Quality Package La Florenzuola

Saturday

Arrival with private transfer
Arrival at Rome or Florence International Airport and meeting with your personal tour leader.
(On request private transfer also from other airports or location).
Private Transfer in GT coach to LA FLORENZUOLA.
Accommodation in villa, welcome drink and time for relax.
Welcome dinner in Villa.

Sunday

Breakfast in Villa with leisure time at your disposal.

Bus or minibus with driver at your disposal.

During this first day we highly suggest you visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria degli Angeli that conserves the Porziuncola, the tiny chapel that Francis restored with his own hands and where he founded his order, and the Cappella del Transito where St. Francis died on 3rd October 126. Here the mystical atmosphere is palpable. The town of Assisi is famous all over the world as the native town of Saint Francis; here you can visit the Basilica of Saint Francis, frescoed by Giotto and Cimabue and the Basilica of Santa Chiara.

Light lunch and dinner in villa.

Monday – FOLIGNO, BEVAGNA, MONTEFALCO AND TREVI

Breakfast in villa.

Foligno is one of the very few Umbrian cities built in the plain. It rises up on the banks of Topino river where the river erupts into the valley in an area where extensive drainage of the large swamplands took place, first during Roman times, then during the 15th and 16th centuries, and finally in the 19th century. Probably, the most significant part of one's stay at Foligno is a visit to the Piazza della Repubblica and the adjoining Piazza Duomo. The former, in its present-day appearance, with its elongated shape and the junction of four streets at the corners was planned according to the lay-out popular in the 12th and the 13th centuries for many Umbrian town squares.

The Cathedral and the Town Hall, erected between 1262 and 1265, the Pretorio Palace, the Orfini Palace (1515) and the Trinci Palace, which preserves traces of the original beautiful decorations and some rooms with valuable frescoes, look down on the square. More attentive tourists should not leave Foligno without having visited the Romanic church of St. Mary Infraportas and the Abbey of Sassovivo, (actually in restoration) situated at only 6 km's distance from the city center. The former is distinguished, other than by the frescoes dating back to to the 15th and 16th centuries, by its beautiful bell-tower and by its 11th century portico. You'll remember the latter because of its Romanic cloister (13th century), with its 128 slender columns and its mystical atmosphere, typical of Benedictine places of worship.

Among the most important manifestations taking place in the city we should absolutely mention the festival Tournement of the Quintana. The ancient small town of Roman origin called Bevagna is to be found on the western fringe of the Foligno plain, at the foot of the group of hills where Montefalco rises up and near the loop of the river Timia. Its modern-day appearance is surely the result of its development during the Middle Ages. In fact, even if the Romans had constructed the ancient Menania in such a way that the Flaminia Road was the decuman axis of the town, the town's centre is now placed more to the South. In Piazza Silvestri, you absolutely should not miss the Gothic Palace of the Consuls, situated singularly slantwise to the streets, amd the churches of St. Sylvester (1195 d.C.) and St. Michael Arcangel; the fountain which completes the scene of this exceptional public area is, however, an adaptation dating back to the 19th century.

Even today, the medieval town portals, even after reconstructive measures such as those of the Porta San Venanzo in 1797, and long stretches of the old town walls, are in a good state of preservation. Other monuments testifying to the more ancient origins of Bevagna are not lacking: the ruins of a temple of the 2nd century A.C. on which the medieval church of the Madonna of the Snow was subsequently erected, the Roman theatre (2nd century A.C.) which remains to serve as a foundation for a circular block along the course of the ancient Flaminia Road and the impressive remains of mosaics representing marine animals perhaps belonging to a thermal baths building. Among the most important manifestations taking place in the city we should absolutely mention the Market of the Gaite. The ancient and mighty castle of Gualdo Cattaneo rises up on the north-western fringe of a territory which was subject to the politics of the city of Spoleto and because of this, was fought over for a long period by the cities of Foligno and the already named Spoleto. Toponymical studies reveal that the name Gualdo is derived from the word "wald" meaning forest, and from this, one can imagine the richness of the woods which still surround this area. A mighty cylindrical tower, which was built in 1494, rises up on the main square; the facade of the parochial church is decorated with relief's showing the mystic Lamb with the symbols of the four Evangelists; the inside contains a beautiful 13th century crypt. The church of St. Augustine has an interesting ogival portal on the left-hand side of the entrance, and inside, several important paintings of the 14th and 15th centuries.

