Just over an hour from Villa Vacanze Valentina, on the border between Lazio and Umbria, the Cascata delle Marmore (Marmore Falls) is one of the tallest waterfalls in Europe: a 165-metre drop in three tiers, set in a green gorge that looks hand-drawn.
The secret: the water release times
The falls are fed by a hydroelectric plant and are "switched on" at scheduled times, generally around midday and in the afternoon (check the official website before setting off). Arrive shortly before the waters are released: watching the river swell all at once is half the show.
A Roman feat, 2,000 years old
The drop is not natural: it was created in 271 BC by the consul Curius Dentatus to drain the plain of Rieti. Two thousand years on, it remains the most spectacular hydraulic work of antiquity still in operation.
Trails and the Lovers' Balcony
Six trails of varying difficulty; the most famous leads to the Balcone degli Innamorati (Lovers' Balcony), a terrace jutting straight into the spray cloud of the first drop — waterproof provided, thrills guaranteed.
Perfect for...
Families with children, hikers, anyone who wants a day of spectacular nature to alternate with the villages. Comfortable shoes and a change of clothes in the car: you come back soaked and happy.