Castelmuzio – Monte Oliveto Maggiore – Montalcino – S.Antimo

A spectacular drive through the clay hills known as the "Crete Senese" takes you to Castelmuzio, the quintessential Tuscan hamlet, lost in time with extensive views of all the surrounding hill towns. Time for a stroll and mid-morning coffee, before continuing to the abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore for a guided tour of the cycle of 16th century frescoes by Sodoma and Luca Signorelli on the walls of the cloister. Enjoy lunch on the abbey grounds, which nestle as an oasis amid the Crete Senese. Equally beautiful is the drive to Montalcino. Stroll through the historic town centre, climb the ramparts of the Rocca Castle overlooking the Val d’Orcia and then relax with a glass of Brunello wine and some Pecorino cheese before heading out to listen to the sounds of Gregorian chant in the ancient abbey church of Sant'Antimo.

Approximate times: Depart at 9.00am – Return from S.Antimo at 6.00pm

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Avignonesi Winery – Montepulciano

Taste some of the finest Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines in the region and award winning "Vin Santo". A guided tour* at a winery is a fascinating insight into the making, ageing and bottling of wine and the continuous experiments undertaken to remain at the forefront of high quality wine production. Lunch* is served at the winery with carefully selected wines to enhance the tasting experience. In the afternoon a scenic drive welcomes you to Montepulciano where the late afternoon is spent exploring the historical city, wine cellars dating back hundreds of years and the beautiful renaissance church of San Biagio.

Approximate times: Depart at 11.00am – Return from Montepulciano at 6.00pm

N.B. To avoid disappointment with guided tour* and lunch* book in advance. *not included.

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Fonterutoli – Castellina in Chianti – Monteriggioni – San Gimignano

Travel to Fonterutoli to taste the Chianti Classico wine produced by the Mazzei family, who have lived there since 1435, take a walk around the bustling small hill-town of Castellina in Chianti and then have lunch inside the walled garrison village of Monteriggioni whose medieval towers were immortalised by Dante in his Divine Comedy. In the afternoon travel to just outside of San Gimignano and approach town along a panoramic route amidst Vernaccia vineyards with fabulous views of the town's 14 remaining medieval towers silhouetted on the skyline. Time to explore San Gimignano.

Approximate times: Depart at 9.30am – Return from San Gimignano at 6.30pm

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Badia a Passignano – Greve – Volpaia – Radda – Gaiole

Start your day on the Chiantigiana road at Badia a Passignano, a beautifully situated Vallombrosan monastery. Leave the main roads and travel along quiet tracks past Chianti vines and olive groves, stopping for coffee at Montefioralle, family home of Amerigo Vespucci. Admire the charming piazza in Greve in Chianti, home to the annual Chianti Classico wine festival. As the day progresses make your way on country roads, admiring the magnificent views. You can stroll around, shop and taste olive oil and wine in Volpaia, Radda and Gaiole-in-Chianti at your pace.

Approximate times: Depart at 9.30am – Return from Gaiole at 5.00pm

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Montichiello – Pienza – Bagno Vignoni

Wind your way through the streets of Montepulciano, known as the pearl of the Renaissance, admiring its wonderful buildings. Visit Cantina del Redi, where Vino Nobile is aged in vaulted caves beneath the foundations of the city. Leave through the ancient gates, passing San Biagio church, one of the great churches of the high Renaissance, and drive through the picturesque countryside of the Val D’Orcia to Montichiello. Time to explore this tiny hamlet before continuing to Pienza, Pope Pius II’s choice to rebuild as the "ideal city", and a marvel of 15th century architecture. Your day ends at the deliciously warm Roman hot springs of Bagno Vignoni.

