Italy
The Hidden Medieval Villages of Tuscany and Umbria
Program No. 22977RJ
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The Hidden Medieval Villages of Tuscany and Umbria
The Hidden Medieval Villages of Tuscany and Umbria
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Participant Reviews
Based on 61 Reviews
SHOWING
This is a wonderful trip! We were fortunate to have had perfect weather; the countryside was beautiful and we loved visiting the small towns and villages, fewer tourists in early November. Our tour leader, Caterina, was wonderful, local guides and lecturers were excellent. And of course, food and wine delicious! Fellow travelers enhanced our trip experience, too. Lindy
— Review left November 18, 2025
We cannot recommend the program enough! It was such an incredible learning opportunity - the guided tours and excursions were top tier, and the tour guides were not only masters in their field, but also very charming and very entertaining! Our tour director (Mick) was absolutely perfect - an ideal blend of compassion, attention to detail, highly organized and also just a general, all-around great and insightful human being! We cannot possibly speak highly enough of his work during that intensive two weeks! The program description is very accurate, and you must be prepared to walk quite a lot, and often in very hilly terrain (up and down). But let me say, it's worth it!
— Review left November 5, 2025
The week in Tuscany and Umbria is fantastic. Tour director Caterina is fantastic. Just remember the walking is a lot and made worse on the uneven cobblestones , due to earthquakes in the area. I almost twisted my ankle at least 5 times.
My favorite was learning about stain glass making.
— Review left October 28, 2025
This program took me deep into the art, history and culture of medieval Italy as represented in a variety of amazing small medieval cities. The program offered everything I was looking for.
— Review left October 28, 2025
Wonderful trip, beautiful scenery, but be prepared for lots of uphill walking.
— Review left October 26, 2025
Somewhat better travel experience than most of the other companies we have often used but the advertised educational content was missing.
— Review left October 6, 2025
Thorougly enjoyed the program. Interacted with others in the group, who were interested, and interesting. Another big Thank you to our group leader, Caterina.
— Review left September 13, 2025
Excellent tour. Caterina was an engaging and capable group leader who added positively to the experience.
— Review left June 17, 2025
If you like ancient architecture and history this is a great tour! Loved the countryside and the hidden gems packed full of history, art and beauty.
— Review left June 13, 2025
My tour in Tuscany and Umbria was extraordinary. The planing and presentation made for a wonderful and enlightening experience. I wholly recommend Road Scholar for an educational vacation.
— Review left June 7, 2025
The communes of Italy were an interesting and unique feature of the late Medieval period and this introduction provides a spectacular window on the art, architecture, and history of this complex time. Our visit was enhanced by the superb leadership of our guide, Alessandra Sarappa, and the experts who provided commentary on the communities with which they were knowledgeable.
— Review left June 3, 2025
We loved the trip to the villages of Tuscany and Umbria and would highly recommenend it.
— Review left June 1, 2025
A great program visiting some of the most beautiful and interesting parts of Italy, many not often visited by travelers. Excellent local guides and tour leader.
— Review left May 31, 2025
We have traveled a lot, taken many tours and cruises as well as toured on our own. We very much enjoyed our Road Scholar tour that was way more educational than we normal experience. Also, the tour offered visiting smaller cities and towns that no other tour company offers. Our group leader was fantastic and we hope to do more Road Scholar tours, especially with the group leader Katrina.
— Review left May 10, 2025
Road Scholar gets high marks from me for its extremely high quality in the discovery of a region's culture, arts, cuisine, and history. Its emphasis on safe, dependable, and very affordable tours is the result of its decades of experience. By continuing to update its destinations and themes, it contributes much to increasing international understanding and tolerance of the many perspectives that make up our world. Only by traveling those roads and waterways can we grow beyond our own limitations. We enhance our lives when we open our minds.
— Review left May 10, 2025
This tour was the fulfillment of a life-long dream.
The medieval towns were amazing and the tour guides were excellent.
My suggestions: locals and tourists wear sneakers. No ballcaps or sports affiliatiated clothes by the locals. Lots of cobbled-stoned hills to walk, so
do a little physical training beforehand. Good hotels in best locations.
— Review left April 19, 2025
This is one of the top experiences we have had with Road Scholar. The history, architecture, art and, of course, the food is wonderful. This trip exposes you to all of this in a memorable way. The group size is good for enjoying a group experience and meeting new people. If you don't know about Italian towers, this is the trip to take.
— Review left March 29, 2025
The hills were a challenge and inspired me to continue the exercise.
— Review left March 12, 2025
Great trip. Our guide was exceptional. Wonderful fellow travelers.
Trip of a lifetime. A great educational experience. Would highly recommend to anyone.
— Review left November 17, 2024
Road Scholar does a great job in providing educational tours.
