An exploration of Umbria's beautiful hilltowns and fresco cycles during guided day trips, and including wine tastings of Montefalco's award winning Sagrantino wine, a medieval festival, a performance at the Spoleto Festival, a truffle hunt and local cooking classes. You will benefit from the expertise and knowledge of local residents and guides who will lead you through a maze of hidden treasures often familiar only to those who live here. We end with two days in an extraordinary restored monastery immersed in a forest in the Valnerina and holding some of Italy's earliest frescoes. It is said that Umbria has more saints, priests and poets than any other region in Italy, and at this place we have a sense of why that is. This is a unique experience and will introduce you in a relaxed way to the art, food, music, wine and life of one of Italy's least exploited regions.

• A discovery of the Fresco cycles of Central Umbria

• A performance at the Spoleto Festival

• A balance of free time and guided visits

• Bevagna's Medieval Festival

• Cellar tastings of Montefalco's Sagrantino wine

• Cooking classes of traditional local fare

• Truffle hunting in the forest above Spoleto 

• Visits to cashmere and ceramics outlets

• A spiritual wind-down stay in a monastery at the end of the tour

You will stay 12 of the 14 nights on an estate located just outside the walls of the medieval hilltown of Montefalco. The family run establishment produce their own wine and olive oil as  well as many of the fresh vegetables which are used to prepare delicious simple meals.  The cluster of buildings has been converted into high quality accommodation, with air-conditioning and a swimming pool. All rooms have their own bathroom and private entrance. Meals are held in a pleasant dining room or on the garden terrace with spectacular views across the valley. This is also a wonderful place to read or just take in the sun. The accommodation is ideally situated for our visits to nearby towns and villages.

Our final two nights will be spent in the Abbey of San Pietro in Valle - a converted monastery immersed in the forest in the Valnerina. They have a spa, sauna and massages can be booked in their treatment area. A 4 star Michelin restaurant is attached to the premises.

This is a preliminary itinerary. The program may be altered to accommodate seasonal variations and activities, including local festivals, exhibitions or concert performances. However the essential content of the itinerary will remain the same and an updated version of the itinerary will be presented on arrival. B L D means that breakfast, lunch and/or dinner will be included that day.

Sunday  20 June             Transfer to Montefalco                                      L D

You will be met at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport at Fiumicino at 10.30am. A private air-conditioned coach will transfer you to Montefalco in Umbria. After lunch on the estate we walk up to the medieval town of Montefalco where you will be introduced to the town's artisan traditions, art and history.

We highly recommend arriving one day early and staying overnight at the Airport Hilton Hotel to refresh after the flight.

Monday   21 June           Markets & Villa Cooking Class                             B L D 

Today is market day in Montefalco so there is a walk around the town to experience the atmosphere. The cooking class is at a local villa just near the marketplace. You will develop skills in making a complete Umbrian meal from antipasti, through to dolci, including fresh pasta in its local variation, 'strangozzi' with its interesting definition as 'priest strangler. The afternoon is at leisure.

Tuesday  22 June           Spoleto                                                               B L D

Today we travel to Spoleto, a town rich in Roman and medieval history. We cross the magnificent medieval aqueduct on our way into the city where we explore the ancient Roman centre of the town including the Roman house and visit the Duomo to see Filippo Lippi's final fresco cycle.  There will also be free time for you to enjoy the town at your own pace.

Wednesday 23 June       Perugia                                                               B D

We drive to Perugia, Umbria’s largest town. The day begins with a walk through the medieval  ghost town under Rocca Paolina, a stroke of genius by the architect who was ordered to destroy the quarter of the city and build a Palace but converted it instead into a virtual underground city. The rest of the morning is free in the town for you to explore at your leisure. In the afternoon there will be a guided visit to the National Gallery of Perugia. Located in the grand Palazzo dei Priori, this twelve-room gallery takes visitors thorough the history of Umbrian painting, featuring works by Perugino and Pinturrichio, in addition to two stunning Tuscan masterpieces (Fra Angelico, Piero della Francesca) and early Sienese works (Duccio).

