Assisi

Culinary & Nightlife

Fly over the valley of Assisi in a hot air balloon and land at the famous town of Saint Francis. The area is dotted with ancient villages, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. A true feast for the eyes and the soul. Finish your experience with a wine tasting and a delicious breakfast at a famous local winery. Meet at a local winery and walk through the olive groves, or take a 1-minute minibus drive to the take-off site. After a safety briefing, climb into a hot air balloon piloted by one of the world’s most experienced pilots. Feel the excitement as your balloon gently lifts up. Relax, take photos, and watch the beautiful landscape unfold below. After your approximately 1-hour hot air balloon ride, enjoy a smooth touchdown and step back onto solid ground. The fun continues back at the local winery, where you will enjoy a great Umbrian-style breakfast. If you are not opposed to drinking a bit of wine before midday, you may even like to sample some of the excellent wines.  

This is a tour for wine lovers who want to taste the features of natural and authentic wines, while trying local fare and enjoying the fresh air on Mount Subasio's slopes. On your guided tour of this family-owned, organic winery, you'll get an inside look at the full production cycle, from vineyards to bottle. Then, you'll taste five different organic wines, each paired with hot bruschetta, a selection of typical Norcia salami and local cheeses with jams and organic balsamic vinegar.  * The pickup and drop-off is not included.

After meeting in the city's main square, you will be welcome to purchase a cup of coffe before heading out for your city walk. Throughout the city walk you will have a professional photo session in various unique places throughout Assisi, with your guide creating a personal photo album for you. Starting from the main square, your guide to tell you the stories that founded the square and the buildings that compose it, such as the ancient temple of Minerva, the Town Hall, and the frescoes. Once finished with the city center your group will decide together where to go and what to do based on your collective interests. Your choices will be the Basilica of St. Francis and the Church of St. Clare, the medieval structures and medieval lifestyles of various structures in the city and La Roca Castle, wonderful views of the city and panoramic views hidden in various alleys throughout the city, and unique off-the-map places in the city.

Over the course of five days, visit the most enchanting locations of Italy, soaking up art, culture, cuisine and the famous Italian romance. Led by a friendly guide, depart from Rome and visit Assisi, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Bologna, Padova, Venice and Montepulciano. See masterpieces from the likes of Michelangelo, Giotto, and Cimabue. Roam ancient cobbled streets, marvel at magnificent cathedrals, and taste delightful wines. This tour aims to inform and entertain you at the same time. Staying in comfy accommodation and traveling by deluxe bus, touring Italy couldn’t be easier. With 4 meals provided for you, plus an excellent itinerary and knowledgeable guides, sit back, relax and "get Italian". Day 1 Depart from Rome at 7:15 AM heading towards Assisi. Explore this tiny town dating back to the Middle Ages. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis and see works by Giotto and Cimabue. Afterwards drive towards Siena, whose highlight is Piazza del Campo. Continue to Florence where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner (included) and a well-deserved night of rest. Day 2: Florence After breakfast, spend the day exploring Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the Duomo, the Campanile Tower, Palazzo Vecchio and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch (for free) in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. In the afternoon, wander the cobbled streets or take a short, optional trip to Pisa where you could enjoy a tour of the Square of Miracles, the Leaning Tower and the Duomo. Dinner is at your leisure. Back in Florence rest in your hotel and recharge your batteries for the next day. Day 3 Depart for Bologna after breakfast in Florence. Wander through the city’s 38 kilometers' worth of elegant arcades, for which it is famous. From Piazza Malpighi, walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore in the heart of the city. In the afternoon, continue towards Padova, with its original Sant’Antonio Basilica. Later, you will arrive in Venice, famous for its quaint gondola boats and intricate architecture. Check in at your hotel and enjoy your first Venetian dinner (included) and overnight stay. Day 4: Venice Hit the water and board a private waterbus to enjoy a cruise through the canals of Venice. Stop off at Murano to learn about the ancient art of glass blowing. Continue on to St. Mark’s Square for an exterior visit of the splendid cathedral. See the Doge Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel for an overnight stay. Day 5 After breakfast, departure from Piazzale Roma heading to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches, castles and its delicious wines. Proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Noble” wine, on purchase in local wine houses, Montepulciano also hosts an annual jazz and wine festival every July. Lunch in a typical restaurant included! Spend the afternoon discovering Montepulciano at your own pace, enjoying free wine tastings in many wine shops and free time for shopping. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome, where the tour ends.

