The Hidden Medieval Villages of Tuscany and Umbria

Day

1

In Transit to Program

Location: In Flight

Day

2

Arrive Florence, To Siena, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Location: Siena

Meals: D

Stay: NH Siena

Activity Note

Hotel check-in available from 03:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously)

Afternoon:

After checking-in at the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Breakfasts in our program will be hearty buffets; most lunches and some other meals will be two courses featuring local dishes. These are the names of typical food courses in Italy: l'antipasto, a hot or cold appetizer; il primo piatto, the first course, often soup or pasta; il secondo piatto, the second course or main dish; il contorno piatto, a side dish such as vegetables or salad; and il dolce, dessert. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner:

At the hotel.

Evening:

Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day

3

Siena, Lecture, Free Time

Location: Siena

Meals: B,L

Stay: NH Siena

Activity Note

Walking up to 2.5 miles, approximately 2 hours; standing up to 1 hour; generally cobblestone and hilly terrain.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We will begin our learning adventure in Siena with an expert-led walking field trip through the historical center. Siena, a Gothic Dream, is a town of a thousand colors, rich in history and culture and with a medieval charm that is still almost intact today. UNESCO defined it as "a masterpiece of dedication and inventiveness in which the buildings were designed to adapt to the overall design of the urban structure" and in 1995 inscribed it in the World Heritage List for having skillfully preserved important characteristics of its medieval structure: a historic center delimited by ancient bastions built between the 14th and 16th centuries and a main square, Piazza del Campo, which leaves visitors speechless with the number of monuments and places to admire. The history of Siena begins as a Roman military colony at the time of Emperor Augustus, but it is only from the 10th century that Siena began to acquire great political and economic importance. Great artists such as Duccio di Boninsegna, Simone Martini and the Lorenzetti brothers had the opportunity to express their art in the city. In 1240 the University of Siena was founded with the Schools of Medicine and Law, one of the oldest universities in the world. We will enjoy an on-site lecture on Siena's Romanesque-Gothic Architecture. We will visit the gothic Basilica of San Domenico, which preserves a very important relic, the head of Saint Catherine. We will follow the path of the Francigena route, along which we can admire important buildings, such as the headquarters of Monte dei Paschi, the oldest bank in Europe, the Palazzo Tolomei and Palazzo Chigi Saracini seat of the Music Academy, Accademia Chigiana. We will visit the Cathedral of Assumption, a jewel of Gothic architecture, but not only, as it contains the famous works of Michelangelo, Donatello and Bernini. Our walk will end in the Piazza del Campo, where twice a year the famous horse race, Palio di Siena, takes place.

Lunch:

At a local restaurant.

Afternoon:

We will enjoy some free time in Siena. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

Dinner:

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

4

Lecture, Pienza, Winery, Montalcino

Location: Siena

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: NH Siena

Activity Note

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles throughout the day, approximately 2.5-hour riding time. Walking up to 3 miles, approximately 2 hours; standing up to 1 hour, opportunities to sit, restrooms available; generally flat terrain.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We'll begin with a lecture at the hotel with a local expert focused on Italy's Gems, the Medieval Villages, History, Culture and Traditions. We will board our motorcoach and ride to Pienza. The village is one of the purest incarnations of the concept of the ideal city. It is known not only for the balanced beauty of its architecture but also for the harmonious way in which it combines with the landscape. As a result of a dream of pure beauty, Pienza remains a little jewel to fall in love with at first sight. The singular story of the utopian town is doubly intertwined with that of Pius II, and this time what made the fortunes of one was the misfortune of the other, who thanks to his premature death effectively allowed Pienza to remain the same: the village no longer underwent changes and today it is possible to admire it as it appeared in the mid-1400s. Recognized as a UNESCO site in 1996, it is a wonderful testimony to the urban planning canons of the Renaissance: the rational organization of its spaces and the incomparable perspectives of sixteenth-century squares and buildings capture the gaze of those who visit it. We will embark with a local expert on a walk through the medieval alleys that open on breathtaking view of the Val D'orcia. We will discover magnificent Renaissance buildings: the residences of the Pope Pius II Piccolomini, the Cardinals Borgia, Ammannati and Jouffroy d’Arras. In the heart of the city, we will visit the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, commissioned by Pius II and realized by the architect Bernardo Rossellino form 1459 to 1462. We will ride to a local winery for a Tuscan wine experience.

