DISCOVERING BENEVENTO AND THE MYTH OF THE WITCHES

Day 1 Benevento

Arrival at Naples airport or Benevento train station, pick-up of rental car. Possibility to pick up the car at another point to be arranged. It is suggested to start the city tour of Benevento from the Rocca dei Rettori. Also named as Benevento Castle or Manfredi Castle, it was founded on the site of an earlier Longobard fortified palace, built by Duke Arechi II starting in 871. Next, continue along the Garibaldi pedestrian street to the monumental site of Santa Sofia. The site includes the church, one of the most important of Longobardia Minor surviving to the present day, the bell tower in front of the square, the former monastery with the picturesque cloister, and the fountain in the center of the area. Since June 25, 2011, the Church of St. Sophia, which is part of the serial site “The Lombards in Italy. Places of Power (568-774 AD)”, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is possible to book a lunch in a nearby restaurant with local specialties. Next, we reach Piazza Papiniano, where the Neo-Egyptian Obelisk stands imperiously, dating back to the end of the first century, which again reminds us of Benevento’s “Egypt-making” past. Next, view the splendid Paul V Palace, home to the Janua Museum, dedicated to the janare, commonly known as witches. Crossing the threshold, you will be pervaded by the atmosphere of pure enchantment in its themed rooms, which range from folk medicine to their daily habits, passing through local delicacies and historical memories. Hotel accommodation, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2 Benevento

Breakfast at the hotel and start a walk through the alleys of Rione Triggio, site of recurring legends such as Mazzapauriello and Zoccolara. Triggio, Benevento’s oldest area, represents a huge historical piece of the city. Visit the Roman Theater, inaugurated in 126 AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Afterwards, possibility of booking a lunch in a restaurant with local specialties. Afterwards, visit to the Cathedral, Benevento’s main place of worship and bishopric of the metropolitan archdiocese of the same name. Walking gently up Corso Garibaldi, we arrive at the city’s symbolic monument: the important Arch of Trajan. Built between 114 and 117 A.D., it was erected to celebrate the figure of Emperor Trajan on the occasion of the inauguration of the Via Traiana, a variant of the Via Appia that shortened the path between Benevento and Brindisi. Trajan is remembered as “Optimus,” an enlightened prince whose fame has remained intact to this day, so much so that Dante himself placed him in Paradise, a testament to his undisputed greatness. Time at leisure for a tasting of typical local products, nougats and witch liqueur. At the end of the day, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3 Benevento

Breakfast at the hotel. We begin with a visit to the ARCOS museum, located in the basement of the Government Palace, which houses a section of contemporary art and a very rich section of Egyptian artifacts, all found on site and dating back to the ass of the goddess Isis, in whose honor a temple was erected in Roman times; this vast collection makes Benevento unanimously recognized as the largest center of Egyptian finds outside Egypt. This is followed by a visit to the Villa Comunale. Built between 1875 and 1880 to a design by Alfredo Dehnardt, then director of the Botanical Garden of Naples, it is a villa with harmonious lines that trace the natural conformation of the place with spaces organized on apparently spontaneous paths, in the style of English gardens. The lawns, flower beds and pond, flowers and plants are all parts of a complex design intended to give the illusion of a natural landscape as opposed to the artificial one of the city. At the end, the possibility to book a lunch in a restaurant with local specialties. Departure for Naples or Benevento and return of the rental car. End of services.

NOTE: Planned visits may be reversed depending on museum opening times or for technical needs, but the program remains unchanged. The presence within a group of people with food intolerances, allergies, or who for cultural/religious reasons cannot take food must be reported in advance. Since suppliers are not always organized to serve special meals, interested guests are advised to bring suitable foods with them and in any case to be recognized by the room manager, both in hotels and restaurants, to avoid any unpleasantness. It is also possible that surcharges may be charged.

Individual fee: 

Double room for one 410.00 eur

Double room for couples: 340.00 eur

Triple room: 315.00 eur 

Extras: It is possible to add of an extra bed (for children from 2 to 8 y/o) 

What is includes: Rental car (category A/B/C), pick-up and drop-off at Naples Airport or central train station, hotel accommodation with half-board, meals as scheduled in selected local restaurants, medical/baggage insurance

What is  not  includes: tourist tax, beverage, specific entrance tickets*, tips, extras and aything not specifically mentioned under “what is included”.

*Entrance tickets NOT INCLUDED in the package: 

Saint Sophia site : 

€2,00 full 

€1,00 reduced (groups with more than 20 people, over 65, students, “Carta dello Studente” possessors, Soci Touring Club Italiano, Soci CTS)

free entry (disabled visitors, teachers chaperoning class, journalists, touristic guides)

Janua Museum: 

€5,00 full

€3,00 reduced (students until 25 y/o, over 65, groups over 25 paying people)

free entry (under 6, disabled visitors, tour guided chaperoning groups)

Teatro Romano (Roman theater): 

€5,00 full 

 €2,00 reduced (groups composed by 20 people at least, over 65, students, “Carta dello Studente” possessors, Soci Touring Club Italiano, Soci CTS)

free entry (disabled visitors, teachers chaperoning class, journalists, touristic guides)

CANCELLATION: Read “Terms and conditions.”

CONDITIONS INCLUDED IN CAR RENTAL: damage and theft coverage without deductible (super cover policy), auto liability, taxes, 1 additional driver, unlimited km.

CONDITIONS NOT INCLUDED IN CAR RENTAL: full tank of gasoline, other optional options available over the counter.

Relevant manifestations:  Benevento Città Spettacolo (September); BCT-National Film and Television Festival (June-July); Patronal Feast of Our Lady of Grace (July 2)

Meeting point: Arrival at Naples’ airport or Benevento train station, pickup of rental car. It is possible  to pick up the car at another point to be agreed.

ACCESSIBILITY: Upon request possibility to rent a car that has all the features needed to allow a person in a wheelchair to travel safely

ANIMALS: for car rental, possibility of transporting a cat or small dog with carrier-some visiting places may have restrictions regarding animal access

SUSTAINABILITY: Read “Our Philosophy”

CUSTOMER SERVICE: Available 24/7