A True Italian Experience

Umbria

Private Guided Tour Region: Umbria

Itinerary

Day 1 – PIEDILUCO and CASCATE DELLE  MARMORE (day of relax in nature)

From the Rome airport, we will stop in PIEDILUCO and CASCATE DELLE  MARMORE on our way to our Umbrian villa. About half-way from the Rome airport to the villa we will stop at Cascate delle Marmore,  man-made waterfalls in three levels – made by the Romans and still functioning today. We will take the easy stroll down passing the waterfalls to get your blood moving again after the flight. Just above the waterfall is the 2nd largest lake in the penisola of Italy (after Lake Trasimeno) where we will take in the scenery and have a splendid ‘pranzo di benvenuto’ (welcome lunch) with a lake view.

Arrival at our country villa in the vineyards of Montefalco and dinner on your own at your leisure.
Le foto di villa montefalco

Day 2  – MONTEFALCO (day of gastronomical tastings)

MONTEFALCO (WINE COUNTRY): You will get to know the Umbria wines immediately so that you know what to choose in the restaurants in the following days! Umbria is known for Vino Rosso di Montefalco and for the exquisite Sagrantino wine. We will make 2 to 3 stops at cantinas, from a smaller mom and pop vineyard to the best rated winery in Umbria! We will also tour a frantoio (where olive oil is made). The frantoio is run by two sisters, and we will not only see the production system, but we will also taste their olive oil at a modest luncheon in their home restaurant just next to the frantoio: the sister who speaks better English will show us the frantoio while the sister who is the better cook prepares our lunch. We will also be visiting the small town of Montefalco this day and eating the most fabulous thin crust pizza (the lasagna is also great!) at Marena’s very favorite pizzeria!

Day 3 – SPOLETO (day of history and art)

SPOLETO: visit to the church of San Pietro outside the town center of Spoleto to see its famous facade; the church was built over a necropolis (ancient burial ground) for bishops in 419. Nearby the church we will be able to walk over the Ponte delle Torri, a striking 13th-century aqueduct on Roman foundations which finishes in the historical town center at the six-towered Rocca Albornoziana, built in 1359–1370 which houses the museum. Strolling always downhill from this point (it’s great beginning at the top…smiles), we will pass the Roman theatre and stop at a Roman House, which is a marvel to see! We will lunch at an Osteria (fixed menu each day) but that will always serve Marena and her guests the amazing fried ricotta balls made by the owners mother – yes , its’ true and it’s delicious! After lunch you will have plenty of free time to shop around, visit the modern museum of art which is quite notable, or to hang out at a caffè and people watch. (Note: This is a big walking day.)

Day 4 NORCIA and CASTELLUCCIO DI NORCIA (day in the mountains and small mountain towns)

NORCIA is the capital of Valnerina surrounded by the Sibilini mountains, a subrange of the Appenine. At the height of the medieval period, the Norcians became quite specialized in the butchering of meat; they, in fact, were considered experts of anatomy so much so that a Surgical School to perfect the art of this technique began in 1215. In Italian a butcher shop is called a ‘macelleria’; however, in Norcia they are called ‘norcelleria’ which indicates that they are the best at their trade. Here you can try the best salumi (dried meats) and cheeses in all of Italy.
CASTELLUCCIO DI NORCIA is situated nearby Norcia in the National Park of Monti Sibillini and is the most elevated part of the Appennine Umbro-Marchigiano mountains, boasting a spectacular view of the flowering valley in the Spring. The town itself has few inhabitants and dates back to 1300. The main crop is lentils. In Italy a dish of lentils is traditionally served on New Year’s Eve for good luck for the following year. If your lentils are from Castelluccio then you are even more fortunate. Other notable dishes from this area are: tartufo (truffles) and meat infused with tartufo. Strategically placed trees create the formation of Italy on the hillside upon which the town sits. Horseback riding in the plain below or hiking in the hills above this town provides a wonderous view all around (don’t worry, you can just hang out to enjoy it as well!)

