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Assisi: Medieval Splendor
Assisi
(Half-day)
Assisi/Spello Tour: "BEST-SELLER" FOR OVER 10 YEARS (full-day)
Rural Life Revisited: A Tribute to the Past, to the People
Assisi Wonders and a Farmhouse Lunch (Full-day)
On the St. Francis Trail
Assisi FESTAtours in April, May, October and December
Comments
Assisi (Half-day)
Our
tour of Assisi - justly acclaimed "crown jewel of the medieval
hill towns" - will encompass its rich historical and artistic
heritage as well as contact with the "locals"....and its
modern day life and history.
We will visit the stunning 3-level Romanesque/Gothic Basilica di
San Francesco built in the 13th c. to house the body of St. Francis
of Assisi, patron saint of Italy and most beloved of all saints
for the Italians. The greatest masters of the time - Cimabue, Giotto,
Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti - were called here to fresco Francesco,
rendering this church one of Italy's most outstanding art museums.
In the words of a 13th c. historian: "no more exquisite monument
to the Lord has yet been built"... (this comment: still appropriate!)
Our walk through the town will include stops to meet and talk with
local artisans intent on their crafts: painters, sculptors, young
craftsman of maiolica (for which this area is so noted),
a book-binder/restorer of ancient volumes, women at work on the
local embroidery of "the Franciscan cross-stitch", a craftsman
who paints on glass...
The
main piazza of Assisi is graced by its medieval bell tower, elegant
civic buildings of the 13th-14th c. and the stately Temple of Minerva,
1st c. BC... so amazing that Goethe detoured just to gaze on it!
Near the 13th c. Gothic Basilica di Santa Chiara (where St. Clare
of Assisi is buried), we'll stop in to see a significant tribute
to Assisi's involvement in modern history: the printing press
which falsified the identity documents for all the Jews hidden
here in World War II, thanks to the heroic efforts of the local
bishop, young priests and the printer and his son... the Assisi
Underground (See comments below).
Assisi/Spello Tour: "BEST-SELLER" FOR OVER 10 YEARS (full-day)
Join us to discover why my tour of Assisi and Spello has
been a "best-seller" for over ten years. This tour enchants
me! I never tire of sharing the wonders of these medieval hilltowns
gems: a world-famous (most justly!) splendor, Assisi (now my own "hometown"),
and a lesser-known treasure, Spello. A banquet crowns our day.
Assisi/Spello: Medieval Splendor and a Banquet
Our morning Assisi tour will take in the historic and artistic wonders of
this "crown jewel" of all the medieval hilltowns of central Italy.
We will visit the stunning three-level Basilica di San Francesco built
in the 13th c. to house the body of St. Francis of Assisi (most beloved
of all saints for the Italians) and decorated with 10, 000 square meters
of the most splendid frescoes of the late Gothic/early Renaissance. You'll
be thrilled to learn why modern art is born here and to learn about the
greatest restoration project in western European art: the fresco restoration
following the 1997 earthquake.
As we stroll through the medieval backstreets, we'll visit other Assisi
treasures, both Roman and medieval, and meet "the locals", as well as
noted Umbrian artisans. We'll head over to Spello, (16 km from Assisi),
a gem of the "undiscovered" medieval hilltowns of Umbria for
an extraordinary "banquet" lunch in one of the top 18 wine cellars in
Italy. We will comparatively taste an astounding selection of some of
Italy's best wines (all from small "boutique" vineyards and of limited
production), top olive oils and an endless array of gourmet foods (even
non-wine drinkers will be enthused!).
If we are lucky, elderly Neapolitan chansonnier, Salvatore,
will be able to join us with his guitar, enhancing our "Spello experience" with his wonderful Neapolitan songs.
After lunch, we'll stroll Spello che bello!. Like Assisi, Spello is constructed in the local pink limestone quarried on Mt. Subasio, lending it a unique rosy hue, particularly at sunset. Our walk will take in vestiges of Spello's Roman origins, one of the most splendid Renaissance fresco cycles in Umbria, and an unforgettable visit to an inspiring local friar/craftsman.
Comments below will tell you why the Assisi/Spello tour has become my "BEST-SELLER".
Rural Life Revisited: A Tribute to the Past, to the People
This new tour is targeted at providing participants with an "inside" look at rural life of the past, as still lived by so very few. Our tour starts in the bellissima Assisi countryside at our farmhouse - now being restored by my husband Pino, fine artisan - in order tolearn about the restoration of the rural architecture, now strictly preserved and considered part of Italy's artistic heritage. I will tell you about the restoration of the house, while also explaining the former structure and how we lived, worked the land around us.
