Umbria hilltown guided tours / Perugia
Perugia: City Of the Infinite View (half-day)
Perugia, Via dell’ Aquedotto
I fell in love with Perugia while living there as a student years ago. On guided visits there nowadays, I love sharing the treasures discovered as a student while we take in the rich artistic/historical wonders. Called by Henry James, “city of the infinite view”, Perugia’s Etruscan glory lives on in the Etruscan city gate of the 3rd c. B.C. – hidden away in the massive Papal fortress of the 16th- c. This reach across the ages synthesizes Perugia, a stunning medieval hill town of “layers.”
We’ll bridge the centuries as we discover the wonders: splendid 14th century courthouse (with medieval “yardsticks” set into the walls), a frescoed Renaissance guildhall, a 14th-c masterpiece of wood inlay interior, a 19-th c frescoed pastry shop and a 13th-c sculptural masterpiece, the Great Fountain …to name a few!
Wish to meet “the locals”, discover the local artisans, find the best chocolate, taste the best in Umbrian cuisine?Just ask.
Umberto whips cream for his guests
Not to miss in Perugia: Signor Umberto
After a Perugia morning, ready for another hill town guided visit? Nearby Deruta offers hidden wonders (and not just maiolica!)
Click here to read about the wonders of nearby Deruta
Read about a curious Perugia tradition
Click here to read about Perugia’s astounding jazz festival
Read more about a Perugia passion here
Perugia and Deruta: Artistic Wonders, Small-Town Pleasures (full-day)
Master maiolica artisan at work
On a Perugia guided visit, I love sharing the treasures discovered as a student there while we take in the rich artistic/historical wonders. Perugia’s Etruscan glory lives on in the Etruscan city gate of the 3rd c. B.C. – hidden away in the massive Papal fortress of the 16th- c.
From the Etruscans, we’ll move on to the medieval: what stories on the 13th-c sculptural masterpiece, the Great Fountain. The Renaissance is next: Perugia’s history and glory are illustrated in a stunning frescoed Renaissance guildhall. And wait til you see the splendid 14th century courthouse (with medieval “yardsticks” set into the walls) – and a 19-th c frescoed pastry shop.
Wish to meet “the locals”, discover the local artisans, find the best chocolate, taste the best cappuccino and hot chocolate in Umbria? Just ask.
Eager to see another hill town after our Perugia half/day tour? What about nearby Deruta?
Giuseppa welcomes all guests as “long-lost relatives”
You’ll want to meet famed elderly maiolica painter, Raffaello, as he paints masterpieces on the urns, vases, goblets formed by the talented “wizard-of-the-(potter’s)-wheel”, Massimo. Their passione can be matched only by that of Giuseppa, farm woman: for the land and the fruits of the land. She’s a dear friend and one of Deruta’s treasures.
Amything missing? Please let me know. My aim in any tour: to enrich your Italy stay with countless treasured memories. A promise.
Click here to read more on Deruta passione – for maiolica, for country cooking
Read about unforgettable Giuseppa
Click here to read more about Giuseppa
Agenzia Viaggi Stoppini in Assisi handles all technical support for my guided visits (bus transportation, organization of meals, etc)