In Transit: Overnight flight.

Arrive To: Arrive Rome - transfer to Montefalco.

Afternoon: Welcome drink and introduction.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Camiano Piccolo Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to Gualdo Cattaneo for a short visit of this medieval fortified village. Take in a short lecture on Umbrian history during the walk through the hamlet. Then, walk through the farm land and woods to an olive mill and learn about olive oil production.

Lunch: Lunch at the family-run mill.

Afternoon: Transfer to the serene and handsome medieval town of Bevagna (662 feet), a city older than Rome. This town has two of Umbria's finest Romanesque churches. Visit the permanent exhibition of the Medieval House with a lecture on local life in the Middle Ages compared to the Roman Age.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Camiano Piccolo Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Walking field trip through Montefalco and the famous Sagrantino wine country. While walking along a river with vineyards, hear a lecture on local wines. The origins of these wines go back to Etruscan times, and today are among the most important Italian red wines. This morning's walk continues on the slopes of Montepennino overlooking the entire Umbrian vale.

Lunch: Lunch at a local winery. Visit the estate.

Afternoon: In the afternoon walk the southern trail back to Montefalco, which includes a short illustration.

Dinner: Independent dinner to try out one of the local establishments.

Lodging: Camiano Piccolo Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Coach directly to St. Francis’ Hermitage for a field trip. Afterwards, walk down to Assisi (1815’) for walk of the town. Assisi is visible for miles around, tucked under the ridge of Monte Subasio. Enjoy the tranquil back streets and homes with geranium-filled window boxes in this famous town. Walking at a good pace, one can see almost all the sights of Assisi in one day.

Lunch: Lunch at a local establishment in Assisi.

Afternoon: Guided field trip of the Basilica of St. Francis, led by a monk living in the monastery. Return to the hotel by private coach.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Camiano Piccolo Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Coach to Monte Patrico (3340’) to a farm estate in the mountains. Go on a truffle hunt with the farm owner and his truffle dogs. Monte Patrico is located above the town of Spoleto, on the summit of the Valnerina Mountains which are known for their rugged beauty. Listen to a field lecture entitled "All About Truffles."

Lunch: Lunch with the farmers.

Afternoon: This afternoon, transfer by coach to the woods of Monteluco and walk down to Spoleto (1495’), one of Umbria’s loveliest hill towns. In Spoleto, you will view the Ponte delle Torri (one of the greatest engineering works of the trecento, a bridge and aqueduct of 10 towering arches linking Spoleto with the slopes of Monteluco). You will walk to the upper part of the town center before taking the coach back to Montefalco.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Camiano Piccolo Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Coach along the banks of Lake Trasimeno to Perugia (855’) where a stop will be made for a city walk. Perugia is one of the 12 Etruscan city-states and is the regional capital. It also has one of the largest state universities in the country.

Lunch: Independent lunch.

Afternoon: Continue coach transfer to Pienza and hotel check-in.

Dinner: Orientation briefing followed by dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Residence San Gregorio

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Walk from the hotel through beautiful Tuscany to reach Monticchiello (1667’), a small renovated village known for its Teatro Povera (Poor Theatre).

Lunch: Lunch with cheese tasting in Monticchiello followed by a lecture on the cheese making called "Tuscan Cheese and Local Produce."

Afternoon: This afternoon, optional walk to Montepulciano where the landscape is beautiful (the last part of this walk can be a bit of a climb, altitude difference of 600 feet). Montepulciano is a medieval village perched on the crest of a hill of volcanic rock. Its buildings represent the perfect style of the Florentine Renaissance. After a walk through the town, enjoy a wine tasting of Nobile di Montepulciano, along with a lecture on local wines. Please note: Should you decide NOT to take the afternoon walk, you will be transferred by coach to Montepulciano where you will meet the group. At the town square at 5:00 PM, walk through the town to the coach transfer back to the hotel (15 minutes).

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Residence San Gregorio

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Depart by coach to Siena for an in-depth walking field trip of this beautiful city draped on its hills and noted for its flamboyant ensemble of medieval buildings in honest brown (siena-colored) brick. On its lower slopes, you will find gardens and olive groves that fill half of the space within the old city wall. Above, you will find Tuscany’s tallest tower and dazzling cathedral. Learn about the history of Siena during this morning's lecture.

Lunch: Independent lunch.

Afternoon: Afternoon free to explore this city on your own. Meet at a previously determined point and return to the hotel by coach.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Residence San Gregorio

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Coach ride to Monte Amiata, (5577’) the highest point and only real mountain in southern Tuscany. The mountains are covered with thick chestnut and beech forests, criss-crossed with brooks and streams. Monte Amiata is a broad-based mountain, visible for miles from the low hills with a well-maintained trail system in a gorgeous countryside. A circle of towns rings its lower slopes. The delightful spring-fed pools here belong to a geometrical system that more or less encircles Monte Amiata, producing an abundance of natural springs. This morning’s walk (approximately 5 miles, with an altitude difference of 1,300 feet) includes a bit of a climb; however, the scenery is well worth the effort. Take in a lecture about the Apennine nature and volcanic origins of the area.

Lunch: Lunch at a mountain hut, known for serving the best food in southern Tuscany.

Afternoon: This afternoon, take a walk in the woods.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Residence San Gregorio

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Depart by coach to Montalcino (1831’), home of the famous Brunello wine. After a short guided field trip of Montalcino, walk through vineyards towards the Abbey of St. Antimo in the center of this charming valley. Time permitting, listen to Gregorian chants in the abbey.

Lunch: Wine with lunch at the local osteria offering their specialities.

Afternoon: This afternoon, take a coach to Bagno Vignoni, famous for its hot springs. After dipping your feet in the warm, soothing water, walk back to the hotel.

Dinner: Independent dinner.

Lodging: Hotel Residence San Gregorio

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Private coach to the Rome airport for flights back to the USA. Program ends.

Meals Included: Breakfast