UMBRIA & TUSCANY HIGHLIGHTS • 8 days/7 nights tour • Period: from April to October • N° pax: from 2 to 6 pax • Arrival to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and departure from Florence (FLR) • 4-star accommodations in Umbria and Florence • Transportation: private transfers • Visit ICONIC ITALIAN DESTINATIONS and immerse yourself in authentic experiences, including: - Corciano, Borgo Solomeo and Perugia - The enchanting Southern Tuscany: Montepulciano, Pienza and Bagno Vignoni - Assisi and Spello - Hands-on cooking experience - Florence, “the Cradle of the Italian Renaissance” - Pisa and the Leaning Tower DAY 1 PICK-UP AT ROME AIRPORT AND DROP OFF TO THE HOTEL IN UMBRIA BENVENUTO, WELCOME TO ROME! After your arrival at Rome Airport, our driver will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel located in Umbria region (transfer time: approx. 2h and 30 min/3h). This Italian region is a perfect fusion of art, nature, peace, and calm , the inspirations behind its various locales that inspired Renaissance masterpieces centuries ago. Throughout Umbria, we will explore Medieval town perched -sometimes precariously-on hillsides and mountaintops.CHECK IN at the hotel and enjoy some time for relaxation after your long journey. The dinner will be arranged at the hotel’s restaurant OVERNIGHT STAY IN UMBRIA REGION AT 4-STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH HALF-BOARD SERVICE (BREAKFAST AND 3-COURSE DINNER - BEVERAGES NOT INCLUDED). DAY 2 QUINTESSENTIAL UMBRIAN VILLAGES AND CITY: CORCIANO, BORGO SOLOMEO AND PERUGIA ENJOY BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL. After breakfast, we will transfer you to CORCIANO (transfer time: approx.30-40 min.) a little medieval town in the Umbrian hills between Perugia and Lake Trasimeno. Here you will be met by our expert guide who will lead you through the historic center, full of priceless works of art and architecture with our expert guide. After the visit, you will be transferred to BORGO SOLOMEO, another medieval hamlet steeped in history. Its foundation likely dates back to the land reclamation of the twelfth century that saved the valley from abandonment, thus marking the beginning of agricultural recovery in the area. Borgo Solomeo is not only an enchanting hamlet, but is also the home of Brunelli Cucinelli, a philosopher-entrepreneur who is currently embarking on a Project for Beauty. His belief in, the genius loci, the spirit of the place, is evident in his work and throughout the town - which was restored partially in thanks to Brunelli’s vision. After visiting the hamlet, we will visit one of the most important Brunelli Cucinelli boutiques in the heart of Borgo Solomeo. You will then be transferred to PERUGIA, where we will stop for lunch (on your own with recommendations from our guide). Next we will embark on a walking tour of Perugia, the splendid capital of the Region of Umbria. You will visit the Rocca Paolina, the Porta Marzia (Etruscan gate), the Piazza del Sopramuro with the Loggia dei Lanari and Palazzo of the Captain of the People, the Corso Vannucci, the Piazza IV Novembre with the Palazzo dei Priori and Sala dei Notari, the Cathedral and the Fontana Maggiore. While exploring the hidden squares and regal architecture, you will be enchanted by the lush trees and geenery throughout the Umbria region. After the tour of the city center, you will be transferred back to the hotel. The dinner will be arranged at the hotel’s restaurant OVERNIGHT STAY IN UMBRIA REGION AT 4-STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH HALF-BOARD SERVICE (BREAKFAST AND 3-COURSE DINNER - BEVERAGES NOT INCLUDED). DAY 3 THE ENCHANTING VAL D’ORCIA: MONTEPULCIANO, PIENZA & BAGNO VIGNONI ENJOY BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL. A full day in VAL D’ORCIA, one of the most stunning Tuscan valleys! After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to this area of Tuscany that boasts endless rolling hills covered with grain and sunflowers, a rich green valley encompassing the Orcia river (from which the area derives its name). The first stop is MONTEPULCIANO, a medieval town of rare beauty. This hidden gem is perched on pristine limestone ridges with meandering streets and a quintessential town squares. Full of elegant Renaissance palaces, ancient churches, charming squares, and hidden corners, the town boasts vast panoramas all over the wonderful Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana valleys surrounding it. Imagine seeing the very grapes you will later enjoy in a full-bodied, aromatic wine… this will soon be your reality as our tour of the historical center includes a visit to an ancient winery located in the heart of Montepulciano and an exclusive WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE. Lunch will be on your own with recommendations from our guide if needed. After lunch, you will be transferred to PIENZA, a tiny charming village known as the “ideal city of the Renaissance”. