THE BEST FLAVORS OF TUSCANY & UMBRIA

DAY 1:  ROME – MONTEFALCO (D)

Arrive at Rome Fiumicino airport and transfer by private minivan to Umbria. Check-in at your boutique hotel/resort in the area of Montefalco, the best of the fascinating villages in the Valle of Spoleto. Get ready for a unique Welcome Dinner, with local dishes prepared with km0 products. Overnight.

DAY 2: ASSISI – THE WINE ROUTE & BEVAGNA (B,D)

Breakfast at the resort. This morning you will have an excursion to Assisi: St. Francis was born here in 1182 and spent most of his adult life preaching around this area of Umbria. Assisi is the quintessentially quaint and tranquil Italian hill town, visit the Basilica di San Francesco.

In the afternoon, go to Torgiano, famous throughout the world for its fine wines: visit a local “cantina” (winery) and have a wine tasting session. Proceed then to Bevagna: the town was recently voted the most beautiful village in Italy by census takers. Return to your boutique hotel/resort in Montefalco area, dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: SPOLETO & COOKING CLASS (B,D)

Breakfast at the resort. This morning visit Spoleto: within its wooded setting, is the loveliest of the Umbrian hill-towns. Founded by the Umbrians, Spoleto was one of central Italy’s most important colonies. You will have a free morning to explore Spoleto. In the afternoon, enjoy a funny cooking class, learning some traditional Umbrians recipes. Along with your private chef you will prepare local dishes you will taste then for dinner. Overnight.

DAY 4: ORVIETO & TODI (B,D)

After breakfast at the resort, board your private minivan and know more about Umbria, Italy’s green heart. You will first stop in Orvieto: perched on a 300 m. plateau, Orvieto looks down over a vineyard-spotted plain. Visitor’s flood into the town to admire the Duomo, among the greatest of Italy’s Romanesque-Gothic Cathedrals.

In the afternoon, continue on to Todi, one of the most strikingly situated of Umbria’s famous hill-towns. An ancient Etruscan, and then Roman settlement, it still preserves an uncorrupted medieval air, with several tiny churches, three austere public palaces and many sleepy corners. Return to the farmhouse in the late afternoon, dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: MONTEFALCO – SIENA – MONTERIGGIONI – CHIANTI AREA (B,D)

Breakfast the resort. This morning leave Umbria for Tuscany. Arrival in Siena, one of Italy’s most enchanting cities. While Florence, its historical rival, saw its greatest flourishing during the Renaissance, Siena’s artistic glories are earlier and Gothic. The medieval center bristles with majestic buildings, such as the Palazzo Comunale on il Campo, the main square, while its profusion of churches and small museums harbor a wealth of artwork. At the end of the guided tour, you will have some free time before a wine tasting in an old local “cantina” in Siena’s countryside.

In the afternoon, transfer to Monteriggioni, a gem of a medieval hilltop town. Built in 1203, ten years later became a garrison town. It is completely encircled by high walls with 14 heavily fortified towers, built to guard the northern borders of Siena’s territory against invasion by Florentine armies. Free time to visit Monteriggioni independently, before having dinner at the restaurant inside the castle. You will then proceed to your charming accommodation in the Chianti area. Overnight.

DAY 6: FLORENCE (B,D)

After breakfast board the minivan and transfer to Florence for a full day excursion. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and have a walking tour of Florence, which will take in the multi-colored marble Cathedral, Piazza della Signoria, Santa Croce Basilica…

In the afternoon, return to your boutique hotel/resort in the the Chianti Area, free time at your disposal for relaxing in the swimming pool or choose among one of the several local activities we can handle for you.

Dinner and overnight at the farmhouse.

 DAY 7: LOCAL MARKET – VOLTERRA & SAN GIMIGNANO (B,L)

Breakfast at the resort. This morning you will go to a local market for some food shopping. You will be able to choose among fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, pasta…

Then, transfer to Volterra: like many Etruscan cities, Volterra is situated on a high plateau, offering fine views over the surrounding hills. In many places, the ancient Etruscan walls will still survive, and the well-preserved medieval ramparts give the town a forbidden air, while the gentle Tuscan countryside rolling out for miles around provides perfect contrast.  Have lunch in a typical trattoria inside the walls.

In the afternoon, you will stop in San Gimignano for a visit. The 13 towers that dominate San Gimignano’s majestic skyline were built by noble families in the XII and XIII centuries, when the town’s position – on the main pilgrim route from northern Europe to Rome – brought it great prosperity. For a small town, San Gimignano is rich in craftworks, nice shops, and good restaurants. Before returning to your boutique hotel/resort, visit a local “Tenuta” (farmhouse) near San Gimignano and taste the wines produced here. Arrival at your boutique hotel/resort, independent dinner and overnight.

DAY 8: CORTONA & COOKING CLASS (B,D)

Breakfast at the resort. This morning departs to Cortona: founded by the Etruscans, apart from being one of the oldest hill towns in Tuscany, it is also one of the most scenic. A major power in the Middle Ages, it was able to hold its own against Siena and Arezzo. Today it is a charming maze of old streets and medieval buildings, like the Palazzo Comunale on Piazza Signorelli.

In the afternoon, transfer to a villa in the heart of Chianti and enjoy a “hands on” cooking class. You will prepare a seasonal menu using fresh vegetables and herbs and extra virgin olive oil.

Finally, you will dine on the delicious dishes you prepared!

Return to your boutique hotel/resort, overnight.

Day 9: ARRIVEDERCI ITALIA! (B)

After breakfast transfer to Rome Fiumicino airport to take your flight back home.