Please join me on this life enriching “QUEST”. Take a break from your daily routine to treat yourself to some very special time in a very special place. Together we will share some amazing scenery, savor some amazing regional food and wine, learn some amazing new information about Italian history and culture and all the while amazing ourselves at how much fun we can have together being completely and unequivocally ourselves.

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 3      BOSTON TO ROME

For those of you from Cape Cod who are traveling with me from Boston, we will transfer from the Cape to Logan Airport for our evening overnight non stop flight to Rome. Others can meet us in Boston for this flight or in Rome on June 4^.

SATURDAY, JUNE 4   ROME TO ASSISI

Upon arrival in Rome, we will clear customs and then be transferred to Assisi to our home away from home for the next 8 nights. The Hotel Umbra is a small boutique hotel located off the main square with a vine covered garden that will be a lovely place to rest after our daily tours. Being in Assisi will give us the opportunity to select from many different restaurants for the nights we have free.  I look forward to welcoming you to our “QUEST” together at our dinner this evening.  (D)

SUNDAY, JUNE 5   ASSISI AND SPELLO SIGHTSEEING…   A FULL DAY

We will begin our exploration of this region with a tour of Assisi, rightfully acclaimed “crown jewel of the medieval towns”. One highlight will be our  visit to the stunning three-level Basilica di San Francesco built in  the 13^th century to house the body of St. Francis and decorated with the most splendid frescoes of the late Gothic/early Renaissance. Our walk through town will include stops to meet and talk with local artisans, painters, sculptors, young craftsman of Maiolica, a book-binder/restorer of ancient volumes, women at work on local embroidery of Franciscan cross-stitch, a craftsman who paints glass… We then take a quick ride to Spello, a gem of the “undiscovered” medieval hill towns of Umbria, for an extraordinary lunch in one of the top wine cellars in Italy.  We will sample a selection of wine from the boutique vineyards, olive oils and an endless array of gourmet foods. It’s back to our hotel for a free evening.   (BL)

 

MONDAY, JUNE 6   MEDIEVAL BEVAGNA… A  HALF DAY

Your morning is free and then in the early afternoon we will be on to Bevagna, an “off the beaten path” Umbrian hill town. Our tour takes in not only the Roman mosaics and an exquisite gem of a 19^th c. theater but also includes stops at the local tailor,  a family-run butcher shop to sample their specialties and a local paticceria, owned by our local guide’s friend’s family. We will be treated to a taste of the chewy cavallucci, a sweet carried in the saddle bags of the medieval pilgrims.   How else can we end this day but with a unique medieval banquet!  (BD)

 

TUESDAY, JUNE 7   NARNI AND NERA RIVER VALLEY… A FULL DAY

It’s off to Narni whose truly hidden secrets are to be savored. We’ll visit the Duomo, which incorporates fascinating Roman and early Christian heritage, to discover subterranean curiosities: a frescoed 12^th c. church found under the foundation of the church above!! After this adventure, we’ll enjoy a farm house lunch in a family- run trattoria. Onto the Nera River Valley to visit the recently restored 8^th c. Lombard abbey church nestled in the mountains and whose frescoes represent the most important pre-Giotto fresco style in Umbria. Our return to Assisi will take us through one of the most dramatic stretches of landscape in Umbria. Your evening is free. Let’s meet for a glass of wine in the garden.  (BL)

 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8  A FULL FREE DAY TO RENEW, REFRESH AND REENERGIZE    ENJOY!!

 

THURSDAY, JUNE 9   PERUGIA AND DERUTA…A FULL DAY

Our day starts in elegantissima Perugia, called by Henry James, “city of infinite view”. We will begin with a visit to the massive 16^th c. Papal Fortress, built over the medieval section of Perugia and incorporating one of the Etruscan city gates. A walk down the main Corso, lined with elegant shops, will take us to visit the frescoed medieval guildhalls. After a visit to the city’s famous chocolatier, we will proceed to a friend’s farmhouse for a feast of local ingredients. We will have to leave our new friends and continue onto Deruta, citta della ceramica, to observe all phases of maiolica production in a family-run industry. We will return to our hotel having had another amazing experience to add to our memory bank. (BL)

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 10   GUBBIO…A FULL DAY

Our route to Gubbio will take us through a stretch of the most stunning landscapes of Umbria. We’ll stop to explore an abandoned 12^th c. feudal castle that is dramatically perched on a hill overlooking the ruins of its Roman theater. Gubbio is detached from the world of today with the town not even being on a rail line. Our walk through the labyrinthine medieval backstreets will take us to the imposing 14th c. Palazzo dei Consoli. Along the way we will stop to sample the local delicacies i.e. wild boar salami, pecorino and truffle cheese, local licquers, and truffle pate!! After lunch we will ride up the funicular to the top of Mt. Ingino to the monastery where St. Ubaldo, patron saint of Gubbio, is buried. Your evening in Assisi is free. (BL)

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 11   MONTEFALCO…A HALF DAY

Perched on the highest hill in the surrounding area, thus called “the balcony of Umbria”, Montefalco overlooks rolling hills of olive groves and vineyards where Sagrantino grapes are cultivated. We will visit the church of San Francesco, now an art museum of medieval and Renaissance art.  We can’t leave, of course, until we stop for a glass of the famed local Sagrantino. For those interested in textiles, this is a must destination.  After an afternoon to pack or whatever, we will transfer to a local farmhouse for our farewell “QUEST” dinner. (BD)

 

SUNDAY, JUNE 12   ROME TO BOSTON

After breakfast, we will travel back to Rome. It’s time to bid farewell to Umbria and begin our journey home as refreshed, reenergized & rejuvenated women. Remember, it is not the end of the “QUEST” but just the beginning. You can bring back all of your experiences by visualizing them any time you choose and you can incorporate the life lessons you have learned into your daily routine. Until we meet again.  (B)

                                                                                                               Check out the trip details!