Thursday  24 June          Bevagna & Spello                                              B D

Down in the valley and just a short distance from Montefalco, Bevagna is one of Umbria's most evocative towns. Originally Roman, it has a beautifully evocative piazza encircled by three churches and containing roman ruins. We visit a medieval house and roman mosaics as part of the exploration of this small gem. Lunch at the accommodation. In the afternoon we travel to the delightful small hilltown of Spello and include a guided visit to the Baglioni Chapel decorated with superb frescoes by the Umbrian Renaissance master Pinturicchio. Free time in the town to explore the ancient roman backstreets and modern art shops.

Friday 25 June                Assisi                                                                 B D

We spend the day in Assisi, the home of St Francis, Italy's favourite saint. There is a guided visit of the town, the Roman remains under the still-standing temple of Minerva, and the Basilica of San Francesco decorated with frescoes by Giotto. Dinner at the accommodation.

Saturday  26 June          Orvieto                                                               B D

In the morning travel to Orvieto for a guided tour of the town including the Basilica, among the greatest of all Italy’s cathedrals, containing the work of Luca Signorelli. There will be free time to visit the weekly markets and to explore the town centre with its fascinating array of shops, cafes and an award-winning gelateria. Dinner at the accommodation.

Sunday 27 June              Day at leisure & Medieval Festival                    B D

Free time in the morning to wander and explore either the delightful streets of Montefalco or the surrounding countryside. In the evening an excursion will be arranged to the Medieval Festival in Bevagna including dinner in a rustic taverna with the entire town's population in medieval dress. The place will be buzzing with traditional artisan workshops and street musicians and men in chainmail.       

Monday  28 June             Deruta Ceramics, Torgiano & Cashmere           B D 

Deruta has been a major ceramics centre since medieval times. Here you will be shown through a selection of some of the 300 terracotta outlets . In nearby Torgiano in the afternoon we visit a beautifully appointed private wine museum and a local cashmere outlet.

Tuesday  29 June            Sagrantino Wine & Spoleto Festival           B L D

The day is taken up with visits to various local wine cellars where you can try Montefalco's award winning Sagrantino wine. Montefalco has been placed on the map through acclaim for this wine now established as one of Italy's best. In the evening transport will be provided to Spoleto for attendance at one one of the festival's performances.
 
Wednesday  30 June      Cooking class 2 & Olive oil tasting                     B L D  

We travel on to a nearby farmhouse where we explore the ancient estate, its traditions and its biological grain farm, cooking lunch by the enormous fireplace in the original family kitchen using produce from the fields outside. Lunch follows on the estate. In the afternoon we visit a local oil mill and walk through the field of olives which will include a field lecture on growing techniques and a detailed tasting and comparison some of the area's excellent extra virgin olive oils. The whole of Umbria beneath 600 mtrs in altitude has a climate and geography particularly suited to the cultivation of the olive. The oil is an essential ingredient of Umbrian cooking and the landscape displays evidence of years of tradition in the area's principal agricultural activity.

Thursday  01 July           Foligno                                                                B L D

A relaxing morning at your own pace in Foligno, the local shopping town. The afternoon is at leisure and then our final dinner in the garden at Camiano Piccolo before we transfer tomorrow to new accommodation.

Fri 02 July      Truffle hunt & Transfer to the Valnerina             O'night  Valnerina  B

Packing up to leave Montefalco today, we travel first to a the sacred mountain forest of Monteluco above Spoleto where we accompany a professional truffle hunter and his trained dogs on his daily quest for 'black gold'. We enjoy a simple meal of wine, bruschetta, pasta and truffles in the hunter's home in the mountain village. After lunch we drive the short distance into the Valnerina a deep valley lined with towers along the river Nera. Our accommodation is in an eighth-century abbey now a secluded hotel in the mountains of Umbria. It holds unique Longobard carvings and some of Umbria's earliest frescoes. An extraordinary residence aimed to tranquilize our souls and leave us with a sense of the spirituality of Umbria.

Sat 03 July     Scheggino, Ferrentillo, Cascate delle Marmore   O'night  Valnerina  B

A late start this morning to absorb the atmosphere and to allow time for a facial, spa or massage (optional and requiring reservations) or simply for a stroll in the surrounding forests. Late in the morning we drive to and visit nearby towns and Italy's largest waterfall. Our final dinner in the 4 star restaurant attached to the monastery will feature local dishes such as truffles and wild boar from the forest around us.
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Sunday  04 July          Departure

On the last day of the tour you will be transferred to Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport at Fiumicino  leaving the accommodation at 8.15am in time for an 11am check-in.

