Day Tours in Umbria
PERUGIA
Perugia is the capital of Umbria and the home of the finest chocolate in Italy. It is also noted for its Etruscan and Roman architecture, paintings by Perugino (Pietro Vanucci) and his student Raffaelo, amongst others, as well as music and shopping. The source fo it’s Fontana Maggiore, which still functions today, is from the Roman times; while the reliefs around the sides of the fountain were created in the 1200s, the designs of which depict the labours of the month, the liberal arts, scenes from the old testament, and scenes from Aesop’s fables. Additional things to see in Umbria include: the archaeological museum which houses the Etruscan tombs, il tempio di San Michele (a converted pagan church) reachable by a passageway that used to be a Roman acquaduct, Arco d’Augusto (the Etruscan arch) near the University for Foreigners (an 18th century building), and Rocca Paolina (a medieval fortress). Perugia is always very active with lots to do. The tour of Perugia is a walking tour and there is lots to see and do all year round, so wear comfortable shoes.
The Euro-chocolate festival takes place in Perugia in October each year. During the festival, chocolate artisans create spectacular, enormous statues carved out of chocolate for a competition. As they sculpt, their assistants brown bag the chocolate carving scraps that fall onto a tarp and give them to the onlookers, making it twice as delightful to watch them work. bbbbbbbbbb
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The Umbria Jazz festival takes place over ten days in July. Please see Umbria Jazz link.
The Classical Music Festival takes place in September. Please inquire.
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LAGO TRASIMENO
Lago Trasimeno is the largest lake in the peninsula and the fourth largest lake in all of Italy. Three million years ago there was still a shallow sea in this part of Umbria. There are three islands within the lake: Isola Maggiore, the second largest of the islands, is where visitors can shop and lunch. There are currently about 30 residents living in this small fishing village which has buildings dating back to the 1300s including ruins of a Franciscan monastery. Isola minore is privately owned and not visitable. The largest island, Isola Polvese, is an uninhabited island with a small beach where many visitors take a swim. Once inhabited with 500 residents, this islands still contains ruins from the castle, church and monastery that were abandoned. Lago Trasimeno is remembered for the famous battle that took place here in April 217bc during the Punic War. It is now a gathering place for family and friends to enjoy the water and the view. The day tour includes Castiglione del Lago as well.
.CASTIGLIONE DEL LAGO
Castiglione del Lago is situated off of Lago Trasimeno and is reachable by boat or by car. It is a small medieval town with Etruscan origins and is famous for its dried meats and cheeses as well as its ancient fortress used during the famous Battle of Lago Trasimeno. As visitors walk down the small main street way in the town, the shopkeepers offer tastings of their specialties. It is a delightful little town to stop in before or after a day on the lake. The day tour includes Lago Trasimeno as well.
MONTEFALCO
Montefalco is a medieval town situated on a hilltop in Umbria. It is surrounded by vineyards and cantinas which produce Italy’s optimal and prestigious red wines. In particular it is noted for Sagrantino and vino rosso di Montefalco. It is possible to visit the cantinas directly: to stroll through the vineyards, to tour the production process, and to taste the various wines. It is also noted for its production of fine virgin olive oil and in fact, during the tour, we will visit a Frantoio, which is an olive oil refinery run by two sisters – one of whom will show us where and how the oil is made and the other of whom will prepare a light lunch using their oil for us to taste. Your tour includes wine tastings at 2 or 3 wineries and your lunch.
For those groups interested in art as well, we will also visit little church in the historical city center of Montefalco that has become a museum because of the valuable frescoes by Perugino and Giotto that were literally uncovered, under layers of artwork on top of them. There is also a famous pizzeria for the best thin crust pizza in all of Umbria – they make great lasagna as well!
ASSISI
Assisi is the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), who, after participating in the battle between Assisi and Perugia and being held prisoner for a year, decided to give up all material goods and be close with nature and his spirituality. He received his calling in a small church (La Porzincula) now housed in a large church called Santa Maria degli Angeli in what used to be the wooded area at the foot of Assisi. He and his companions often meditated in a monastery within the rocks of the mountains above Assisi called Eremo delle Caceri to be close to the Earth. When he died he requested that his remains be placed on a hillside formerly known as la collina del’inferno (the hill of hell) where executions used to take place. The grand basilica of St. Francis was built on this hill now known as la collina del paradiso (the hill of paradise) where his body was placed four years after his death. The famous Umbrian painter Giotto created 28 frescoes telling his life story on the upper level of the church while Saint Francis’ tomb is on the lower level. Your tour will follow his life through these very places.
DERUTA
Deruta is famous for its unique ceramics called Maiolica, a special process for making and baking pottery that has made the work from Deruta the most coveted in all of Italy and around the world. We will visit the workshops of both original and new Maiolica factories in Deruta. It will also be possible to special order and have your pieces delivered. A daytrip to Deruta also includes Todi.
