Heart and Soul of Italy Tour: Umbria to Abruzzo

One of the few regions in Italy without a coastline of its own, Umbria enjoys an elevated vantage point in the rugged hills and craggy mountains of the Apennine range. Into this rustic atmosphere you will plunge on your first day on this Italian tour after your flight arrives at the main Roman Airport. The remainder of the day will be yours to explore the abundant artistic treasures, historical sites, and natural beauty that pervade this rural region.

Contemporary Umbria is known as a center for many gastronomic successes, not the least of which include chocolate, truffles, and a variety of wines that dazzle the senses. Today, after departing your hotel, you will enjoy a comfortable orientation of this savory heritage with visits to the hilltop towns of Montepulciano, Borgo Solomeo, and the serene shores of Lake Trasimeno. As you sample the famous wines on offer, you can feel the cool comfort of a rocky wine cave and take in the panoramic views of the lake. During your time here, the culinary and aesthetic appeal of this rugged region will be revealed.

Whereas the day before, you were only a passive observer of the world-renowned wine and food production, today, you will be able to roll up your sleeves and take a stab at showing your own kitchen prowess with a cooking course in the most sacred of Italian institutions, the kitchen. With pasta softening and sauces simmering, you will receive an orientation on traditional Italian cooking methods and techniques before being able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Thus, with your appetite appeased,  you will be able to spend the remainder of the day at your leisure.

After enjoying the hospitality of your devoted staff at your Umbrian hotel, you will depart this land that you have learned to love and make your way to Ascoli Piceno, the capital of the Marche region. This charming village will provide you with a peaceful setting for your next four nights. The village also comes equipped with delicious restaurants and bars, spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, and some excellent examples of ancient Roman ruins. After you arrive, you will have the remainder of the day to explore this village at your own pace.

Like so many communities in Italy, Ascoli Piceno is an outstanding environment to observe Italy’s unique love affair with open plazas that punctuate the otherwise dense city centers. Today, you will be able to observe this trend as well as a host of other memorable attractions during your guided tour. From the stunning facades of the Palazzo Dell’ Argegno to the faithful columns of the Cathedral of St. Emidio, this tour will ensure that the historical and architectural splendor of the town is fully appreciated. In the afternoon, you will be able to relax at your leisure.

The Marche region holds many authentic Italian treasures, both secular and religious, that have attracted visitors for centuries. After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, you will depart your comfortable accommodations for the nearby town of Loreto, a medieval town that offers commanding views of the surrounding countryside. Upon your arrival, you will embark on a tour of this famous pilgrimage site, which will include visits to the Basilica della Santa Casa as well as the underground caves of Camerano. The caves, in particular, offer a subterranean glimpse of the Catholic artwork and ornaments that imbue this entire town.

Offering visitors the most protected land of all of Italy's autonomous regions,  the natural beauty of Abruzzo is well displayed for the intrepid traveler that departs the popular cities to explore this wild corner of the country. Into this pristine natural landscape you will leap on your final day of this vacation. After breakfast, you will depart your hotel for the hilltop villages and national parks that await you. Santo Stefano di Sessanio will be your first stop and will offer you a charming look at life in rural Italy before you make your way to Calascio and its impressive 11th-century castle.

As dawn breaks on your final day, you can rest assured knowing that you have seen a different and authentic side of Italy that is often missed by those who stick to the beaten path. After bidding a fond arrivederci to your attentive hotel staff, you will be transferred to the nearby Ancona airport for your departing flight.