Assisi

Tours

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. Following a light lunch (6 hour tour only) made with typical produce from Umbria in a restaurant or wine bar in the Old Town (optional and not included in your tour price), go to the Basilica of Saint Francis, the sumptuously decorated 13th-century double church built in his honor. Your guide will lead you on an interactive and immersive tour of the church and the life of St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan religious order, that will be anything but dry and dusty.

Explore Assisi on a smartphone tour. Learn about iconic landmarks like the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi, the Basilica di Santa Chiara, and the castle of Rocca Maggiore. Download the app and start your self-guided adventure. Use the navigation function to easily find sights and photo hotspots. Stroll along planned routes and immerse yourself in the history and culture of this ancient town. View the UNESCO World Heritage site where Saint Francis died at the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. See where Saint Clare's remains were found at the Basilica di Santa Chiara. Admire the 800-year old stone castle of Rocca Maggiore. Tune in to the audio commentary to hear about tourist attractions. Start or pause your tour whenever you wish. Have the freedom to design your own schedule.

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.

Explore Assisi on a 3-hour 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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Rome for the day on a full-day tour of Umbria, one of the most picturesque regions of Italy. Rich in vineyards, olive trees, and hill-top villages, the most famous site in the region is the UNESCO World Heritage town of Assisi. Upon arrival at this mystical place, learn about Saint Francis as you wander within the ancient walls. Built on the green slopes of Mount Subasio, the colorful houses of ink stone. narrow streets, flower decked balconies, and noble palaces provide beautiful views. A highlight of your time in Assisi will be a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis to see Renaissance masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. After lunch, continue to Orvieto to admire the magnificence of its cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with a glistening façade of stained glass, mosaics, and sculptures. Soak up Orvieto’s charms, and marvel at the countless churches scattered around its historic center. Transfer back to Rome for a hotel drop off in the early evening.

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.