We will then visit farm families who live near us, those people who taught Pino and I everything about farming - and life- when we moved here in the 1970's and set out to work the land, with few resources but molto determination. Today, few farmers still work the land, using the methods used 40 years ago - a rarity.What a privilege, therefore, for 
us to visit thehomes of a couple of our neighbors, catching them in the midst of farm chores, chatting with them about past farm life "quando c'era la miseria" ( loosely - but aptly - translated as "when we were poor"...) - and enjoying a taste of their wine. Our tour will wind up with a buonissimo farm lunch (or dinner - if our tour takes place in the afternoon)in the home ofsome of our dearest farm neighbors (and still today, someof our best friends).
This tour is for those who wish to:
• take in the beauty of the landscape
• interact with local rural people in their own ambience
• learn about past lifestyles from our farm neighbors, told with deep insight and profound wisdom
• enjoy a supurb meal of la cucina genuina (the best in home-cooking)
• ... and have a completely out-of-the-ordinary and unforgettable "tour experience"!
Read why this has become a favorite tour!
Recommended "pre-tour" reading on this site: "Memoirs of Rural Life" and the Zsa Zsa Story.
Meeting our farm neighbors:
Assisi Wonders and a Farmhouse Lunch (Full-day)
Our tour of Assisi will encompass its rich historical and artistic heritage as well as contact with the "locals" wherever we wander. (After all, you cannot truly know a place unless you also know its people). Midway through our memorable Assisi day, we will head out to the nearby countryside for a "banquet" lunch (no dinner will be needed!) in our restored farmhouse.
In the morning, our Assisi walk takes in the stunning 3-level Romanesque/Gothic Basilica di San Francesco built in the 13th c. to house the body of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy and most beloved of all saints for the Italians. The greatest masters of the time - Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti - were called here to fresco the Basilica di San Francesco, rendering this church one of Italy's most outstanding art museums. In the words of a 13th c. historian: "no more exquisite monument to the Lord has yet been built" (- and this commen is still appropriate!)
While visiting the Basilica, we will also view the frescoes restored following the 1997 earthquake. The restoration project is arguably the greatest restoration project in Western European art - and wait to you hear the story!. (I have lectured on the Assisi earthquake restoration throughout the U.S and cannot wait to share all the news with you!).
The main piazza of Assisi is graced by its medieval bell tower, elegant civic buildings of the 13th-14th c. and the stately Temple of Minerva, 1st c. BC... so amazing that Goethe detoured just to gaze on it! On this piazza, all architectural styles blend in stately grace - and we will talk briefly about each one.
On to the Basilica di Santa Chiara, where St. Clare of Assisi, follower of Francis, was buried in the 13th century. We'll then visit the stunning Romanesque 12th-c Cathedral of San Rufino where both St. Clare and St. Francis were baptized - and where all the children of Assisi are baptized, by tradition. In this area of the town, we will uncover Roman remains and talk about the town's Roman origins (and pre-Roman, as well!). Our Assisi walk takes us into the picturesque backstreets (each one, a delight to the eye!), meeting the "locals", wherever we head.
.....and then, a pause to enjoy a "banquet" of Umbrian rural cuisine in our Assisi farmhouse! After lunch, we'll head up the slopes of majestic Mount Subasio to the 15th c. Franciscan monastery, the Hermitage (Eremo delle Carceri), set in hundreds of acres of live oaks and built over the site of the grottoes where Francis and his followers withdrew for periods of prayer and meditation in the early 13th-century. A perfect end to our memorable day.
On the St. Francis Trail (Full-day)
Our tour will center on the rich historic and artistic heritage of this "gem" of the medieval hilltowns, while also offering an opportunity for contact with local artisans and artists as well as a most special encounter with a Franciscan friar. See article for more details.
After a morning in Assisi, we will head over
to Spello - che bello! - (16 km from Assisi), a gem of the
"undiscovered" medieval hilltowns of Umbria.
Like Assisi, Spello is constructed in the local pink limestone quarried
on Mt. Subasio, lending it a unique rosy hue, particularly at sunset.
Called Hispellum by the Romans, a walk through Spello is
a feast for the eye: cobblestone passageways open into intimate
closed piazzettas, and lead to Roman arches, Romanesque churches,
a wooden loggia, a frescoed courtyard...
Our tour will take in one of the most splendid Renaissance fresco
cycles in Umbria, painted by Pinturicchio (and my personal favorite
of all Umbria's artistic masterpieces), as well as a special visit
to a most unique local friar/craftsman... who'll also show us a
13th century cloister and refectory, not open to the public.
Our day will end in a medieval wine cellar for a tasting of Umbria's
best wines, prize-winning olive oils and various Umbrian delicacies
which range from white truffle/almond paté to wild boar salami...
our host: one of Umbria's top sommeliers.
Assisi FESTAtours in April, May, October and December
Comments
Assisi
"Thank you for making Assisi the highlight of our trip to Italy this year. You are a remarkable guide and an even better person. We so enjoyed meeting you and spending the time with you that we did, and hope that we can return the hospitality to you someday.
