Private Culinary Tour of Umbria for lovers of the Dolce VitaUmbria is one of the most fantastic regions in Italy for food and wine lovers. It is an unspoiled, beautiful part of the country, full of medieval hamlets, stunning cities, artistic treasures and gourmet goldmines. Umbria is famed for its black truffle, its high end extra virgin Olive Oils, its artisan cured meats and of course its wines. Orvieto, Torgiano and Montefalco are all wine producing areas, and we will bring you to some fabulous cellars to taste the best wines. This tour is designed for lovers of the dolce vita who are looking for a private tour to discover the best the region has to offer, from food and wine to art and scenery- all by your own private chauffeured Mercedes. From Rome, head north into Bella Umbria. Your base for the tour is Bevagna, a fairy tale hamlet located south of Assisi and north of Spoleto. This little gem of a village is of Etruscan origin, and later was an important Roman town, which they called “Mevania”. You can still see the impressive remnants of a 2nd Century Roman Amphitheatre and Temple, and the Roman Mosaics in the local museum are not to be missed. Most of what you will see in Bevagna however dates back to medieval times, giving it a romantic atmosphere. A maze of winding streets, most of which end up at the main piazza, the Piazza Silvestri, Bevagna is full of beautiful historical architecture. The Palazzo dei Consoli, for example, is a gothic masterpiece. For a tiny hamlet, Bevagna has some fantastic restaurants. Like many towns in Umbria, the cuisine here is rich in truffles. There are many hearty soups made of farro and lentils, game is quite common (wild boar, pheasant, etc) and mountain lamb is a delicacy. The wines you are most likely to find here are the fantastic Sagrantino DOCG wines, made in nearby Montefalco. Over the next five days, you will enjoy an array of experiences. Your first day includes a spectacular lunch at Giancarlo Vissani´s mythical eatery. You´ll visit small, boutique wineries; enjoy an olive oil tasting at a historic “Frantoio” and a private truffle hunt near the beautiful town of Città del Castello; visit a tiny hamlet totally dedicated to ceramic making; and even try your hand at the art of Umbrian cuisine, with your own private cooking class in a beautiful venue. You will see some of the most beautiful towns in Umbria including Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto, Orvieto and some darling villages like Montefalco and of course Bevagna. This is a splendid, short introduction to the best Umbria has to offer. Umbria Culinary Tour Highlights:
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Below is a suggested Day By Day Itinerary for your private Umbria Culinary Tour Day One - Gourmet Lunch with Giancarlo Vissani & Wine Tasting at Falesco
Duomo Orvieto This itinerary works well, starting in Rome but can also begin in Tuscany or Marche, it is a private tour just for you. AM Your chauffeur will pick you up in Rome at your desired destination and transfer you by your own private luxury Mercedes to Umbria. You will begin your tour with a stop in Orvieto (about and hour and a half drive). The wine town of Orvieto rises majestically on a cliff nestled above the Paglia river. The main landmark that can be seen from afar is the dramatic 13th century cathedral with its frescoes by Signorelli. This wealthy town houses many beautiful palazzos, towers and churches. Enjoy some free time in Orvieto to sightsee, take in the Archeological Museum with its Etruscan reminders, visit the 2500 year-old Pozzo della Cava (a fascinating underground tour), or have an aperitif of the zippy Orvieto Classico wine on a fabulous piazza. In the nearby town of Baschi, you will have a terrific gourmet experience at one of the best restaurants in Italy- Giancarlo Vissani, acclaimed Italian chef. This is a treat! In the afternoon, take in some wine tasting at a cult winery such as Falesco, owned and run by the guru winemaker Cotarella brothers. Transfer to tiny medieval jewel village of Bevagna, about an hour´s drive. Your hotel is a small mansion, dating back to the 1700´s, now a boutique hotel. Free evening in Bevagna. Overnight: 4* Historic and Charming Hotel - suite Meals Included in Price: VIP wine tasting, Gourmet Tasting Menu Lunch with various courses and top wines Transfers: Day Two - Excursion to Spoleto & Cooking Class in Bevagna
Venue for your cooking class in Bevagna Today you will enjoy a morning visit to the magnificently preserved medieval town of Spoleto. Renowned for its fantastic summer festival “Festival dei Due Mondi”, Spoleto is delightful. It is the Umbrian city with the greatest number of Roman ruins (including an amphitheatre) and also is home to artistic masterpieces by Renaissance painter Pinturicchio. You’ll have free time, with your driver on hand, to take in sightseeing, shopping, etc in Spoleto. Lunch on your own in Spoleto with recommendations. In the late afternoon, head back to Bevagna where you will receive your own private cooking class in a gorgeous venue. You’ll learn how to prepare two Umbrian courses and then you’ll sit down to a full dinner, (including your own creations) paired with excellent local wines. This is memorable and an intimate experience. Enjoy a stroll around tiny Bevagna after dinner and retire to your cozy hotel. Overnight: 4* Historic and Charming Hotel - suite Meals Included in Price: Full Breakfast, Cooking class followed by Full Dinner with wines Transfers: Bevagna – Spoleto - Bevagna Day Three - VIP Wine Tasting at Caprai & Olive Oil Tasting in Montefalco