Lunch:

At the winery. We'll taste a Tuscany wine paired with a selection of typical products of the region.

Afternoon:

We will ride to Montalcino a mandatory stop on the itinerary for wine lovers. Since 2004, a UNESCO Heritage Site, located on a hill and surrounded by beautiful landscapes of the Ombrone, Asso and Orcia river valleys. This medieval village was reborn in the middle of the 19th century, when Ferruccio Biondi Santi revolutionized local wine production, elevating Brunello di Montalcino to the level of quality of French wines. It still maintains the same atmosphere as it used to be. We will stroll through the alleys admiring the Town Hall, the arcades of the Piazza del Popolo and the Church of Saint Egidio, and the houses in sand tones and terracotta roofs are a worthwhile experience. We’ll return to the hotel.

Dinner:

At the local restaurant.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

5

Volterra, San Gimignano

Location: Siena

Meals: B,D

Stay: NH Siena

Activity Note

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 85 miles throughout the day, approximately 2.5 hours riding time Walking up to 2.5 miles throughout the day; generally flat terrain.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We’ll embark on a field trip to Volterra, a jewel of Etruscan and medieval art, dominating the Cecina and Era valleys from a hill, just over 30 km from the Tyrrhenian coast. Volterra, originally Velathri, is characterized by magical and, at times, enigmatic aspects also because of the ancient legends that have always accompanied it. It is said, in fact, that Volterra was one of the first cities to be populated by witches and vampires. Its history is long, dating back to the Neolithic, but it was the 5th and 4th centuries BC that brought it into history books and legends. In the 13th century it took on the urban layout that makes it one of the best preserved and legible Italian municipal cities. We will begin our learning adventure with a walking field trip with our Group Leader to discover unexpected corners of the town. We will walk along its paved streets and relive its history: we pass the Porta dell'Arco, one of the most important testimonies of Etruscan Volterra, and arrive in Piazza dei Priori, one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Italy, dominated by the Palazzo dei Priori, symbol of municipal power. During the visit we will have the opportunity to meet some locals (an alabaster maker or a folk musician or an Etruscan bronze craftsman, policeman, theater actor, wine producer, sculptor) and interact with them by putting questions such as "how daily life has changed in Volterra" or listen to their life experience.

Lunch:

On your own in Volterra.

Afternoon:

We will ride to San Gimignano: “The Medieval Charm of a City Among Towers”. San Gimignano is probably the best-preserved medieval village in the world, and in fact since 1990 it has become part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village had been inhabited since Etruscan times, in the 3rd century BC. Probably due to its hilly position in the heart of the Val d'Elsa, it became a stop along the route of the Via Francigena, of which there is evidence as early as 929. Shortly after 1100 San Gimignano managed to obtain independence from the church and under the Ghibellines it reached its period of maximum splendor. Of the original 72 towers, only 14 remain standing. Hence the well-deserved nickname "Manhattan of the Middle Ages". The towers, built by the most powerful families, were the ancestors of today's skyscrapers which are erected by the richest men and the most listed companies in the world. We will embark with the local expert on a walk through the city and we will meet a renowned local artisanal ice cream store, or an expert of the local wine product “Vernaccia”, an international renowned excellence of this territory. The “gelato” artisan will explain us the difference between “gelato” (produced with natural ingredients and without additives) and “ice cream” (produced with synthetic flavours). He will focus on the flavours of his exclusive registered trademark production made with local products typical of San Gimignano. At the end of the lecture participants will taste a 3-flavor “gelato”. Or you may have an expert making you taste an excellence of this limited, small territory: the local wine product “Vernaccia”, nowadays internationally renowned, which is famous since the Renaissance as it was very much appreciated by pleasure-loving popes. The wine is very enjoyable also during summertime, sitting at a table, while watching the landscape around. br> We will then return to the hotel.

