The Medieval Villages of Tuscany & Umbria

Daily program

DAY 1 / DEPARTURE FROM THE USA

Departure from USA.

DAY 2 / ANGHIARI

Arrival at Rome, connecting flight to Florence. Upon arrival, transfer, by private car and driver, to Anghiari. Check in at the Hotel La Meridiana. Anghiari is a lovely and peaceful medieval village with beautiful views over the countryside. It is located in the geographical heart of the Italian Renaissance. Its surrounding wall remains almost intact, just as it was when built between the 12th and 13th centuries. The historical center is full of workshops which are the symbol and passion of the village: Ceramics and textile.

DAY 3 / ANGHIARI

After breakfast, join your local guide for a guided tour of Anghiari.
In the afternoon, visit the Busatti textile factory. Late afternoon, transfer to Castello dei Sorci, demonstration of ancient crafts.

DAY 4 / CITTÁ DI CASTELLO AND MONTONE

Departure to Citta’ di Castello, where “Art is in the Air”. Crossroads of great artistic and cultural ferment, the village has been enriched in its evolution of works of art from all eras, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Guided visit of the village. In the afternoon, transfer to Montone, a charming town that still preserves the original medieval atmosphere. In a medieval context and surrounded by imposing walls, the town developed on two hills upon which in the north rises the Franciscan convent and in the south the Braccio Fortress. The three neighborhoods that make up the town are accessed by the doors of Monte, Verziere and Borgo Vecchio.

DAY 5 / AREZZO AND CORTONA

Excursion to Arezzo, a town with plenty of monuments, churches and museums that offer visitors a chance to step back into history.
Guided visit to The Church of San Francesco hosting the incredible Early Renaissance fresco cycle by Piero della Francesca depicting the Legend of the True Cross and to the Church of San Domenico with the wooden Crucifix by Cimabue
In the afternoon, transfer to Cortona considered the main cultural and artistic center of the Val di Chiana after Arezzo. The prevailing character of Cortona's architecture is medieval with steep narrow streets situated on a hillside (altitude 600 metres), embracing a view of the whole of the Valdichiana.
Two of the churches in Cortona are prime examples of two different principles of Renaissance construction.

DAY 6 / SPELLO

Departure to Spello. After arrival, check in at the Hotel Il Cacciatore.
In the afternoon, guided visit of the village.

DAY 7 / ASSISI AND DERUTA

Excursion to Assisi. A visit to the magnificent Lower and Upper Basilica where the mortal remains of St. Francis lies. Here one can see the blossoming of Art and Faith in the 13th and 14th century’s frescoes by Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini, Ambrogio Lorenzetti and other great artists illustrating Christ, St. Francis and other Saints’ lives and miracles.
In the afternoon, transfer to Deruta, a pretty stone hill town. At first glance it looks like any other medieval town dotting the countryside. But when the visitor enters through the ancient gates he will see that this hamlet is distinct: its sole industry is ceramics.
There are nearly two hundred workshops and stores, along with a school for Ceramic Arts and a Ceramics Museum, dedicated to Deruta's thriving artistic tradition. The Moorish design influences are retained even today in many traditional patterns. All of the patterns are brilliantly colored, highly decorative, hand-painted masterpieces.

DAY 8 / GUBBIO AND SPELLO

Excursion to Gubbio. Guided visit of the town reach of historical attractions spanning many periods. The 14th-century Palazzo dei Consoli houses Umbria’s largest collection of Roman artifacts. Afternoon free time at Spello.

DAY 9 / DEPARTURE TO USA

Transfer, by private motor coach, to Rome, flight back to USA.