Program Outline
DAY 1 (FRIDAY)
Afternoon arrival and settle into the accommodation
Lunch not included on this day
AFTERNOON: Introductions and welcome by your hosts, followed by a gentle walk to a pre-dinner drink
DINNER INCLUDED – at a small trattoria specialising in local Umbrian cuisine.
DAY 2 (SATURDAY)
MORNNG: Visit to the fresh food market, followed by a guided walking tour of the City of Orvieto and the Medieval Quarter– discovering the city’s hidden secrets - with an introduction to the many sites and monuments within the city that may be visited during free time activities - finishing up with a visit to some of the private caves and a morning coffee.
LUNCH INCLUDED – with an introduction to Orvietani wines in a convivial “cantina” on the Cathedral square and a light lunch (short language course: “Survival Italian” during lunch).
AFTERNOON: Free time in Orvieto
DINNER INCLUDED – at a small, local, family-run trattoria
DAY 3 (SUNDAY)
MORNING: Free time in Orvieto
AFTERNOON: Reserved booking for a guided visit to Orvieto Sottonerea (the communal grottoes under the city), followed by a guided visit to the Cathedral and the San Brizio Chapel with the famous Signorelli frescoes.
Lunch and dinner are not included on this day but a list of suggested restaurants will be provided and bookings made if you prefer.
DAY 4 (MONDAY)
MORNING: Drive through the countryside, past ancient vineyards, to the location of the oil museum. A guided visit to this fascinating, private museum, set up by the younger generations as a proud testament to their heritage and to the quality of produce that is still created today, with the same passion and devotion to the land.
AN EARLY LIGHT LUNCH INCLUDED – at the museum with oil and produce and wine made on site.
Return to Orvieto
AFTERNOON: Free time in Orvieto
DINNER INCLUDED – at what is, simply, the best pizza restaurant of all, with
a great selection of local wines and beers.
DAY 5 (TUESDAY)
A FREE DAY to enjoy this wonderful city on the rock
Lunch and dinner are not included on this day
DAY 6 (WEDNESDAY)
FULL DAY EXCURSION - ASSISI: on this day we visit first the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Porziuncula. Then drive on into Assisi
A guided walk through the city on the way to lunch.
LIGHT LUNCH INCLUDED – with the specialist beers of San Biagio.
Followed by a guided visit to the Lower & Upper Basilicas.
Return to Orvieto
Dinner not included this day.
DAY 7 (THURSDAY)
MORNING: Cooking course (based on Umbrian cuisine), includes tasting of the dishes as you go
AFTERNOON: Free time in Orvieto
Dinner not included this day.
DAY 8 (FRIDAY)
FULL DAY EXCURSION - CAPRAROLA (Villa Farnese /Renaissance gardens)
MORNING : transport to CAPRAROLA for an insider’s view of how the Pope’s “played”. We visit the stunning Villa Farnese, one of the 2 most beautiful examples of 16th country villas in Latium and (weather & the protectors of the land willing) take a stroll into the beautiful adjoining gardens with its typical Renaissance grotto and the surrounding parkland up to the casino or hunting lodge.
LUNCH INCLUDED - in Caprarola at a small trattoria specialising in funghi porcini - all dishes touched, as they say, with a “pinch of fantasy”.
Return to Orvieto
Dinner not included this day.
DAY 9 (SATURDAY)
A completely FREE DAY in Orvieto - Lunch and dinner are not included
DAY 10 (SUNDAY)
MORNING: Visit to the volcanic lake at Bolsena and the small communal museum of La Rocca. A gentle stroll through the town of Bolsena, and down to the lakeside.
LIGHT LUNCH INCLUDED – at a local fish restaurant
AFTERNOON: a visit to the “dying” city of Civita di Bagnoregio.
Return to Orvieto
DINNER INCLUDED – this is a Farewell “Tastings Dinner” at a great venue
near Orvieto, “off the rock”
DAY 11 (MONDAY)Transfer to the train to your next destination (or private car transfer on request)
This program includes: