Central Italian Gems North of Rome, South of Florence
September 22-28, 2012
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Visits to local artisans’ workshops
- A fun cooking session and wine tasting at a beautiful winery
- Stunning medieval hilltowns like Orvieto, Perugia, Assisi, Spello
- Delicious and memorable meals, including wine
- Convenience of staying in one deluxe hotel for five nights
INTRODUCTION
One of Venture Out’s most popular tours in our early days (1998-2001) was our “Hilltowns of Tuscany” itinerary. Here’s another take on that with a whole new assortment of amazing medieval towns that you’ve probably never been to but are well worth your while to experience! Our tour meets in Rome before heading north to explore the wonderful towns and cities of Orvieto, Assisi, Perugia, Bevagna and Montefalco, among others. Also on our program are unique opportunities to enjoy a fun cooking session at a beautiful historic winery (and enjoy the meal afterwards, of course!) and to visit visit fascinating local artisans’ workshops (handpainted ceramics and handwoven fabrics) which focus on the continuation of beautiful medieval and Renaissance craftsmanship.
This in-depth exploration of Central Italy’s marvelous medieval hilltowns and bucolic landscapes will take us to the “must-see” highlights as well as off the beaten track for some much less common and very interesting sights and activities. This is an area with an exceedingly rich art history, lavish natural beauty, stunning ancient towns, and of course, delicious cuisine and excellent wines!
The countryside here is rustically pretty, with steep hills and narrow valleys. The region is often called the “Green Heart of Italy” (and is officially known as Umbria). Its tidy, beautiful hilltowns are of pinkish gray stone. From some spots you can see several at a time, like an archipelago of islands crowned with villages, one behind the other, vanishing into the horizon. Each of them is crammed with artistic and architectural treasures.
Gastronomic credentials here include the highly prized truffle, found only here and one other area in the country. These strange delicacies have been coveted since Roman times for their aromatic, not to mention aphrodisiac qualities. The local pasta, meat and game, delicious olive oil, and cheese all add to the alluring mix.