9 days Gems Of Umbria & Tuscany ( 2017 )
The name of this Italy tour—Gems of Umbria & Tuscany—says it all, as
you’ll visit some of the medieval hill towns and see some of the
beautiful gems that call central Italy home. You’ll begin and end in
Rome, and in between you’ll overnight in Spoleto, San Martino in Campo,
Siena, and Orvieto.
History fans will be thrilled throughout
this Umbria and Tuscany tour. As you travel through the towns in these
regions, you’ll learn about the Etruscans, who lived here for centuries
before the Roman Empire, and you’ll see remains from periods throughout
Italy’s history, including medieval times. Orvieto sits atop a volcanic
rock and has a labyrinth of caves carved by Etruscans. You’ll visit
these caves as well as Orvieto’s cathedral, dating back to the early
14th century. In Siena, one of Italy's best-preserved medieval towns,
you’ll walk through its narrow lanes to Piazza del Campo, perhaps one of
the finest piazzas in Europe. From Siena, you'll also take an excursion
to Volterra, a former important Etruscan city, and San Gimignano, a
picturesque, perfectly preserved medieval town with its 14 towers from
the 13th century. In Narni, a guided visit of the Convent of San
Domenico basement reveals a cell where prisoners of the Inquisition
wrote graffiti on the walls.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Rome, Italy | Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, join your Tour Director and traveling companions, and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. Dinner |
| 2 | Rome–Narni–Spoleto | Your discovery of the green province of Umbria, made famous by the movie My House in Umbria with unforgettable Maggie Smith, starts in the hilltop town of Narni, almost 800 feet high. Narni is the town that is said to have been the inspiration for the Chronicles of Narnia. Enjoy a guided visit of the CONVENT OF SAN DOMENICO basement, and see a cell where prisoners of the Inquisition wrote graffiti on the walls. Then, a true highlight: Globus Local Favorite learn the art of homemade Manfricolo pasta from a chef during a PASTA DEMONSTRATION, and, of course, enjoy lunch afterwards. Next is Spoleto, a former Roman city and capital of an important Lombard duchy from the 6th to the 8th centuries. During your walking tour with a Local Guide, take pictures of La Rocca, the former papal fortress that was used as a high-security prison until 1982; admire the Ponte delle Torri, erected on the foundations of a Roman aqueduct; and visit PIAZZA DEL DUOMO. This evening, a special dinner with wine awaits you at Vecchio Camino restaurant. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. |
| 3 | Spoleto–Frantoio di Spello–Assisi–San Martino in Campo | Enjoy Globus Local Favorite an OLIVE OIL TASTING at an authentic oil mill at Frantoio di Spello. Continue to Assisi and start your guided walking tour with visits to ST. CLARE’S CHURCH and ST. FRANCIS’ BASILICA, the hub of a religious order devoted to the ideals of humility, forgiveness, simplicity, and love for all God’s creatures. Arrive at your hotel in San Martino in Campo. Breakfast, Dinner. |
| 4 | San Martino in Campo. Excursion to Perugia | A short drive brings you to Perugia, capital of Umbria and an important university town. A guided walking tour features the PIAZZA IV NOVEMBRE, one of the grandest squares in Italy, graced by the Fontana Maggiore (Great Fountain). Admire the gothic cathedral, the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, and Perugia’s stunning medieval municipal palace. Then, a special treat: visit Globus Local Favorite the original PERUGINA BACI CHOCOLATE FACTORY, and taste Italy’s most delectable candy. An optional dinner outing to Deruta is available. Breakfast. |
| 5 | San Martino in Campo–Cortona–Siena | Enter Tuscany and stop in the town of Cortona, made famous by the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. Arrive in Siena, and follow your Local Guide on a walk through ancient, narrow lanes to PIAZZA DEL CAMPO. Hear about the biannual Palio, Siena’s spectacular medieval-style horse race that is held on this square. This evening, an optional dinner excursion to Monteriggioni is available. Breakfast. |
| 6 | Siena. Excursion to Volterra & San Gimignano | A scenic day starts with a visit to the town of Volterra, a former important Etruscan center and an important location in the famous Twilight series. Next is hilltop San Gimignano, the most picturesque of Italy’s perfectly preserved medieval towns with its tower houses and encircling walls. Return to Siena. Breakfast. |
| 7 | Siena–Pienza–Montalcino-Orvieto | Famous for pecorino cheese, Pienza has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to a member of the Piccolomini family who became Pope Pius II in the 15th century and redesigned the town in perfect renaissance style. Continue to Montalcino, beautifully located in the Tuscan Hills, and enjoy Globus Local Favorite a Brunello WINE TASTING, followed by lunch with local specialties. Next, on to Orvieto, perched high atop a volcanic rock, where a unique visit to the ETRUSCAN UNDERGROUND Labirinto (labyrinth) awaits you. This evening, an exclusive dinner has been prepared for you by famous Italian chef Maurizio. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. |
| 8 | Orvieto–Rome | Hear the history of this fascinating town from your Local Guide during a pleasant walk through the narrow lanes and visit the CATHEDRAL with its San Brizio Chapel. Return to the “Eternal City” for a drive past Rome’s main highlights, and this evening, a special farewell dinner with wine and opera entertainment at Tanagra restaurant awaits you to celebrate the success of your vacation in Umbria and Tuscany. Breakfast, Dinner. |
| 9 | Rome | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Breakfast. |