Assisi
Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, patron saint of Italy who renounced all worldly possessions to dedicate himself to helping those in need, is a must, not only for Catholic believers, but those interested in visiting a perfectly preserved medieval town rich in art, history and culture.
Our private walking tour takes you to the wonderful sights of the city including the beautifully frescoed Basilica of St. Francis which consists of two churches lain on top of each other, giving tremendous insight into the man and the city during his time. Other sites to visit are the Basilica di Santa Chiara, the fortress Rocca Maggiore, Chiesa Nuova erected by a Spanish vicar, and the Temple of Minerva, a remarkable testament to the ancient Roman presence in the region and serves as a fascinating blend of pagan and Christian history and architecture. In the plain below Assisi, a “tiny surprise” awaits you inside the majestic Santa Maria degli Angeli, the Porziuncola.
Umbria, also referred to as the “green heart” of Italy, is where you can still have a good glimpse into the rural ways of life. Experience the authentic countryside with towns that may be less visited by tourists and, therefore, less crowded, but most definitely not less important nor less scenic than their more popular counterparts in Tuscany. The charm of this region is its relaxed and gentle countryside where the frenetic lifestyle is far from the norm. Art and nature, peace and calm, are the character of the small medieval towns embedded in these verdant hills.
We’ll take you to see the small villages that dot the captivating landscape replete with traces of Roman and medieval heritage. The oldest town of the region, Gubbio has a distinctly medieval flair and celebrates Christmas displaying the largest Christmas tree lit on the slopes of Mount Ingino. Spoleto and its Roman amphitheatre, still used today for the Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds), celebrates music and opera each summer. The Infiorate (flower festival in which the roads are decorated with a carpet of colourful petals) is held in the quaint town of Spello on the 9th Sunday after Easter. In June, there’s the Mercato delle Gaite (market of the medieval quarters) where you can partake in a medieval banquet in Bevagna. We can also explore the ancient town of Orvieto and its underground tunnels dug deep into the tuff on which the city is built.