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Umbria Bella

 

7-DAY TOURS. Staying in Montefalco, visiting Spoleto, Spello, Gubbio, Assisi and Orvieto

This tour is a unique experience and will introduce you in a relaxed way to real life in one of Italy's least exploited regions.

PLACES STILL AVAILABLE ON 2008 DEPARTURES 
IN ON SUNDAYS: 
18 MAY, 15 JUNE, 28 SEPT, 19 OCT, 2 NOV

EUR 2180  /*AUD 3452 PER PERSON IN TWIN SHARE          
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT EURO 300 /*AUD 592 *Subject to change
BOOK IN EARLY FOR 2009 DEPARTURES - FILLING FAST
IN ON SUNDAYS:
04 JAN, 22 MARCH, 19 APRIL, 03 MAY, 01 JUNE, 06 SEPT, 18 OCT, 01 NOV,
Bookings  through CIT Australia
     
 

Umbria is a dream landscape of serene valleys and fortified hill towns, vineyards and olive groves, in a setting of unsurpassed beauty nestling at the heart of the Italian peninsula. The tour provides a complete experience of real Italian life while exploring a region rich in an extraordinary wealth of history, art and some of the oldest architecture in Europe.


From one central and comfortable base you will have the opportunity to experience the varied riches of this magical region as yet unspoiled by tourism. This tour is a unique experience and will introduce you in a relaxed way to real life in one of Italy's least exploited regions. The itinerary is organised around guided day trips to impressive locations where Etruscan arches, Roman architecture and Renaissance frescoes form a fascinating collage. You will wander through local markets, delightful piazzas and truffle-rich oak forests, enjoy a wine tasting of award winning wines and be brought face to face with a vibrant and attractive way of life that has deep roots in an ancient past while admiring the many architectural and artistic features that enrich the central Italian province of Umbria.

  
     
 
  Accommodation
 
You will be staying in one comfortable centrally located accommodation at Camiano Piccolo, the Fabrizi family estate located just outside the walls of the medieval hilltown of Montefalco. The accommodation is ideally situated for our visits to nearby towns and villages. In 1991 a cluster of four of the farm buildings was converted into high quality accommodation, with a swimming pool added later. There are twenty-two rooms, all with their own bathroom and private entrance. Meals are held in a pleasant dining room and there are lounge areas in two of the buildings. There is a garden and terrace with spectacular views across the Vale of Umbria to Assisi, Trevi and Spoleto. This is often used as an outdoor eating area but is also a wonderful place to read or just take in the sun. The rooms are not air-conditioned, but the thick walls and shady trees keep the temperature pleasant even on hotter days. The region also produces some of the finest natural produce in Italy. The estate is still a working farm producing its own wine and olive oil which are used to prepare the delicious simple meals which are such a feature of the tour. Dinner is usually at the accommodation unless otherwise described.
 
 
  Detailed itinerary    

This is a preliminary itinerary and will be altered to accommodate seasonal activities, the weather, local festivals or the availability of guides or restaurants. However the essential content of the itinerary will remain the same. B L D means that breakfast, lunch and/or dinner will be included that day.

 

Day 1    Sunday              Transfer to Montefalco                                      L D
You will be met outside the main entrance of Spoleto railway station at 11.00 am and transferred to your accommodation near Montefalco arriving at approximately 12.00 noon. After lunch on the estate we walk up to the medieval town of Montefalco where you will be introduced to the art and history of the town. Welcome drinks in the town's delightful piazza will be followed by dinner at the accommodation.

 

Day 2     Monday                          Spoleto                                                 B L D
 Today we travel to Spoleto, a town rich in Roman and medieval history. We visit the church of San Pietro Fuori Le Mura which boasts one of the most outstanding Romanesque facades in Umbria before crossing the magnificent medieval aqueduct on our way into the city. 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. On our way home we visit the fascinating paleo-Christian basilica of San Salvatore and the mysterious Tempietto at Clitunno. Dinner will be at the accommodation.