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TODI
Todi is a medieval, hilltop town in Umbria, reachable by both a streetway and the funivia at the base of the hill. Todi is remembered for Jacapone from the 1200s whose most noteable work is ‘Pianto della Madonna’, but the town is noted for its charm and fantastic views. Todi is surrounded by a circle of 3 walls corresponding to the increasing populations of the Etruscan, Roman, and Medieval periods. Outside of the walls one can visit the church of the Madonna della consolazione, whose construction began in 1508 in order to preserve an ancient Majesty depicting the Holy Mother with Child and Saint Catherine from Alessandria. This image can be admired on the altar along with other paintings from Andrea Polinori. This old fresco is supposed to have freed the town from the terrible winged snake which invaded the Tiber valley in 1457. It is said that a part of its body has been preserved behind the altar as an ex-voto to the Holy Mother. Within the historical town center is the church of San Fortunato, which began to be constructed in the late 1200s. Thirteen chapels are set into the side aisles. In the fourth chapel on the right the fresco of Masolino da Panicale, depicting the Enthroned Virgin with Child flanked by two angels, is especially noteworthy. In the crypt the sepulchral urn of San Fortunato is kept and the church also contains a bell tower at the top of which is a 360 degree viewing point. We will lunch at a very special family run restaurant, where everything is freshly grown, raised, and homemade. A daytrip to Todi also includes Deruta.
LA CASCATA DELLE MARMORE
La Cascata delle Marmore is a waterfall man-made by the Romans and still functioning today. In 290ac this was an area of stagnant water; the Romans enlarged it to reach the river and created an artificial hydraulic system. It has since become a place of inspiration for writers such as Virgil, Cicerone, and Byron. We will take a leisurely walk down the pathway alongside the waterfall and admire the rainbows along the way. Upon request in advance, we can also do a one-hour rafting trip along the rapids. A trip to La Cascata delle Marmore also includes Piediluco.
PIEDILUCO
Piediluco is the 2nd largest lake in the peninsula of Italy and it sits well above the waterfalls but at the foot (piedi) of Monte Luco, which i show it got its name. There are about 5 fingers extending from the lake’s center and each offer a view of the wildlife. Activites include boating and hiking as well as just hanging out at the beach. There is an annual kayaking event at the lake and so kayaking i salso available. A trip to Piediluco also includes La Cascata delle Marmore.
CASTELLUCCIO DI NORCIA
Castelluccio di Norcia is a fraction of the commune of Norcia and it is situated in the National Park of Monti Sibillini in the Valnerina valley of the Nero River. It is the most elevated part of the Appennine Umbro-Marchigiano mountains and boasts a spectacular view of the flowering valley in the Spring. The town itself has about 150 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. During the Spring, the plain below Castelluccio is filled with flowers. It is possible to horseback ride in the plains or hike in the mountains. During the winter months, snow-shoeing is available too! A visit to Castelluccio may also include Norcia.
NORCIA
Norcia is the capital of Valnerina, the valley of the Nero River surrounded by the Monti Sibilini, a subrange of the Appenine mountains. It is a town and commune of the province of Perugia in the southeastern part of the Umbria region, between Le Marche and Lazio regions. In ancient times it was called Nursia and around 300ac, it was conquered by the Romans. In 480 the twins Benedetto and Scolastica were born in Norcia. San Benedetto and his monarchs brought the Christian project to all the population spread from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia and from Ireland to Poland; for this he is known as the Father of western Christian monasticism, or the Patron Saint, and was canonized in 1220. 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. In addition to seeing the Roman architecture and some important artwork, Norcia is well worth a visit to try out the best salumi (dried meats) and cheeses in all of Italy. Aside from all its history, Norica is quite simply a lovely place to visit. A visit to Norica may also include Castelluccio.
SPELLO
Spello is a medieval Umbrian hillside town, most known for its lovely streets and the infiorata (flower art festival) which takes place every Spring. During the first evening of the festival all the townspeople, babies and grannies included, gather in the streets and piazzas to gently pluck the petals from various kinds of flowers. The petals are organized into colors and kept separate. Meanwhile, various artists sketched large drawings on the streets and piazzas, indicating what colors are needed where. Throughout the night and into the morning, the townspeople place the petals into the appropriate place and masterpieces are created – it is a marvel to see! At noontime the following day, the bishop of the town exits his church with his clergy and takes the first steps over the flower art and an annual winner is selected. Spello is nearby Assisi, Mount Subasio, Bevagna and also Spoleto, and so your day tour may include one of these others as well; please inquire.
BEVAGNA
Bevagna is one of the few medieval towns not located on a hillside. It is most noted for its Gaite, a festival in the late Spring in which the entire town participates, re-enacting the past not only in terms of costume and food, but also in terms of the medieval markets, games and entertainment. Dinner is served at long wooden tables where singing and being merry are inevitable! In addition the architecture of the town buildings and walls sets you immediately into the past, with or without the festival. Bevagna is nearby Assisi, Mount Subasio, Spello and also Spoleto, and so your day tour may include one of these others as well; please inquire.
SPOLETO
A visit to Spoleto starts just outside the town center at the church of San Pietro 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.
