Compare Umbria’s Green Valley: A Cycle Tour Through The Valle Umbra by Umbria Con Me Sas vs Country Roads of Umbria & Tuscany - Small Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1: Individual arrival at your hotel in Assisi

Collect cycles, route briefing and instruction.

The tour starts near the Middle Age city of Assisi, the pilgrims’ town  built against the slopes of Mount Subasio. Many monuments have been erected here in honour of the saints Francis and Clare.

Day 2: Today you will cycle mainly through the valley, passing Spello and Foligno to arrive at your hotel Casco dell’Acqua (26 km)

You leave your hotel and cycle along the slopes of Mount Subasio to  Spello. There is enough time this morning to wander around this charming ancient town, pleasantly situated on the southern slopes of Mount Subasio. In urban, architectural and artistic terms, Spello is an extremely interesting town, containing many features dating back to the Roman and medieval times. Spello is also called the town of flowers, because of its many colourful little alleys embellished with plants and flowers.  The town is well known for its special flower festival (‘infiorata’) for Corpus Domini. After Spello you descend to Foligno, which is in the valley. You pass along the main square with its beautiful ‘duomo’ which still has a Romanesque façade. Continuing along the lively main shopping street you will leave the town to cycle the last kms of your route, across the fertile valley with its colourful fields and various waterways. Your country house is situated in the village Casco dell’Acqua

Day 3: Cycling to Spoleto (26 km)

This morning a short tour among olive groves will take you to Spoleto. You can already see Spoleto from afar, with its castle dominating the hilltop on which the medieval part of the town is built. The centre is still largely inside the medieval town walls. Spoleto is very famous for its music festival ‘dei due mondi’, held in the first weeks of July. There is a lot to see in Spoleto, including the cathedral with its famous frescoes by the Florentine painter Filippo Lippi, the Roman house and the Roman theatre with an annexed archaeological museum. Your hotel is in the centre of town

Day 4: Cycling to Bevagna and (optionally) Montefalco (35 km –cycle path route- or 40 km)

This morning you can choose for an easy ride along the cycle path directly to Bevagna of a slightly longer route with some more up and downhill cycling. The longer route is passing through an undulating landscape you will already see Montefalco from a distance. At the foot of this town you have the option to continue along the valley directly to Bevagna or to visit Montefalco… but to reach this lovely town you first have to conquer a steep climb. Montefalco (472 m a.s.l.) is also known as the ‘balcony of Umbria’, because of the fantastic panorama. The Franciscan church, now a museum, is decorated with magnificent 15th and 16th century frescoes by artists such as Benozzo Gozzoli and Perugino. Montefalco is well-known for its excellent wines, Rosso di Montefalco d.o.c. and Sagrantino d.o.c.g , produced on the sunny slopes around the town, and of course it is almost impossible to leave the town without tasting them in one of the many wine bars. 

From Montefalco you go downhill to Bevagna. This town has a lovely medieval square with a fountain and two Romanesque churches. The square is a real meeting place for the friendly inhabitants of the town.

Day 5: Bevagna – Torgiano (30 km)

In the morning you have still time to visit Bevagna. Leaving it you continue cycling mostly through the valley to Torgiano, a small ‘borgo’ at the confluence of the rivers Chiascio and Tiber (Tevere), famous for its excellent wines. Your hotel is in the quiet town centre.

Day 6

Today you can choose between two circular routes:

Visiting Perugia (24 km)

This trip takes you to the neighbouring town of Perugia, which is the capital of the province. A short cycle tour takes you to the station in Ponte S.Giovanni  at the foot of Perugia. From here a local train will take you into the historical centre of Perugia.  The centre, with its little alleys and characteristic town squares, is a lively vibrant place. The renaissance palaces, medieval churches, museums and many galleries will make a lasting impression. After your visit you return by train and bike to the peaceful, hospitable town of Torgiano.

A trip in the surroundings of Torgiano (33 or 47 km)

Close to Torgiano (6 km) is the village of Deruta which has, in part, managed to retain the highly distinctive features of its medieval buildings. Deruta is universally famous for its ceramics. The origins of this ancient art go back as far as the Etruscan times and nowadays the many local workshops still make excellent quality ceramics. Numerous Italian and foreign museums have pieces of Deruta ceramics on show, including the Victoria and Albert Museum. The town hall hosts  the art gallery and the ceramics museum. The next stop is the sanctuary of Madonna dei Bagni, which has built after a miracle, which took place in the year 1657. Inside the church there are more then 600 votive tiles, all testimony to the tradition of the Deruta ceramics. Cycling through a beautiful hilly landscape you pass typical Umbrian hamlets like Casalalta. Your cycle back to Torgiano is through the Tiber valley. Torgiano, like Montefalco, is famous for its excellent red and white wines and when you have you can visit the interesting wine museum. Next to the museum you can taste the wines of the Lungarotti family in the ‘osteria’.

Day 7: To Assisi  (25 km)

Today you will cross the valley, cycling on quiet country roads. You will already see Assisi from afar as, like many other Umbrian towns, it is built on a hilltop. Before reaching Assisi, however, you can stop for a moment to visit the Franciscan basilica in S.Maria degli Angeli. Under its impressive dome still lies the humble little chapel ‘Porziuncola’ where Saint Francis came to pray.

