Umbria, Tuscany and Rome

Day 1 Arrival in Umbria

Transfer in private bus from airport to selected hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 2 Assisi

Breakfast. Half day guided walking tour of Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis and Italy’s famous pilgrimage site. Discover all the facets of the Old Town (Roman walls and medieval houses), including the Basilica of Santa Chiara, dedicated to the founder of the Order of Poor Ladies, and the papal Basilica of St. Francis, built between 1228 and 1253. Now home to the consecrated remains of the saint, the stunning monument is also said to have the best collection of art in any church of Italy, including frescoes and paintings by Cimabue, Giotto, Lorenzetti and more. Time at leisure for lunch and the remainder of the day is yours to explore Assisi as you please. Complete your day by a marvellous genuine dinner. Overnight in hotel.

Day 3 Perugia

Breakfast. Today is about art, pizza and bread in Perugia, Umbria’s largest town with its very extensive historic centre. Our guided tour includes a walk through the medieval ghost town built in to the foundations of the Papal castle, Palazzo dei Priori, the Collegio del Cambio with frescoes by Pietro Perugino, the Collegio della Mercanzia with a late 14 C wooden interior and the National Gallery of Umbria which hosts one of the richest collections in Italy with works of international renown. The impressive number and variety of artistic works housed in the museum range from paintings on wood, canvas and murals, to sculptures in wood and stone, to goldsmith’s art and fabrics, which exemplify the artistic evolution in the territory between the 13th and 19th centuries. Time at leisure for Lunch.

Afternoon with Andrea Pioppi, Italian master baker and expert teacher, who after 20 years at the family bakery firm, has decided to follow his vocation as a liberoimpastatore (free-spirited dough kneader). Be inspired by his passion for the art of baking and learn how to create your own bread and pizza. Return in hotel and overnight.

Day 4 Assisi – Florence

Breakfast. Train to Florence and meet your local guide for a tour of Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, with its famous highlights… Michelangelo’s David, the Baptistery, Giotto’s bell tower, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo) and the picturesque Signoria Square. Here you may take the opportunity to admire statues by Cellini, Giambologna and Ammannati before proceeding to the Ponte Vecchio and the Santa Croce Church, containing the tombs of illustrious Florentine citizens such as Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli, as well as fascinating works by Giotto and Donatello. Time at leisure for lunch. The remainder of the day is yours to explore this amazing city as you please; choose from Florence’s many culinary offerings for lunch and on request visit the inspiring Uffizi Gallery. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 5 Tuscan landscape, Chianti wines at the Brolio Castle and on to Rome

Breakfast. Check out and travel to the Chianti area. En route stop at the Brolio Castle (or other famous winery) for a guided tour that takes you through history by visiting the 12th century castle including the gardens, the Ricasoli family’s private chapel and unique museum. After this visit to the past, you will visit the ultramodern wine-making facilities and finish the tour with a special wine tasting and lunch. Barone Ricasoli is the fourth oldest family in the world, in possession of the same company for 32 generations, and the oldest winery in Italy. Then on to Rome, dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 6 Rome

Breakfast. Morning private guided walking tour of the Eternal City including the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona with its beautiful neoclassical architecture. Free time for lunch. Afternoon at leisure for shopping!. Dinner in Osteria and overnight in hotel.

Day 7 Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Breakfast. Discover one of the most beautiful sites in the world on the private guided tour of the Vatican Museums, St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Free time for lunch. Afternoon at leisure to pursue your own passions (or transfer to airport). Overnight in hotel.