Your Romantic Hotel in Umbria Today is a wine tasting extravaganza. You will discover the surprisingly little known Sagrantino di Montefalco wines and visit small, superb producers. Your first private VIP winery visit today will be at a top name such as Caprai, an estate credited with reviving interest in the noble Sagrantino grape. After a private tour and tasting, lunch is on the agenda. This will be a treat, at an authentic Umbrian trattoria run by two charming sisters. They also have an olive oil mill and you will be privy to an interesting olive oil tasting at the historic frantoio (mill). Their olive oil business dates back to 1915! Take a stroll around the tiny hamlet of Montefalco after lunch and the olive oil tasting. Named as a homage to 13th century King Frederick the 2nd, who loved hunting with his falcon, Montefalco is also referred to as the “Balcony of Umbria”, due to its strategic hill topped position and panoramic views. Enjoy a walk through the narrow medieval alleyways and take in the views of the surrounding vineyards. The oldest Sagrantino grapevine is here (150 years old) and is vigilantly protected in the closed monastery of St.Chiara! Before returning to Bevagna, you’ll visit a second, excellent producer such as Paolo Bea. Paolo Bea is a small, artisan and organic winery, making great Sagrantinos. This is a very special cellar and your visit will be most memorable. Free evening. Overnight: 4* Historic and Charming Hotel - suite Meals Included in Price: Full Breakfast, lunch with wines, visit and tasting at top wineries, olive oil tasting Transfers: Bevagna – Montefalco - Bevagna Day Four - Truffle Hunting & Cooking Class
Gabriella explains the importance of truffles Get ready to taste prized truffles today! In the morning you will head to beautiful Città di Castello, about an hour and fifteen minutes to the north. Gabriella and Saverio will give you an orientation to the local truffle- local traditions; the folklore and the actual physical conditions that create the prized tuber. Next up, you will partake in your own private truffle hunt! Gabriella will then show you how you can use and cook truffles and you will all have a convivial truffle based lunch together. After lunch, visit a local producer of Vin Santo, the “Holy Wine”. If time permits, your driver is on hand to escort you to little hamlets for some more sightseeing in the late afternoon. Otherwise, head back to Bevagna for a free evening. Back to the hotel and free evening. Overnight: 4* Historic and Charming Hotel - suite Meals Included in Price: Full Breakfast, lunch with wines, truffle hunt and tasting, visit and tasting at winery Transfers: Bevagna – Città di Castello - Bevagna Day Five - Privately Guided Tour of Assisi
Perugia is famous for its Chocolate - Today you will change the pace a bit and take in some of Umbria´s best art cities- Assisi and Perugia. - Morning visit to Assisi. The walled town of Assisi is one of the loveliest towns in Italy. Perched on Mount Subasio, Assisi´s glimmering white marble facades sparkle from afar. You will have your own private art guide, who will give you a tour of the main highlights of Assisi such as the Unesco heritage Basilica of St. Francesco d’Assisi, and the massive 14th-century Rocca Maggiore - a hill fortress that offers fabulous views over the valley and Perugia in the distance. St Francis was born here in 1182, and work began on his basilica two years after his death. You’ll see frescoes by Giotto here! - The town's many wonderful churches include Santa Maria Maggiore, San Pietro and St Clare. Despite being firmly on the tourist circuit, it retains its beauty and dignity, and offers so much to see. Lunch on your own in Assisi with our suggestions. Transfer to Perugia. Right in the heart of Umbria, this ancient city (older than Rome) retains a superb medieval core. Enjoy some free time, with your driver on hand to take in a visit to the Chocolate museum and some sightseeing of the myriad piazzas and palazzos. On the way back to your hotel you can stop in Deruta, a historic village famous throughout the world for its ceramics and majolica production. - Evening arrival to your hotel. Overnight: 4* Luxurious Villa Hotel in Tuscan countryside Meals Included in Price: Full Breakfast Transfers: Bevagna – Assisi – Perugia – Deruta - Bevagna Day Six - End of Tour
Umbrian winelands - After a full breakfast at your hotel and at your preferred time, your chauffeur will pick you up for your transfer to your next port of call- the airport/Rome. Meals Included in Price: Full breakfast Transfers: Bevagna- departure airport or central Rome What's Included:
What's Not Included:
Prices:This is a SAMPLE TOUR ITINERARY. Please note that our private chauffeured luxury tours are totally customized to your needs and price varies according to the number of people in your group (please note tours require minimum 2 guests), specific suppliers included, number of services included,specific dates, transport type etc. Contact us today for more information and we would be delighted to get started on a tailor made detailed itinerary with pricing for you.
More Information:If you would like Cellar Tours to customize a Culinary Tour in Italy or Luxury Gourmet Day Excursion in Italy, contact us with your requirements, and we can send you a free itinerary and quote with no obligations. We offer luxury food and wine tours throughout Italy for private groups. All of our private, chauffeured tours are available year round upon request for your group of minimum 2 people.
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