Umbria and Medieval Tuscany

day 1 Rome-Tivoli-Marmore Falls-Spoleto-Assisi

Meeting with our guide and minibus in the hotel lobby at 08.30. Departure to Tivoli, beautiful village in the sorroundings of Rome, famous for its villas, UNESCO World Heritage. Visit of the old town. Time at your own for visit and lunch. In the afternoon, on the way to Spoleto, short stop at Marmore to admire the most beautiful Italian falls in the heart of Umbria. Continuation to Spoleto, city of 40,000 inhabitants of Roman origin that keeps symbolic monuments like the Bridge of the Towers or the Arch of Drusus and more recent like the Cathedral and the Albornozian Rock. Afternoon arrival to Assisi.

day 2 Assisi-Perugia-Todi-Assisi

Breakfast. Today, you will be invited to taste some local products made with the flavourful Umbria black truffle. A nice walk in the old town of Assisi will end with a visit of the Basilica of Saint Francis. Then, departure to Perugia, the capital of the Umbrian region, ancient Etruscan centre, rich city of history and art. Visit of the old town. We can admire the Palazzo dei Priori, the Fontana Maggiore, the Etruscan Gate of the 3rd C BC, the Cathedral and the medieval wall. Lunch at your own. In the afternoon, we continue for Todi. Visit of the historic centre of this pretty walled village protected by the fortress of 1373; we can see the Cathedral, the Piazza del Popolo, the Palazzo dei Priori and the Church of Consolation, built by Bramante. Enjoy the panoramic drive on the return to Assisi.

day 3 Assisi-Lake Trasimeno-Gubbio-Assisi

Breakfast. Departure for Lake Trasimeno, the largest lake in central Italy. Arrival to Passignano through a beautiful panoramic route of border between the regions Umbria and Tuscany. Aboard the ferry, arrival to the Isola Maggiore, a little island where only 17 people live. Visit of the picturesque set of houses through nice paths and lunch at your own. In the afternoon, back to Passignano. Departure to Gubbio, a beautiful city that is located 500 metres above the sea level and shows traces of different dominations, from the Roman to the papal era. The highlights include the Cathedral, the Ducal Palace, the Palazzo del Capitano and the Palazzo dei Consoli. Return to Assisi via panoramic itinerary.

day 4 Assisi-Santa Maria degli Angeli-Orvieto-Siena

Breakfast. In the morning visit of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built at the bottom of the hill of Assisi on the top of the chapel where the young Saint Francis used to pray and meditate. From Santa Maria degli Angeli we continue to an important city positioned between Umbria and Rome: Orvieto. The Gothic Cathedral, majestic and elaborate, shines on the top of a sinuous hill with its facade but the city of the St. Patrick Well, commissioned by Pope Clement VII offers many angles to feel the medieval atmosphere of the city, try the excellent wines or the renowned food. Independent visit. Continue to Siena in the afternoon.

day 5 Siena-San Gimignano-Volterra-Siena

Breakfast. Morning visit of the city of Siena. Surrounded by the vineyards of Chianti on one side, and coloured fields on the other, the city seems to extend over a low hill, in a central position with respect to the lands that have always been its domain. The famous city of Palio and the contrade fascinates by the thousands of colours of its flags, its twisted streets, the perfection of its gothic monuments, the fame of its illustrious citizen and the taste of the products that can be tasted here. Departure to San Gimignano, the city of the towers, where we will visit Porta San Giovanni, Piazza della Cisterna, Palazzo del Popolo, the Civic Museum and the Church of Saint Augustine. Lunch at your own. Continuation to Volterra. Located on the highest point of a high hill, the city with its austere and medieval silhouette is famous for its alabaster craftsmanship. Visit of the city with the Piazza and Palazzo dei Priori Palace, the Duomo, the Baptistery, Porta dell’Arco, Etruscan gate that dates back the 4C bC and the theatre that dates back the Roman age. Return to Siena.

day 6 Siena-Chianti Route-Lucca-Siena

Breakfast. Today you will be invited to taste the most popular Italian wine in the world: Chianti, red wine produced with Sangiovese Tuscany grapes. In the morning, take the Strada del Chianti – Chianti Route. Along the way, we can see the charming hills, the picturesque villages with their ancient towers, the farms and of course the vineyards. Visit of Radda in Chianti, the old town and its walls. Then visit of Greve in Chianti with its asymmetrical square with porticos and terraces. Departure towards Lucca, a city surrounded by a Renaissance wall that has been preserved perfectly and is still walkable on the top. Lunch at your own. In the afternoon, visit of Napoleon Square, the Palace of the Province, the Duomo, the Church of San Michele in Foro and the house where the great composer Giacomo Puccini was born. Then, back to Siena.

day 7 Siena-Montalcino-Pienza-Montepulciano-Rome

Breakfast. Today, we will visit an antique wine cellar, built in a 15C C building with the opportunity to taste the excellent red Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Departure to Montalcino; the great fortress characterizes the city, which looms over the three valleys of Asso, d'Aria and Orcia. Visit. Continue to Pienza. This city, on top of a hill overlooking the Orcia Valley, is an essential stage for its artistic beauties and the good gastronomy typical of the place. The famous Piazza Pio II overlooks the Cathedral, the Piccolomini Palace, the Palazzo Comunale, Borgia Palace are the symbol of the Renaissance style introduced there by the architect Rossellino in the 1400s. The wonderful panoramic promenade along the walls allows us to see the entire valley closed at the bottom of Mount Amiata. Departure towards Montepulciano. The town, an art pearl of 1500s, is located 750 meters above sea level on top of a hill near the Val di Chiana, in a territory already inhabited in the Etruscan and Roman age. Its fame is owed mainly by the production of the wine Nobile, red of great quality. Visit and lunch break. Afternoon return to Rome and end of services.

Inclusions: twin share in quality 4* accommodation, private minivan or coach, escort guide/driver up to 8 people (driver and guide with more than 8), entrance to Marmore Falls, entrance to the Basilica of Saint Francis, black truffle tasting, wine tasting at Montepulciano and Chianti area, free wifi on board.

Exclusions: meals, entrances, porterage, city taxes to be paid to hotels.

Hotels: 4*Assisi-Hotel Fontebella, Siena- Hotel Athena (or similar)