Umbrian Culinary Experience Tour

Often overlooked in favour of its neighbouring region, Tuscany, Umbria is a region that deserves a more elevated reputation. As explored on this tour it’s an area full of cultural, architectural and culinary treasures and a relative lack of crowds mean that it retains much more of its authentic Italian atmosphere. From our base at the welcoming Antica Dimora Alla Rocca Hotel in the charming and authentic hill town of Trevi, we explore gorgeous pastoral scenery, spectacular mountain landscapes, classic hill towns packed full of architectural gems and artistic treasures. Throughout the tour you will enjoy a variety of local food and wine tastings, hunt for truffles and enjoy delicious meals. This is genuinely a tour that offers a true taste of all the variety that Italy has to offer.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Fly from London Heathrow to Rome.
On arrival in Rome, transfer by coach to Trevi (approx. two hours) and the Hotel Antica Dimora Alla Rocca. This evening a welcome drink will be served and dinner will follow in the hotel restaurant.

Day 2: Full day tour to Perugia and visit to Baci Chocolate House.
The well-preserved hill town of Perugia, the regional capital, is as close to a city as it gets in Umbria. Full of delightful museums, churches and 400-year-old architectural treasures to explore, Perugia’s two universities give the town a wonderfully vibrant atmosphere – a drink in one of the many pavement cafes on the Corso Vannucci is the perfect way to soak it up. Housed in the Gothic Palazzo dei Priori, often said to be one of the greatest public palaces in Italy, the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria is a must visit. Located just outside Perugia is the Baci Chocolate House, where you will have a tour of their museum before a tour through the factory. You will see where these iconic Italian chocolate kisses are made. This evening dinner will be in the hotel restaurant.

Day 3: Full day tour to Assisi and Spello. 
Assisi’s fate as an attraction and pilgrimage site was sealed when St Francis, founder of the Franciscan order, was born here in 1182. A charming medieval hill town, little changed over the centuries, Assisi can be quite busy, but there are still pockets of tranquillity as you wander the old streets for your guided tour. The Basilica di San Francesco is a fantastic monument to 13th and 14th century Italian art with one of the greatest art collections outside of a gallery in the world. Pink-stoned Spello sits above the Vale of Spoleto. Originally a Roman settlement there is some old architecture to see, but the languid charms of this medieval town generally call for a leisurely stroll of the old streets. This evening dinner will be in the hotel restaurant.

Day 4: Truffle hunting and Trevi.
Today we will visit La Cucina di San Pietro a Pettine, a family run truffle restaurant, for a truffle hunting experience followed by lunch. We will enter into the forest with expert truffle hunters and their trusted dogs searching for the precious truffle. You will be led by a local expert who will teach you all about the ancient tradition of truffle hunting which remains unchanged for centuries. Afterwards you will enjoy lunch at the restaurant. We return to Trevi in the afternoon with free time for you to spend as you wish. Trevi has a small Olive Oil Museum which can be visited independently to learn about the history of the olive. Dinner this evening is not included giving you the chance to pick from one of the restaurants in Trevi. 

Day 5: Full day tour to Gubbio with guided tour.
The town of Gubbio climbs its way up the steep slopes of Monte Ingino, its Gothic splendour backed by the mighty Apennine Mountains. A powerful town in the early Middle Ages, Gubbio may appear austere thanks to the dark grey stone of its architecture, but its past is both turbulent and fascinating. Although most of the architecture is 14th and 15th century, you’ll find Roman remains, a 12th century Duomo and the magnificent ancient Umbrian Eugubine Tables in the Palazzo dei Consoli. Take care around the Fontana dei Matti – it is said that anyone walking around it three times will end up mad! Dinner this evening is not included giving you the chance to pick from one of the restaurants in Trevi. 

Day 6: Full day tour to Spoleto and Olive Oil Tasting.
One of Umbria’s most charming towns and in a spectacular setting, ancient Spoleto was once an important Roman city and capital of the Duchy of Spoleto. Perched in the foothills of the Apennines it is in the medieval hilltop Upper Town where you’ll find some of Italy’s oldest Romanesque churches, the Duomo and a variety of museums and galleries, whilst in the modern Lower Town there are Roman ruins and more lovely churches. You will visit on market day so you can take in the hustle and bustle of local produce being sold and see what delights are on offer. This afternoon enjoy an olive oil tasting. Umbria is not known for producing vast quantities of olives, but it does produce ones with a distinct taste that create a well-loved bitter and sharp noted oil.  This evening dinner will be in the hotel restaurant.  

Day 7: Morning cooking demonstration in Montefalco with lunch and wine tasting.
This morning head to Montefalco, a medieval walled hill town at the centre of the eponymous wine region. Arriving at Antonelli San Marco, which has been owned by the same family since 1881 you will experience a true feast of local Italian produce. The day will start with a cooking demonstration where the chef will take you through 5 local dishes and how to make them. You will then get to enjoy those dishes for lunch. After which you will get to taste 4 of the wines that the estate makes along with a guided tour of their impressive cellar. Dinner this evening is not included giving you the chance to pick from one of the restaurants in Trevi. 

Day 8: Transfer by coach back to Rome airport with an en-route visit to the seaside resort of Lido di Ostia.

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 20 passengers.

INCLUDED

• Return flights from London Heathrow to Rome 
• Seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Hotel Antica Dimora Alla Rocca, Trevi, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Five dinners at the hotel and two typical Italian lunch 
• Transfers and full touring itinerary
• Tour manager throughout 

NOT INCLUDED

• Double for sole use supplement 
• Holiday insurance 
• Meals other than those stated 
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls 
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTEL

Antica Dimora Alla Rocca, Trevi
Housed in the 17th century Palazzo Valenti in the centre of Trevi, the four-star Antica Dimora Alla Rocca offers a restaurant, bar, sun terrace and outdoor swimming pool. Bedrooms have en-suite bath/shower, TV, telephone, wifi, air-conditioning, safe, minibar and hairdryer. All rooms feature wooden ceilings, antique furniture and offer panoramic views. 

Antica Dimora Alla Rocca Website

OUR VIEW ON THE HOTEL
Located on a quiet square in the centre of the lovely old town of Trevi, the Hotel Antica Dimora Alla Rocca is an old romantic palace built in 1650 by local Giovanni Battista di Filiberto. Rooms are in the main building or attached annexe and are spacious and comfortable, some offering beautiful period features such as original beamed ceilings whilst the restaurant is located in the atmospheric vaulted cellars.

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