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". Orvieto, the lovely home of Umbria Jazz Winter 14 is no exception.

A beautiful blend of jazz sounds juxtaposed with ancient buildings, piazzas, quaint, narrow, winding streets, a perfect mix of local and international camaraderie, a bond created by the jazz whose sounds intermingle with great wine and food, will be the prevailing atmosphere over the next eight days. Culture, food, wine and of course great jazz are the key ingredients that make this the perfect way to spend a New Year holiday.

To enhance our appreciation for the activities of the next several days, following our arrival in Orvieto and leisurely check in at our hotel in the heart of the historic town center, we will take part in a briefing about the local area and the festival. This will be our first opportunity to sample some of the local specialties of Master Chef Lorenzo Polegri in his wonderful restaurant, Zeppelin.

When in Umbria however, one cannot ignore the beauty, the cultural and artistic richness of this region. Orvieto, our exquisite home, 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 we 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, the Cappella di San Brizio and Chiesa di San Fracesco just to name a few.

Along the way to wine tastings at top Umbrian wine producers, we’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.

The Umbria Jazz Winter 13 is obviously the star attraction of this tour and indeed the various concerts will feature some of the most recognized "stars" of the jazz world. Our daily activities will be carefully planned so as not to interfere with the scheduled concerts

The final manifestation which has become the culmination of the four day's events and a venerable tradition is the Gospel Choir at the Duomo, on New Year's Day. A touching and fitting end to amazing performances and a most appropriate way to encapsulate the magic and emotions felt throughout our stay in this extraordinary town and region. Anyone fortunate enough to participate in this tour will be privileged to experience these wonderful traditions first-hand.