Umbria

Day Trips

First, get picked up from your hotel in central Rome or head to the meeting point in the city center. Board the coach and depart at 8 AM, setting off towards the ancient city of Bagnoregio in the Province of Viterbo in central Italy.  When you arrive, take a stroll around Civita di Bagnoregio which was founded by Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago. The town is noted for its striking position on top of a plateau between the two valleys called Fossato del Rio Torbido and Fossato del Rio Chiaro. Find out about how the settlement is also known as the 'dying town' and was historically accessed by a single road that led from the Tiber valley to Lake Bolsena.  Then, stop for a delicious lunch at a local Italian restaurant. In the afternoon, continue the tour to Orvieto, another small town of Etruscan origins where you can admire the magnificent 14th-century cathedral, a masterpiece of gothic architecture. Visit the remarkable Pozzo di San Patrizio, a historic well that was built by architect-engineer Antonio da Sangallo the Younger of Florence in the 16th Century.  Finally, return to Rome where you will be dropped off at the meeting point in the city center.

Escape Italy's busy capital for one day on this trip to Assisi and the Umbrian hill town Orvieto. On this tour, you will unveil the religious architecture of Umbria (such as the famous Cathedral of Orvieto) and discover the wines and local products of Tuscany. Leaving Rome in a northerly direction and driving along the Tiber Valley, reach Orvieto as your first stop, a small town of Etruscan origins where you will stop to admire the magnificent 14th century cathedral, a masterpiece of gothic architecture. The tour continues through the green Tuscan Hills covered in olive groves and vineyards. This is the land of some of Italy’s best known D.O.C. (quality controlled) wines, which include Orvieto, Chianti and Brunello di Montalcin. You will then have a further stop, where you will taste some local wines and other typical Umbrian and Tuscan products. Afterwards, enjoy lunch, consisting of traditional local dishes. In the early afternoon you will continue your journey and drive along the shores of Lake Trasimeno. Finally, reach Assisi, which is located at the foot of Mount Subasio. Assisi is famous for being St. Francis' birthplace. You will see the Church of St. Claire*, St Francis’ birthplace and his childhood home, the Townhall Square. Around the Townhall Square, you will see the People’s Palace and the Roman Temple dedicated to Minerva. One highlight of the tour will be the visit of St Francis’ Basilica, located close to the ancient city walls, with its magnificent frescoes painted between the 12th and 14th centuries. Leaving Assisi, stop at the town of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where St. Francis died in 1226. You will reach Rome around 19:30/20:00, where you will be dropped-off in the vicinity of your hotel.

Civita di Bagnoregio is located in Tuscia on the border between Tuscany and Lazio. It is called the "dying city" because the land on which it stands is slowly falling away and will inevitably disappear when the final pieces crumble into the spectacular Valle dei Calanchi below. Knowing this, and knowing that nothing can be done to prevent it makes your visit all the more special, eternal and timeless. This is the feeling that makes it unique and marvelous to the people who have experienced the dying city. Connected to the rest of the world by a three hundred meter bridge, Civita di Bagnoregio is a charming village which will make you feel you are visiting a world that no longer exists. Made up of old houses, narrow streets and surrounded by beautiful landscapes, discover a walk through the scenes and stories of this place and choose the corner that sparks your intrigue the most. You can explore the Romanesque Arch at the entrance to Civita, the Renaissance Palace or the large Piazza (which is the site of donkey races on the first Sunday in June and the second Sunday of September and where all the remaining locals come to socialize in the evenings). After visit the dying city, you will head on to discover the Monster's Park situated in the town of Bomarzo. It is also called "Sacred Wood", and was designed by Prince Vicino Orsini and the great architect Pirro Ligorio in 1552. The park is unique and represents refined Italian style gardens that follow geometric and perspective rationality with embellishments such as wide terraces, fountains with water games and mannerist sculptures. You will also discover here eccentric wood blocks of peperino, emerging from the ground and sculpted into enigmatic figures of monsters, dragons, mythological subjects and exotic animals.

Fly over the valley of Assisi in a hot air balloon and land at the famous town of Saint Francis. The area is dotted with ancient villages, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. A true feast for the eyes and the soul. Finish your experience with a wine tasting and a delicious breakfast at a famous local winery. Meet at a local winery and walk through the olive groves, or take a 1-minute minibus drive to the take-off site. After a safety briefing, climb into a hot air balloon piloted by one of the world’s most experienced pilots. Feel the excitement as your balloon gently lifts up. Relax, take photos, and watch the beautiful landscape unfold below. After your approximately 1-hour hot air balloon ride, enjoy a smooth touchdown and step back onto solid ground. The fun continues back at the local winery, where you will enjoy a great Umbrian-style breakfast. If you are not opposed to drinking a bit of wine before midday, you may even like to sample some of the excellent wines.  

Escape the hustle and bustle of Rome for the day on a full-day tour of Umbria, one of the most picturesque regions of Italy. Rich in vineyards, olive trees, and hill-top villages, the most famous site in the region is the UNESCO World Heritage town of Assisi. Upon arrival at this mystical place, learn about Saint Francis as you wander within the ancient walls. Built on the green slopes of Mount Subasio, the colorful houses of ink stone. narrow streets, flower decked balconies, and noble palaces provide beautiful views. A highlight of your time in Assisi will be a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis to see Renaissance masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. After lunch, continue to Orvieto to admire the magnificence of its cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with a glistening façade of stained glass, mosaics, and sculptures. Soak up Orvieto’s charms, and marvel at the countless churches scattered around its historic center. Transfer back to Rome for a hotel drop off in the early evening.