The cost of the tour is AUD 7200 per person in twin share. A deposit of AUD 650 per person is required to reserve a place on the tour. This deposit is non-refundable unless the tour is cancelled. A limited number of single supplements is available at an additional cost of AUD 650 in a single room (SNG), or AUD 785 in a double room (DUS). The full balance is due 60 days before departure. The tour is costed on a minimum of twelve (12) people travelling and is limited to the 18 rooms available for accommodation. Subject to final tour numbers and exchange rates the price may vary slightly. You will be notified immediately of any change.

• Transfers from and to Rome's Fiumicino Airport

• All land travel within Italy by air-conditioned coach

• Accommodation and breakfasts for 14 nights (12 nights Montefalco, 2 night Valnerina)

• Excellent meals of fresh local produce every day at the accommodation

• Two cooking classes with lunch included

• Truffle gathering in a forest overlooking Spoleto incl. lunch

• Additional restaurant meals in Bevagna, Spoleto and a winery

• Wine tasting in Montefalco and various local cellars

• A visit to the famous ceramics centre of Deruta

• Guided visits to Spoleto Perugia, Bevagna, Spello, Orvieto, Assisi,

• A performance at the Spoleto Festival

• Admission to all galleries, museums and historical sites included in the itinerary

• Background lectures on the art and history of Umbria

• The services of the tour leader throughout the tour

• Airfares

• Travel insurance (this is highly recommended)

• Entry fees to places other than those specifically mentioned in the itinerary

• Meals on excursions except where specifically mentioned in the itinerary

• Optional concerts or excursions may be offered which is not included in the tour price

• Personal transport costs, phone calls or tips

• Drinks outside normal meal times, or additional wine in restaurants

• Laundry: the staff at the accommodation will do your washing and ironing for you at a cost of Euro 20,00 (approx.$35) per machine load

What kinds of people go on Living Italy tours? The single feature which distinguishes the Living Italy groups is their desire to understand and appreciate in depth the places they visit. The interests of the group are usually wide-ranging - history, fine arts, music, architecture, food, reading etc. The age of group members varies greatly, but most would be more than forty years old and have travelled. With a maximum of twenty-two places on the tour the group is large enough for you to find like-minded friends, but small enough for us to get to know you all.

What will the weather be like?  Summer is delightful times to visit central Italy. Daytime temperatures can be warm with a range from 18 to 28 degrees and the evenings are mild. You will need a light jacket for the evenings, and it is reasonable to expect rain on a few days.

How fit do you have to be? In order to visit and enjoy the natural attractions of the countryside and the historical centres of towns it is necessary to be able to walk well, as bus and car access can be difficult. While there are no medical restrictions on who may book a place on the tour, you should be fit enough to stroll for periods of up to an hour (with short breaks) and you should specially note that the towns are not called 'hilltowns' for nothing!. Wherever possible we break up walking tours with coffee stops and extended lunches and we have tried to mix busy and relaxed days in the itinerary. Remember that it is always possible to take time off from the program whenever you like.

Neil Moore (www.neilmoore.it) B.A. (Hons) is a painter and etcher of exceptional ability who has lived with his family for the last twenty years in the Umbrian countryside. Having graduated and then taught in the Department of Fine Arts at Sydney University, he made a second career as a newspaper illustrator for the National Times, the Sydney Morning Herald and other Australian publications. Now an established artist in his own right who exhibits in Europe and Australia, he divides his time between creative work and operating the Living Italy program together with his wife Carol Searle. Neil and Carol's extensive knowledge and love of the history, art, food, wine and society of Umbria will become evident as they lead you through this largely undiscovered part of the world.

In addition you will be accompanied throughout the tour by a team of locals committed to making your stay a true and fulfilling Italian experience. This includes the owners of the accommodation Piero and Giuseppe Fabrizi, as well as others who you will meet throughout the itinerary. The team has collaborated now for over 15 years.