To reach the beautiful historical centre of Assisi you have to make a short steep climb, but wandering through the town you will agree that it was worth the effort. You will have enough time to visit the main monuments of the town, like the basilica of Saint Francis with its beautiful frescoes by the painters Giotto, Simone Martini, Cimabue and Pietro Lorenzetti. Your overnight stay will be in the hotel where you started your tour (3 km from Assisi)

Day 8: Departure

Day 1: Welcome to Rome

Transfers to your hotel depart from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 09:30, 12:30 and 15:30. Join your Travel Director at 17:30 to explore the Eternal City, passing the renaissance palaces and baroque churches scattered throughout the city. Get to know your fellow travellers over a pleasant Welcome Dinner as you dine at your hotel's restaurant, Unique al Palatino.

Kolbe Hotel Rome.

Dinner with Wine

Day 2: Umbria and on to Perguia

Explore the Vatican Museums in the morning, where a local historian unveils the gems of the vast Papal art collection. Your special visit includes fast-tracked entry and behind-the-scenes access to the Bramante Staircase, a part of the Vatican normally closed to visitors. View the imposing Basilica of St. Peter, the largest in the world. Journey north to the Umbrian village of Baschi. Immerse yourself in the flavours and culture of the region and learn about the secrets of Italian food culture as you join Giovanni and his dog Chris for a truffle hunting session. Then join Chef Lorenzo for an entertaining pasta demonstration and delicious Highlight Lunch accompanied by Orvieto Classico wine. Join a Local Expert in Perugia to navigate the underground labyrinth of little streets, alleys and arches. Walk Corso Vannucci, resplendent in pale-pink stone, passing the princely Priors' Palace, cathedral and finely sculptured Great Fountain in the main square.

Sangallo Palace Hotel, Perugia.

Breakfast, Lunch with Wine

Day 3: Perugia Sightseeing & Free Time Relaxed Start

During a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER�� Experience, visit an artisanal workshop to meet Marta, recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant, and her weavers. See how the fascinating art of loom-weaving textiles has been passed down through the generations and learn how this ancient craft is being preserved. Afterwards, you will be free to enjoy the many delights of Umbria's capital city. For dinner, choose your ideal ambience and palate-pleasing menu from a hand-picked selection of Perugian restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening. Buon appetito!

Sangallo Palace Hotel, Perugia.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 4: Assisi, in Search of St. Francis Relaxed Start

Journey to Assisi, one of Italy's most beautiful medieval hilltop towns, set high up in the mountains and enclosed by fortress walls. In the valley, see the famous Church of St. Mary of the Angels, much venerated as the place of St. Francis' death, then continue up Mount Subasio to the upper town. Step inside the massive, 13th century Basilica of St. Francis with your Local Expert to learn how Giotto masterfully painted frescoes that inspired a variety of Renaissance artists. Continue through the twisted groves that carpet the side of Mount Subasio.

Sangallo Palace Hotel, Perugia.

Breakfast

Day 5: Tuscany to Cortona, Siena and San Gimignano

Follow the shores of Lake Trasimeno to Cortona, one of the oldest hilltop towns in Tuscany. After free time to explore, continue to the narrow cobbled streets of Siena. Standing in the shell-shaped Campo, imagine the frenzied atmosphere of the biannual Palio horse race and see the superb 14th century Town Hall. Explore Siena with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the medieval Cathedral. Alternatively, sample panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert. Travel to your home for the next three nights, a delightful villa near the medieval town of San Gimignano.

Villasanpaolo, San Gimignano.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 6: San Gimignano sightseeing and Free Time Relaxed Start

In the morning, your Travel Director will show you San Gimignano's medieval skyscrapers, serpentine streets and hidden squares. The town is also home to world champion gelato maestro Sergio Dondoli. At his artisan ice cream parlour on Piazza della Cisterna, the jaunty gelataio doles out his silky, frozen treats in a range of unique flavours for you to try. The rest of the day is at leisure; why not join an Optional Experience to Pisa and Lucca?

Villasanpaolo, San Gimignano.

Breakfast

Day 7: Florence and Tuscan Countryside Experience Relaxed Start

The morning is devoted to the Renaissance city of Florence. A fascinating walking exploration with a Local Expert takes you to the marble-clad cathedral crowned by Brunelleschi's dome. See the baptistery with its beautiful Gates of Paradise and Giotto's splendid bell tower. Walk on to Piazza della Signoria with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculptures, followed by free time to shop for top-quality Florentine leather or gold. Toast to your travels during a delicious Farm-to-Table Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy tasting flavoursome dishes prepared with locally grown ingredients, sourced from the farm or nearby Tuscan region. Relax as the pairing of home-made pastas with the farm's own traditional Chianti wine rounds off your great Italian adventure.

Villasanpaolo, San Gimignano.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 8: Country drive to Ancient Rome

Leave behind the tower topped town of San Gimignano. Enjoy rolling Tuscan hills as you journey through the Italian countryside, making your way to Ancient Rome. On arrival, enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

NH Roma Centro, Rome.

Breakfast

Day 9: Arrivederci Roma

Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 and 09:30.

Breakfast