Approximate times: Depart at 9.00am – Return from Bagno Vignoni at 5.00pm

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Assisi - S.Maria d. Angeli – Basilica di S. Francesco - Monte Subasio – Spello

We travel to Assisi to the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the enchanting 9th century Benedictine church of the Porziuncola, the first place of worship given to St. Francis and his followers. Francis received his calling, when an altar cross spoke to him saying, ‘Francis, go and rebuild my church’. We walk up through the medieval streets of Assisi with time for lunch* and to visit the Basilica, which for centuries has attracted pilgrims to the tomb of St. Francis. Admire the magnificent medieval frescoes of Giotto, Cimabue & Lorenzetti (audio guides*.) Visit the secluded Hermitage of St. Francis time permitting - optional.  A scenic drive climbs over the top of Monte Subasio and descends to Spello, enchanting town of Roman origin. 

Approx. times: Depart at 9.00am – Return from Assisi at 6.00pm   *not included.

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Spello – Bevagna – Montefalco – Bettona

We travel along the path of the Roman Via Flaminia, which linked Rome to the Adriatic coast. Our first stop along this famous road is Spello, nestled at the foot of Monte Subasio. We enter through the Roman gates and immediately jump forwards into a medieval setting, marvel at the narrow streets and enjoy this enchanting town. We then continue along the Via Flaminia and stop to walk through Bevagna. The visible remains of its Roman heritage are a rewarding experience. We move on to Montefalco, the balcony of Umbria with views from Assisi to Spoleto. Time permitting, we make a final stop in the town of Bettona, perched on a hill with its ancient medieval walls protecting this sleepy Umbrian town, which is, quite simply, charming. 

Approximate times: Depart at 9.30am – Return from Bettona at 5.00pm

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Deruta – Torgiano wine – Panicale – Castiglion del Lago

We travel to the charming medieval town of Deruta, world-famous for its hand-painted majolica ceramics. Admire the artistry, window shop and be tempted to purchase some lovely piece of pottery. We continue to Torgiano, home to the Lungarotti, family whose dedication to wine-making has put Umbrian wines on the world stage. Their wonderful wine & ceramics museum is testimony to their passion for wine. After lunch we stroll through Panicale, a hill-town with an unusual snail-like shape and picture postcard views of Lake Trasimeno, Italy’s fourth largest lake. Not far from here is Castiglione del Lago the largest town on the lake, overlooking the water on a fortified promontory. Time for ice-cream or cappuccino here before heading home.

Approximate times: Depart at 9.30am – Return from Castiglione del Lago at 5.30pm.

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Montone – Monastery of S.Ubaldo – Gubbio

We travel along the Tiber river valley to the quaint hill town of Montone for morning coffee. On arrival in Gubbio we take a cable car* to Monte Ingino for views of Gubbio’s roof tops and monuments. Its traditions and folklore include the legend of St.Francis of Assisi taming a ferocious wolf, and an incredible candlestick race, the ‘Corsa dei Ceri’. See the giant candlesticks in the monastery of San Ubaldo. We walk 20 minutes to a delightful lunch* spot in a restaurant at the edge of the  Park of Monte Cucco before walking back to the trail which descends into town. The Umbrian ‘Egubine Tablets’ 300 BCE, housed in the Palazzo dei Consoli museum* are testimony to the town’s ancient history. Legend holds that Gubbio was one of the first five towns to be built after the Great Flood.

Approximate times: Depart at 9.30am – Return from Gubbio at 5.00pm.   *not included

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Orvieto – Civita di Bagnoregio – Todi

We travel to Orvieto, sitting majestically on top of a volcanic tufa plateau. We visit the Etruscan tombs & Pozzo di San Patrizio and walk into the historic centre to the Gothic Cathedral, whose facade is one of the most beautiful in Italy. Time to explore and have lunch. In the afternoon we continue to Civita di Bagnoregio, a tiny village spectacularly perched on a promontory and reached only by walking across a causeway bridge. We return via a scenic route along Lake Corbara to Todi. Wander at leisure into this exquisite Umbrian town through 3 gates & civilizations – Medieval, Roman & Etruscan. Stop for ‘cappucino’ in Piazza del Popolo, flanked by medieval buildings, Palazzo dei Priori, Palazzo del Popolo, Palazzo del Capitano & Duomo.

Approximate times: Depart at 9.00am – Return from Todi at 6.00pm.

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