Assisi

Tours

Escape Italy's busy capital for one day on this trip to Assisi and the Umbrian hill town Orvieto. On this tour, you will unveil the religious architecture of Umbria (such as the famous Cathedral of Orvieto) and discover the wines and local products of Tuscany. Leaving Rome in a northerly direction and driving along the Tiber Valley, reach Orvieto as your first stop, a small town of Etruscan origins where you will stop to admire the magnificent 14th century cathedral, a masterpiece of gothic architecture. The tour continues through the green Tuscan Hills covered in olive groves and vineyards. This is the land of some of Italy’s best known D.O.C. (quality controlled) wines, which include Orvieto, Chianti and Brunello di Montalcin. Afterwards, enjoy lunch, consisting of traditional local dishes. In the early afternoon you will continue your journey and drive along the shores of Lake Trasimeno. Finally, reach Assisi, which is located at the foot of Mount Subasio. Assisi is famous for being St. Francis' birthplace. You will see the Church of St. Claire, St Francis’ birthplace and his childhood home, the Townhall Square. Around the Townhall Square, you will see the People’s Palace and the Roman Temple dedicated to Minerva. One highlight of the tour will be the visit of St Francis’ Basilica, located close to the ancient city walls, with its magnificent frescoes painted between the 12th and 14th centuries. You will reach Rome around 7,30 8,00pm .

Discover the heart of Umbria and explore the medieval town of Orvieto and the city of Assisi on a guided day trip from Florence. Visit the major sights in each city with a guide before enjoying free time to explore and shop at your leisure. After a scenic bus ride from Florence, arrive at the city of Orvieto. See the Duomo and marvel at its Gothic architecture, complete with precious mosaics and sculptures. Step inside the cathedral to gaze at its colorful stained-glass windows and coveted artwork (ticket not included). Continue to Saint Patrick’s Well and access the depths of the well with the two helical ramps for a truly unique experience (ticket not included). Lose yourself in the narrow alleys, explore the local squares lined with artisan shops and cafes, and admire the medieval architecture all around you. After some free time, return to the fully-fitted GT Coach and head to Assisi, one of Umbria’s most fascinating borgos. Follow your guide through this holy city, navigating its steep, winding alleys. Explore the famous Basilica of Saint Francis, home to some of the best-preserved frescoes painted by Giotto, Pietro Lorenzetti, Simone Martini, and Cimabue. Next, make your way to the Basilica of Saint Clare, one of the first followers of Saint Francis and founder of the Order of Poor Ladies. After the guided tour, enjoy free time to go shopping in the local small stores or simply unwind in the main square, sipping on a good coffee and taking in the ambiance. Before returning to Florence, stop by the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels, a majestic church built on top of the Porziuncola, where the Franciscan movement originally started. Finally, relax during your return transfer to Florence.

Explore Assisi on a walking tour with a guide who will tell you about the history, art, and local traditions of one of the most famous hill towns of Italy. Meet your guide and head to the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater, which was later put to use in the Middle Ages as a quarry for stone to build local houses. See how the amphitheater later was turned into a private neighborhood. From this vantage point, the view of the Rocca Maggiore medieval castle is one of the best in the city. Continuing along narrow alleys and through medieval squares you’ll reach the Cathedral of Saint Rufino Cathedral, the Basilica of Saint Claire, and Piazza del Comune, the main city square. At the square you’ll see the Minerva temple, one of the best-preserved Roman temples in Italy. It is surrounded by imposing medieval government buildings. The tour then continues on to the Saint Francis Basilica, which is well known for its 13th and 14th-century frescoes created by Italian masters of the time, including Giotto.

Experience a unique emotion on board the Ape Calessino to admire the city's major monuments: Basilica of Santa Chiara, Chiesa Nuova (birthplace of San Francesco), Piazza del Comune and Minerva. Roman Amphitheater, Rocca Maggiore, Cathedral of San Rufino, Piazza Vescovado and the Basilica of San Francesco Tour duration 1h30 Tasting on request for a fee: €25 pp Pick up and drop off on request: €10 Due to technical problems, if you want to book the tour for 3 people please contact the Asisium Travel Agency by email or by phone

Explore the birthplace of St. Francis on this private guided walking tour of the historic city, and learn more about one of Italy’s most famous patron saints. Explore the oldest part of the city to admire Roman ruins that have been perfectly integrated into medieval houses, and are still lived in by locals. Go to Assisi Cathedral, dedicated to Rufinus of Assisi, and see the ancient stratifications of the church where Francis was baptized. Then, go to the Basilica of Saint Francis, the sumptuously decorated 13th-century double church built in his honor. Take an interactive and immersive guided tour of the church and the life of St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan religious order, which will be anything but dry and dusty.

Your journey will stretch along Assisi Old Town. The local guide will make you plunge into Assisi's history by following the steps of personages who made the town famous worldwide: Saint Francis and Saint Clare along with other great personages of history, left marks that all still clearly visible today. Discover how Roman remains blend perfectly with Medieval architectures, as it happens with the facade of the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. Sense the powerful sacred aura Assisi is enveloped in, thanks to an intriguing narration.

