While every region of Italy has its own history, heritage, and highlights, some are more famous, more lauded, more visited than others. This tour explores the landmarks of lesser-known Umbria. The only Italian region with neither a coastline nor an international border, its character is undiluted, and many of its towns seem barely altered since the Middle Ages. Travelling on day trips by private taxis, the tour is based in Assisi. Some see its grand basilicas as places of pilgrimage, others as fabulous art museums. Either way, Assisi’s fortunes are inextricably linked to its most revered residents, St Francis, founder of the Order of Friars, and St Clare, whose tomb is in the 13th-century church. From here we visit Spello, with little lanes and all the atmosphere of an ancient village; Orvieto, displaying 3,000 years of history, and described as Italy’s most beautiful city; and Todi, tucked within three encircling city walls, Etruscan, Roman and medieval. The walled city of Urbino has gorgeous valley views, and very few visitors; Perugia mixes a modern vibe with a medieval setting, cobbled lanes of colourful houses, and churches adorned with the art of Raphael and Perugino; and in Spoleto, Romanesque chapels mingle with Roman remains.
Depart London Stansted to Perugia. Seven nights at Dei Priori in Assisi. Aperitif at the Assisi home of your tour host who will describe his collection of Roman, Byzantine and Medieval art.
Tour of St Francis' Basilica in Assisi decorated with frescoes by the greatest 13th and 14th century Masters. Drive to the medieval mountain village of Spello to see the frescoes by Pinturicchio. In the afternoon, visit a 2nd-century Roman Villa with magnificent mosaic floors.
(B)
Scenic drive through southern Umbria to Orvieto and its Cathedral, a jewel of medieval architecture and art, including Signorelli’s frescoes of the Last Judgement. Return via Todi, a mountain village with fine views.
(B)
Drive to the Renaissance city of Urbino for a tour of its magnificent Ducal Palace, with the Duke's marquetry lined study and art treasures including paintings by Piero della Francesca and Raphael. Continue to the Oratory of St. John the Baptist for frescoes of the saint's life by Salibene. Continue to the medieval town of Gubbio for lunch and visit the Palazzo dei Consoli, famous for its bronze tablets inscribed with ancient Umbrian and Etruscan language.
(B, L)
Day at leisure. A local expert presents Umbrian wines at a buffet supper in your host’s home.
(B, D)
Full-day tour of Perugia, the capital of Umbria, visiting the lavishly decorated church of San Pietro, underground medieval streets, imposing Corso, Collegio del Cambio decorated by Perugino, the Piazza IV Novembre with its 13th-century fountain by Pisano, the Cathedral and a 2nd-century BC Etruscan well. In the afternoon visit the 14th-century Palazzo dei Priori with its outstanding collection of early Italian paintings. Lastly, visit the mighty Etruscan archway and 2nd-century Roman mosaic of Orpheus charming the animals.
(B)
Drive to Spoleto. After coffee beside the 14th century bridge-aqueduct Ponte della Torri, visit the Cathedral with its imposing facade and frescoes of the Life of the Virgin by Filippino Lippi, the Roman amphitheatre and Arch of Drusus. Afterwards, drive through the beautiful Valle of Valnerina to the spectacular 400ft Marmore Waterfall, the highest in Europe. Continue to the mountain village of Piediluco, enjoy a celebratory farewell lunch beside its lovely lake and end the tour with a boat trip upon the lake.
(B, L)
Return flight to London Stansted.
(B)
Some visits are on foot with some uneven surfaces and inclines.
An aperitif at the home of your tour host, also a private art collector; enjoy an Umbrian dinner with traditional dishes and local wines; a buffet supper, an Umbrian wine tasting with a local expert at the home of your tour host.
You can find out more about the county on the travel guide.
Secret Sicily
20 May 25,27 May 25 and 4 more
A very varied journey through Sicily’s less-visited sites, this tour reveals the hidden gems of cultural heritage and contrasting landscapes, from Aeolian Islands to ostentatious Baroque towns, and from fishing villages to the fictional world of Inspector Montalbano
From £2625 pp
incl Flight
Treasures & Secrets of Sicily
13 May 25,27 May 25 and 5 more
A heady blend of ancient sites, stunning scenery, charming towns and glorious churches, this is our ‘grand tour’ of Sicily, its highlights varying from Aeolian Isles to UNESCO sites, Mount Etna to Marsala wine, and the Scicli film locations of Inspector Montalbano
From £3895 pp
incl Flight
Grand Hotel on Lake Como
19 Apr 25,10 May 25 and 3 more
Follow in the footsteps of Flaubert and Tennyson, Julius Caesar and Queen Victoria, to enjoy the timeless elegance of Lake Como, where flower-filled gardens and pastel-painted villages punctuate the shore, set against the stunning backdrop of the Southern Alps
From £1475 pp
incl Flight
Venice from the Water
21 Mar 25
There is nowhere else on earth like Venice. The busy city’s streets of water and the tiny islands of its lagoon combine in a unique UNESCO enclave. The tour is a similarly fitting combination, quietly based on an elegant boat, with all the sights at the foot of the gangplank
From £1330 pp
incl FlightThe below departures are available - please click into the booking process for a quote and to book.
Air travel and taxes, transfers, entrance fees, 7 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 1 dinner, itinerary as described, services of a guide and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Travel insurance, tipping, any government or local tourist taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
Notes:
An accommodation tax is payable locally, approximately €3 per person per night.
The following extensions are available to book with this tour. Please click through to the booking process to check your preferred departure date and to make a reservation.
Extra nights are priced per person, per night.
Please contact us to check availability and book alongside your tour.