MUST-SEE INCLUSIONS
- Explore historic Siena and see the famous piazza of the Palio Horse Race.
- Discover Florence, the "Cradle of the Renaissance."
- Surround yourself in the mystery of the Umbrian hill town of Spoleto.
CULINARY INCLUSIONS
- Experience a home-cooked meal in one of Umbria's country homes.
- Sample pecorino sheep-milk cheese at a local farm in the Orcia Valley.
- Savor the famous Brunello red wine during a musical tasting at a winery in Montalcino.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
- Behold the unique water-filled piazza in the village of Bagno Vignoni.
- Enjoy 3 nights in a restored Tuscan villa.
- Hunt for truffles with a local expert and his truffle-sniffing dogs.
HOTELS
- Kolbe Hotel, Rome
- Villa Santa Barbara, Montefalco, Umbria
- Albergo Le Terme, Bagno Vignoni, Orcia Valley, Tuscany
- Villa San Lucchese Hotel, Chianti Countryside, Tuscany
INCLUDED
- 11 Days
- 10 Nights
- 9 Breakfasts
- 3 Lunches
- 5 Dinners
Overnight Flight
On a journey through Italy’s roads less traveled, discover its endless treasures from Rome to Umbria to Tuscany, and the marvels of wine, cuisine, culture, and history in between.
Rome, Italy
Italy’s dynamic capital city beckons. Get a taste of the local culture and start your journey at a delicious welcome dinner.
Rome - Spoleto - Umbria
Olive and cypress trees accent the Umbrian hill town of Spoleto. Stroll the historic streets with a local expert and see centuries of architectural history, from the ruins of the Rocca Albornoz castle to the gilded elegance of the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta. Pause at a family-owned frantoio (olive presser), where olives are pressed every fall season.* After learning about the many varieties of trees and oil-making methods, join a tasting of the EVOO produced at the mill. Then, take in the splendors of country life in the Umbrian countryside, as you make yourself at home for the next 3 nights.
Umbria - Assisi - Umbria
Travel to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. Set out on a walking tour of the old city with a local guide, learning about its history as you stroll the medieval streets. Visit the famous Basilica of St. Francis. Later, a local family welcomes you to their country home for lunch as their honored guest. Share stories and make an Umbrian friend (or two).
Umbria
In the shadow of the Apennines, experience Umbria’s epicurean side. Join a local truffle hunter in search of the elusive fungi in the company of his trained, truffle-sniffing dogs. Sample the goods yourself during a rustic, home-cooked lunch before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Umbria - Orcia Valley
Leave Umbria for the villages of Tuscany, nestled among the rolling hills and cypress trees of the Val d’Orcia region (UNESCO). Taste the flavors of the region at a local pecorino cheese farm. Snack on some of the cheesemaker’s creations and take in the views of the sparse farmhouses and open fields on your way to the unique hamlet of Bagno Vignoni, whose central piazza is filled with thermal water once used to cure pilgrims who stopped here on their way to Rome.
Orcia Valley
Embark on a culinary journey through the undulating landscape of the Orcia Valley. Begin your day with a visit to an artisanal pasta factory, producing the local specialty – pici – with its organically-grown wheat. Pause in Pienza (UNESCO), a Renaissance village where flowers and plants adorn the cobblestoned streets. Then explore hilltop Montalcino, namesake to one of Italy’s great red wines, the Brunello. Tour a winery’s estate and cellar before indulging in a multi-sensory tasting, pairing wine with music.
Orcia Valley - Siena - Chianti Region
Take a guided walking tour through Siena, delving into the local history as you learn about the world-renowned Palio Horse Race. Enjoy free time to explore more of this hilly town, perhaps visiting its cathedral or the town hall’s frescoes. An afternoon drive through Tuscany’s Chianti Region takes you to where your hotel is located.**
Chianti Region
Explore Florence, the “Cradle of the Renaissance,” during an extensive walking tour in the company of a local expert. View the Ponte Vecchio, the only Florentine bridge to survive WWII. Take in the Palazzo Vecchio, where, for over 300 years, the Medici Family ruled over the city. Admire the Piazza del Duomo, richly adorned by polychrome marble and gilded bronze doors. Take some time on your own*** to explore the city’s seemingly endless treasures, before returning to your Tuscan villa in the evening.
Chianti Region
Spend your morning in San Gimignano, whose 13th-century medieval towers stand tall over the surrounding vineyards. Nicknamed “the Manhattan of the Middle Ages,” San Gimignano’s towers soar over the landscape making its distinctive skyline stand out against the rolling hills. Taste authentic Italian gelato from an award-winning ice cream parlor while you wander the cobbled streets and gaze up at the imposing towers during time at leisure in this Tuscan gem. Return to your hotel mid-afternoon. As the sun begins to set, gather with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner of Tuscan specialties.
Chianti Region - Tour Ends
Your journey through Tuscany and Umbria comes to a close today in your restored Tuscan villa.
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