Montefalco, which is placed in a dominating position looking down on the valleys of the Topino and the Clitunno rivers, offers the viewer of a sweeping panorama of the Umbrian countryside.Infact is called the Umbrian Terrace. The buildings inside the ancient town walls which are definitely worth visiting are, without doubt, the Town Hall, which dates back to the 13th century, as does the church of St. Augustine, the Romanic church of St. Bartholomew with the Portal of Frederick II (1244) to be found near-by and the church of St. Chiara where, inside, you'll discover paintings by the Umbrian school. You absolutely should not forget to visit the 14th century church of St. Francis, which is now the seat of the Pinacoteque; in fact, inside, you'll find many paintings of great artistic value such as the "Nativity" by Perugino and the extraordinary cycle of frescoes: " The Stories of St. Francis by Benozzo Gozzoli. Near the inhabitated area you'll find the 16th century church of St. Illuminata and the 15th century church of St. Fortunato which contains, in the lunette of the portal and in the altar to the right, works of art by Benozzo Gozzoli. Among the most important typical products in the city we should absolutely mention the Sagrantino of Montefalco wine. of which you will have a tasting in one of the farm producing it. As with the the greater part of the medieval towns in this area, Trevi rises up on a hill dominating the plain where the river Clitunno flows, between Foligno and Spoleto.

One of the most interesting artistic monuments for whoever visits this town is without doubt the church of St. Emiliano of the 12th century, with three apses decorated with pilaster strips and small arches supported by wall-brackets. Inside the church, you'll find the Altar of the Sacrament, a very fine work of art attributed to Rocco of Vicenza (1522). Apart from the church of St. Francis built in the Gothic style and dating back to the 13th century, which contains frescoes of the 14th and 15th centuries, we recommend a visit to the Pinoteca lodged in the Town Hall (15th century), where you can admire a Madonna by Pinturicchio and a Coronation of Mary by Spagna. Being situated slightly outside the town, you'll shortly arrive at the Madonna of the Tears (1487) with a beautiful fresco by Perugino and the Romanic church of St. Peter at Bovara.

Dinner in Villa.

Tuesday - COOKING CLASS IN VILLA:

Breakfast and light lunch in villa.

Leisure time at your disposal.

Afternoon - Cooking class in villa during which you will prepare, with the help of the chef, your own dinner enjoying the flavour of typical dishes.

Wednesday - FULL DAY AT LEISURE:

Breakfast in villa.

You can relax and enjoy your villa or choose one of the suggested wine trails or daily excursions in Tuscany or Umbria.

Check list of wine trails
List of daily excursions

These excursions should be booked as extra’s at the time of booking.

Dinner in Villa.

Thursday - SPOLETO AND FONTI DEL CLITUNNO

Breakfast in villa.

This tour will allow you to get to know the marvellous town of Spoleto, known for its antique – medieval era, and the major city festival of Festival dei Due Mondi. After breakfast, together with your tour guide/leader you will visit Piazza della Libertà where you can admire the beautiful views of Teatro Romano, you will go for pleasant walks within the historical centre, until you find yourselves in front of the impressive complex of the Duomo, erected in the XII century and characterised, known not only for its rich internal furnishings but also by the mosaics imitating the Byzantine style on the front of this splendid building. Before lunch in a typical restaurant in the heart of Spoleto, you will visit another impressive Roman building, the Chiesa di Sant’Eufemia.

In the early afternoon, after a panoramic walk around the city and the local town of la Rocca Albornoziana, erected by the order of the Cardinale Albornotz during the reign of the pontificate Innocenzo VI. Before returning down the hill, it will be easy to reach the Ponte delle Torri, an imposing structure. Mid way through the afternoon, it is foreseen the departure for the Fonti del Clitunno, located in Campello sul Clitunno. This well known small lake has a vast park surrounding it which is home to many species of vegetation.

Dinner in villa.

CASCIA AND NORCIA

Breakfast in Villa.

The town of Cascia is situated at 563 meters above sea level near the Corno river. Cascia was founded during Roman times, even if nothing remains which remembers those times, due to devastation by barbaric tribes and the earthquakes which have always disturbed the town and the neighbouring cities. As with the major part of the Umbria's towns, Cascia experienced its period of major splendour during the Middle Ages. Formerly under the dominion of Foligno, it later passed under the rule of Frederick II of Swabia. Later, the neighbouring cities of Norcia, Leonessa and Spoleto unsuccessfully fought over the town. Finally, only at the beginning of the 16th century, Cascia surrendered to the Papal State under whose rule it remained for less than 30 years. After that, it has always maintained its independence.