Dinner:

At a local restaurant.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

6

Monte San Savino, Di Gargonza Castle, Cortona

Location: Siena

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: NH Siena

Activity Note

Getting on/off a motorcoach: driving about 102 miles, approximately 3 hours. Walking up to 2 miles; hilly terrain to reach the city center from parking than flat terrain and then downhill.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We will board our motorcoach and ride to Monte San Savino for a walking field trip with a local expert to explore the charming medieval village. It’s nestled on a hilltop with an elevation of 330 meters, the town offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. We will ride to the Castello di Gorgonza where we will be welcomed by Count Guicciardini who will guide us through the rooms of his historic residence and illustrate the history of his family. Castello di Gargonza boasts of having hosted the poet Dante Alighieri in 1303.

Lunch:

At the Di Gargonza Castle.

Afternoon:

Our field trip today is to Cortona, a town rich in history, from the Etruscan era to the Renaissance, up to the modern era. Its origins, evidenced by ancient walls and Etruscan tombs, merge with the heritage left by artists such as Luca Signorelli and Beato Angelico. Its position, close to Umbria, enriches the city with a double cultural and landscape identity, making it a bridge between two regions rich in history, traditions, and natural beauty. Today, Cortona is attractive for its museums, churches rich in sacred art and archaeological sites that narrate the Etruscan and Roman past. The medieval appearance of its buildings and its characteristic alleys give the city a truly engaging atmosphere. The town became the subject of the best-selling book “Under the Tuscan Sun” and subsequently the set of the film itself, thanks to the American writer Frances Mayes. An autobiographical story that touched the hearts of many readers, introducing millions of tourists to Cortona and transforming the city into an international destination. We will begin our learning adventure with a local expert and visit the Diocesan Museum, which preserves a collection of religious works from the churches of the diocese of Cortona. It enhances the excellence of the local talent Luca Signorelli, presenting two works created directly by the master and other paintings created with the collaboration of the students of his workshop. In 1923, a permanent exhibition of Luca Signorelli's works was inaugurated and later, in 1945, a collection of liturgical objects from the cathedral and other churches of the diocese were added. We’ll return to Siena.

Dinner:

At the hotel.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Day

7

Gubbio, To Spoleto

Location: Spoleto (PG)

Meals: B,D

Stay: Hotel Dei Duchi

Activity Note

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours riding time. In Gubbio walking up to 2 miles; hilly, several city elevators.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

After checking out of the hotel, we will board our private motorcoach and transfer to Spoleto, where we will check in at our next hotel. We will stop en route at Gubbio, known as the "city of stone". The origins of Gubbio are rooted in the ancient Umbrian civilization, as evidenced by the so-called Eugubine Tables written in the Umbrian language and dating back to the 3rd-1st century BC. Gubbio's golden age began around the year 1000, at the time of the Municipalities. Under the leadership of Bishop Ubaldo, in 1100, the city won a war against Perugia. In the meantime, arts and crafts spread, including the manufacturing of majolica. By 1300 the city took on the shape it still has today. Some of the most beautiful buildings in Gubbio date back to that era. The town is like a large nativity scene, clinging to the rock of Monte Ingino, with its city walls that still surround the town of the historic center today. Its urban configuration is typically medieval, but the architectural appearance reflects a Renaissance taste and elegance onto which elements of a Baroque flavor are grafted. The medieval town is rich in history and art between places and artists, including many followers of Giotto, who contributed to its prestige. We will enjoy a lecture on ancient crafts held by a local expert at the Palazzo Beni, a museum of arts and crafts. We will visit the museum of arts and crafts, at Palazzo Beni where Gubbio`s roots are preserved, through the narration of the most ancient traditions linked to the arts and crafts which, over the centuries, have characterized the city of Gubbio and its territory. Soon after we will be walking through the central, medieval “Via dei Consoli” where we will admire the traditional, ancient working the loom or engraving and binding of leather, by local artisans.