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. You will then have a further stop, where you will taste some local wines and other typical Umbrian and Tuscan products. 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. Leaving Assisi, stop at the town of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where St. Francis died in 1226. You will reach Rome around 19:30/20:00, where you will be dropped-off in the vicinity of your hotel.

Begin your tour with pickup in Assisi city center, then drive to the countryside to discover an organic family winery, old vineyards and olive groves, and a local balsamic vinegar facility. Through this expeirence, you will learn the real difference between organic and conventional farming and the products of organic farms. During your visit, see where balsamic vinegar and wine is made, from the pressing machines to the aging room and the bottling machine. After the visit, relish a guided tasting of balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, and 5 different organic wines paired with hot bruschetta, a selection of typical cheeses and salami, and homemade biscotti with the sweet wine. While you enjoy your wine, you will be able to gaze at the breathtaking views of the Valley of Assisi. The tour concludes with drop-off in Assisi city center.

Learn about the differences between conventional and organic wines during this tasting activity. Sample several delicious local kinds of cheese paired with organic wine. Visit one of the oldest organic wineries in Assisi, where you will learn about its history and functions. See the fifty-year-old vineyards and enjoy a stroll through the grounds and olive groves. During the tasting, learn the main differences between the organic and conventional winemaking process and taste 5 Assisi DOC and Umbria IGT organic wines, paired with different traditional plates, like warm bruschetta with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, cheeses with jams and balsamic vinegar, and typical Umbrian desserts. the Umbrian kitchen. As you sip on your wine, enjoy beautiful views of the valley and soak up the peaceful atmosphere.

Learn to cook like a local in a typical countryside home in Assisi and get hands-on help preparing your own lunch or dinner from a local chef. Enter the home of your cook and teacher. Learn to prepare a refined menu of Umbrian and Italian recipes, using fresh produce and raw materials from the local market. Start the lesson by learning how to prepare the dough for ravioli, which are dumplings composed of a filling sealed between two layers of thin pasta dough. Once the work is completed, enjoy a meal which includes also an appetizer and a second course in a relaxed atmosphere with your friends, family, and your host. Learn how to combine the local recipes with fine Italian wine, which you will taste. After the lesson, receive a copy of all the recipes prepared so you can replicate the dishes for your friends and family back home.

Picnic in the vineyards of 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. All around will be blue sky, ripe grapes, dusky olive groves, and centuries-old oak trees. Armed with a complimentary map, stop at information boards to learn more about wine and viticulture. Then, under the veranda of the vineyards, a picnic basket will be waiting just for you! Enjoy a glass of SAIO Assisi wine and sample typical Perugia bread, with extra virgin olive oil, pecorino cheese, cured meats from the Subasio Mountains, traditional Umbria Torta al Testo (a salty cheese bread), and Umbrian cookies. All wine glasses, place mats, plates and cutlery will be provided.

Uncover the secrets of the Italian cuisine on your travels through Assisi in the company of a local chef who will share with you their family recipes which have been passed down through generations. Start your experience with a visit to the local market. Soak up the unique atmosphere of an Italian food market and learn how to recognize the best products by sight.  When you return to your cook’s home, attend a private cooking demo where your cook will share the secrets of her family cookbook while preparing one of the dishes right in front of you. Sit at an authentic Italian table and enjoy a 4-course seasonal menu including starters, pasta, main course with a side dish, and dessert. Sip on your choice of water, red or white wine, or coffee. Feel the warmth of Italian hospitality as you connect with local people.