Compare Choose Your Pace: Walking the Hill Towns of Umbria by Road Scholar vs Gourmet Food & Fine Wine Tuscany Tours by Alma Italia

Day 1
In Transit to Program
In Flight

Day 2
Arrive Rome, Transfer to Foligno, Check-In, Orientation
Foligno D Hotel Italia
Activity note: Hotel check in is at 2:00 PM.

Dinner: Welcome Dinner at the hotel. Water is included in the program cost at all meals.

Evening: Welcome drink and orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Hikers will have the option of choosing between hikes of different levels of difficulty, organized into groups based on preference and ability. Sites visited may vary based on the hiking level you choose for that day. Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Day 3
Olive Oil Walk, Bevagna, Medieval Paper Manufacturing
Foligno B,L,D Hotel Italia
Activity note: Three hiking options to choose from today. Easiest: walking on city streets and cobblestones. Intermediate: 4.6 miles, 719 feet elevation change. Most challenging: 5.6 miles, 719 feet elevation change in the morning and 2 miles with minimal elevation gain in the afternoon.

Breakfast: At the hotel. On this program, breakfasts will offer a typical European style breakfast buffet with breads, cheeses, cold-cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea and water.

Morning: All groups transfer by private coach to Gualdo Cattaneo and enjoy a short visit of the hamlet. The intermediate and most challenging groups begin the walk towards Torre del Colle. The easiest group will explore the Fortress of Gualdo Cattaneo and then transfer to Torre del Colle. Here, the intermediate group will join them and transfer together by private coach to the olive mill. The challenging group continues walking to the olive mill. Once at the mill, all groups will learn about olive oil.

Lunch: At the olive mill.

Afternoon: The most challenging group will walk through vineyards and olive groves to the serene and handsome medieval town of Bevagna (662 feet). This town has two of Umbria's finest Romanesque churches. The easiest and intermediate groups take a private coach to Bevagna and enjoy some free time and visit a medieval paper manufacturer to learn the techniques of this ancient art. After the most challenging group has arrived in Bevagna, everyone will transfer back to the hotel together.

Dinner: Plated meal at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4
Collepino to Spello along the Roman Aqueduct
Foligno B,L,D Hotel Italia
Activity note: Three hiking options to choose from today. Easiest: 1.8 miles, 646 feet elevation change. Intermediate: 3.5 miles, 1237 elevation change. Most challenging 1.5 miles, 1358 feet elevation change in the early morning and 3.5 miles, 1237 feet elevation change in the late morning.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: The most challenging group will have an early morning transfer to the southern side of Mount Subasio to Madonna della Spella, an old chapel for shepherds on the mountain. The view from here covers a great part of Umbria. The walk descends down towards Collepino, a medieval gem of a hamlet, along meadows, through woods gently winding down. The intermediate and easiest groups will transfer by private coach to the tiny hamlet of Collepino. All three groups will walk from Collepino. The intermediate and most challenging groups will walk to Spello, a former Roman town that is known today for its medieval character. The easiest group will be picked up halfway and transferred to Spello. The easiest group will have some time to visit the Capella Bahlioni in Spello with the Pinturicchio frescoes.

Lunch: A special meal will be served at a local restaurant in Spello.

Afternoon: Transfer back to the hotel and enjoy some free time to see and do what interests you the most.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 5
St. Francis Hermitage, Assisi
Foligno B,D Hotel Italia
Activity note: Three hiking options to choose from today. Easiest: walking on city streets and cobblestones. Intermediate: 2.4 miles, 1715 feet elevation change. Most challenging: 2 miles, 1064 feet elevation change in the early morning and 2.4 miles, 1715 feet elevation change in the late morning.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: The most challenging group will leave in the early morning and transfer to Mount Subasio for a morning walk to the hermitage of St. Francis. The easiest and intermediate groups will transfer directly to the hermitage. All three groups will visit the hermitage together. After the visit, the most challenging and intermediate groups walk to Assisi. The easiest group is transferred to Assisi to spend some extra time in Assisi. Assisi is visible for miles around, tucked under the ridge of Monte Subasio. The tranquil backstreets and homes with geranium-filled window boxes make you feel like you are walking back in time.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: Guided visit of the Basilica of St. Francis and some free time before transfering back to the hotel.

