All Roads Lead to Rome

A cultural tour through the heart of the city helps you work up an appetite. Marvel at Michelangelo’s David, visit the lesser known Bargello National Museum, see the Piazza de Duomo, then climb the steps of Giotto’s Campanile. Lunch is a feast of artisanal antipasti, cheeses, prosciutti and freshly baked bread then the afternoon is free to explore Florence. Take an evening boat ride on the Arno River.

Walking time: 4 hours

The medieval town of Colle di Val d'Elsa has been famous for its glassware since the 14th century, and you’ll learn the art of glass blowing from the town's master. Explore the town of San Gimignano, and then walk through olive groves and vineyards to your rural retreat. The afternoon is free to take a dip in the pool, visit the cantina or indulge in some wine tasting on the terrace before your home cooked dinner. 

Walking time: 3 hours

Today you’ll discover Siena, one of the best preserved medieval towns of Europe, followed by a leisurely lunch in Monteriggioni, Italy’s best known walled town. Return to your beautiful agriturismo where you have the option of learning the secrets of Tuscan cooking. Alternatively take some time to unwind and relax.

Walking time: 3 hours

The rolling hills of the Val d’Orcia region are dotted with charming towns and villages. Your walk takes you through iconic Tuscan landscapes to Montalcino, surrounded by the famed San Giovese vineyards; the monastery of Sant’Antimo; the Renaissance town of Pienza and ends in the lesser known town of San Quirico. This is your base for the night, where you’ll dine in a secluded garden restaurant.

Walking time: 4 hours

Discover why Umbria is called the ‘Green Heart of Italy’ as you travel along Lake Trasimeno en route to Perugia. Explore the old medieval centre before sitting down to lunch in a traditional trattoria. Continue to Assisi and explore the Bascilica of St Francis and The Grand Piazza del Comune.

Walking time: 3 hours

Take a discovery walk through the Mount Subasio National Park. You’ll recognise many of the pink coloured stones which have been used on the buildings of Assisi. Country lunch in Collepino before continuing on foot to the ancient Roman town of Spello. A dinner of locally grown ingredients will be held in your hotel garden back in Assisi.

Walking time: 5 hours

Travel through the Valnerina Valley to the town of Visso, near Italy’s Marche region, then continue to the small village of Preci. Take a walk to the Abbey of San Eutizio, founded in the early 5th century by Syrian monks. Ascend to the Ancarano pass then immerse yourself in Umbria’s gastronomic capital, Norcia, where you’ll dine in the renowned Ristorante Vespasia.

Walking time: 5 hours

Walk into the heart of the Sibillini Mountains through meadows of wildflowers, valleys and beech forest with panoramic views of the Piano Grande (Great Plain). Continue to the ‘Great Ring of the Sibillini Mountains’ and down to Rifugio Perugia. After a long day of walking enjoy a private transfer back to Norcia where you can spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Walking time: 5 hours

A private bus brings you to the hill of Monteluco, where you walk through forests with views over Spoleto. Discover the ‘holy forest’, a protected nature area since Roman times, with many grottoes and medieval chapels. Descend to Spoleto, via the ‘Ponte delle Torri’ bridge. Your base for the next two nights is the 8th century Abbey of San Pietro in Valnerina, where you’ll enjoy dinner in the caverns of the abbey.

Walking time: 4 hours

Walk through the green meadows, forests, streams and hidden gorges of the Nera valley to the abandoned village of Umbriano. Then tread the ancient trail which took pilgrims from Assisi to Rome en route to the Marmore waterfalls. In 290BC, the Romans dug a canal from the waters of the Velino River to the Marmore Cliffs in order to create this feat of engineering. There are great walking paths at the falls or you can simply sit and enjoy this incredible sight, just as Lord Byron did.

Walking time: 5 hours

You’ve made it to Rome! Soak up the history on a walking tour, taking in highlights such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi fountain, Pantheon, the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. The afternoon is at leisure before we meet up again for a final dinner.

Walking time: 2 hours