UMBRIA:
THE WINE AND ART ROUTE

Day 1 Perugia
Arrive of the group at the Airport (Perugia or Rome) and transfer to hotel to check in.
Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 2 Perugia
In the morning guided visit of the historic centre of Perugia. The Regional capital and largest city of Umbria It is a surprising city thanks to its variety and quality of ancient and medieval testimonies.
Free lunch and time at leisure. In the afternoon we move to a vinery in the surrounding hills of the town. We visit the vineyards and the cellars where the doc Colli Perugini is produced from the local grapevines Grechetto, Trebbiano
and Sangiovese.
The visit includes also an illustration of all stages of the production and a wine tasting accompanied by a "merenda" with local salami and cheese. Return to hotel for dinner and accommodation at hotel

Day 3 Torgiano-Cannara-Bettona
After breakfast. Transfer to Torgiano , the fortified town is situated between the middle of the Tiber valley and still preserves its typical medieval appearance and the remains of its ancient walls. Torgiano is one of the most important enological centre in central Italy, the cultivation of the vine is an ancient art as is evidenced by the testimonial of
archaeological finds. Nowadays its Torre di Giano (white )and Rubesco (red) are appreciated all over the world.
We start the visit of Torgiano with the Palazzo Graziani-Baglioni that houses the Wine Museum, very important
collection that represents the history of viticulture and winemaking in Umbria.
Another important permanent exhibition housed in the same building is the Vaselle d'autore.
We continue with a visit to Museum of Olive Oil. Lunch at restaurant inclusive of the Torgiano Doc Wines.
In the afternoon move to Brufa, along the Strada delVino dell'Arte where are standing numerous open air sculptures
of contemporaneous artists. The day continues on the territory of Cannara, famous for its production of onion to which is dedicated an annul festival. It is included also a guided visit to the Roman archaeological site of Hurvinum Hortensis. We continue for Bettona, small town of etruscan origin that still preserves it medieval architecture.
We visit the local Art gallery where rinascimental paintings are shown. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 Assisi
After breakfast move to Assisi for a guided visit The pink stone town of Assisi is the home of the Umbrian mysticism. The
outstanding figures of the two local Saints, Francis and Clare, intertwine with the artworks of the most famous painters of the Middle Ages. St. Clare Basilica, where the Saint is buried Piazza del Comune, the People's Tower and an interesting Roman sacred construction named Minerva temple. Below the square there are finds of a large Roman public area. St. Francis Basilica: centre of the Franciscan spirituality and cradle of the medieval European art, the Basilica was built upon the Saint's tomb. The double papal Basilica was founded by Pope Gregory IX and is an architectural masterpiece
containing some of the finest paintings of medieval Italian art, from Cimabue to Giotto, Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti, Jacopo Torriti and Pietro Cavallini. In addition a visit to the Hermitage and the church of San Damiano can be arranged by minibus The programme includes also a visit to a Vineyard with wine tasting ( grechetto bianco, rosso and rosato).

Day 5 Todi Marsciano
After breakfast transfer to Todi, another important centre along the "Strada dei Vini del Cantico".
Todi is a fascinating old town located in a delightful panoramic position on a hill in the central area of Umbria.
It offers a number of interesting well preserved medieval buildings rich in history. It is the home of Jacopone, a great mystic and a poet from the 13th century, and a remarkable figure of the Franciscan order and Italian literature.
Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione: this is a majestic domed church dating back to the 16th century, on a Greek-cross plan influenced by Bramante. It is the most significant monument in theUmbrian Renaissance architecture.
Church of S. Fortunato: a rare and beautiful example of German-style late Gothic hall church. The main square is
bordered by three balanced and well-proportioned Gothic buildings and introduces to the Duomo, which reveals in its
interior a peculiar and articulated history.
A typical peasant lunch will be arranged in a farmhouse in the surrounding country accompanied by Colli Martani Doc, white and red wines. In the afternoon move to Marsciano in the middle valley of theTiber.
This town is an important centre for the brick production and terracotta (pottery) The "Museo Dinamico of Laterizio",
housed in the ancient palace Pietromarchi, is dedicated to this activity. Continue to a nearby vineyard where the doc Colli Perugini is produced. The more common vinegrapes in this area for the red wines are here Cabernet and Merlot, while for the whites are the Chardonnay and the more autochthon Trebbiano and Greghetto. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 Spoleto Spello
After breakfast transfer to Spello for the guided visit. Spello is charmingly situated on the southernmost slope of Mount Subasio and opposite Assisi. The two towns share a similar pink coloured stone aspect, the same alleys privacy and unexpected glimpses. In the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore can be admired works, of Pinturicchio and Perugino.
The city tour also comprises the Church of St. Andrea with Pinturicchio paintings, and the amazing itinerary winding among the fourteenth century Palazzi until the upper Belvedere, which provides a fine view of the whole valley. Free time for individual lunch and time at leisure. In the afternoon transfer to Spoleto: The town is situated in a strategic position overlooking the ancient "Via Flaminia". The splendour of its Romanesque churches and the Umbrian-Roman remains attracts many visitors.
Albornoz Fortress: it is an imposing military fortress and papal residence over the Flaminia road. Ponte delle Torri: a 14thcentury powerful structure used both as aqueduct and walkway, admired by German poet Goethe. The Cathedral it is a masterpiece of the Romanesque art. Its façade has ornate rose windows and a beautiful Byzantine mosaic. In the interior a small chapel (Eroli) frescoed by Pinturicchio.
The city tour also includes: the Roman Theatre, where the Spoleto festival is occasionally performed. Both can be visited
(entrance fee); the triumphal Arch of Druso and medieval church St. Ansano, built upon a Roman temple and an early
Christian crypt (St. Isaac), complete the visit to the city.
At the and of the visit return to Perugia for dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 7 Cooking Class and Olive Oil
This day is entirely dedicated to food and wine. In the morning we move to a farm house where cooking class a is given to the group. Our local chef will involve the participants to the preparation of typical Umbrian dishes like: Home made pasta
Tagliatelle and Gnocchi or more international Bavarian Cream, Fresh Fruit dessert or Chocolate dessert with Pine Kernels & Biscuits. At the end of the lesson Wine & Cheese. Tasting before the lunch prepared accompanied by doc wines of the "Strada del Cantico" In the afternoon we move to another farmhouse to see the process of the production of "Extravergine Olive Oil" and partecipate to a guided tasting of different kind of OilsWe also will be visiting a old stone oil mill of the 18th century situated close to the main house. The oil mill has been used until the beginning of the XX century and it is unique inits kind because it is set up by four wood presses and a big millstone very well kept. It is certainly one of the
few remained in the centre of Italy.

Day 8
After breakfast transfer to the airport for the return fligh.

Proposal by "Grifo Viaggi"
Partner of "Associazione Strada dei Vini del Cantico"

[ Fort the quotation and reservation contact...]