With love and best wishes, Jan"
Jan Jones - Administrative Associate to the Director (June 2007)
"The warmth of
Assisi's history, customs and peoples were given to us almost as
one would give a gift...."
Bob and Anne Williams, Jacksonville, FL
"...Don't see Assisi without Anne - she
is fabulous!! She is not just a knowledgable guide but she treats
you as though you are a close friend. My husband and I were so
moved by Assisi in a way I don't think would have been possible
with out Anne...."
Kathy Stasz, Rowlett, TX
My husband and I had the lovely opportunity
to spend a day in Assisi with Annie this past May. The wealth of
knowledge concerning art and history that Annie shared with us was
so interesting; but it was her enthusiastic sharing of the life
of St. Francis that changed our lives. She brought St. Francis alive
to us in all the important times of his life. Not only did we see
the cross that spoke to Francis and the Bascilica; but the caves
where he meditated and slept. What a thrill this was to my husband,
who has a special devotion to St. Francis. We also went to the church
where St. Francis died; just minutes before our train arrived in
Assisi!
We also felt like Annie was an old friend or neighbor by the end
of the day. If we lived nearby, we could have cracked open the bottle
of wine and just enjoyed her company.
And last but not least, since coming home my husband and I have
started to take steps on becoming a Third Order Franciscan. Like
I said, her enthusiasm and sharing about the life of St. Francis
truly made a change in our lives. Grazie mille, Annie.
Gwen and Joe Houdart, Thorofare, NJ
"Assisi was a very happy surprise for us -
we had expected a lot of cheesy marketing of St. Francis, to be
honest. What we found was a place of peace - and commerce, to be
sure - but a town that celebrated its history and its patron in
beautiful ways. The Cathedral was literally awe-some, and learning
more about the treasures inside really brought the peace and love
of Francis home to us. Thank you for sharing your beautiful and
peace-filled Assisi with us, Anne - it was a day we'll never
forget!"
Chris Nolin and family, Pittsburgh , PA
"While in Umbria, we spent a day and
a half with Anne, who showed us some wonderful secrets of Italy's
hill towns. Her knowledge of art and history, coupled with a wonderful
sense of humor, really made our trip quite special. We started
out as clients, but ended as friends."
Harry and Donna Huey, Falls Church, VA
"Walking the streets of Assisi, and
other hill towns, with Anne was like walking as a native. We
were given 'inside' insights and information with enthusiasm that
is rarely seen in tour guides." Bruce and Sylvia
Ross, Tiburon, CA
"I was delighted and greatly pleased
with Anne's knowledge of the events and life of St. Francis of Assisi
and St. Clare. I would definitely want (and also recommend) her
as an Assisi guide for any of our Secular Franciscan family."
Betty Chipman, Scottsdale, AZ
"Thank you so much for the priceless
day you gave us in Assisi. We'd like to tell everyone and anyone
who is heading to Umbria to do whatever they need to to have you
take them around. You gave us a feel for history, place, and
current Italian life in Umbria that wove the whole experience together...
We had read about Assisi before we came, we all know a fair amount
about Medieval and Renaissance art - and you pointed out so many
things we would never have seen or known on our own. Please post
our communication on your website so everyone who logs on knows
what a treasure you are!"
Jim and Susie Ratner, Zack and Debby Paris, Cincinnati, OH
"...No other guide we met matched
Anne's dedication to promote her town's many assets nor the ability
to educate her tour members in so short a period of time."
Cyd Crampton, Pacifica, CA
Assisi and Dinner in our Home
"We were sitting on the steps of the fountain in Assisi - when Anne rescued us from another day of "I wonder what that is" self- guided tours. Our day with Anne was the highlight of our trip to Italy. Her love of the land and people and her indepth knowledge of the art and history of the area brought our visit to Assisi alive. The warm feeling we had at dinner in her home with her friends and family will long be remembered. She made our time in Assisi very special."
Barbara and Leigh Shermna, Newark, OH
"We are still talking about how beautiful
and amazing Assisi was... seen with Anne. The highlight of our day
was the meal in her home. The food was amazing and... definitely
the best food I had in Italy!"
Colleen McDonald, NY, NY
"The highlight of our two week trip to
Italy and the day with Anne was a cooking lesson/meal with Anne
in her house outside of Assisi. We purchased all of the food together
in the morning spent hours cooking... and... every dish was better
than the one before. All accompanied, of course, with excellent
wine. It was a wonderful day."