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is unparalleled in the natural beauty surrounding it, with vast vineyards, olive groves - and grain fields capitivating your views. Inside, this small town has flower-lined streets, quaint cafes, and beautiful architecture to keep you enchanted for hours. Times permitting, we will then visit the thermal village of BAGNO VIGNONI. Where traditional towns would have a main square, Bagno Vignoni boasts a large pool (49 meters long and 29 meters wide), from the bottom of which bubble up a number of hot springs whose therapeutic quality has been renowned since antiquity. After the tour, you will be transferred back to the hotel. The dinner will be arranged at the hotel’s restaurant. OVERNIGHT STAY IN UMBRIA REGION AT 4-STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH HALF-BOARD SERVICE (BREAKFAST AND 3-COURSE DINNER - BEVERAGES NOT INCLUDED). DAY 4 ASSISI & SPELLO After BREAKFAST at the hotel, you will transferred to the Medieval town of ASSISI, a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE and homeland of St. Francis, the famed saint who renounced all his possessions in order to devote his life to helping the needy. With our guide, you will visit the amazing historical center, Piazza del Comune (central square), the Basilica of St. Francis, and the Oratory of St. Francesco Piccolino. Cathedrals and fortresses dot the city and strike an image both imposing and memorable. Lunch will be on your own with recommendations from our guide. In the afternoon, we will visit SPELLO, another authentic hilltown of Umbria famous for its by flower-decorated, meandering streets. In Spello, you will enjoy the historical center and the Renaissance art by Pinturicchio, a 15th Century painter who has also worked in the Vatican in Rome. This alluring city’s stone houses abut one another to form a near-continuous interwoven landscape. You could spend hours meandering through the streets and enjoying the views of the Umbria valley. After the visit, you will be transferred back to the hotel. OVERNIGHT STAY IN UMBRIA REGION AT 4-STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH HALF-BOARD SERVICE (BREAKFAST AND 3-COURSE DINNER - BEVERAGES NOT INCLUDED). DAY 5 HANDS-ON COOKING CLASS, TRANSFER TO FLORENCE BREAKFAST AND CHECK OUT FROM THE HOTEL. After breakfast, around 9:30/10:00 am, you will start an AUTHENTIC HANDS-ON COOKING CLASS at Relais Villa Monte Solare followed by lunch.Discover time-tested techniques for creating the best meal, including from-scratch pasta and perfectly simmered sauces. These techniques have remained secret in this valley for centuries, and we will unlock their traditions to create and enjoy the perfect meal. After lunch, you will be transferred to the hotel in Florence by private transfer (transfer time: approx. 2h and 20 min.). Leisure time in Florence. Dinner will be on your own. OVERNIGHT STAY IN FLORENCE AT 4-STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH BED AND BREAKFAST SERVICE. DAY 6 FLORENCE 3-HOUR WALKING TOUR WITH PRIVATE GUIDE ENJOY BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL. After breakfast, you will be met at the lobby of your hotel by our expert guide who will lead through the beauties of Florence, the “cradle of the Italian Renaissance”: the Piazza Duomo with Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and Giotto’s Bell Tower (external visit), Piazza del Signoria with the imposing Palazzo Vecchio (external visit), the Ponte Vecchio (the old bridge) and the area of Santa Croce. Lunch will be on your own. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance known as the birthplace of opera and an important arts and cultural hub of Italy. Walk through narrow, medieval pathways before popping into the modern city center. Centuries of arts and architecture are right at your fingertips as you get lost in the city. From the city center, you can climb to the church of San Miniato al Monte for the most amazing view of the city. Lunch and dinner will be on your own. Dinner will be on your own. OVERNIGHT STAY IN FLORENCE AT 4-STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH BED AND BREAKFAST SERVICE. DAY 7 PISA 2-HOUR WALKING TOUR WITH PRIVATE GUIDE ENJOY BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL. After breakfast, you will be transferred to PISA (transfer time: approx. 1h and 30 min), where you will be met by our expert guide who will lead you through an enchanting 2-HOUR WALKING TOUR of this amazing Tuscan city: you will visit the Piazza Dei Miracoli, the Cathedral and the Baptistery (€ 5/person, payment in cash on site), the Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Cavalieri. Lunch will be on your own. Around 2:30 pm, you will be transferred back to Florence. Leisure time in the afternoon. Dinner will be on your own. OVERNIGHT STAY IN FLORENCE AT 4-STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH BED AND BREAKFAST SERVICE.