— Review left November 4, 2024
This trip was one of the best I've participated in. Caterina, the group leader was excellent. Her knowledge of the area, and personal interaction with the group--outstanding. This was an exceptional group of travelers. I attribute much satisfaction to Caterina. I cannot say enough about her leadership.
I had visited Italian cities in the past, but not small villages. This trip exceeded my expectations. Each city brought new experiences.
Road Scholar always provides a little something that I would not have experienced on my own. Some of my favorites: visiting a family owned winery, visiting the ancient ruins of Little Jerusalem in Pitigliano, and hearing the histories of each Medieval Village. Each day brought new surprises!
Road Scholar is my choice of travel, and I'm not disappointed, though our first hotel stay (Grand Hotel Admiral Palace) was not the quality I expect from RS. The meals, especially breakfast, were subpar. Each morning, arriving at the start time for breakfast, there was not enough food. This occurred daily. Also, there is usually a lecture room, but our group meetings were in the common area.
Thanks to RS personnel and their great planning.
Judy
— Review left October 22, 2024
We thoroughly enjoyed the Hidden Villages of Umbria and Tuscany! Our tour guide Caterina was exceptional and the small group comradery added to the overall experience. Road Scholar found a variety of villages that were each different from the other with varied activities/focus at each village. The provided meals delicious, memorable, and varied. This was our first Road Scholar trip but won't be our last!
— Review left October 19, 2024
Loved the trip. The sites were well planned, guides were experts and got us into areas on our tour group could see. Be prepared for lots of art in medieval castles/churchs, good food and getting a taste of Tuscany and Umbria via wine and food.
Unfortunately members in our group failed to wear masks when symptomatic, despite multiple requests (discussions) from the guide and I eventually got sick too. I’d give the trip 2-3 stars because of non-compliance with masks when people were symptomatic.
— Review left September 28, 2024
This is a great program that explores the beauty and the complex history of medieval villages in Umbria and Tuscany. My first trip to Italy was to Rome, Florence, and Venice. I worried that this program would not hold my attention as much as the first trip but I was so wrong. I loved it. The group was small and full of interesting people equally interested in the history of the region. So much fun!
— Review left September 14, 2024
Great trip and interesting hill towns, and superb local guides. Admiral Palace Hotel refuses to provide A/C, and if its hot - tough. RS, choose another hotel. We paid for a service they refused to provide.
— Review left May 27, 2024
This was a super enjoyable trip with an absolutely fantastic guide. I would have benefitted from a second history discussion mid way through the trip.
— Review left May 21, 2024
This is my 6th trip with Road Scholar. Each trip gets better!
— Review left May 21, 2024
This is a lovely journey to hill towns that are not otherwise easily accessed.
— Review left May 10, 2024
This was a wonderful tour. Catarina our trip leader has a great personality and went out of her way to make us all feel comfortable. The local guides were simply amazing. So filled with knowledge and willing to share their love of Italy and the area. Still trying to process the wealth of art, ancient sites, great food, and more we experienced every day. All that and gelato!! As a solo traveler, felt lucky to have a fun group which made the experience even better than expected. Highly recommended!
— Review left May 1, 2024
An excellent program with highly qualified guides.
— Review left April 28, 2024
Outstanding experience of the beauty of Tuscany and immersion in its history, art and culture. Bus rides are necessary for covering this much territory, but the beautiful landscapes made them a pleasurable part of the Tour
— Review left March 27, 2024
This program was wonderful and educational. Food and wine was excellent. Be aware that in Tuscany and Umbria, many shops and restaurants are closed from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. i highly recommend this tour.
— Review left March 23, 2024
We had a fabulous & non-stop trip! Our guide Erika was sweet and knowledgeable, kept us organized and moving, and just all around very talented as a guide. I believe we had a variation of this trip that RS was trying out, and it was very busy. However we loved it and toured so many towns that were not as busy as you'd expect for a September visit.
— Review left February 11, 2024
Tuscany and Umbria are green even in winter, and it was a treat to see these cities when there are virtually no other tourists--and no other tour groups at all. My small group was congenial and excellent company, our tour leader a delight. The guides were mostly excellent. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the accommodations and food.
— Review left January 28, 2024
Our tour of the medieval villages of Tuscany and Umbria was outstanding. It gave us a new appreciation for the culture, history, and people of Italy.
— Review left January 23, 2024
Caterina was very sweet but not as experienced as other guides I have had. This tour was a little light on the education. Could have added an Etruscan Museum to the itinerary and some lectures before dinner. Our free time was during the lunch hour when everything was closed. It would be better to switch free time to the morning and tour in the afternoon. The food and restaurants were good except for Orvieto. The winery and cheese farm were some highlights of the tour.