The Farnese Palace is situated directly above the town of Caprarola, dominating its surroundings. Caprarola has always been an expression of Farnese’s power and the palace is one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture. You will be able to walk the spiral staircase called Scala Regia or the "Royal Stairs" and see the Piano dei Prelati floor, which leads to the broad terrace. You can witness the amazing frescoes of the winter suite, the famous "Room of the World Map" or “Sala del Mappamondo”, displaying the world as it was in 1574 when the frescoes were completed. Gaze at the depiction of the continents on one side of the wall while the wall opposite the planisphere is devoted to the lands where Christianity and the church originated, Judea and Italy. The Royal Staircase is next and is already being hailed as a masterpiece of Vignola's, having been imitated several times throughout history. The most original aspect of the structure is its helicoidal structure inspired by Bramante's great "snail" in the Vatican. The gardens of the villa are as impressive as the building itself, a significant example of a Renaissance Italian garden. They sit behind the palace and are divided into a winter garden and a summer garden. A walk through the chestnut woods leads to the "giardino segreto", or secret garden, with its 28 statues. At the end of your tour, it will be possible to have lunch in the Caprarola city center, where you can taste authentic, local food. Upgrade your tour to include a visit to the Monster Park in Bomarzo and the beautiful renaissance garden of Villa Lante, Viterbo, by selecting the option when booking.

Head out from Florence into the rolling green hills of Tuscany and Umbria to discover the architectural jewels of Assisi and Cortona. Your 11-hour tour begins in Assisi, the home of San Francesco. Your guide will lead you along the narrow, winding streets of the medieval town as you learn about its history. Inside the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi you’ll admire Giotto’s frescos of the life of San Francesco and discover why this is such an important pilgrimage site. See the interior of the Basilica of Santa Chiara, dedicated to a follower of San Francesco. Afterwards you’ll have free time for a stroll around this mystical city. Your tour will then continue with a visit to Santa Maria degli Angeli Church, the birthplace of the Franciscan Order. Cross back into Tuscany to the town of Cortona, built by the Etruscans, and noted for its architectural wonders and panoramic views over the surrounding landscape. Cortona is also well known as the setting for the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun.

Travel by eletrick-bike through Assisi town with its narrow alleys; stop at San Francesco to visit the marvellous and magnificent Giotto Frescos, the lower church and the tomb of San Francis. Proceed along the main street till  the main square, Piazza del Comun, and stop for a coffee or cappuccino in one of the nicest bar of the area. Arrive to Santa Chiara church, the Cathedral San Rufino, and enjoy the breathtaking view from Rocca Maggiore. Ride along the panoramic road to reach Eremo delle Carceri, oasis of peace and tranquillity in the mindst of the woods of Mt. Subasio. Stop for lunch in some panoramic restaurants and enjoy the paceful and quietness of the landscape.  

Umbria is the hometown of famous saints St. Francis (the patron saint of Italy and founder of the Franciscan order), St. Clare (the founder of the order of St. Clare), and the equally famous St. Rita of Cascia. Born in Roccaporena in 1381, St. Rita was one of the most popular saints of the Catholic Church, with her related symbols being roses and figs. The Basilica was built in 1937 and consecrated in 1947, and the monastery where she lived for forty years was rebuilt in the 18th Century and houses the nuns of the Augustinian community. In between your exploring of the history of Umbria, you will have free time for lunch in a typical restaurant, and you may also choose to utilize this time off for personal prayer. Your trip then continues to Spoleto, a gorgeous Middle Ages uphill town in which you will discover Etruscan and Roman Age buildings such as a theater and the amphitheater which are located in the upper village. The Rocca Albornoziana houses 6 towers, a number of beautiful frescoes and the National Museum. The 14th century Ponte delle Torri, or "Bridge of Towers", is built on the remains of a Roman aqueduct, and stretches across a gorge towards the Rocca. At the conclusion of your day, you will be returned to Rome at approximately 7:00PM.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Rome for the day on a 14-hour bike tour through the lovely landscapes of Lazio and Umbria. Following a pick-up from your hotel, transfer by train to the Tiber Valley for the start of your biking adventure. Experience the tranquility of the Alviano Nature Reserve, and pedal uphill to Civita di Bagnoregio. Known locally as “The Dying Town,” the once thriving cliff side village is one of Italy’s most beautiful towns from the Middle Ages. Perched on a plateau of rock that is connected to the rest of the world by a narrow bridge, cross on foot or by bike for breathtaking views. Continue biking through the lovely landscapes of Umbria, heading for Orvieto, the climax of your day. Built on a summit of volcanic tuff, the city’s defensive walls are constructed from tufa stone. Explore Orvieto's enchanting streets and go to the impressive 14th-century cathedral (Duomo), with a Gothic façade considered one of the masterpieces of the Late Middle Ages. Marvel at the large rose window and golden mosaics, before dinner in a wine cellar and your transfer back to Rome.