Program Outline
DAY 1
Afternoon arrival in ROME and settle into the accommodation
Lunch not included on this day
Introductions and welcome by your hosts, followed by a gentle walk to the Piazza della Rotondo and a visit to Pantheon, then a pre-dinner drink
DINNER INCLUDED – together at a trattoria specialising in Roman cuisine.
DAY 2
MORNNG: FOUNDING of the EMPIRE: MYTHS & LEGENDS - ROME
The Founding of Rome is very much embroiled in myth and the Capitoline Museums, atop the famous Capitoline Hill, alongside Michelangelo’s famous piazza of the Campidoglio, provide a wonderful insight into the ancient world – AND – a fabulous view right over the Roman Forum (does not include entry to the forum or coliseum). You will have time after our visit to the Museum to visit these places on your own if you like.
Lunch is NOT included this day
LATE AFTERNOON: MASTER COLLECTIONS – ROME (Vatican Museums)
Visit (with pre-booked entry) to the Vatican Museum Complex and the Sistine Chapel – noted for so many treasures it is also the very first “public gallery”. We will help you through the maze to a greater understanding of its importance and context that culminates in that most curious of rooms, chapel of the Popes (Sistine Chapel).
DINNER INCLUDED – together at a local trattoria (pizza and pasta)
DAY 3
MORNING: MASTER COLLECTIONS – ROME (Galleria Borghese)
Visit to the Galleria Borghese for our pre-booked entry – this is one of our favourite venues in Rome, with so many stories to tell and so many beautiful and significant art works not to be missed.
Rest of the day and evening is free for you to explore Rome at your leisure.
Lunch and dinner are NOT included for this day.
DAY 4
MORNING: Private car transfer to ORVIETO (~1 ½ - 2 hours). Time to settle into accommodation. A short orientation to Orvieto (services, shopping etc), on the way to lunch.
LIGHT 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. You will receive a Carta Orvieto Unica that allows entrances to all the many sites and monuments and museums within the city
DINNER INCLUDED – together with your hosts at our favourite trattoria specializing in Umbrian cuisine and, in particular, the white truffle and the cinghiale (wild boar).
DAY 5
MORNING: Guided walk in the Medieval Quarter – introduction to Orvieto’s past and visit to the Pozzo della Cava
AFTERNOON: Free time with suggested visits and walks in the city
LATE AFTERNOON: Guided visit to the Duomo and the Signorelli Chapel
EVENING FREE: Lunch and dinner are NOT included for this day.
DAY 6
THE ARTS & CRAFTS: DERUTA / BEVAGNA (FULL DAY)*
MORNING: Drive to a very special sanctuary with votive tiles dating back to the early 16th C, then on to the ancient centre of Deruta and a walk through the selected artisans of the special Renaissance ceramics with a visit to a very talented MASTER artisan in the ancient centre. An optional inclusion is a guided visit to the fabulous renaissance collection in the “Museo della Ceramica” in Deruta Storico.
LUNCH INCLUDED - in the ancient centre at a small trattoria.
AFTERNOON: Drive through the countryside to the medieval town of Bevagna, with its watermill and demonstration workshops in paper making, Medieval painting, candle making and silk weaving.
Return to Orvieto - Dinner not included this day.
DAY 7
A completely FREE DAY in Orvieto - Lunch and dinner are not included
DAY 8
THE ESTRUSCHI: the painted tombs of TARQUINIA (FULL DAY) *
MORNING: Drive to Tarquinia to one of the best Etruscan museums (D.H. Lawrence’s absolute favourite) to get a real ‘feel” for these amazing people
LUNCH INCLUDED - just around the corner at a great little trattoria
AFTERNOON: Drive to the outskirts to the burial mounds and underground tombs to see the paintings – as they were meant to be, in situ. Out of the 600 plus, we will visit a select few.
Return to Orvieto - Dinner not included this day.
DAY 9
A completely FREE DAY in Orvieto - Lunch and dinner are not included
DAY 10
THE SAINTS: ASSISI & the Patron Saint of Italy, St Francis (FULL DAY)*
MORNING: Drive to Madonna degli Angeli and a visit to the Porziuncula
Drive on into Assisi and a walk through the city of St Francis on the way to lunch
LIGHT LUNCH INCLUDED - in a quiet retreat in the centre.
AFTERNOON: Walk on to the Basilicas and a guided visit to the Basilicas .
Return to Orvieto - Dinner not included this day.
DAY 11
A completely FREE DAY in Orvieto
DINNER INCLUDED – this is a “Tastings Dinner” at a great venue near Orvieto, “off the rock” including wines from their own vineyard.
DAY 12
MORNING: Train to Florence – transfer to hotel (lunch not included)
AFTERNOON: Introduction to your Florence program:
The World of Michelangelo & the Rise of the Renaissance in Florence”
Guided walk through the city with visit to:
1. The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella (Masaccio et al)
DINNER INCLUDED – together with your hosts
DAY 13(continuing our theme)
Guided walk through the city with visits to:
2. Museo San Marco (Fra Angelico & Savonarola)
LUNCH INCLUDED - close to the Academia
3. Academia (the David)
FREE TIME FOR SHOPPING OR OTHER VISITS-Dinner not included.
DAY 14 (continuing our theme)
Guided walk through the city with visits to:
4. The Medici Chapel
5. Uffizi
Lunch & Dinner not included this day.
DAY 15 - Depart Florence - assistance to the station or as decided
This program includes:
* it is possible to substitute excursion days from the Day Tours listing included as part of this site