Tuscan and Umbrian Countryside

Travel on an overnight flight and experience Italy’s roads less traveled, discover its endless treasures from Rome to Umbria to Tuscany, and the marvels of wine, cuisine, culture, and history in between.

The group air schedule is in economy class. Air upgrades are available by request only and are not guaranteed. Seat assignments are controlled by the airline. Specific seat requests cannot be guaranteed. Air upgrades may be available and are by request only and are not guaranteed. Any air upgrades or deviations must be requested at the time of the initial deposit.

Italy’s dynamic capital city beckons. Spend the day as you wish, exploring independently. Get a taste of the local culture and start your journey at a delicious welcome dinner. Hotel: Kolbe Hotel Rome (Dinner)

Stroll the historic streets of the Umbrian hill town of Spoleto with a local expert and see centuries of architectural history, from the ruins of the Rocca Albornoz castle to the gilded elegance of the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta. Pause at a family-owned frantoio (olive presser), where olives are pressed each November. After learning about the many varieties of trees and oil-making methods, join a tasting of the EVOO produced at the mill. Then, take in the splendors of country life in a pristine Umbrian hill town, your home for the next 3 nights. Hotel: Hotel Dei Duchi, Spoleto (Breakfast, Dinner)

Travel to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. Set out on a walking tour of the old city with a local guide, learning about its history as you stroll the medieval streets. Visit the famous Basilica of St. Francis. Later, a local family welcomes you to their country home for lunch as their honored guest. Hotel: Hotel Dei Duchi, Spoleto (Breakfast, Lunch)

In the shadow of the Apennines, experience Umbria’s epicurean side. Join a local truffle hunter in search of the elusive fungi in the company of his trained, truffle-sniffing dogs. Sample the goods yourself during a rustic, home-cooked lunch before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon. Hotel: Hotel Dei Duchi, Spoleto  (Breakfast, Lunch)

**The truffle hunting activity takes place in the countryside on unpaved paths and in wooded areas. To participate you must wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes. Waterproof shoes are recommended as mud and puddles are common in the area

Leave Umbria for the villages of Tuscany, nestled among the Val d’Orcia region (UNESCO). Taste the flavors of the region at a dairy farm producing prized sheep-milk pecorino cheese. Snack on some creations and take in the views of the sparse farmhouses and open fields on your way to Pienza (UNESCO), a Renaissance village where flowers and plants adorn the cobblestoned streets. The evening is yours to eat, drink, and explore the local scene. Hotel: Hotel Corsignano, Orcia Valley (Breakfast, Lunch)

Embark on a journey of the Orcia Valley. Pause in the unique hamlet of Bagno Vignoni, whose central piazza is filled with thermal water once used to cure pilgrims who stopped here on their way to Rome. Then explore hilltop Montalcino, namesake to one of Italy’s great red wines, the Brunello. Tour a winery’s estate and cellar before indulging in a tasting of these noble red wines. Return to Pienza for an afternoon at leisure. Hotel: Hotel Corsignano, Orcia Valley (Breakfast)

Take a guided walking tour through Siena, as you learn about the world-renowned Palio Horse Race. Enjoy free time to explore more of this hilly town, perhaps visiting its cathedral or the town hall’s frescoes. An afternoon drive through the Chianti countryside takes you to a Tuscan villa where your hotel is located. Hotel: Villa San Lucchese, Tuscany (Breakfast)

Explore Florence during an extensive walking tour in the company of a local expert.* View the Ponte Vecchio, the only Florentine bridge to survive WWII. Take in the Signoria Square and its imposing Palazzo Vecchio and admire the Piazza del Duomo, richly adorned by polychrome marble and gilded bronze doors. Take some time on your own to explore the city’s seemingly endless treasures, before returning to your Tuscan villa in the evening. Hotel: Villa San Lucchese, Tuscany  (Breakfast)

Spend your morning in San Gimignano, whose 13th-century medieval towers stand tall over the surrounding vineyards. Taste authentic Italian gelato from an award-winning ice cream parlor while you wander the cobbled streets. Return to your hotel mid-afternoon. As the sun begins to set, gather with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner of Tuscan specialties. Hotel: Villa San Lucchese, Tuscany (Breakfast, Dinner)

Your journey through Tuscany and Umbria comes to a close today as you depart back to Central PA. (Breakfast)

The group air schedule is in economy class. Air upgrades are available by request only and are not guaranteed. Seat assignments are controlled by the airline. Specific seat requests cannot be guaranteed. Air upgrades may be available and are by request only and are not guaranteed. Any air upgrades or deviations must be requested at the time of the initial deposit.
*Itinerary is subject to change without notification or compensation.