Lunch:

On your own to enjoy what you like in Gubbio

Afternoon:

We will continue our transfer to Spoleto and check-in to our hotel.

Dinner:

At the hotel.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

8

Spoleto

Location: Spoleto (PG)

Meals: B,D

Stay: Hotel Dei Duchi

Activity Note

Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; generally flat terrain, some hilly sections.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We will walk to the Town Hall where we will be welcomed by a municipal local representative and visit the Palazzo Comunale whose high tower testifies to the date of construction dating back to the 13th century. Afterwards, we will walk through its historical center, rich in history, and breathe in a unique atmosphere: the narrow alleys that follow the medieval layout wind through the main points of interest of the city, accompanying us on a real journey through time. We will visit the Caio Melisso Theater, the oldest theater in Spoleto, built in the second half of the 17th century. It originally had a wooden structure and in 1751 it was enriched with pictorial decorations, curtains and scenes, which gave it a very valuable appearance. it is considered one of the most elegant in Italy and hosts important shows of the Festival dei Due Mondi. We will also visit the Teatro Nuovo characterized by a very rich interior, composed of four tiers of boxes and a gallery, decorated with stucco works and precious wooden carvings. The Middle Ages are the other protagonists of Spoleto's history and architecture, and the Cathedral represents perhaps the most shining example. It's impossible not to be captivated by the sight of its splendid façade. It can be reached by going down a long staircase which gives you plenty of time to admire it carefully, slowly approaching the Renaissance portico. Inside it is possible to admire fascinating works, in particular some frescoes by Pinturicchio and Filippo Lippi. Speaking of medieval architecture, it is worth mentioning the Rocca Albornoziana, the majestic fortress that dominates the city. This, in addition to being an admirable example of medieval military architecture, hosted the legendary Lucrezia Borgia several times. Visiting Spoleto means entering a fascinating reality that seems to transport the tourists back in time.

Lunch:

On your own to enjoy what you like in Spoleto.

Afternoon:

We will continue our learning adventure with an expert-led through Spoleto and visit the Cathedral with frescoes by Filippo LIppi and Pintoricchio. The remainder of the afternoon is free.

Dinner:

At a local restaurant.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

9

Assisi, Free Time

Location: Spoleto (PG)

Meals: B,L

Stay: Hotel Dei Duchi

Activity Note

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 60 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking throughout the day approximately 3 miles. In Assisi, flat terrain, escalators to reach the top; some cobblestone alleys in Assisi.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

Our field trip of the day will be to Assisi, home of St. Francis (1181-1226), the symbol of a message of peace to be breathed at every step along its beautiful streets. Assisi, a medieval city built on a hill. It became a UNESCO Site in 2000 because it is considered a rare example of historical continuity between the city, its cultural landscape and the entire territorial system. It is the birthplace of Saint Francis, closely associated with the work of the Franciscan Order. Its medieval art masterpieces, such as the Basilica of San Francesco and paintings by Cimabue, Pietro Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and Giotto, have made Assisi a fundamental reference point for the development of Italian and European art and architecture. Assisi represents a unique example of continuity of a city-sanctuary within its environmental setting from its Umbrian-Roman and medieval origins to the present, represented in the cultural landscape, the religious ensembles, systems of communication, and traditional land-use. We will walk with a local expert among the medieval houses and shops, on cobblestone streets and alleys to reach the Basilica of St. Francis (Basilica Papale e Sacro Convento di San Francesco). The Basilica is first of all a holy place as the lower sanctuary contains the tomb and shrine of St. Francis. In the upper church, we can admire magnificent frescos of Giotto and his school, based on stories of St. Francis.

Lunch:

At a restaurant in Assisi.

Afternoon:

We will enjoy some free time in Assisi. We’ll then return to Spoleto.

