A day in Umbria, in Perugia, the regional capital and famous tourist center due to the richness of its artistic heritage, followed then by a visit to Assisi, an important, but not only, religious center and a favorite destination for many pilgrims.
We start from Siena through the Crete Senesi hills, driving then along the northern shore of Lake Trasimeno, the largest water lagoon in Italy, until we get to the ancient city of Perugia. From the parking area, as located quite far from the city center, we will reach it by the escalators that will enable us to cross the ancient archaeological finds and the brick vaults of the Rocca Paolina, up to the Giardini Carducci, heart of the city and a beautiful architectural balcony with a stunning view over the surrounding valley. Significant in the historic center is a walk from Corso Vannucci, its wonderful buildings and shops, up to Piazza IV Novembre, with the beautiful Fontana Maggiore, Palazzo dei Priori and the Cathedral. We will stop for a lunch at a traditional restaurant in the old city.
We are then ready to leave for Assisi and, before reaching the town, we will stop at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, famous for hosting inside the Portiuncula (little house where usually St. Francis used to live) and the Cappella del Transito (where the saint died, lying on the bare land, but also infamous for the recent earthquake that caused the partially collapse of the dome).
We will continue for a few kilometers when we will finally enter the town center, with a rich historical hearitage of fourteenth-century streets, alleys, squares and wonderful palaces and churches of main importance and beauty. The Basilica of St. Francis, overlooking the city and the entire valley, is certainly the masterpiece, with its two churches, one on top of the other, internally painted by masters such as Cimabue, Simone Martini, Lorenzetti and Giotto. Not to be missed are the Cathedral of San Rufino and the Church of Santa Chiara.
Leaving the city, in the Umbrian countryside we stop at a local farm that produces wine (the typical Umbrian wines are Grechetto, Trebbiano, Montefalco Rosso and Sagrantino) and oil for a guided tour of the winery and a tasting of their local products. At the end of the visit, we will take the road back to Siena to return to your Hotel.
The Tour includes:
-
Visit to Perugia
-
Typical lunch at a restaurant in the historic center of Perugia
-
Visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, near Assisi
-
Visit to Assisi
-
Visit and tasting at a local Umbrian farm that produces wine and oil
-
Transportation by minivan to and from your accommodation
-
Accompanying driver in Italian, English or Spanish
-
extra price with an authorized guide in Italian, English or Spanish: 40 €/h