Giano dell'Umbria is a charming medieval village in the "green heart" of Italy. It overlooks a beautiful silver landscape of olive trees. It’s a place with a perfect ecological balance where people have always lived in harmony with nature. The extraction of olive oil is an ancient rite full of symbolism, which repeats every year in a magic of history, culture, tradition and folklore. The Del Sero family lives in Moriano, a couple of km from Giano, and it has been growing olive trees and producing extra virgin olive oil for generations. The Del Sero olive oil is extracted with the traditional method of first cold pressing, with granite millstones and hydraulic presses, in a recently-built plant which blends well with the surrounding landscape. The Oil mill has production and bottling units as well as spacious rooms for guests. A protected pathway allows to oversee all stages of the production process, and a large hall can easily accommodate large groups of pople in a warm atmosphere. Guests can also enjoy more than 2,000 square meters of green areas dotted with ancient olive trees, the “millstone square” and a spacious parking lot. The Frantoio is easily accessible and well connected to the main national highways. You get here quickly from the center of major towns (Rome 1,5 hours - Florence 2 hr - Ancona 1,5 hr -Perugia 40). And it is within easy reach of the main regional tourist destinations (Spoleto, Assisi, Todi, Montefalco, Bevagna, Spello...). Guests will enjoy an emotional experience, discovering the World of Olive Oil, learning about its history and culture and appreciating its beneficial effects on health and taste. DISCOVER THE WORLD OF OLIVE OIL Our proposal includes a guided tour of the Oil Mill with speaker (English/French): - How olive oil is born: detailed description of all stages of the production process, from the fruit to the oil, using the traditional method of first cold pressing (granite millstones and hydraulic presses). Comparison with other extraction methods; How a very high quality olive oil is born: description of methods adopted in the various stages of the production and storage process, which directly affect the quality of olive oil; Q&A. We have two options for tasting: 1) Option 1 Bruschettas prepared on the spot with wood-fired bread: - Classical (olive oil and salt); - Garlic (olive oil, salt, garlic). Beverages: - Red wine (1 glass); - Water. 2) Option 2 Tasting: Mix of bruschettas prepared on the spot with wood-fired bread: - Classical (olive oil and salt); - Garlic (olive oil, salt, garlic); - Arugula and shaved Parmesan cheese; - Truffle sauce. Charcuterie and cheese board (I.e. salami, capocollo, prosciutto, local pecorino cheese). Beverages: - Red wine (1 glass); - Water. Both proposals can be adjusted to specific needs upon request. We are happy to accompany our guests to beautiful nearby sites that are worth a visit (ie: Morcicchia Castle, San Felice Abbey, centuries-old Macciano olive tree).

Amazing Tour with our Local Expert and tuk tuk departs from Asisium Travel Agency or from your hotel in Assisi. First stop: Chiesa Nuova (St. Francis's Home) and Parents Statue and Main Square Piazza del Comune with Minerva's temple. Visit to Piazza Matteotti (Roman Amphitheater) and Cathedral of San Rufino (Saint Rufinus), where St. Francis was baptized. Piazza del Vescovado (Bishop’s Palace) Sanctuary of the Stripping. St. Damian and the crucifix. Rivotorto Sacro Tugurio (Sacred Shrine of Rivotorto), Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels – the Porziuncola, where St. Francis died. End of tour at the Basilica of St. Francis, his birth place.

The basilica of St. Francis, completed in 1235, stands on Paradise Hill, from which it dominates the surrounding landscape. Its imposing Gothic-style figure houses the works of some of Italy's greatest painters. Cimabue, Martini, Lorenzetti and Giotto, to name a few, have enriched this place and told the story of St. Francis through their works. This one is more slender, and much light filters through the colorful, historiated stained-glass windows. The contrast with the previous spaces is great and moves from the recollection of faith to the joy and splendor of God's glory. The play of colored light is interwoven with the frescoes that tell the story of the life of St. Francis created by Giotto. All this beauty is narrated and made even more fascinating and understandable by the guide who passionately accompanies the discovery of this authentic gem. The tour ends at the Upper Basilica, in the heart of Assisi. It is then possible to continue visiting the city independently, venturing through its streets and discovering its origins and most significant monuments.

Lunch and guided 5 wines in a family farm and wine producer, located just 875 yards (800 meters) from the Basilica of Saint Francis, one of the most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy. The Mencarelli family has been producing fine wines and extra virgin olive oil for decades, and on this 2.5 hour lunch tour you will walk through their deep green vineyards, and learn about the wonderful world of Umbrian wines. A guided wine tasting of 5 wines makes you know the production during your lunch. The lunch and wine offering includes: Bruschetta with SAIO extra virgin olive oil, Handmade Pecorino cheese and SAIO Grape Jam, Caciotta cheese with black truffle, Chickpeas salad with dry tomatoes or Lentils soup, Cured meats from free range area, Handmade Roasted pork (Porchetta), Handmade torta al Testo (lightly salted Umbrian flatbread), Traditional Umbrian dessert.