Dinner:

On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

10

Perugia, Free Time

Location: Spoleto (PG)

Meals: B,D

Stay: Hotel Dei Duchi

Activity Note

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hour riding time. In Perugia, walking up to 2 miles throughout the day, generally flat terrain with some flights of stairs.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We will ride to Perugia, the treasure chest of medieval charm. The center, of medieval origin, is surrounded by Etruscan walls and is characterized by towers, churches, palaces and museums, all worth visiting to discover the great cultural liveliness that animated the Umbrian capital in the past. It lovingly contains splendid treasures evidence of the city's glorious artistic and cultural past. Its historic center is a real fourteenth-century village, one of the most beautiful and loved in Italy. Monumental buildings, stone houses, parallel streets and steep climbs that connect them, windowsills with a medieval flavor give an unmistakable and characteristic imprint to the town. Etruscans and Umbrians have indiscriminately marked the origins of the town. They characterized the urban, but also economic aspects of the time. They allowed it to play a very important role in the relations between the two peoples. We will visit with our Group Leader the town and the Moretti Caselli laboratory where painted stained-glass windows are made. We will enjoy some free time.

Lunch:

On your own in Perugia.

Afternoon:

In the early afternoon we will visit the Collegio del Cambio to admire the Perugino' frescoes The Nobile Collegio del Cambio, located in the historic center of Perugia, was founded in 1452 as an expansion of the Palazzo dei Priori and became, by 1473, the seat of the art of money changers or bankers, who, after having changed several locations, they settled here permanently, taking care of the decoration of the Audience Hall in the aftermath of the sixteenth century and, subsequently, of the Chapel of San Giovanni Battista .The visit to the Nobile Collegio del Cambio became an obligatory stop on the Grand Tour and the precious place is widely described in the memories of young foreign travelers; even today, as in the 18th - 9th century, it represents the place where Perugino's art in Umbria reached its absolute peak. We will return to the hotel.

Dinner:

At the hotel. We’ll share some of our favorite experiences from the program with fellow Road Scholars.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Day

11

Orvieto, To Rome-Fiumicino, Free Time

Location: Roma Fiumicino

Meals: B,D

Stay: Hotel Isola Sacra

Activity Note

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 160 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking in Orvieto approximately 2 miles; generally flat terrain.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

After checking out of the hotel, we will board our private motorcoach and begin our transfer to Rome-Fiumicino. En route, we will stop at Orvieto, a town with a historical and artistic heritage, in some respects, unique in its kind in Umbria. It is a true "museum" city that has lived through various historical eras, some of which as a great protagonist in the Etruscan and medieval times, representing a center of notable historical and cultural importance throughout Italy. A city of art with almost three thousand years of history, which knows how to conquer and fascinate visitors. The town is above all a medieval and Renaissance one, even if traces of an older culture emerge from every corner. A noble and important culture, which has been handed down over the centuries to the point of making today's Orvieto a city, which, although proud of its traditions, is taking great steps towards the future. In fact, it is part of the international network of cities of good living, Città Slow, which seeks to enhance the places of life to create cities on a human scale. We will visit with the local expert the town including the entrance to the Cathedral of St Mary of Assumption, an artistic masterpiece of the late medieval era. This is one of the most famous cathedrals in Italy. In addition to the amazing façade, the St. Brizio Chapel contains frescoes painted by Luca Signorelli that influenced Michelangelo’s rendition of “The Last Judgment” in this Sistine Chapel. You will have time on your own to explore the Underground, a maze of more than a thousand caves, tunnels, and wells dug out of the rock over more than 2,500 years and used for a variety of purposes. There are the remains of oil presses, wine cellars, kilns, cells for pigeons, storage areas, and many wells connected to tanks to supply water.

Lunch:

On your own in Orvieto to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon:

Continuing our transfer, we expect to arrive in Rome-Fiumicino in the late afternoon and check in to our final hotel.

Dinner:

At the hotel.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Day

12

Program Concludes

Location: In Flight

Meals: B

Activity Note

Hotel check out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s "Getting There" information regarding transfers.

Breakfast:

At the hotel depending on departure time. This concludes our program.

Morning:

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

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