Four days in Umbria

Departure from Rome and arrival in Gubbio with dinner and overnight stay. Along the way, stops in Città di Castello and Umbertide.

Gubbio is one of the most interesting cities in Umbria because it retains the ancient urban layout and is linked to the history of St. Francis of Assisi. Of medieval origin there are several churches to visit, starting with the Cathedral and then the civil architecture, in particular the Palazzo dei Consoli, seat of the Civic Museum which preserves the famous "Iguvine Tablets"; the Palazzo Pretorio, in Piazza della Signoria, in front of the Palazzo dei Consoli, now the seat of the Municipality; il Palazzo Ducale of Gubbio; The ancient Roman Theater is preserved in Gubbio, with the Aquarium and a Mausoleum.

Departure from Gubbio and arrival in Perugia, the capital city of Umbria. To visit the rich historical center where the stupendous Fontana Maggiore and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Etruscan Arch or Arch of Augustus or Augustus Gate and the Palazzo dei Priori are located, which is one of the best examples in Italy of the public buildings from the age of Medieval communes. The city is famous for chocolate production and for the Jazz music festival.

After the visit to the historic center in the afternoon we will move to Santa Maria degli Angeli to visit the great basilica that contains a chapel, called La Porziuncola, the small church that St Francis repaired obeying the words of the Crucifix of San Damiano: the Franciscan Order originated here.

We will go up to the historic center of Assisi for a visit to the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, with the splendid frescoes by Giotto on the life of St Francis, Cimabue and other masters of the 13th-14th century. In the lower part of the church is the sepulcher of Saint Francis.

In the evening we move to Foligno and a short walk in the historic center, where the Cathedral of San Feliciano stands out, in neoclassical baroque style; the neoclassical-style Palazzo Comunale, above which the famous tower rises. Also on the same square stands Palazzo Trinci, seat of the ancient lords of the city, today a Pinacoteca with numerous important works of art.

Departure for Spoleto with a visit to the city. From Assisi to Spoleto you can admire the hills where the olive trees have grown since time immemorial, from which one of the most refined and precious Italian extra virgin olive oils is obtained. Spoleto, the city of the Festival dei Due Mondi, was one of the major Umbrian centers already in prehistoric times, important in Roman times and has played an important role in all the following centuries, up to the present day. Among the monuments worth visiting are the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta with paintings by Pinturicchio and Filippo Lippi. Among the civil constructions, the

Rocca Albornoziana, the Ponte Sanguinario from Roman times, the l’Arco di Druso; and numerous other historic buildings that make this city of Umbria unique.

After visiting the historic center, we will leave Spoleto with stops in Montefalco, on the top of a hill, all surrounded by vineyards where the famous Sagrantino di Montefalco and olive groves are produced, and from which you can admire the central Umbrian valley. We then descend to Bevagna, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, surrounded by walls and with a wonderful historic center. The day ends in Spello, one of the perfectly preserved medieval Umbrian cities.

Departure for Trevi, with, if desired, a short stop located after Foligno at the Torre Matigge for a short visit to one of the most interesting Umbrian olive oil mills, then the ascent to Trevi, one of the Umbrian oil capitals built in concentric circles with a completely original urban structure. A walk in the historic center, in the upper part of the city, always reserves beautiful surprises.

After visiting this town, we leave to immerse ourselves in the splendid setting of the Marmore Falls 7 km from the city of Terni. It is a controlled flow waterfall, formed by the waters of the Velino river, and is the tallest artificial waterfall in the world and among the highest in Europe, relying on a total height difference of 165 m, divided into three jumps, inserted in a large natural park. The name derives from the calcium carbonate salts present on the rocks which are similar to marble. The show offered is impressive and attracts tourists every day from all over the world. After the visit we will return to Rome.