My travel (done by Road Scholar) was a nightmare. I will have to think about using you in the future. I had to pay $50 extra for a seat I was already supposed to have on the way home. On the way to Italy, I had no seats and was seated in the middle with absolutely no room for anything. My travel companion was not even in the same section of the plane as I was.
— Review left January 4, 2024
Walking to and around several of the medieval villages of Tuscany and Umbria regions of Italy is a great way to learn how about the history and the culture of these towns and regions. Ten days of exploring churches, museums and local food/markets was a good immersion experience. Our guide, Catarina, did a remarkable job of keeping us on time and informed about program activities and local issues/challenges.
— Review left November 19, 2023
My first trip with RS, I was afraid I "might not keep up", no problem! The pace was great, plenty of free time, our tour director was great and I really enjoyed it. Prepare- no coffee in the rooms in most hotels and some of the food and wine quantities were sub par but I would go again.
— Review left November 1, 2023
If you want a little magic in your life, subscribe to the Tuscany and Umbria Road Scholar tour! I hated to come home...it was simply enchanting.
— Review left October 23, 2023
The selected location were scenic and beautiful. The history was amazing. I highly recommend.
— Review left October 18, 2023
Five stars, wonderful program. We got a great understanding of the selected hilltop towns, some small (Gubbio) some larger (Siena, Perugia). We were based in two towns and enjoyed not having to pack up every couple of days. We had to absorb a lot from the local guides who led us on Field Trips as we walked through cobblestoned narrow streets, and climbed hilly steps. Nice balance of programmed time, and time on our own; ditto for meals. It is good to be prepared for the variety of Renaissance artists that we come across, and to understand the history so as not to be overwhelmed. There were no hands-on activities, and this was fine by us. We would have welcomed more lectures as we’ve experienced on other Road Scholar programs. The crowds of tourists were not excessive as might be the case in Rome or Venice. Highly recommended.
— Review left October 15, 2023
Wonderful trip for anyone who enjoys history and has an appreciation of gorgeous frescoes. Tuscany is exactly like the pictures. Wonderful Tuscan food and wine also! You'll find a terrific person leading the tour, Erika, and gobsmacking guides on each field trip. Bring shoes with lots of cushioning!
— Review left September 22, 2023
I had a great experience on this trip. Erika, our leader, is fantastic. She’s kind, knowledgeable, and made us feel welcome. She’s also very funny. Erika went out of her way for us.
The trip was well planned. For me, the lectures with Mario on the art were informative but a little too detailed. For others, it was way too much. He has a passion for the art but also a religious view that came through loud and clear. We got the anti abortion message-for American travelers, this is too much.
I really enjoyed the trips to the olive farm and the winery. The day in Orvieto was fascinating as there was a festival. The guide that day, Roma, did ok given the circumstances.
Overall, I would recommend this trip highly. I understand that the itinerary is changing and perhaps also that the guide will be Mario. In that case, it would be most enjoyable for those who want detailed art history and don’t mind a Catholic perspective.
— Review left June 25, 2023
The Medieval towns of Tuscany and Umbria is a fantastic trip filled with history, art, culinary adventure and local connections. If you want an intimate introduction to Bella Italia, this is the trip for you...amazing art without the lines of larger cities, delicious food, and close personal connections with both presenters and participants.
— Review left June 12, 2023
This is a wonderful program that takes you slightly off the beaten track in Tuscany and Umbria and the choice of medieval villages was excellent. Each one was unique with its own distinctive personality and sites. There is a great balance between planned activities and meals vs solo options and free time. The group leader and presenters were top notch and really enhanced the entire experience. I have traveled in Tuscany before, but this program introduced me to new places and experiences. I particularly enjoyed the visit and lunch at the olive mill.
— Review left April 29, 2023
This program provides a wonderful opportunity to walk the streets of Medieval towns and see and appreciate the appearance of early humanistic Renaissance artworks in the settings for which they were created.
— Review left March 19, 2023
My trip was amazing, well organized, exceptional staff and I made lifelong friends.
— Review left November 7, 2022
The Hidden Villages of Tuscany and Umbria was outstanding. The tour guide, Simone Spinazze, was terrific -- highly knowledgeable, well-organized, attentive to the needs of the group. His experience as an actor was a real plus, making him so entertaining. The villages featured on the tour were so beautiful -- and not overwhelmed by tourists in a year when most major European cities are so crowded it is difficult to appreciate them. This tour gets a "10"!
— Review left September 29, 2022
This is a gem of a tour, introducing us to the "hidden" medieval towns of Tuscany & Umbria. It was a great introduction to Italy, and such an interesting and well-run tour that we will come back to Road Scholar for other tours.
— Review left September 27, 2022
The Hill Towns of Tuscany and Umbria is a wonderful opportunity to explore the history, grandeur, people and diversity of one of the most interesting areas in Italy and and in the World. Highly recommended!