When speaking of Cascia's history, it is necessary to mention its most illustrious personage, who illuminated the city and rendered it famous all over the world, even today: Saint Rita of Cascia. This nun, who was beatified in 1900, lived from 1381 until 1457. Respecting her father's wishes which led her to marry and not to enter an Augustine convent, as she would liked, St. Rita lived in continual terror of her husband for 18 years. Her exemplary life induced even her husband to convert. Her life had a tragical end; she died in mysterious circumstances. Her children also died soon after. Nowadays this Saint, who is known to grant wishes, is venerated all over the world and many pilgrims undertake the journey to the Sanctuary of Saint Rita which has been dedicated to her memory. The city's medieval architectural jewels are worth a visit: the Gothic church of St. Francis, which will astound you because of the beauty of its rose-window and of its oval portal and the church of St. Anthony Abate, dating back to the 15th century but reconstructed and modified during the baroque era. In the latter's interior, you'll admire a cycle of paintings depicting the life of the Saint.

The Collegiate church of St. Mary is one of the city's oldest buildings: its origins go back to longobard times, even if it has been notably modified because of damage caused by subsequent earthquakes. You'll find impressive works of art in the inside, such as a wooden Cross of the 15th century. The church of St. Augustine also dated back to the Gothic era; inside, it contains stupendous examples of frescoes of the Umbrian and Perugian schools. The basilica and monastery of St. Rita are of great historical and religious importance, and have become world-famous religious centres. Finally, Carli Palace, with its interior, is perhaps the building which best represents the city's civil architecture. Situated at 604 meters above sea level between the Sordo and Torbidone rivers, the town of Norcia, in ancient times known as "Nursia",is the region's largest town. The city's origins go back to ancient times: already during the Punic wars between the Romans and the Phenicians, Norcia was of great importance as has been recorded by Roman historians. Later, during Roman times, the town gained political importance: first, as prefecture and then as a township. Upset by the Longobards and then by the Goths, it later recovered and became an active town during the Middle Ages. Its storical treasures have been damaged for the major part by the very frequent earthquakes with have devasted the town during the centuries. The first recorded earthquake in fact dates back to the first part of the 6th century. However, due to a very meticulous restoration, the city is now able to show its original structure, with its splendid medieval and lordly architecture.

As with the town of Cascia, Norcia was the birth-place of a great religious personage: St. Benedict who was the first monk of Christian faith and the founder of the Benedictine order. He lived at the end of the 6th century between prayer and the humility of work, as he himself synthetized in his famous words: "Prayer and Work". The city is worth an excursion for the restaurants which offer the typical regional cuisine, and for a more attentive and profound visit, for its important works of art, which are all to be found in its old city walls. In this sense, the Gothic church of St. Benedict, is impressive, built in the shape of a Latin cross with a poligonal apsis and with a beautiful ogival portal. Its interior is built on two levels: above, you'll find the main church while the crypt is to be found below. Inside, you'll find precious frescoes and paintings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The outside of the church preserves its original structure in only one part of the facade. A portico gives movement to the right-hand lateral side of the church until the bell-tower. The Cathedral, on the other hand, dates back to the Renaissance period; unfortunately, not much of the original building has remained, as restoration during the baroque era has changed its architectural style. Another impressive example of Renaissance architecture, this time civil, is the "Castellina", a four-sided strong-hold built by Vignola and nowadays seat of the Municipal Diocesan Museum.

The church of St.Augustine, worth a visit because of its ogival portal which in its lunette contains a well-preserved fresco of the Madonna and Child with St. Augustine, and that of St. John, which, not like the former, has lost its original structure because of modifications during the baroque era, both date back to the 14th century. The church of St. Francis with its rose-window which opens upon its facade, is also noteworthy. Near Norcia, the small town of Serravalle offers the magical atmosphere of a village lost among the green Umbrian hillside. For trekking lovers and walkers, the plain of Castelluccio offers a truly unique spectacle, in particular during Spring-time when the meadows, because of the flowers in bloom, assume a thousand different tonalities mixed together in a multitude of colours.

Farewell dinner.

Saturday – DEPARTURE WITH PRIVATE TRANSFER:

Breakfast and private transfer to Rome or Florence International Airport.

(On request private transfer also to other airports or final destination).

Price List Per Person

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Private transfer from airport to the villa by GT coach
• Private transfer from villa to airport by GT coach
• Bus or minibus at your disposal for your entire stay with private driver
• Tour leader at your disposal for your entire stay
• 7 breakfasts in villa
• 1 welcome drink and 1 welcome dinner
• 6 in house chef for lunch and dinner in villa as started in the program
• 1 cooking lesson with dinner
• 1 farewell dinner
• 3 lunches in restaurant during excursions as stated in your program
• Wine tasting in wineries as stated in the program
• Accommodation in villa in double or twin bedrooms, respecting the typology of the villa
• Linen and towel change twice a week
• 4 hours of cleaning twice a week
• All taxes, VAT and fees

PRICE NOT INCLUDES:

All the extras, drinks and what is not stated above or is described as free.

Extra cleaning or extra linen, if required, should be paid directly to the owner at the villa as well as heating if necessary.

* Ask for personalized services.

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