Dinner: Plated meal at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 6
Perugia
Foligno B,D Hotel Italia
Activity note: Today's walk will be an approximate 2.5 hour city walk for all, at a slower "learning" pace to take in the history and beauty of Perugia. The intermediate and most challenging groups will have an afternoon urban trek of approximately 2 hours.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Transfer by train to Perugia (673 feet) where a stop will be made for a city walk. Perugia is one of the twelve Etruscan city-states, the regional capital, and home to one of the largest state universities in the country.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: The easiest group enjoys a free afternoon in Perugia before returning by train back to the hotel. Others will enjoy a guided urban trek before transferring back by train to the hotel.

Dinner: Plated meal at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 7
Montefalco, Wine Country
Foligno B,L Hotel Italia
Activity note: Three hiking options to choose from today. Easiest: 2.43 miles, 402 feet elevation change. Intermediate: 5.3 miles, with more than 1000 feet of elevation changes. Most challenging: 5.3 miles, with more than 1000 feet of elevation changes in the morning and 3.3 miles with 1086 feet elevation change in the afternoon.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to Montefalco. All three groups start walking towards the Colleciocco winery, north of Montefalco (1552 feet). This Umbrian valley offers wonderful views of the cities Assisi and Trevi. Walk through woods and open fields to the winery. After 1.5 hours, the easiest group will be picked up and transferred to Montefalco to explore. Once all groups are at the winery, enjoy an expert-led excursion through the winery and conclude with a wine tasting.

Lunch: Plated meal at the winery in conjunction with the wine tasting.

Afternoon: The easiest and intermediate groups will visit the Museum of St. Francis with the Benozzoli frescoes before being transferred back to the hotel. The most challenging group will walk back to the hotel.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 8
Monte Patrico, Truffle Hunt, Monteluco
Foligno B,L,D Hotel Italia
Activity note: Three hiking options to choose from today. Easiest: 1.5 miles with 510 feet of elevation change. Intermediate: 1.5 miles with 510 feet of elevation change in the morning. 1.2 miles with 1443 feet of elevation change in the afternoon. Most challenging: 2 miles with 800 feet of elevation change in the early morning. 5.3 miles with 1000 feet of elevation change in the morning. 1.2 miles with 1443 feet of elevation change in the afternoon.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: The most challenging group will begin to walk towards the truffle farm whereas the easiest and intermediate groups will visit the Sacred Wood and hermitage before they transfer by private coach to Monte Patrico (3280 feet) for an educational truffle hunt. Monte Patrico is located above the town of Spoleto, on the summit of the Calnerina Mountains known for its rugged beauty. Once all groups have arrived, the truffle farmer will give a talk and teach you how to properly hunt for truffles.

Lunch: Eat with the truffle farmer at his home.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, the easiest group will be transferred to Spoleto for a guided city walk. The intermediate and most challenging groups walk down to Spoleto, one of Umbria's loveliest hill towns. In Spoleto (1299 feet), view the Ponte delle Torri, a bridge and aqueduct of ten towering arches linking Spoleto with the slopes of Monteluco; it is one of the greatest engineering works of the Trecento. Walk to the upper part of the town center before taking the coach back to the hotel.

Dinner: Farewell Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 9
Departures
In Flight B
Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: After breakfast, transfer by private coach (approx. 2.5 hours) to the Rome airport. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures.

Day 1:  Arrival

On arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by your new friends from Alma Italia. You can relax in the safety and security of a private transfer to your hotel. The next four nights you will be staying in a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of the Chianti Classico producing region. Spend the afternoon taking a swim in the stunning outdoor pool with a panoramic hilltop view overlooking the Chianti scenery, followed by sunset drinks on the terrace before dinner at the hotel. Bliss!

Vineyard sunset

Day 2: Chianti wine and olive oil tasting

Your local English speaking Alma Italia wine guide will meet you at your accommodation after breakfast for a full day of the best wine tasting in Tuscany. Indulge your love of Italian food in Tuscany, and enjoy a full-day tour that combines a cooking class and wine tasting. Following the cooking class enjoy lunch at the estate tasting yet more wines and tasting local olive oils.

In the late afternoon visit the village of Fiesole, overlooking Florence admiring the view before driving down the hill to experience the Renaissance capital of Italy up close. The town and its surroundings are full of charm, character, and history. Enjoy a traditional Tuscan dinner in a trattoria in Florence adored by locals for generations paired with their wine suggestions.