— Review left May 14, 2022
All of us in our varied group commented that this program exceeded our expectations. The program highlights an amazing part of Italy-uncrowded towns, beautiful art and architecture, and the ability to be immersed in Italian life. On a scale of one to ten, it is an eleven.
— Review left October 31, 2021
The villages we stayed in were small and charming. Hotel stays in Anghieri and Trevi were very pleasant. The villages and cities we visited were beautiful and we had the opportunity to experience some of the greatest early renaissance art by Piero della Francesco, Fra Angelico, Perugino, Lorenzetti and others. The tours of winery and olive grove were informative but took too much time, especially of the olive grove. Giulia was a very pleasant tour leader but she provided very little educational information along the way. Two of our three city guides were outstanding, especially the art historian, the third too subjective in her descriptions. Dinners were mostly of unremarkable quality but improved in the Umbria portion of our stay.
— Review left October 16, 2021
Time to enjoy art, food, wine, and history in some of Italy's most charming and uncrowded hill towns.
— Review left October 3, 2021
This is a very nice itinerary. Strong emphasis on religious art and churches, with a few cultural activities mixed in. Beautiful hillside towns and villages, loved the stay in Anghiari! Be prepared to walk uphill on cobblestones throughout! Meals are amazing! The guide, Giulia, was warm and fun, activities and timing were well organized. Loved our little language lesson, very helpful. Hope to do another Road Scholar trip very soon!
— Review left October 26, 2019
An engaging and enjoyable tour. However it can feel rushed at times and there's a lot of riding on a bus. Giulia, our tour guide, is a personable and informed individual and added to the feel of the group. A lot of the tour is spent in churches with experts expressing theological views, so if you're not very catholic you may want to consider this. The area is beautiful and perhaps the highlight of the tour.
— Review left October 14, 2019
If you appreciate the charm and the ambiance of small towns and villages, this is the ideal program for you!
— Review left September 17, 2019
My first Road Scholar trip and it exceeded expectations!
— Review left May 29, 2019
Fabulous trip in every way. If you love great scenery, art, medieval architecture, Italian food and want stay clear of the crowds this is a wonderful trip.
— Review left May 29, 2019
"Five stars". This was an exceptional trip, and was expertly organized. We visited many cathedrals, walked on village cobble streets and had three lunches at smaller spots, including an Olive Mill (where the owner shared with us a wonderful overview of the production of olive oil) and two country homes. The accommodations were simple and clean, some with beautiful views and walking access. My only regret is that I did not complete more research prior to the trip, so that I could have more of a baseline understanding of all that the guides shared with us. However, by the last day, it all began to make sense. Our trip leader, Simona, was magnificent, and set the bar very high. She has deep knowledge and has worked with "turistas" from different cultural backgrounds, including Japan, United States and Canada. She is warm, well-organized, and has a lively sense of humor. We had a lovely diverse group, (cultural experience and religious background) and we felt absolutely comfortable and safe during our travels, thanks to Simona's presence and skill. She has both impressive formal background education as well as a kind of life wisdom that cannot be taught, interpersonal skills, cross-cultural sensitivity and a commitment to inclusion. The trip itself is structured so that there is free time, and there are different kinds of activities. There was an excellent balance to it all, again, not an easy feat to accomplish. As in many places in the world, the weather was unpredictable. We prepared more for warmer weather, but it was rainy and chilly at times, so "expect the unexpected".
— Review left May 27, 2019
Thank you, Road Scholar, for making my first overseas experience so wonderful. I was well taken care of on every level and had time to relax and enjoy. Exactly what I was hoping for. I will most definitely be traveling with you again!
— Review left May 27, 2019
This was the third region of Northern Italy that my wife and I have explored with Road Scholar and in many ways it was the most satisfying. You are taking a deep dive into Church history of the medieval and Renaissance period, but the guides were, without exception, intelligent and engaging. The program smartly avoids the crowds that make travel so hard at Italy's "greatest hits" of this historical period. Indeed, you will be virtually alone with some well-known masterpieces (Piero della Francesca frescoes for example) and discover wonders that are not yet famous (Roman mosaics in the new museum at Spello, for example). As is the RS custom, you will learn much about fortifications and foodies in the countryside, a nice tradition. The hotels were fine three-star establishments (another RS tradition) and while these may be below some people's notion of luxury, they were clean, cute, and accommodating. Our group bonded so well at meals, it is hard to remember just how good the food was in this pleasant company. You will have two dinners and several lunches on your own, if you are looking for the best restaurants in town (but all will be focused on traditional food of the region.) Simona, our group leader, was always patient and in good spirits; she held our diverse group of 16 in the palm of her hand. Is there anything to worry about? As another reviewer has said, but we were too dim to realize, hill towns in May are going to be colder than the valley below. Dress for Seattle more than for Sicily.
— Review left May 12, 2019