Umbria's landscape and urban planning can best be described by what in 1462, Pope Pius II Piccolomini said of Umbria: "You will never be able to reach a town without climbing". Although nowadays in most cases one does not need to literally climb, it is indeed a fact that most ancient Umbrian towns are perched high up on hilltops, within massive protective "walls".

When in Umbria one cannot ignore the beauty, the cultural and artistic richness of this region. Orvieto, your exquisite home during this trip, is perhaps one of the most perfect examples of this cultural bounty as it will be revealed during walking tours through its quaint streets, as you visit the Duomo and the Museo Opera del Duomo where priceless and breathtaking works of art are on display. Also along the way, the architectural marvel Pozzo di San Patrizio (c1527); Pozzo della Cava, and the Cappella di San Brizio just to name a few.

Each day will afford opportunities to savor, assimilate and appreciate the rich Etruscan, Roman and medieval cultural heritage of this region that still very much in evidence in its every corner. You'll gain knowledge that will help us understand how this rich and bountiful land lends its own very special flavor to the prized Umbrian wines as you stop along the way to wine tastings at top Umbrian wine producers in the Montefalco and Orvieto DOCG zones.

Along the way to these wine tastings, you'll come across exquisite towns perched on hilltops and - true to tradition - safely enclosed in ancient, massive medieval town walls. Their streets, still faithfully reveal glimpses of a culture that revered beauty, art, incredible foods and wines.

Umbria's perfectly central geographical location also affords us the opportunity for a quick foray into neighboring Tuscany. In Montepulciano you will visit a top Tuscan winery to learn about their wine producing methods and taste how they differ from wines in Umbria. The day will also include a visit to our favorite Pecorino cheese producer for a tour of their production and a tasting of their amazing cheeses — a real treat!

You will conclude your exploration of this wonderful region with a day in Perugia with its majestic open squares, churches and the "Perugino"s frescos in the Sala delle Udienze at the Collegio del Cambio.

Umbria and Tuscany, perfect at any time of the year!

Tour features:

• Accommodations: 6 Nights at a 4* hotel in the heart of Orvieto's historic district
• Meals-
  • Daily breakfast.
  • Daily lunches and dinners at top local restaurants including paired wines as chosen by
    ShopWineAndDine.
• 5 Tours with private English-speaking guide.
• Private car & driver from day 1-day 6 (if choosing the private car & driver option).
• 4 Wine tastings at top local producers with briefing about properties of wines.
• 1 Cheese tasting with wine at a top pecorino cheese producer.
• Hotel taxes and service charges.

Not included:

• Airfare and airport transfers to/from hotels
• Meals and beverages not stated on itinerary or substitutions to menus or wine selections
• Personal incidentals
• Tips to room maids & porterage

Departure Dates:
*This tour may be scheduled as an independent departure. It may also be combined with any other tour to other Italian regions. Please contact Shop Wine and Dine for cost and additional details