Enjoy a unique in-depth vacation in the fascinating regions of Umbria and Tuscany, and learn about the mysterious Etruscans. Start and end in
Rome, where you will enjoy welcome and farewell dinners with wine at
local restaurants, and visits to St. Peter’s Square. Travel to Spoleto,
stopping in the hilltop town of Narni, inspiration for the Chronicles of
Narnia, where you visit the Convent of San Domenico. Highlights are a
pasta demonstration by a chef to learn the art of homemade Manfricolo
pasta, followed by lunch, and an olive oil tasting in Spello. Stay two nights
in Assisi, and hear all about St. Francis and St. Clare, as you visit their
basilicas with a Local Guide. Also visit the St. Mary of the Angels Basilica.
Enjoy an excursion to Perugia, where a visit to the Perugina Baci
chocolate factory is included, as well as dinner in the town of Deruta,
famous for its ceramics. Stop in Cortona, where the author of the book
Under the Tuscan Sun used to live, then, stay two nights in Siena, with an
included excursion to picturesque Pienza, famous for pecorino cheese,
and Montalcino, where a Brunello wine tasting, and lunch, await you.
Enjoy picturesque San Gimignano and the town of Volterra, before arriving
in Orvieto, high atop a volcanic rock, and hear about the Etruscans during
a unique visit to the Etruscan underground Labirinto. An exclusive dinner
has been prepared for you by the famous Italian cook Maurizio. An
unforgettable vacation! Transfer by high-speed train to Sorrento; enjoy
three nights and a morning guided walking tour through the Old Town. All
services, including Local Host assistance, are provided by Monograms.
Itinerary
DAY 1 Arrive in Rome, Italy
Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, join your Tour Director and traveling companions, and leave the hotel for a special welcome
dinner with wine at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (Dinner)
DAY 2 Rome–Narni–Spoleto
Your discovery of the green province of Umbria, made famous by the movie My House in Umbria with unforgettable Maggie
Smith, starts in the hilltop town of Narni, almost 800 feet high. Narni is the town that is said to have been the inspiration for
the Chronicles of Narnia. Enjoy a guided visit of the CONVENT OF SAN DOMENICO basement, and see a cell where
prisoners of the Inquisition wrote graffiti on the walls. Then, a true highlight: learn the art of homemade Manfricolo pasta from
a chef during a PASTA DEMONSTRATION, and, of course, enjoy lunch afterwards. Next is Spoleto, a former Roman
municipium and capital of an important Lombard duchy from the 6th to the 8th centuries. During your walking tour with a
Local Guide, take pictures of La Rocca, the former papal fortress that was used as a high-security prison until 1982; admire
the Ponte delle Torri, erected on the foundations of a Roman aqueduct; and visit PIAZZA DEL DUOMO. This evening, a
special dinner with wine awaits you at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 3 Spoleto–Spello–Assisi
In Spello, enjoy an OLIVE OIL TASTING at an authentic oil mill. Time for lunch and to browse through the little shops before
continuing to Assisi. Visit ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS BASILICA, where St. Francis consecrated St. Clare as the “Bride of
Christ,” then start your guided walking tour with visits to ST. CLARE’S CHURCH and ST. FRANCIS’ BASILICA, the hub of a
religious order devoted to the ideals of humility, forgiveness, simplicity, and love for all God’s creatures. (Breakfast)
DAY 4 Assisi. Excursion to Perugia & Deruta
A short drive brings you to Perugia, capital of Umbria and an important university town. A guided walking tour features the
PIAZZA IV NOVEMBRE, one of the grandest squares in Italy, graced by the Fontana Maggiore. Admire the gothic cathedral,
the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, and Perugia’s stunning medieval municipal palace. Then, a special treat: visit the original
PERUGINA BACI CHOCOLATE FACTORY, and taste Italy’s most delectable candy. End in Deruta, and enjoy dinner at a
local taverna, L’Antico Forziere. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 5 Assisi–Cortona–Siena
Enter Tuscany and stop in the town of Cortona, made famous by the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. Arrive in Siena, and
follow your Local Guide on a walk through ancient, narrow lanes to PIAZZA DEL CAMPO. Hear about the biannual Palio,
Siena’s spectacular medieval-style horse race that is held on this square. This evening, an optional dinner outing to
Monteriggioni is available. (Breakfast)
DAY 6 Siena. Excursion to Pienza & Montalcino
Famous for pecorino cheese, Pienza has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to a member of the
Piccolomini family who became Pope Pius II in the 15th century and redesigned the town in perfect renaissance style.
Continue to Montalcino, beautifully located in the Tuscan Hills, and enjoy a Brunello WINE TASTING, followed by lunch with
local specialties. Return to Siena. An optional excursion to Asciano to visit the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, followed by
dinner, is available to make the most of your stay. (Breakfast, Lunch)
DAY 7 Siena–San Gimignano–Volterra–Orvieto
A scenic day: visit San Gimignano, the most picturesque of Italy’s perfectly preserved medieval towns. Next is the town of
Volterra, an important Etruscan center, where the famous movie New Moon in the Twilight Sagas was made. On to Orvieto,
perched high atop a volcanic rock, where a unique visit to the ETRUSCAN UNDERGROUND Labirinto (labyrinth) awaits you.
This evening, an exclusive dinner has been prepared for you by the famous Italian cook, Maurizio. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 8 Orvieto–Rome
Hear the history of this fascinating town from your Local Guide during a pleasant walk through the narrow lanes and visit the
CATHEDRAL with its San Brizio Chapel. Return to the “Eternal City” for a drive past Rome’s main highlights, ending at ST.
PETER’S SQUARE. A special farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurants awaits you to celebrate the success of your
vacation in Umbria and Tuscany. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 9 Rome–Sorrento
Transfer by HIGH-SPEED TRAIN to Sorrento. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (Breakfast)
DAY 10 Sorrento
Morning guided walking tour through the OLD TOWN. (Breakfast)
DAY 11 Sorrento
Full day at leisure. Ask your Local Host for suggestions. (Breakfast)
DAY 12 Sorrento
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning (the nearest airport is Naples). (Breakfast)
PRICING INFORMATION:
PLEASE CALL RICHARD CECE FOR PRICING
Travel Insurance also available, ask for details.
Richard Cece
RDC TOURS
401-231-7880
rdc823@cox.net
February 20th, 2015 
Richard 
