Country Roads of Tuscany and Umbria
$4199 pp double occupancy $4699 pp single
includes airfare from SYR, transfers and home pick-up within 50 miles of SYR airport. Air taxes additional.
Another side of Italy. Explore Tuscany and Umbria’s smaller, more authentic towns. Overnight in 2 restored palaces. Learn the secrets of Tuscan cuisine. Journey to Florence, the “Cradle of the Italian Renaissance.” Visit a family owned winery for a tasting. Stop in Cortona, the Etruscan town made famous in the film "Under the Tuscan Sun." Travel to Assisi and see the Basilica of St. Francis. All along the way savor regional specialties and enjoy Italian wines with every dinner.
Day 1
Board your overnight flight to the Italian capital of Rome.
Day 2
Meet your fellow travelers in Rome for a welcome dinner in a local restaurant • Join in an interactive and fun presentation on Italy’s wines given by the restaurant’s sommelier • Indulge in a traditional 4-course meal, paired with some of the country’s finest wines.
The Nova Domus Rome Hotel & Suites, a 4-star hotel, is a short distance away from the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Square. Staying in the center of Rome, it is easy to find the best of history, culture and entertainment in this marvellous city.
Day 3
Depart Rome • Travel to the Etruscan hill town of Orvieto, known for its white wine and Gothic cathedral housing a Signorelli fresco • Take time for a leisurely lunch or explore this town on your own • Spend the next four nights in a palace in the pristine Umbrian town of Trevi.
The Antica Dimora Alla Rocca Hotel is located in a historical building dating back to 1650. The comfortable rooms feature wooden ceilings and classic furniture. Guests can taste traditional Mediterranean cuisine at the elegant restaurant.
Day 4
Embark on a guided walking tour of historic Spoleto • See medieval palaces, the ornate Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta, and the magnificent Ponte delle Torri, an aqueduct dating back to the 13th century • Enjoy free time to peruse the town’s shops and cafes • Pay a visit to a country restaurant housed in a 16th century farm house • The chef here provides a hands-on Umbrian cooking lesson • Indulge in an early dinner in the countryside.
Day 5
Explore Umbria’s specialty food items through a series of tastings • Start the day with a visit to a local olive oil factory in the area of Trevi • Travel to Norcia, where skilled butchers have been handcrafting salumi for centuries • Taste some of their sausages and pecorino cheeses during a guided walking tour • Visit the basilica of St. Benedict • Stop off in Montefalco, nicknamed the Balcony of Umbria • Visit a local café to sip some of this region’s most prized wine, the Sagrantino.
Day 6
Travel to the walled city of Assisi • Enjoy a guided tour of the old city • See the Basilica dedicated to St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan order of monks • Experience this spiritual locale at your own pace • Later, continue to Cortona, the Etruscan town made famous in the film Under the Tuscan Sun • Enjoy a stroll around town, followed by a Tuscan dinner in one of Cortona’s historic locandas.
Day 7
Travel to the city of Siena • Enjoy a walking tour and visit the historic piazza famous for the Palio Horse Race • Continue to the walled town of Monteriggioni for a stroll along quaint streets • Take a coffee break and try some Tuscan pastries before travelling to the town of Montaione • Make yourself at home in Tuscany for the next four nights.
The UNA Palazzo is located in a historical building dating back to the 16th century. The elegant rooms are designed to be comfortable and relaxing. The restaurant features contemporary cuisine inspired by classic Tuscan dishes.
Day 8
Set out on a short journey to Florence, “cradle of the Italian Renaissance” • Begin your day with a guided walking tour of the city sights, including the cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore, located in the religious center of the Piazza Del Duomo and the Palazzo Vecchio • Join your local guide in exploring the unique qualities of the city • Focus on Florence’s local artisans and visit their workshops • Spend some free time shopping and investigating Florence on your own • Return to Montaione.
Day 9
Travel through southern Tuscany • A winery visit showcases the wine cellar, family estate, vineyards, olive groves and stunning views • The winery’s chef prepares an authentic Tuscan lunch, expertly paired with wines produced on site • Explore the town of Montepulciano before returning to Montaione.
Day 10
Spend your morning in San Gimignano, known as the "Medieval Manhattan" • Look for the town's fourteen medieval towers that date back to the 13th century • Enjoy a stroll along Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Cisterna • Travel to Volterra, a former Etruscan city which sits high above the Tuscan countryside • Visit one of the most famous Etruscan museums in Italy, the Guarnacci Museum • Enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.
Day 11
Return flight arrangements.