Agricampeggio Paliano

A 10-minute drive from base, Viterbo sums up centuries of history in its compact collection of buildings: take in the small collection of treasures in the Etruscan museum, tour the Palazzo dei Papi to see what style the 12th-century popes lived in, and walk the medieval Old Town before being wowed by the early Renaissance frescoes in San Lorenzo cathedral… and still be back in time for tea. With the hot springs offering relief on tap to footsore travellers, there’s no excuse for not touring the area to the max, and there’s stacks to see. Soak up the orderly peace of the Renaissance gardens at Villa Lante, then walk the wildlife-filled trails around Lake Vico (both 20 minutes away), spotting crested grebes, falcons and wild boars. For hikes at height, it’s a similar distance to Monte Cimino, where paths and bike tracks climb through the beech forests to grand views from the 3,000-foot summit. Think you know the Renaissance? You haven’t seen Parco di Mostri (30 minutes): a madcap 16th-century folly of sculptures in a wooded parkland. If that's a bit hectic, the Palazzo Farnese is a similar distance, with frescoes from the 16th-century's top painters as well as its pretty hillside gardens. For further time travels, the Etruscan necropolis of Tarquinia, with its painted tombs and museum, is a 50-minute drive away. After that, do something timeless: drive another 10 minutes and hit the beach.