 

Day 3     Tuesday           Todi, Montecastello del Vibio                           B L D

Todi is one of Umbria's most popular towns. it was once voted the most liveable place in the world ! We spend the morning on a guided exploration of the town's beautiful main square and surrounding streets. Lunch is in a restaurant with dramatic views overlooking the valley. Montecastello del Vibio is a tiny jewel of a town. We stop here on the way home just for a wander around the streets, to visit the smallest theatre in Umbria and to generally admire the views.

 

Day 4     Wednesday        Spello & Trevi                                                    B D

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. The rest of the morning is free in the town to explore the ancient roman backstreets and modern art shops. Lunch in Spello on a terrace overlooking the landscape. A visit to nearby Trevi on the way home. One of the most picturesque towns in the Umbrian valley.

 

Day 5    Thursday          Gubbio                                                                B D
This morning we drive to Gubbio, an exceptionally well-preserved medieval hilltown nestling in a remote valley in northern Umbria. We visit the museum in the imposing Palazzo dei Consoli to see the extraordinary Eugubean Tablets, the most complete record of religious practices from anywhere in the ancient world. After free time we drive to the monastery of Sant' Ubaldo where the ancient 'Ceri' that form the focus of Gubbio's annual festival are kept.  

 

Day 6    Friday               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 is followed by a talk with slides on the apocalyptic fresco cycle by Luca Signorelli.

 

Day 7     Saturday          Orvieto                                                               B L D
In the morning travel to Orvieto for a guided tour of the town including the Duomo, 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. Cocktails and farewell dinner at the accommodation. ()

 

Day 8     Sunday             Montefalco to Spoleto                                        B
On the last day of the tour you will be transferred to Spoleto Station leaving the accommodation at 9.15am in time for the 10.12am train from Spoleto Station to Rome Termini
 
 
  How much does it cost?
The price of the tour is EURO 2180 per person in twin share accommodation. A deposit of EURO 300 per person is required to reserve a place on the tour. This deposit is non-refundable unless the tour is cancelled.  Single supplements in large double rooms are available at an additional cost of single use Euro 425. A limited number of actual single rooms at EURO 300.  The full balance is due 60 days before departure. The tour is costed on a minimum of five (5) people travelling and is limited to eighteen (18) places. Subject to final tour numbers and exchange rates the price may vary slightly. You will be notified immediately of any change.
 
     
 
  What is included?
 

• Spoleto station or Spoleto hotel transfers
 • All land travel by air-conditioned coach
 • Accommodation for seven nights (4 days full board & 3 days half board)
 • Dinner every night including fresh local produce and local wines
 • Guided visits in Montefalco, Spoleto, Spello, Todi, Gubbio, Assisi and Orvieto
 • Visits to Spoleto and the famous ceramics centre of Deruta
 • Admission to all galleries, museums and historical sites included in the itinerary
 • The services of a tour leader throughout the tour
  What is not Included?

• Airfares

• Some meals while visiting local towns are not included in the tour price. We have however carefully chosen a selection of local restaurants and negotiated very reasonable prices for generous set menus of regional specialities usually including excellent local wines. You will have the choice of making your own arrangements.

• Travel insurance (this is essential)

• Entry fees other than those specifically mentioned on the itinerary

• Taxi, or personal transport costs, phone calls or tips

• Wine outside of normal meals

• Laundry: This can be organised with the staff at the accommodation

 
 
  Additional Information
 
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-eight 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.

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.
 
 
  Your Hosts
 

You will be accompanied throughout the tour by a local team of intelligent and graceful local Italians including Analita our official Umbrian tour guide, Cristina, Carol or other local Umbrians who will travel with you most days, and featuring father and son Piero and Giuseppe Fabrizi who own and run the excellent accommodation at Montefalco. The team has collaborated now for over ten years and will ensure events run smoothly for your holiday experience.