sellUMBRIA EXPERIENCE

Welcome to Rome! Upon arrival to Rome, a Perillo representative will be at the airport to greet you and you will be privately transferred to your Relais in Umbria. During the transfer stop to explore the incredible ghost village of Civita di Bagnoregio, the so called Civita who dies. Civita is a charming medieval city, almost utterly untouched by the Renaissance, where time seems to have stopped. Civita is on a hill accessible only by a long stone walkway that begins at the end of the road from neighboring Bagnoregio. Next, enjoy some free time before continuing to the Perugia area and checking into your Relais. (A Relais is a charming residence that focuses on attention to detail, refinement, and quality of hospitality that must be exclusive. It's one of the most elegant stays with which to enjoy the beauties of Italy.) Enjoy an evening welcome dinner.

Enjoy a half day tour of Assisi, the city of St. Francis, which holds the beautiful St. Francis Basilica that is decorated with the worldwide famous Giotto’s frescoes. Also, don't miss the St. Clare Basilica and Piazza del Comune with the medieval buildings and the interesting Roman sacred construction named Minerva temple, which was recently beautifully restored. In the center of the Franciscan spirituality and cradle of the medieval European art, the Basilica was built upon the Saint’s tomb. It is an architectural masterpiece containing some of the finest paintings of medieval Italian art, from Cimabue to Giotto, Simone Martini, and Pietro Lorenzetti. Admire the St. Rufino Cathedral with its magnificent Romanesque-style façade, located in the upper part of Assisi, an area of great charm and history. Afterwards enjoy some free time before moving on to the afternoons activities. In the afternoon you will get back in Perugia and you will have the opportunity to make a hands-on experience of the chocolate making tradition for which Perugia is famous all over the world. During a real chocolate making class you will learn the secrets of chocolate making under the supervision of a master chocolatier. Taste some sweet delicacies created by the master and at the end of the class you will also taste the chocolate you made. After the class, you will get back at your Relais back in the Perugia area.

Upon waking, go explore the beautiful Medieval villages of the area and enjoy the local food and lifestyle. An easy drive amongst vineyards and olive groves will take you to the village of Montefalco, called the balcony of Umbria, which is known for its unique location that offers a breathtaking 360° view of the Umbrian Valley and the Sagrantino grapes. This hilltop town is still surrounded by the medieval walls. The main monument is the Church of Saint Francis with the famous Renaissance frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli and Perugino. After the visit of Montefalco an arranged wine tour in a winery that produces Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCGS will be prepared. Enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the vineyard, cellars, and finish with a test of local Umbrian specialties and the wines. After that, you'll be driven to Bevagna a charming ancient medieval town that lies on a fertile plain, close to the Via Flaminia. Admire Piazza S. Silvestro, the main square surrounded by two Romanesque style jewels. First, the Church of San Michele and secondly, the Church of San Silvestro. Both of these jewels face the 13th-century Palazzo dei Consoli; The Church of Sant’Agostino. This church has the annexed monastery, where you can admire some significant votive frescoes of Umbrian school. Bevagna is famous for its Mercato delle Gaite an event held each year in June. This is where for 10 days the village is literally transformed in a old medieval village, where every aspect of daily life is reproduced like it was in medieval times.

Explore the La Cucina di San Pietro a Pettine, a family run truffle restaurant, for a truffle hunting experience followed by a delicious lunch. First you'll enter the forest with expert truffle hunters and their trusted dogs searching for the precious truffle. You will be led by a local expert who will teach you all about the ancient tradition of truffle hunting which remains unchanged for centuries. Afterwards you will enjoy lunch at the family run restaurant and then continue on to Spello a Medieval hamlet without comparison. It is one of Umbria's most enchanting places with a rich history and fabled countryside! Explore this hidden gem and walk through its crooked streets, ancient city gates, and stone houses. The balconies and stairs are laden with ceramic pots which trail a profusion of flowering plants. It is a genuine competition among the residents who proudly present their ceramic prizes and is no surprise that Spello is known as the "Town of Flowers". Meet the locals and learn about the "Infiorata", the annual religious flower festival. During one night of the year incredible carpets of pictures made of millions and millions of petals are created. You must see it to believe it! Upon visiting this dreamy town you'll get to see the stunning Renaissance jewel: the Baglioni Chapel painted by Pinturicchio. After the days activites and excursion, prepare to return to your relais.

Visit the beautiful town of Gubbio and climb your way up the steep slopes of Monte Ingino. With its Gothic splendor backed by the mighty Apennine Mountains, this town is quite a site to see. As a powerful town in the early Middle Ages, Gubbio may appear austere thanks to the dark grey stone of its architecture, but its past is both turbulent and fascinating. Although most of the architecture is 14th and 15th century, you will find Roman remains, a 12th century Duomo, and the magnificent ancient Umbrian Eugubine Tables in the Palazzo dei Consolacion. At the Fontana dei Matti it is said that anyone walking around it three times will end up mad! Afterwards enjoy some free time and the rest of your evening to explore at your leisure.

Visit the lovely town of Orvieto. Orvieto is probably Umbria’s most peculiar town, built high up on a volcanic rock and founded by the Etruscans more than 2700 years ago. In the heart of the medieval town is one of Italy’s most astonishing gothic churches, The Cathedral. Among the precious paintings in the interior of the Cathedral, the fresco cycle in chapel of San Birizio is a masterpiece by the renaissance masters Beato Angelico Luca Signorelli. Have lunch in a typical restaurant and spend the afternoon at your leisure. Its also possible to arrange the visit to “Orvieto underground,” which is an amazing itinerary in the underground secrets of the town. Later on you will continue to Rome and enjoy a delicious dinner in the characteristic district of Trastevere, one of the centers of the Roman night life. This lively area of tiny winding streets gives a taste of what one imagines Italy to be like, with cobbled streets and music-filled trattorias on every corner.

Prepare to be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Grazie! (Thank you) for traveling with Perillo Tours!