Artistic Umbria

Fly to Bologna and travel south through Emilia Romagna, across the Apennine watershed into Umbria and the upper Tiber Valley (Tevere in Italian), to Città di Castello. Due to access restrictions, the coach is unable to enter the old town. A brief, leisurely walk to the hotel awaits you. Enjoy some time to immerse yourself in the town's ambience before savouring a delightful dinner.

The itinerary is expected to follow the daily schedule outlined below but please bear in mind that the order of the days may be amended, or walks substituted, due to weather conditions, attraction opening times, public transport timetables or changes beyond our control.

Walks

Distance: 1.7 miles

Time: 1.5 hours

Spend a relaxed morning exploring the streets and sights of Città di Castello, meandering through its quiet streets and alleyways, without forgetting to stop for coffee. miles

Distance: 2.5 miles

Time: 1.5 hours

During the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely stroll alongside the Tiber River, still a modest river here as you are only 50km away from its source in the Apennines.  As you make your way back to the heart of Città di Castello, you'll pass by the expansive Alberto Burri Museum, a colossal former tobacco drying shed of remarkable proportions. miles

You are in wonderful Tuscany today, visiting Arezzo’s architectural wonders in the morning and experiencing the medieval charm of Anghiari in the afternoon. The village is ideal for impromptu exploration, just following your nose or one of the many maps dotted around the village. Enjoy a visit to the Basilica of Saint Francis, home to one of the most famous pictorial cycles in the world, "The Legend of the True Cross" by Piero della Francesca. For photography enthusiasts, this day promises a visual delight like no other.

Spend the afternoon to Anghiari, a medieval compact town and deemed as one of the most beautiful places in Tuscany. It is famous for being the site of the Battle of Anghiari. Here you can enjoy some time exploring the town independantly.

A short scenic drive takes you to Gubbio, a delightful medieval town built upon the hillside with stone coloured buildings, quiet cobbled streets filled with charming houses decorated with beautiful flower pots, and centuries-old palazzi. The views over Gubbio are incredible. The maze of narrow streets meander between the stone coloured houses and terracotta rooftops, set against the picturesque Umbrian backdrop. A knowledgeable local guide will accompany you on a journey through the winding narrow streets, unveiling the hidden treasures of the area. The highlights of this excursion will encompass exquisite fresco-adorned churches, remarkable museums, and buildings graced with magnificent archways and majestic clock towers.

Walks

Distance: 2.8 miles

Time: 1.5-2 hours

Ascent: 150

Descent: 150

You have the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of free time to independently explore Gubbio. Alternatively, if you would prefer to stretch your legs, your leader can take you on a walk. It primarily follows an awe-inspiring medieval aqueduct that traverses a striking ravine, offering a nearly level terrain for your convenience. Be sure to have your cameras at the ready, as this walk promises captivating photo opportunities. It's essential to highlight that this walk falls into the slightly higher category of grade 3 walking difficulty. miles

Today is another exciting cross-border adventure as you venture into The Marches, to the east of Umbria. The drive to Urbino may be longer than your previous journeys, but it's an adventure in its own right, guiding you through the remote and rugged landscapes of central Italy.

Upon arrival in Urbino, you'll be met with a striking contrast – a perfectly preserved Renaissance town exuding an aura of culture and refinement. A local guide will lead you through the town's highlights, including a visit to the Oratorio di San Giovanni. In the afternoon, visit the Palazzo Ducale and the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria before delving deeper into your independent exploration of this splendid destination.

You are in charming Perugia today, located on the banks of the River Tiber, a symbolic border between the land of the Etruscans and the Umbrians. With the assistance of a knowledgeable local guide, you'll embark on a journey to uncover the multifaceted beauty of this stylish and culturally rich Umbrian town.  The stone coloured streets will lead you up and down, through the backstreets and past the open medieval squares. A sea of greens, yellows, oranges and brown historical buildings with terracotta rooftops decorate the verdant hillsides. Admire its Medieval and Renaissance masterpieces in the plethora of building housing great art in the city. 

The afternoon includes a visit to the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria and some free time for exploration of medieval Perugia. There's so much history to indulge in but also take some time to visit the quaint local shops and cafes in the main square. This is urban walking at its best!

Tuscany, Umbria, Tuscany again…all of this in the footsteps of the early Renaissance painter Piero della Francesca. Begin the day in Sansepolcro, where Piero was born, visiting the Museo Civico which houses one of the painter’s masterpieces, his “Resurrection”. 

From Sansepolcro, it is only a short drive to the scenic little hill-top village of Citerna overlooking the verdant Tiber valley.

In the afternoon, visit the isolated village of Monterchi, an important stop for retracing the life of Piero della Francesca. Spend some time visiting the Museo della Madonna del Parto.

It is time to say goodbye to the delights of Città di Castello and take private coach back to Bologna Airport.