Day 5 – ASSISI (spiritual day)

Today we will follow the footsteps of St. Francis, the patron saint of Italy. We will start our day in the valley below Assisi which was once a great forest and is now a town called SANTA MARIA DEGLI ANGELI which has a church of the same name; this Church was built around the Porziuncula (St. Francis’ original church that he restored when he abbandoned his family, Assisi and materialism and founded his own order in 1209). Next we will drive up and around Assisi on MOUNT SUBASIO to visit St. Francis’ hermitage and for lunch in a humble little restaurant in the mountains. Finally, we will enter ASSISI to visit the town center and to see the famous Giotto paintings (that tell the life story of St. Francis) in the Basilica of San Francesco that sits upon the hill of Paradise where he is now buried. You will also have plenty of free time to shop and walk around. (Note: This is a big walking day.)

Because Assisi is the half-way point, we will transfer from our country villa in the vineyards to our 5-star, medieval CASTLE ACCOMMODATION from the year 1300!
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Day 6 – CORTONA (day of relax/spa and shopping)

You can pass the morning getting to know the castle grounds, visiting the castle itself (which houses artifacts from the 1300s), using the spa, taking in the sun poolside (weather pending), ‘come vuoi’ (as you wish). In the afternoon we will go to CORTONA (Tuscany), which was the setting for Under the Tuscan Sun, where you will delight in shopping at darling boutiques with products typical of the region. If you want a leather bag, this is the place to get it! Tuscan dinner out.
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Day 7 (day of festival!) – One day is always reserved for something special and typical of the season, which can vary with each trip: Umbria is noted for its many festivals and here we celebrate everything from strawberries to wild boar with lots of medieval festivals and games in between! Once your dates are tentatively selected, Marena will let you know what’s going on Day 7.

Day 8 – PERUGIA(day of antiquity and cioccolata!)

PERUGIA: We will start our day far back in history, visiting the Etruscan tombs ( 2nd c. BC); the Etruscans were an eleborate and luxurious tribespeople from this area before the Romans came along. Next we’re off to the famous art glass art studio (late 1800s/early 1900s) run even today by the family that was commissioned to remake in glass DeVinci’s Last Supper which now rests in a museum in California. We will enter the historical town center of Perugia through Rocca Paolina (the city under the city), and will visit the Galleria Nazionale, the Maggiore Fountain with scenes from daily life each month, the Roman acquaduct (now a walkway leading to the  former Paegan Round Temple), the Etruscan Arch near the historical University for Foreigners, and the homemade chocolate shop! We will eat both dinner and lunch out today. There will be plenty of free time for shopping!  (Note: This is a big walking day.)

Day 9 – LAGO TRASIMENO (party boat day!)

Private boat ride in LAGO TRASIMENO (the 4th largest lake in all of Italy and the largest on the peninsula). We will begin with ‘aperativi’ (drinks and appetizers) onboard and will cruise leisurely around the lake making two island stops: the first will be at ISOLA POLVESE for a walk and a swim (weather permitting) and the second will be at ISOLA MAGGIORE for a stroll (here you will see elderly ladies crocheting lace, which you can buy for a price…).

We will disembark our boat for good at a lovely town called CASTIGLIONE DEL LAGO to visit la Rocca (the fort) and the castle, learning about its history as we gaze at the breathtaking view. Strolling through the town itself, the shop owners will offer you salami and cheese to taste along the one main streetway of the town until we shortly reach the end where we will enjoy our farewell meal.
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Day 10 – day of ‘Arrivederci’, which literally means: to see each other again! Smiles.

The itinerary is subject to change to accommodate the weather, festivals, or special needs of the guests – you.

If you have a concern or a request, please ask. Aside from not having to travel around in a herd, accommodating requests is another bonus of a private tour.

Price: euro 2770 per person/double occupancy; euro 300 supplement singles

Included:
• airport transfers in a private A/C van (with water, spirits, and snacks)
• 9 nights accommodation at a villa and a castle (4 and 5 star)
• daily guided tours explaining the art and history along the way
• welcome lunch
• goodbye meal
• lunch at olive oil frantoio
• drinks and appetizers on the boat
• private full-day boat excursion
• all entry tickets
• wine tastings
• ‘un bel divertamento’ (lots of fun!)
• special Marena treats!
• A True Italian Experience

Not included:
• airline ticket (but Marena will help you to find a good ticket)
• meals not mentioned above
• gratuities
• insurance (see website for insurance link)

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