Splendido Spoleto

Spoleto (full-day)
Spoleto/Spello (full-day)
Spoleto/Montefalco (full-day)

Spoleto (full-day)
Spoleto incorporates an extraordinary blend of Roman, Early Christian, medieval and Renaissance architecture - making it the perfect stage-setting for the "Festival of the Two Worlds" of Giancarlo Menotti.

Our visit will start, appropriately, back in time - with a visit to one of the oldest churches in Western Europe (4th - 5th c. AD) outside of the medieval walls. We'll stop to have a look at the Roman theater (1st c. AD) where theatrical productions are still held (during the Spoleto Festival).

Our walk through the medieval backstreets of Spoleto will lead us to a Roman house, the local market (where we'll enjoy a taste of an Umbrian specialty...), past medieval boutiques and to the Duomo where we will see the bellissimi Renaissance masterpieces of Fra' Lippo Lippi and Pinturicchio.

After lunch in a charming, family-run local trattoria, we'll visit the imposing 14th c. Papal fortress which dominates the town.

Optional addition for groups of 10 minimum: olive-oil tasting in a water-powered 18th c. olive oil mill in the countryside on our way to Spoleto.

Spoleto/Spello (full-day)
After our tour of Spoleto (see above) and lunch in a charming, family-run local trattoria, we'll head on to Spello. We'll visit a 12th c. church where a special friar/artisan who will show us a cloister and refectory, not open to the public, as well as his unusual works. After a stop to see the most splendid Renaissance fresco cycles in Umbria (and my own favorite!), we'll conclude our tour 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.

Spoleto/Montefalco (full-day)
After our tour of Spoleto (see above) and lunch in a charming, family-run local trattoria in the countryside, on to Montefalco, 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 the famous Sagrantino grapes are cultivated. Famous for its wines and textiles, Montefalco also boasts a superb art museum, housed in a 13th c. Franciscan church. After a visit to the museum, a taste of the local wines....

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