Secrets of Umbria

Independent Tour, 2010

12 Days/11 Nights

Picture yourself relaxing in a beautiful villa in the heart of Italy or touring the quaint walled towns of the Umbrian region. Experience history come alive during festivals in Assisi and Gubbio and learn to cook authentic Umbrian cuisine. Witness the famous hand-painted ceramics of Deruta. Visit the stunning Ducal Palace in Urbino in the nearby Marche Region. The palace atop a small mountain with its majestic backdrop of the valley below boasts one of the finest displays of Italian Renaissance Art. Enjoy sampling regional wines at a local Enoteca (winebars). Enjoy the historical centre of the cosmopolitan city of Perugia. Spend an afternoon in Cortona, home of the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” and stroll through a colorful outdoor market where vendors sell Italian everything from produce, shoes, clothing and just about anything else you can think of. Relax, indulge and experience La Dolce Vita on your tour of Umbria.

Accommodations

6 Nights Lodging in Montefalco
2 Nights Lodging in Urbino
3 Nights Lodging in a Country House near
Perugia - 4 Star
Daily Breakfast at All Accommodations

Inclusions

12 Day Car Rental with Standard Transmission
Private Guided Tour of Siena with Olive Oil Tasting
5 Hour Authentic Ciao Cooking Lesson in a Private Home
Wine & Olive Oil Tasting
Self Guided Tours of Tuscany
General Driving Instructions Including Maps
Includes All Taxes
Assistance from a Ciao Tours Italian Representative

Price

2,148 € - 3 Star Agritourism Accommodation Includes Economy Car
2,979 € - 4 Star Villa Accommodation Includes Intermediate Car

Above Prices are per person and are based on double occupancy. To check exchange rates click here

Please note: Ciao Tours will Guarantee the Exchange Rate at the Time of Full Payment or 45 days Prior to Departure
Alternate Choices are permitted on an Independent Tour at a Cost of $50Cdn Per Person Per Change.

Daily Itinerary

day 1/night 1

LOCATION Rome, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive at “Leonardo da Vinci" Airport– Rome (FCO)
Pick up 12 Day Rental Car- Economy Class with Standard Transmission
ACTIVITIES Arrive at Villa in Umbria

day 2/night 2

LOCATION Assisi, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by car and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES 3 hour Private Walking tour of Assisi

HIGHLIGHTS
Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi (San Francesco)- The patron Saint of animals and ecology
Romanesque Cathedral of Saint Rufino home to the Baptismal Font where Francis and his disciples were baptized.
Basilica di Santa Chiara- houses the Byzantine Crucifix that revealed St. Francis’ life mission

day 3/night 3

LOCATION Umbria, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by car and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Tour of the Civita di Bagnoregio countryside
Tour the shores of Piediluco
Suggested lunch at Piediluco - enjoy the catch of the day

HIGHLIGHTS
Visit the Unique Town in the Clouds of Civita di Bagnoregio
Take the foot bridge that connects Bagnoregio to Civita
Enjoy the old world charm and the elderly locals many of which are in their 80’s and 90’s
Then continue to Piediluco the beautiful hamlet situated on Lago d’Inverno (Winter Lake)
Medieval buildings and local artisans are a highlight that compliment the beauty of its surroundings

day 4/night 4

LOCATION Umbria, Italy
TRAVEL On foot
ACTIVITIES Relaxing Day at the Villa
Private Cooking Lesson at the Villa with Wine Tasting

HIGHLIGHTS
One on one cooking lesson learning how to prepare Regional Umbrian specialties

day 5/night 5

LOCATION Spoleto and Trevi, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by car and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Tour the towns of Spoleto & Trevi at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
Albornoz Fortress and engineering feat of Ponte delle Torri which spans the Tessino Gorge
Spoleto is also the home of the annual Festival dei Due Mondi- International Music and Dance Festival of Two Worlds
Visit the Olive Oil Museum in Trevi

day 6/night 6

LOCATION Orvieto, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by car and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES 3 Hour Private Tour of Orvieto with Wine Tasting
Private Tour of the Orvieto Caves

HIGHLIGHTS
Original Medieval City that developed Guilds and Trades
The ancient Etruscan remains of the Temple of Belvedere
Clock of Maurizio, the first automation of its kind to regulate working hours
Orvieto Underground guided tours

day 7/night 7

LOCATION Gubbio and Urbino, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by car and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Tour Gubbio at Leisure (take the cable car to enjoy fantastic views)
Arrive in the Fairytale like hillside town of Urbino

HIGHLIGHTS
14th century Palazzo dei Consoli, in piazza Grande, was the residence of the supreme magistrates
Enjoy a 6 minute standing cable car ride to visit the Basilica di St. Ubaldo and admire the panoramic
view from the top of Mount Ingino
Urbino- Walled Medieval City and World Heritage Unesco Sight
Palazzo Ducale (The Duke’s Palace) in Urbino houses the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche (National
Gallery of the Marche Region) it is one of the greatest art collections of Italy and its rich art history.
The Casa Natale di Raffaello, where the 15thc superb painter Raphael (Sanzio) was born, is located on
via Raffaello 57
Breathtaking Panoramic Vistas of the valley below

day 8/night 8

LOCATION Urbino, Italy
TRAVEL Explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Tour Urbino at Leisure
Reservations at the Palazzo Ducale - am

HIGHLIGHTS
Palazzo Ducale (The Duke’s Palace) in Urbino houses the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche (National Gallery
of the Marche Region) it is one of the greatest art collections of Italy and its rich art history.
The Casa Natale di Raffaello, where the 15thc superb painter Raphael (Sanzio) was born, is located on via Raffaello 57
Breathtaking Panoramic Vistas of the countryside below

day 9/night 9

LOCATION: Cortona, Italy
TRAVEL: Drive to the Country House near Perugia
ACTIVITIES: 3 Hour Private Tour of Cortona
(made famous from the book, "Under the Tuscan Sun")

HIGHLIGHTS
Wander down the picturesque streets and take in the breathtaking views of the Valdichiana Valley and
see olive groves and vineyards in the distance
13th century Palazzo Pretorio houses the Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca

day 10/night 10

LOCATION Montepulciano and Chiusi, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by car, tour on foot
ACTIVITIES Wine Tasting, Tour and Product Sampling in Montepulciano
Tour Chiusi at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
Visiting the ancient wine caves along the main streets of the Montepulciano is a truly nostalgic experience.
Try some of the “Vino Nobile” that it produces made with Sangiovese and Caniaolo Nero grapes
The National Archeological Museum in Chiusi
Incredible Labyrinth and Catacombs- The Porsenna Labyrinth is an intricate system of tunnels under the city of Chiusi

day 11/night 11

LOCATION Deruta and Perugia, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by car, tour on foot
ACTIVITIES Explore the Historical Centers of Deruta and Perugia

HIGHLIGHTS
Deruta is well known for its unique handcrafted Renaissance Pottery
Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria Museum in Perugia
Corso Vannucci, a great Italian “people-watching” street
Piazza IV Novembre is considered the heart of this sophisticated town dominated by a beautiful fountain- Fontana Maggiore, a 13th century masterpiece

day 12

LOCATION Rome, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by car
ACTIVITIES Return Rental Car to Rome Airport

Conclusion of Tour