Florence bridge

Day 3: Relaxing cycle through the Tuscan countryside

Your Alma Italia guide will meet you at your accommodation after breakfast for a morning bike ride – Our private rides are tailored to clients’ specific preferences and biking abilities . You’ll cycle at your own pace on peaceful country lanes, through an endless panorama of vineyards, olive groves and centuries-old stone farmhouses. Along the vineyard cycle route enjoy a morning tour and tasting, and you’ll also enjoy a truly delicious Tuscan lunch featuring local products and wine pairings in a stunning Tuscan wine

estate. Relax with private transfers back to your accommodation for a swim in the pool and time to soak up some early evening sun.

Vine bike Tuscany wine tours

Day 4: Explore Siena and the surrounding vineyards

Enjoy a slow morning with a late breakfast and time to relax and enjoy the panoramic outdoor pool with incredible Chianti vineyard views. For those who want to be pampered by different wellness treatments, the hotel offers a range of spa treatments. Private wine tours in Tuscany should be relaxing after all!

Your Alma Italia host and driver will arrive later to take you into Siena for the day! Siena, built on three hills and surrounded by well-preserved walls, is filled with fine examples of Gothic architecture and has one of the world’s most unique piazzas, Piazza dal Campo, dominated by the greatest Gothic building in Tuscany, the Palazzo Pubblico.

Siena Duomo Italy wine week

Day 5: Maremma – Tuscany by the sea

In the morning, relax as your private driver whisks you through the beautiful countryside to the Maremma coast in southern Tuscany. You will feel instantly renewed as you see the blue Mediterraean sea stretch out before you. We will stop on the way to visit an esteemed award winning up and coming vineyard run by 2 generations of the same Tuscan family. You will notice how the proximity to the sea impacts on the wine, so different to that of Chianti Classico but no less delicious! The Maremma is now widely regarded as one of the regions to experience the best wine tasting in Ital and is definately a highlight on our private wine tours in Tuscany

The next Four night’s accommodation will be in an elegant, historic and unique small hotel situated on Tuscany’s Argentario peninsula. A former island off the coast of Tuscany, now connected to the mainland via three narrow sandbars, Monte Argentario is a hidden beach paradise for those looking to mingle sea and mountain fun, all in one place. A special place where the Italian elite seeking out a hidden getaway enjoy the groves of Argentario’s coastline. The two restaurants (one of which is Michelin star) offer unique atmospheres, they share mouth-wateringly good traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist, taste bud tingling vintages and stylish surroundings.

Tuscany wine tours

Day 6: Monte Argentario by private boat

A special day today as your Alma Italia guide takes you on a private boat for a day on the water to explore the coastline of Monte Argentario and Isola Giannutri, an incredible small island unspoiled and breathtaking in the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. Shaped like a half moon , the island of Giannutri will bedazzle you with its unique underwater world and the ruins of imposing Roman villas. It is a simply stunning place to explore and relax with a lunch on the island and swimming in the crystal clear waters to refresh yourself in the afternoon.

Monte Argentario by private boat Italy tours

Day 7: Port Ercole and Morellino di Scansano

A day to explore. Head to 16th century Forte Stella at Porto Ercole, built in the shape of a star and a remnant from the island’s former Spanish invaders. Take a walk along the high-end boutiques of Porto Ercole towards the ‘borgo antico’ or old part of the village, continue towards the ‘la rocca’ fortress for amazing views with lunch in the old town. Or simply relax and enjoy the panoramic Seaview from the pool.

In the afternoon we will continue our wine tasting Italy tour with a visit to vineyard in Morellino di Scansano, now one of the most popular appellations for local Tuscans who consider the small area as offering some of the best wine tasting in Tuscany.

Vineyard san Gimigiano

Day 8: Italian food and wine by the beach

Bike to the Beach!

Your Alma Italia guide will meet you at your accommodation after breakfast for a full day of beaches, biking and of course, some of the best wine tasting in Italy. – Our private bike routes have optional extensions, so you can choose the perfect amount of biking to suit your ability. The ride takes you through medieval towns, beautiful vistas and ends at the Tyrrehnian sea with a swim along the way. Enjoy an amazing local lunch to end the trip – A wide range of local flavours ensure a stunning Tuscan lunch paired with wines in a memorable setting. Late afternoon (chauffeured) transfers back to your accommodation.

Tuscany wine tours

Day 9: Time to say Arrividerci

After a final breakfast in the hotel, relax with private transfers to the airport for your flight home.