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Italy

The Hidden Medieval Villages of Tuscany and Umbria

Program No. 22977RJ
Go off the beaten path to discover the charming, lesser-known villages of Tuscany and Umbria. Learn about Roman history, sample delicious regional food and much more!

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Program
At a Glance
Duration
12 days
Program Begins
Siena
Program Concludes
Roma Fiumicino
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
22 ( 10B, 4L, 8D )
Activity Level
The villages of Tuscany and Umbria have their own pace — a relaxed philosophy that flows along the colorful hillsides, quiet towns and timeless landscapes. Discover these idyllic regions as you explore the piazzas, churches and fortresses of Italy’s quieter gems that are often away from the flow of tourists. From Siena to the underground tunnels of Orvieto, the secrets of the Italian countryside wait to be discovered!
Best of all, you'll...
  • Explore the Southern part of Tuscany, the Val d'Orcia, rich in beauty and charm.
  • Delight in a field trip to the Collegio del Cambio in Perugia to admire Perugino's frescoes.
  • Discover the mysteries of Orvieto, a hilltop village renowned for its Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption and the underground caves that were dug beneath the city 2,500 years ago.
Profile Image
Mario Carniani
A native of Fiesole, Italy, Mario Carniani graduated with honors from the University of Florence with a focus on foreign languages and literature. After pursuing studies on Elizabethan drama in England, he moved on to teach Italian at the British Institute of Florence and English in Italian State schools. He has conducted courses on Italian literature and history for numerous international institutes based in Florence, including Georgetown University and Dartmouth University.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Profile Image of Erika Cennini
Erika Cennini
Erika Cennini has worked in travel since she graduated. In addition to being a Club Med children’s animator, she has been a hotel receptionist, travel agent in Paris where she lived for ten years, an exploration manager around her beloved Italy, a local expert in her native Tuscany, a hiking leader just for fun, and a teacher for Italian students. Erika likes to travel as much as she can and. when working, enriches herself with the stories of people she welcomes in Italy.
Profile Image of Giulia Zanobini
Giulia Zanobini
Giulia Zanobini was born and lives in Florence, Italy. She loves to be in contact with people and has developed very good interpersonal skills through her work experience. Her curiosity for foreign cultures and languages has strongly influenced her educational and career choices. She studied tourism, art, language teaching (English, Italian). Giulia is a Group Guide and Group Leader. She has extensive experience in the tourism industry, which includes having worked as a secretary in 5-star hotels and as a group leader for Road Scholar.
Profile Image of Mick Plewman
Mick Plewman
Mick Plewman is an exploration leader with more than 20 years of experience working all over the world, from Central America to Sri Lanka. He is also a qualified teacher and educational psychologist who worked in the British school system and for the British Army. Mick has lived in Central Italy for more than two decades, where he is renovating an old farmhouse in Umbria. He enjoys traveling, reading, and studying the art and history of the many places he visits.
Profile Image of Alessandra Sarappa
Alessandra Sarappa
Alessandra Sarappa was born and raised in Rome. She studied English at Rice University in Texas before spending seven years in the UK. She was part of the cabin crew at British Airways for 25 years, and worked with English customers in Sorrento as a customer resort helper for Jet2Holidays for one summer. She then became a group leader for companies including AG Boutique in Rome, Laser Jet in Riccione, and the Aloschi Bros cruise agency. Her interests range from art to nature and gastronomy.
Profile Image of Caterina Zanobetti
Caterina Zanobetti
Caterina Zanobetti is a licensed group leader because she loves arts, history, and visitors' curiosity. She likes telling stories, legends, and sharing the emotion of discovering the towns and beautiful places of her country. She was born in Rome, but has lived in Florence since she was a teenager. After working several years in an import-export, she decided to turn her passion into a job, and studied to become a group leader.
Profile Image of Eleonora Tartarini
Eleonora Tartarini
Eleonora Tartarini was born in northern Tuscany between the Mediterranean Sea and the Apuan Alps famous for the white marble of Carrara. After researching as a cultural anthropologist in the U.S.A., Eleonora has been living and working in Florence as a local guide, hiking guide, and tour manager since 2012. The focus of her work is to narrate the mechanisms of Italian and European culture through art, history, and daily life. Eleonora loves animals, the woods and the Mediterranean, singing, and creating ceramic pieces.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two and half miles; some uneven ground and cobblestones. Stairs without railings.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (7 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.






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