program ideas

We can offer a wide variety of program extensions and options, depending on the season, either as part of a designated package or as an extended option beyond a set program. Together with our Italian service providers, we can provide an entirely customised itinerary that may also include all destinations across the length and breadth of the Italian peninsula.

The Tastes of Umbria: with a home-base in Orvieto, sampling all the riches of produce this region produces.

Cooking with Passion: general cooking course with a professional chef or with one of our dedicated "home" cooks, visits to an oil press/producer, pork/salami producer and wine cellars, all with the aim of getting to know personally the excellent local products and their secrets.

A Journey of Taste: courses on cheese, fresh pasta, savoury cakes and tarts, jam and compotes, including tastings of oil and wine with a professional chef and visits to an oil producer and wine cellars.

The Language of Food: a journey through language learning (Italian/English) and good eating.

Wine Tours: visit the most prestigious wine cellars in Umbria to taste the special produce from vineyards producing the famous Orvieto Classico, the wonderful Grechetto di Todi, and the ambrosia of the very special Sagrantino di Montefalco.

The Monastic Beers - Tasting & Making: experience the passion of this ancient tradition first hand and have a hand in making your own beers to transport back home or to enjoy as you make.

Vintage Wine: stay in a vintage residence with a vineyard. This includes a comprehensive course in wine production and tasting techniques with the wine steward from the vineyard.

Wellness and Wine: spoil yourself with accommodation in a luxurious SPA immersed in the Umbrian countryside coupled with tastings of the most excellent wines.

The Search for the Black Truffle: an expert tartufaio (truffle hunter) and his dog will guide you to the discovery of the truffle and reveal the secrets of its search. During the excursion through the natural beauty of a private reserve, participants will take part in the battuta or beating that is an integral part of the search for the precious booty. The walk in the tartufaia offers many opportunities to observe the numerous species of birds and mammals that inhabit the region. May also include particular dinners or tastings based around traditional resipes using the black truffle.

Harvesting Olives:Umbria and its very special,traditional oil await you. You can experience all the stages of production from harvesting in the plantation, to working the frantoio (oil press), to the tasting of the new oil as comes from the press. The many fragrant aromas will conquer all your senses!

Vendemmia (grape picking): September is taken over by the aroma of mature grapes. The experience is all the more thrilling for those who decide to sway to the traditions of the Umbrian countryside.

Gathering Chestnuts: Autumn in the ancient chestnut groves means harvesting these very special fruits. It is an occasion for celebration, fun and relaxation. The only obligation is in the sampling of the freshly harvested chestnuts roasted in the traditional manner with unfermented grape juice. May also include a special cooking class based on the traditional use of fresh chestnuts.

The Norcineria (specialist salami and pork production): "norcino" signifies an expert in the making of all pork products and is derived from the Umbrian town of Norcia, well-known since the Middle Ages for its pork produce. You will discover the most ancient secrets of this special regional tradition. may also include extended tastings.

Accommodation: extended or optional accommodation can be arranged according to your requirements, from an agriturismo or farm-stay, where the kitchens present typical and genuine regional dishes and wines from the best local cellars; to a B&B found in the quiet medieval streets in the centre; Villas and farmhouses with a pool and complete privacy for total relaxation; a Hotel or independant apartment in the historic centre; or an historical residence, many of which are used as hotels and typically include antique furnishings and more exclusive services and spas.

Special Services: all services are personalized and integrated with the express aim of helping you to discover the riches of the region. The splendid natural landscape of Umbria can be visited at all times of year. It is fascinating to observe this wonderful land where the colours and perfumes change in accordance with the eternal cycle of the seasons: from the verdant green of spring, to the yellow grains of summer, to the thousand colours of the leaves in autumn and the rarefied, magical atmosphere of winter.

Nature, Architecture, Mysticism, Art, Tastes and Aromas of the Green Heart of Italy: this ancient land, famed destination of the Grand Tour travellers and Land of the Saints, with thousands of stories to tell, is crowded with ancient gods, rich in spirituality and culture, folklore and ancient gastronomic traditions. Programmes may extend across the entire region of Umbria with a home-base in Orvieto.

And that's not all!
You tell us what you want and where you want to go,
and we will create a special program for you!