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Italy
- Romantic
Italy! Land of art, history, great food, warm
people, wonderful cities, charming old
villages and spectacular scenery!
Our tour begins in fascinating, historic Perugia. Once an important Etruscan and Roman city, it still possesses an impressive, medieval town center and the wonderful Umbrian National Art Gallery, one of the finest in Italy. We’ll enjoy an unusual tranquil ambience in our nicely renovated hotel in the historic city center. |
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Next is Assisi, where St. Francis was born and founded his religious order. Assissi is the symbol of the religious and mystical soul of Umbria. Many famous artists, first and foremost Giotto, have decorated its churches and you'll have ample time to admire most of the art works, beautifully restored after the devastating recent earthquake. Our hotel with swimming pool is situated just outside of the centre of town and within walking distance of the basilica. From the terrace you have a wonderful view over the surrounding hills. On the second day in Assissi we’ll walk in the “Footsteps of St. Francesco” as we visit the Eremo delle Carceri, a small monastery, located on the spot where St. Francis was fond of retiring in solitude to pray.
After Assissi we walk to Spello , a lovely walled town, another “medieval jewel” with picturesque, steep, curving cobbled streets and peaceful squares. It is much less touristy and more quiet after Assisi and borders the Natural Park of Mount Subasio, a protected area with serene paths meandering though open meadows with ancient oak and chestnut trees and a haven of subtle beauty and spirituality. Mount Subasio, with its unusual, flat top, is often called the “roof of Umbria”. It is the mountain of Assisi and St. Francis. Views from the top are magnificent due to centuries of forest clearing for grazing animals. Even today we might meet a lonely shepherd with his flock and feisty, barking dogs. The final two days of the tour are spent in Bevagna, a perfectly preserved medieval town, well known for its historic market during the month of June. We’ll walk from Bevagna to Montefalco, nicknamed "the balcony of Umbria" because of its spectacular views. Don't miss the dazzling Renaissance frescoes painted by Benozzo Gozzoli in the 15th century in the huge church of San Francesco. We’ll have lunch on Montefalco’s main square, sample some wine at one of the best wineries of the area and then return to Bevagna for our farewell dinner together.
Included:
2011
Tour Dates: June 4 –
11, September 10 –
17 & October
8 – 15 Note : For a group of 8 or more you can choose your own starting date
Tuscany has a wonderful history, a
magnificent cultural heritage and splendid
cuisine. It was the beloved homeland of
Galileo, Dante and Machiavelli. It also was
where Michelangelo, Donatello and da Vinci
lived and created their artistic masterpieces.
In the unspoiled countryside that still rings
many of the walled cities, you'll find villas,
castles and estates that once belonged to the
Tuscan rich and famous. The cypress-covered
hills still resemble the backgrounds of
Renaissance paintings. This is the Tuscany
that Frances Mayes so elegantly describes in
her "Under the Tuscan Sun".
Included:
2011 Tour Dates: May 21 –
28 & October
1 – 8
Puglia and Basilicata Fascinating Puglia is located in south-eastern Italy in the “heel of Italy’s boot”. It is relatively unspoiled, breathtakingly beautiful and rich with archaeological sites recalling the region’s strategic importance to the ancient Romans and Greeks. Puglia’s warm, dry, Mediterranean climate is ideal for walking in spring and fall. The unusual stone “trulli” buildings in Alberobello and cave-like “sassi” dwellings in Matera are Unesco World Heritage Sites so you can be certain we’ll enjoy our stay in those two towns. Our tour begins in Bari Airport with a transfer to Matera, called by some “ one of the most extraordinary spots on earth”. In the afternoon our guide will lead you into the ancient district of Matera to view the Sassi, one gigantic sculpture carved out of the rock along the side of the ravine. It is a labyrinth of winding streets, neighborhoods, squares, caves and rock churches, literally carved out of the rock while other parts have been constructed or added. Other sites to be seen are all conveniently located in the medieval and Renaissance parts of Matera, between the two rock towns. There's the unfinished 15th-century castle, the D'Errica Gallery of Neapolitan art in Palazzo Lanfranchi, the churches of Purgatory, St. Francis of Assisi, S. Lucia and Materdomini, and the cathedral, one of the last buildings erected in the Apulian-Romanesque style. From Matera we’ll transfer to the Park of Rock Churches and walk through the Matera Moors to discover its unique flora and fauna. Later we’ll take in the town of Montescaglioso with the ancient Abbey of San Angelo at the top of the town surrounded by 15th century walls and hosting cycles of frescoes of the 17th and 18th centuries. In Matera we’ll visit a local bakery and you’ll agree that the bread has extraordinary taste and fragrance. Puglia is well known for its tempting cuisine and its olive oil is considered one of the best in the world. Alberobello, situated in the lush Valley of Itria in central Puglia, is the Italian “Capital of Trulli”. The streets are dotted with hundreds of “trulli”, curious stone structures once used by Apulian farmers of centuries past. Surrounding the town you find picturesque green pastures, lovely woodlands and peaceful country lanes bordered with stone walls amidst seemingly endless olive groves. We’ll visit Ostuni, the “White City” known for its white washed walls. Ostuni overlooks the Adriatic and boasts a captivating medieval center with a 15th-century cathedral. On our last day we’ll explore other enchanting villages in the Itria Valley: Locorotondo , one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” (the most beautiful towns in Italy), is renowned for its delicious DOC white wine. Then we visit Cisternino another whitewashed village, with its maze of streets and Martina Franca , a real Baroque gem. We are sure you’ll find the tour of Puglia and Basilicata truly an unforgettable experience!
Included:
2011 Tour Dates:
April 9 –
15, May
7 –
13, June
4 –
10,
Umbrian Delight: for details see the Umbrian Delight Guided Tour
Included:
2011 Self-Guided Tour Dates:
Dolce Vita Tuscany: for details see the Tuscany Guided Tour
Included:
2011 Self-Guided Tour Dates:
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