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Umbria, a lesson in italian living, timeless hilltowns, a private villa, incredible art, traditional food, and picture perfect views | May 28-June 8 2024 |SIGN UPS CLOSE 30 JAN 2024

A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEART OF ITALY, ABSORBING THE TIMELESS CHARM OF A UNIQUE REGION

In the company of a skilled truffle hunter and his hounds, you’ll walk through forests of oak and hornbeam in the foothills of the Apennines. Afterwards you have eggs with fresh truffles cooked over an open fire in a meadow together with a shepherd and his giant maremma dogs that guard his flock from wolves, followed by a farmhouse lunch with freshly made pasta moistened with local olive oil and grated truffles unearthed that morning, a culinary symphony that sings with the treasures of the soil.

You’ll explore the wonders of Orvieto, set high on a volcanic outcrop, where the majestic duomo houses the marvellous Signorelli frescoes, allegedly the inspiration for Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Nearby Todi is the style capital of Umbria, with a central piazza little changed since medieval times.

After four nights in one of the prettiest hilltowns of the region, you’ll transfer to a private villa set among the rolling hills near Todi. Amid panoramic views and luscious countryside, you’ll continue to explore the hilltowns, visit some noble palaces, churches and gardens and shop for local produce in village markets with our cook who will unravel some of the mysteries of the Umbrian kitchen, a deep immersion in local culture.

You’ll take leisurely walks along forested river valleys, past monasteries and watchtowers that once guarded these hills from invaders. Tiny shrines set among ancient olive groves recall the days when these trails were trod by pilgrims en route to Rome.

Delve into the medieval crafts that endure in the towns of Umbria. In Bevagna, traditional techniques of papermaking and silk weaving have been preserved since the Middle Ages. Deruta is famous for its Majolica workshops, the rich and florid style of pottery that traces its origins to the Renaissance.

Visit the Infiorata in Spello, an annual tradition which sees intricate floral carpets transform the town’s streets into vibrant tapestries celebrating the feast of corpus domini.

This 11-night journey is a chance to immerse yourself in a part of Italy where tourists are few, where age-old traditions endure, where hilltowns hide unsuspected treasures and the unchanging rhythms of rural life are dictated by the seasons. It’s a journey that invites you to slow down, appreciate the timeless beauty around you and lay down memories that will echo long after the adventure is over.

Stay

Calm, character and comfort

We’re staying just two places, a charming small hotel in the hilltown of Trevi and a week in a gorgeous private villa, where we’ll have daily maid service, a pool and a chef who will initiate us into the delights of Umbria’s traditional cuisine

Explore

A medieval hill town

We’ll explore neighbouring hill towns including Trevi, built around the 13th century Church of San Francesco. From here we’ll wander trails once used by pilgrims en route to Rome.

Umbria truffle hunting

Hunt

Truffle

Above the tiny village of Pettino, we’ll hunt for truffles. It’s a day of surprises, with sheep, truffle hounds, fresh pecorino cheeses and a wonderful meal of fresh pasta with truffles in a farmhouse kitchen.

Wonder

Kingdom, Power and Glory

We’ll see some soul-lifting churches in Orvieto, Gubbio and the hilltowns we visit, richly endowed with some of the supreme artworks of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Food

Regional specialities

Taste Italy’s finest olive oils and Sagrantino wines, grown only around the town of Montefalco. We’ll taste regional specialties and delve deep into
the culture from which they sprang.

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Discover

Ancient pilgrimage routes

As well as the noble cities of Assisi, Perugia, Gubbio and Orvieto we’ll wander in the hills of Umbria, exploring fortified hilltowns that overlook the Via Flaminia, the 3rd century Roman road.

COST

Cost: $8760 Per person, twin-share, Single Supplement $1,750
Non-refundable deposit $500 dollars when you book
What’s included
• Transfers from Fiumicino Airport or your hotel in Rome to our hotel in Umbria, and another transfer to the airport or city of Rome at the end of the tour
• Safe and comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
• English speaking professional driver
• Guided tours in all cities/towns
• 11 nights’ accommodation in a double/twin room with breakfast
• Admission to all historic monuments
• Breakfast daily
• Lunches on 6 days
• Dinners on 9 nights
• Gratuities (driver/guide, city guides, servers etc)
• Still water with meals, on the bus and on day tours
• Wine: One bottle of red and one bottle of white for the table for each included dinner

Fitness

Generally any reasonably fit person should be able to participate & fully enjoy all that the tours have to offer.
You should be comfortable walking around towns and countryside. The tour will include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).
Be able to walk and negotiate stairs and pedestrian thoroughfares
Be able to stand for 30-60 minutes in galleries and museums at a time without a break
Be able to get on and off a coach with stairs, unassisted
Use a combined shower/bath (please note that we cannot guarantee walk-in shower facilities at all hotels)

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