SECRET ITALY

Day 1 Depart London Stansted to Perugia. Seven nights at Dei Priori in Assisi. Aperitif at the Assisi home of your tour host who will describe his collection of Roman, Byzantine and Medieval art.

Day 2 Tour of Assisi’s St. Francis’ Basilica decorated with frescoes by the greatest 14th-century Masters. Drive to the medieval mountain village of Spello to see the frescoes by Pinturicchio. Return passing Mount Subasio visiting St. Francis’ Hermitage and other Franciscan churches. (B)

Day 3 Scenic drive through southern Umbria to Orvieto and its Cathedral, a jewel of medieval architecture and art, including Signorelli’s frescoes of the Last Judgement. Return via Todi, a mountain village with fine views. (B)

Day 4 Travel to Ravenna for a tour, visiting the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, San Vitale, San Apollinare Nuovo and San Apollinare in Classe, all decorated with glorious 5th and 6th-century Byzantine mosaics. (B)

Day 5 Day at leisure. A local expert presents Umbrian wines at a buffet supper in your host’s home. (B, D)

Day 6 A scenic journey to Urbino to visit the Oratories of St. John the Baptist and St. Joseph and, the magnificent Renaissance Ducale Palace. Visit the medieval town of Gubbio and the Palazzo dei Consoli, famous for its bronze tablets inscribed in the ancient Umbrian and Etruscan language. (B)

Day 7 Drive to the capital of Umbria, Perugia. Visit the underground medieval streets, imposing Corso, main square adorned with a 13th century fountain by Pisano and the 14th century Palazzo dei Priori with its magnificent collection of early Italian paintings. Continue to the Roman mosaic of Orpheus and Lake Trasimeno, where Hannibal defeated the Romans in 217 BC, taking the ferry across the lake to an island at the centre for a celebratory farewell lunch. (B, L)

Day 8 Return flight to London Stansted. (B)

• Key
• B - Breakfast
• L - Lunch
• D - Dinner

The Assisi Calendimaggio Festival, in praise of Spring, is a competition between the Lower Part of the City (Magnifico Parte de Sotto) and the Upper Part (Nobielissima Parte de Sopra) with 1,000 participants.  It is a serious evocation of medieval life judged by a Professor of Medieval History, a Professor of Medieval Music, and a professional in theatrical presentation. 

Day 1 Depart from London Stansted to Perugia. Seven nights at your chosen hotel in Assisi. Beginning of the Calendimaggio. The Mayor presents the keys of the city to the Maistro di Campo, the Judges are presented and the two Parts enter in procession. Evening visit to the Assisi home of your tour host for a buffet supper, accompanied by Umbrian wines explained by a local expert. (D)

Day 2 Tour of Assisi’s St. Francis’ Basilica decorated with frescoes by the greatest 14th-century Masters. Drive to the medieval mountain village of Spello to see the frescoes by Pinturicchio. Return to Assisi for the afternoon Calendimaggio. Each part enters the Piazza in splendid processions. Medieval competitions of archery, crossbow, sled race, and tug of war, to select Madonna Primavera, Lady Spring. (B)

Day 3 Scenic drive through southern Umbria to Orvieto and its Cathedral, a jewel of medieval architecture and art, including Signorelli’s frescoes of the Last Judgement. Return via Todi, a mountain village with fine views. Calendimaggio evening: Spectacular torchlight procession by each Part. (B)

Day 4 In Assisi visit the Franciscan churches of San Damiano, St Mary of the Angels, which contains St Francis' original chapel and the place where he died, and the Basilica of St Clare. Afternoon climax of Calendimaggio, when each Part, in turn, presents a pageant. Late evening, Calendimaggio: Choral competition of medieval music by each part, after which the judges retire to consider their verdict and the Palio is awarded, usually around midnight. (B)

Day 5 Travel to Ravenna for a tour, visiting the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, San Vitale, San Apollinare Nuovo and San Apollinare in Classe, all decorated with glorious 5th and 6th-century Byzantine mosaics. (B)

Day 6 A scenic journey to Urbino to visit the Oratories of St John the Baptist, with its frescoes by Salibene, and of St Joseph, with its crib, and then the magnificent Renaissance Palace with Duke Federico da Montefeltro's marquetry walled Studiolo (Study)  and its magnificent collection of pictures: 'The Flagellation' and 'The Sanigelllia Madonna' by Piero della Francesca, 'The Ideal City', and the beautiful portrait 'La Muta' by Raphael.  On the return journey visiting the medieval town of Gubbio with its Palazzo dei Consoli for the world famous bronze tablets inscribed with the ancient Umbrian and Etruscan language. (B)

Day 7 Drive to Perugia, the capital of Umbria. Visit the medieval underground streets, imposing Corso, main square adorned with a 13th century Fountain by Pisano, 14th century Palazzo dei Priori, with its magnificent collection of early Italian paintings. Continue to the Roman mosaic of Orpheus and Lake Trasimeno, where Hannibal defeated the Romans in 217 BC, taking the ferry across the lake to an island at the centre for a celebratory farewell lunch. (B,L)

Day 8 Return flight to London Stansted.

• Key
• B - Breakfast
• L - Lunch
• D - Dinner

Day 1 Depart London Stansted to Perugia.  Seven nights at your chosen hotel in Assisi.  Aperitif at the Assisi home of your tour host who will describe his collection of Roman, Byzantine and Medieval art.

Day 2 A scenic journey to Urbino to visit the Oratories of St John the Baptist and St Joseph and the magnificent Ducal Palace,  Return via Gubbio, visiting the Palazzo dei Consoli , famous for its bronze tablets inscribed in the ancient Umbrian and Etruscan language. (B)

Day 3 Scenic drive through southern Umbria to Orvieto and its Cathedral, a jewel of medieval architecture and art, including Signorelli’s frescoes of the Last Judgement. Return via Todi, a mountain village with fine views. (B)

Day 4 Travel to Ravenna for a tour, vising the Mausoleum of Galla Placida, San Vitale, San Apollinare Nuovo and San Apollinare in Classe, all decorated with glorious 5th and 6th century Byzantine mosaics. (B)

Day 5 A free day to enjoy the festivities of St Francis with an Umbrian lunch. (B, L)

Day 6 Tour of Assisi's St Francis Basilica decorated with frescoes by the greatest 14th century artists.  Drive to the medieval mountain village of Spello to see the frescoes by Pintoricchio.  Return through Monte Subasio visiting St Francis' hermitage and the Franciscan churches of San Damiano, St Mary of the Angels and St Clare's Basilica. (B)

Day 7 Drive to Perugia, the capital of Umbria.  Visit the underground medieval streets, imposing Corso, main square adorned with a 13th century Fountain by Pisano and visit the 14th century Palazzo dei Priori with its magnificent collection of early Italian paintings.  Stopping to see a Roman mosaic of Orpheus, continue to Lake Trasimeno, where Hannibal defeated the Romans in 217 BC, taking the ferry across the lake to a central island for a celebratory farewell lunch. (B,L) 

Day 8 Return flight to London Stansted.

• Key
• B - Breakfast
• L - Lunch
• D - Dinner