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Italy

Walking & Hiking in Idyllic Tuscany and Mystical Umbria

Program No. 3573RJ
Embark on a fun and informative walking exploration of Italy’s rolling hills as you discover timeless villages, famed vineyards, friendly locals and world-class cuisine.

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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Filling Fast!
Apr 13 - Apr 24, 2024
Starting at
4,199
Filling Fast!
May 11 - May 22, 2024
Starting at
4,199
Filling Fast!
Sep 14 - Sep 25, 2024
Starting at
4,199
Oct 5 - Oct 16, 2024
Starting at
4,199
Oct 19 - Oct 30, 2024
Starting at
4,199
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Filling Fast!
Apr 13 - Apr 24, 2024
Starting at
4,949
Filling Fast!
May 11 - May 22, 2024
Starting at
4,949
Sep 14 - Sep 25, 2024
Starting at
4,949
Oct 5 - Oct 16, 2024
Starting at
4,949
Oct 19 - Oct 30, 2024
Starting at
4,949

At a Glance

Walk and hike through the incomparable Italian countryside and get up close to the culture, history, geology, art, flora and fauna of Tuscany and Umbria. Discover not only storied beauty and panoramic views of rolling pastures, famed vineyards and olive groves, but also learn about and appreciate some of the most historic and best-preserved medieval towns, villages and monuments in Europe.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Walking 2-6 miles daily over varied terrain; trails and dirt roads are well-marked, gently undulating with some rocky sections and steep ascents and descents. Sturdy walking/hiking shoes are required. Elevations up to 5,700 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Learn about two of Umbria's finest Romanesque churches in the town of Bevagna and marvel at the medieval architecture made of sienna-colored brick while in Siena.
  • Follow in the footsteps of Saint Francis as you visit his hermitage and explore the town of Assisi.
  • Savor the best cuisine in Tuscany at a special lunch at a mountain hut, visit renowned wineries and sample local cheeses.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Lonely Planet Italian Phrasebook
by Lonely Planet
A handy, palm-size guide to pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
Reluctant Saint, The Life of Francis of Assisi
by Donald Spoto
Spoto draws on fascinating new research to explore the travels, spirit and work of the beloved saint. This engaging portrait provides an excellent overview of the life of St. Francis.
On The Road with Francis of Assisi
by Linda Bird Francke
Assisi wandered for 20 years, affording Newsweek editor Francke and her patient husband plenty to see and do in the piazzas, sanctuaries and chapels of Assisi, Siena, Bologna, Venice, Gubbio, Rome and other choice spots.
Central Italy Map
by Touring Club Italiano
A regional map of Central Italy, including Tuscany, Umbria and Rome, at a scale of 1:400,000.
Italy, A Short History
by Harry Hearder
Elegantly written, generous and informative, this compact book takes in the sweep of Italian history from the Roman Republic through the Renaissance, World War II and up to the present.
La Bella Figura, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind
by Beppe Severgnini
Italians themselves love this guide to the Italian character, which addresses their never-ending passion for beauty, disorder and high emotion. The book opens with a snapshot of Malpensa Airport, then moves on to Tuscany, Rome, Naples and Sardinia.
Songbirds, Truffles and Wolves, An American Naturalist in Italy
by Gary Paul Nabhan
The author, a poet and naturalist, heads along the Franciscan Way from Florence to Assisi. This most unusual travelogue combines natural history, spirituality and a lively appreciation of local food and food traditions. A print-on-demand paperback.
Rough Guide Tuscany and Umbria
by Jonathan Buckley (Editor), Tim Jepson (Editor)
This comprehensive travel guide includes region-by-region descriptions and a good overview of history and culture. With chapters on Florence and surroundings -- Lucca, Pisa, Maremma, Siena, Arezzo, Peruguia, Assisi, Spoleto and Orvieto.
Under the Tuscan Sun
by Frances Mayes
In this best-selling memoir of buying, renovating and living in an abandoned villa in Cortona, Tuscany, Mayes reveals the sensual pleasures found in rural Italy.
Catherine of Siena, A Passionate Life
by Don Brophy
Brophy sets this deeply researched biography of the saint against the backdrop of 14th-century Europe, showing Catherine's sheer fortitude and personal magnetism in her efforts to bring peace to a troubled time.
Every Day in Tuscany, Seasons of an Italian Life
by Frances Mayes
Twenty years after "Under the Tuscan Sun," Mayes is still besotted by Italy -- her house, the tumbling geraniums, the people and the food -- all lovingly documented in her best memoir yet. With interludes in Portofino, Assisi and Rome and a focus on Renaissance master artist Luca Signorelli.
The Most Beautiful Villages of Tuscany
by James Bentley, Hugh Palmer (Photographer)
This handsome oversize picture book is a portrait of the Tuscan landscape and people. It contains maps, a travel guide and many color photographs.
The Renaissance, A Short History
by Paul Johnson
The history, background, literature, sculpture, paintings and architecture of the Renaissance in just over 200 lively, thought-provoking pages.
A Culinary Traveller in Tuscany
by Beth Elon
A Tuscany resident for 30 years, Elon presents 100 recipes from a hand-picked selection of favorite restaurants in this charming cookbook and travel guide. With 10 itineraries highlighting largely undiscovered regions of Tuscany, restaurants, trattorie, shops, wineries, olive oil producers, markets and food festivals.





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