to learn!   The area of central Italy is  a rough triangle  between  Tuscany, Umbria and the port of Civitavecchia.

 

Subscribe  for  free  and  see behind the  facade  Here  is  an article  published  in  February, 2025. There  are  about  50  articles  in the  archives. https://maryjanecryanandfriendsinitaly.substack.com/p/vatican-was-my-neighborhood 

 Excursions -what  central Italy/Tuscia/Etruria  offers  for  visitors  and  residents 

  Art, antiques, opera,  cooking  and Etruscan ruins – just a few of the options available for visitors to our very  interesting yet  tourist-free area. The people who come to Etruria/Tuscia/Northern Lazio are travelers, more than tourists.

They wish to experience  in a personal way  the history, culture and traditions of this  beautiful, endlessly interesting area of central  Italy known as Etruria  or Tuscia, in Northern Lazio, close  to Civitavecchia port, one hour north of Rome.

Here the landscapes and  hilltop towns  make a perfect  alternative to the bustle of Rome,  the crowds of Florence and the coastal beaches. The area is especially pleasant  during  torrid summer weather thanks to the many lakes, shady gardens and  medieval villages.  Our houses do not need air conditioning, thanks to the metre-thick walls .

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram  for valuable local  information.Your feedback is precious.  Choose from these ideas for   day trips  or have us  suggest activities for your special holiday in the  Etruscan countryside.

..a visit to one of the many  local castles and gardens   ( article and maps in  “Etruria Travel,history and itineraries in Central Italy”) 

.. use the voicemap app on your phone to follow in the footsteps of  early Grand Tour visitors   in the  town of Viterbo with its perfectly preserved medieval quarter, San Pellegrino

https://voicemap.me/tour/viterbo/stories-and-secrets-of-viterbo

…explore Tarquinia’s  literary  trail (D.H. Lawrence, George Dennis)  and Etruscan necropolis

Magnificent stairway Palazzo Farnese, Caprarola

Travel consultancy  Consultation sessions are free  for  those who purchase copies of my books,  These are especially important  for independent travelers, group leaders and educators needing answers and local expertise for tours, cruise ports. Purchase of my books is the only payment.  I am happy to recommended the best  tour guides for the area as well as  accommodations for Italy, especially Rome and central Italy.

Enrichment talks – As  a former  educator and since 2008 a  lecturer  on luxury  cruise ships, I  am available for  schools, educational groups with many original illustrated presentations   for enrichment & cultural background in Italian history, literary travel, writers. 

Writing, Articles, Books –Order signed copies of our books directly to receive discount and free postage to Italian addresses. Enquire for guest posts, commissioned research projects and articles.

 

An international educator, researcher and writer, Mary Jane has been an official Vatican guide, Site Director  in Rome for Elderhostel, university  professor  and cruise lecturer. Her byline appears in scholarly journals, best-selling guidebooks , international and Italian  lifestyle magazines.

 See Books page to order your copy of available titles

The Irish and English in Italy’s Risorgimento

Irlandesi  e Inglesi  nel Risorgimento

Vetralla The English Connection (few collector’s copies )

Etruria–Travel, History and Itineraries in Central Italy (available)

Etruria Storie e Segreti  seconda edizione 

 Travels to Tuscany & Northern Lazio (few collector’s copies)