Robert and Susan Tobias, Washington, DC
Assisi/Spello Tour: "BEST-SELLER" FOR OVER 10 YEARS (full-day)
"Anne's love and enthusiasm for Italian life and for Umbria in particular has truly enhanced each of my visits to Italy. On a recent visit, she totally charmed my husband and helped him fall in love with Italy. It wasn't his first time in Italy, but it was his first time truly experiencing and understand things Italian. We did a splendid afternoon of wine, cheese, olive/olive oil, honey, etc. tasting in nearby Spello. A guitarist serenaded our small group as Anne explained the complexities of the limited edition wines, the capers from Sicily, the mozzarella from Naples, a variety of cheeses and honey from Umbria, plus much more. She's a rare gem of a tour guide and we can't recommend her highly enough. Brava Anne!!"
"We thoroughly enjoyed our special day in Assisi and Spello, with
highlights too numerous to mention. Thanks to knowledgeable and accessible
Annie, we saw and experienced more in our time with her than in any other
tour we have ever taken. Most importantly, we had lots of fun; the wine
tasting was a blast."
"Thank you for the wonderful walking tour of Assisi, and the tastings "banquet" lunch in Spello....i smile when I see us dancing at the lunch, accompanied
by the wonderful guitar player, Salvatore. What a memorable afternoon:
bright sunshine, cozy environment, great food and wine". "Anne, "The Assisi and Spello tour was more than we could have imagined: from
meeting local artisans (discussing their trade) to learning the history
of the region. This experience is something our children will speak of
for years to come. The wine and olive oil tasting was excellent...and
after our visit to the olive oil tasting, our children have acquired
a love for olive oil!. ...and a heartfelt "thank you" to
Brother Paul. Seeing such artistry with such peace and grace brought
such joy to all of us and ...when we asked our children what was their "favorite" part
of the tours, they both replied in unison 'Brother Paul' "!!! "Anne, "After a week of touring with books and audioguides it was such
a thrill to have a brilliant, real live person to show us around! The
history of the city, it's churches, its artists and saints unfold as
you stroll through present-day Assisi with a local who knows the secret
treasures of the city. The tasting and lunch at Spello was a revelation
for us both...the food was superb and the wines and olive oils we tasted
were incomparable. I wish we had been able to take Annie's other tours!
Next time! Grazie mille, Annie. We loved every minute of it!" " .....and o, that Salvatore, our musician....I loved him and so
did everyone else in our group---he was our 4th of July celebration,
better than fireworks!" Rural Life Revisited
Karen and Chuck Shoup, Riverbank, CA
Karen and Chuck Shoup, Riverbank, CA
Darlene Quigg, Sausalito, CA
our tour with you to Assisi and Spello
a highlight of our first visit to Italy. My wife's mother felt it was
the absolute highlight of the entire trip because of your in-depth
knowledge of the art, history and culture of Assisi. I will highly
recommend your tour services to any of our friends visiting the Assisi
region."
Steve Boster, Ridgecrest, California
The Wolf Family
Anthony, Michelle, Caitlin and Eric
On behalf of my entire family (Paul, Judy, Mike, Liz, Moira, Megan, and
Dan), I want to thank you for providing such a memorable Umbrian experience.
Having read other reviews of your tour I know I sound like the proverbial
broken record, but Assisi was stunning and the Spello wine tasting was
icing on the cake. Your passion for the region came through in every
aspect of our brief time with you and I want you to know that you left
an enduring impression on every single one of us............. pace e
bene."
Best regards,
Paul
Rosemary and Richie, Berkeley , Ca
Laura Johnson, Chicago, IL
"We were part of the inauguration tour Rural Life Revisited. It was a great view into a fast-disappearing way of life. The farm people are friendly, humorous and earthy. Conversation with them was a treat. The food at lunch was delicious, and it was such a treat to eat a meal of all foods grown on th e farm. But remind signora to keep your portions small unless you intend to work in the field after lunch."
Peter Roth, Palo Alto, CA
"Yesterday I had the magnificent opportunity to see, taste, and meet the people of Umbria and have come to know why it is so splendid during a personally guided tour of local farms and their owners. It is actually rare to know an experience is an event of a lifetime, but yesterday was!! I know I can only thank Anne for this Umbrian adventure. I became a part of this community - the people, their way of being and living."
Karen Boose, Boise, ID
"The most impressive part of the tour was meeting the rural people, hearing their stories, seeing their faces and their stories written there. They all - men and women - worked long hard days but were content, happy and really spent quality time with their families and neighbors. Hard work yet happiness etched deeply in the faces of the farm families. A slice of life that is dying and not to be missed!!"
Joanne and Mike Kaeske, Park City, UT
"Thank you so much for all of the wonderful tours and classes and for letting us get a close up view into everyday life in Italy. That is a gift that we could never have seen on our own. The farm friends of yours that we met simpply made our trip much more special than simply going on yet another 'walking tour'. We loved all the shared meals, wine and conversations... oh that cooking lesson!"
Joan King, NC