Tuscan and Umbrian Countryside
| Resort: | Tuscan and Umbrian Countryside |
| Operator: | |
| Destination: | Europe, Italy |
| Price From: | £2089.00 |
OverviewSee another side of Italy. Explore Tuscany and Umbrias smaller, more authentic towns. Learn the secrets of Tuscan and Umbrian cuisine. Journey to Florence, the Cradle of the Italian Renaissance. Visit a family owned winery for a tasting and have a home-hosted lunch in a charming country home. Stop in Siena, a medieval town with one of Tuscany’s most beautiful squares. Venture to Assisi for a guided walking tour of the old city. Travel to the Etruscan hill town of Orvieto, known for its white wine and Gothic cathedral. Spend time in the hill town of Volterra to visit the Guarnacci Museum and witness an alabaster carving demonstration at a local workshop. Explore San Gimignano, known as the “City of Beautiful Towers.” Along the way, savor regional specialties and enjoy Italian wines with every dinner. ItineraryDay 1: Overnight FlightBoard your overnight flight to the Italian capital city of Rome. Day 2: Rome, Italy – Tour BeginsMeet your fellow travelers in Rome for a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Join in an interactive and fun presentation on Italys wines given by the restaurants sommelier. Indulge in a traditional four-course meal paired with some of the countrys finest wines. Day 3: Rome – Orvieto – UmbriaTravel to the Etruscan hill town of Orvieto, known for its white wine and Gothic cathedral housing a Signorelli fresco. Upon arrival, join a local expert on a walking tour to discover Orvietos treasures, including a visit to the cathedral. Take time to explore this town on your own or perhaps enjoy a leisurely lunch. Spend the next four nights in a pristine Umbrian hill town. Day 4: Umbria – Spoleto – Cooking Class – UmbriaEmbark on a guided walking tour of historic Spoleto. See medieval palaces, the ornate Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta, and the magnificent Ponte delle Torri, an aqueduct dating back to the 13th century. Enjoy free time to peruse the towns shops and cafs. Pay a special visit to a country restaurant housed in a 16th-century farmhouse where the chef provides a hands-on Umbrian cooking lesson. Indulge in an early dinner in the countryside. Day 5: Umbria – Montefalco – Winery – Bevagna – Olive Oil Factory – UmbriaTravel to Montefalco, nicknamed the Balcony of Umbria for its unobstructed views of the Umbrian countryside. Feel like you have stepped back in time as you independently explore this charming medieval town. Then, its on to a local winery to sip some of this regions most prized wine, the Sagrantino, before enjoying lunch featuring typical Umbrian dishes. Continue to Bevagna where you will join a local expert for a walking tour featuring Roman and medieval archaeological and architectural marvels. Cap off your day by learning about another local product olive oil at a local factory in the area of Trevi. Day 6: Umbria – Home-Hosted Lunch – Assisi – UmbriaAfter a leisurely morning, an Umbrian family welcomes you to their country home as they prepare a delicious home-cooked meal. Afterwards, travel to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, for a guided walking tour of the old city, including the Basilica of St. Francis and its medieval streets. Take time to explore the city independently. Day 7: Umbria – Winery – TuscanyJourney from Umbria through southern Tuscany. Admire the picturesque Renaissance landscape of hills and villages of the Val DOrcia region. Make a stop at a winery to discover the wine cellar, family estate, vineyards, olive groves and stunning views. The winerys chef prepares an authentic Tuscan lunch, expertly paired with wines produced on-site. Make yourself at home in Tuscany in your restored palazzo for the next four nights. Day 8: Tuscany – Florence – TuscanySet out on a short journey to Florence, Cradle of the Italian Renaissance. Begin with a guided walking tour of the city sights, viewing the cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore, located in the religious center of the Piazza Del Duomo and the Palazzo Vecchio. Join your local guide in exploring the unique qualities of the city, focusing on Florences local artisans and visiting their workshops. Spend some free time shopping and investigating Florence on your own. Return to Montaione. Day 9: Tuscany – Siena – Monteriggioni – TuscanyTravel to the city of Siena. While on a walking tour, visit the historic piazza famous for the Palio Horse Race. Continue to the walled town of Monteriggioni for a stroll along the quaint streets of this town, seemingly frozen in time. Take an afternoon break and try some local snacks before returning to Montaione for the evening. Day 10: Tuscany – Volterra – San Gimignano – TuscanySpend your morning in Volterra, a former Etruscan city which sits high above the Tuscan countryside. Visit the Guarnacci Museum, one of the most famous Etruscan museums in Italy. Afterwards, stop to witness an alabaster carving demonstration* at a local workshop. Travel to San Gimignano, known as the “City of Beautiful Towers,” and look for the town’s fourteen medieval towers that date back to the 13th century. Enjoy a stroll along Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Cisterna. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers. Day 11: Tuscany – Tour EndsYour journey comes to a close in Montaione. |
