Things to do in Todi

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).

Jacopone from Todi, poet and Franciscan friar but furthermore author of Stabat Mater Dolorosa, ione of the greatest Latin hymns of all time, was born here. You will visit the Saint Fortunato Church which preserves his tomb. Just a few steps out of the city center, you will see the Renaissance architecture of Santa Maria della Consolazione, built to preserve a 15th century image which performed a miracle and attracts a flood of pilgrims to the town. Twenty years ago Todi, this little town perched on a hill in the Tiber Valley in Italy, was celebrated as the world's most livable town, a modern paradise. That was the conclusion reached after a lengthy study by a team from the University of Kentucky.

Lying on a hill, Todi encapsulates most of the typical characteristics of Umbrian cities. The tour starts from Piazza del Popolo, offering a splendid view of the surrounding valley and part of the village. Moving to the Co-cathedral of the Santissima Annunziata, better known as Todi's Dome, with your guide you will discover all the charm of this romanesque-gothic building, you will see the details of the facade that still, as once did, dominates the Piazza del Popolo. One of the most popular districts of the city is definitely the Nidola district: in fact, the singular legend, which the guide will tell you about, has it that the first settlements of the city were founded here. Here the palaces, old houses, churches and alleys intertwine in a complex but harmonious architectural ensemble that makes this area of Todi a delight for the eyes! Then you will see the church of San Fortunato, patron and protector of the city, a glorious gothic building that preserves frescoes and monuments of great interest. Don't miss this fantastic guided tour of Todi!

Explore 2 of Umbria's commune towns, Orvieto and Todi, on a full-day tour. First, journey to Orvieto, located on the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff. Head to the Duomo, a black and white striped building in a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Go inside to see the bronze doors, rose window, and frescoes of Luca Signorelli. After, walk around the historic center, visiting the Piazza del Popolo, Saint Patrick's Well, Corso Cavour, a variety of churches, and more. You also won't want to miss the underground city full of tunnels, galleries, wells, stairs, quarries, cellars, unexpected passageways, cisterns, and rooms. Continue on to Todi, also home to an impressive Gothic cathedral with a rose window and a Gothic altar. Explore the city center, visiting the Palazzo del Popolo, one of the most ancient communal palaces in Italy, and home to the city's art gallery. Other remarkable palaces in Todi include Palazzo del Capitano, Palazzo dei Priori, and Palazzo Vescovile. Once you have seen both cities, begin your trip back to your hotel.