6 days

Umbria & T uscany

Self Drive

Day 1: Umbria via Orvieto

Pick up your car at the rental depot and start your trip towards Umbria region.

On the way you will see Orvieto, famous for its Etruscan ruins as well as its Gothic cathedral and the excellent wines preserved in its underground cellars.

At the end of the day check in at your Hotel and enjoy your first evening in Umbria.

Hotel: San Luca (or similar star rating hotel)

Day 2 Spoleto and Todi

Today you will visit two extraordinary towns in Umbria. You will stop in Spoleto, a peaceful hill town with a fine cathedral, interesting sights and pleasant walks. The Duomo is one of the finest sights. Begun in the twelfth century, the delicate-looking cathedral is set against a backdrop of hills and valleys. The Duomo is an amalgam of styles, and boasts an apse frescoed by Fra Filippo Lippi, whose tomb lies in the church.

Spoleto's Roman ruins include a Roman theatre. There are also two Roman arches visible, the Arco Romano and the Arco di Druso, and a Casa Romana or Roman house - an atmospheric spot with attractive mosaics.

Proceed to the medieval hill town of Todi. Perched on a tall two-crested hill overlooking the east bank of the river Tiber, commanding distant views in every direction. The name means "border", being the city located on the frontier with the Etruscan dominions.

Almost all Todi's main medieval monuments front on the main square on the lower breast of the hill: the piazza is thus one of the most picturesque in Italy and is often used as a movie set.

Return to your accommodations in Umbria in the evening.     

Day 3: Assisi to Siena

After breakfast and checking out of your hotel, make your way to the beautiful medieval city that was home to Saint Francis.  Here we will arrange for a local guide to take you through the impressive basilica of Saint Francis, filled with the masterpieces of Giotto and other artists. 

After the visit enjoy the inspiring town by strolling through its picturesque streets.

Continue to Siena.  Your route will take you along the shores of the beautiful Trasimeno Lake as you cross over to Tuscany.  Arrival in Siena.

Hotel: Garden Hotel (or similar star rating hotel)

Day 4  Tuscany Cooking and Siena

This morning make your way to the town of Petroio and the Palazzo Brandano.  Here you will meet with the chef who will introduce you cooking Tuscan style.  After your entertaining and informative lesson, you will enjoy what you have prepared in a traditional Tuscan lunch.

Afternoon free to enjoy on your own.     

Return to your accommodations in Siena in the evening.

Day 5  Val D’Orcia.

This morning we suggest an excursion through the picturesque Val d’Orcia: Italy’s ‘Golden Valley’. This area’s naturally beautiful landscape was sculpted during the Renaissance not only to meet agricultural needs but also to reflect the aesthetic sense of the period, and this concept has been maintained to the present day. Your first stop will be the small but fascinating town of Pienza, famous for the cheese, built almost entirely during the renaissance where we will witness one of the first examples of modern urban planning. Continue your drive to  Montepulciano, the town’s famous Nobile wine, a mellow-flavored red with a mildly floral aroma and that features a distinctive iridescent orange tone. In the afternoon reach Montalcino, known worldwide for its Brunello wine.

Return to your accommodations in Siena in the evening.  

Day 6  Chianti to Florence via Siena

This morning check out from your hotel and go to Florence to drop off the car at the car rental depot.

Your route will take you through the celebrated Chianti Wine Region, an area as much renowned for its natural beauty as for its excellent wines. You will then continue on to Siena for a chance to stroll its winding streets and see the Piazza del Campo where the Palio race is held every year.

You can decide to end your tour here or continue with another of our self drive itineraries or add some nights in Florence or in another city.