Italy: Southern Tuscany & Umbria

A walk in the sweeping hills of Tuscany and Umbria is a journey into Italy’s artistic and agricultural
heart. Your path follows history, from Florence, where your tour commences, to Siena—an important
art center distinguished by its remarkable cathedral—and on to Assisi to view the art treasures of the Basilica of St. Francis. Deep in Umbria, you view Gubbio’s stunning Palazzo dei Consolo and move on to the mosaics decorating Orvieto’s Gothic cathedral. Your stay in the Roman town of Spello—known for its medieval frescoes—inspires with aesthetic balance and timeless charm. Wandering rows of cypress trees leading to a 12th-century Cistercian monastery in southern Tuscany evoke the serenity that has sustained this enchanting countryside through the ages.
    The cuisines of Tuscany and Umbria blend refinement and simplicity. In the towns and villages along the route, you dine in fine restaurants and simple trattorias, sampling the sharp pecorino cheese, hand-plucked truffles, and olive oil pressed in the traditional way. Regional wines are some of Italy’s most renowned, such as the full-bodied Brunello di Montalcino, perfectly paired with memorable meals, you are able to sample them throughout the week. The accommodations, charming hotels tucked into medieval walls, welcome you in the region's enduring spirit of hospitality.