CENTRAL HOLIDAYS - ITALY

61 / 84

61 For more information, call: 800-935-5000 or visit:
DAY 1 I ROME I GUBBIO Upon arrival proceed to baggage claim. After
clearing customs, you will be met by our local representative and
transferred to your hotel in Gubbio, the oldest town in the Umbria
region as shown by the Tables of Gubbio housed in the City Museum
and the Roman Theatre's ruins. Rich in historical and artistic heritage
as well as in ancient traditions that can be found intact in its folklore
and products, Gubbio is a town of ochre colored houses, tiled
rooftops, towers and narrow cobbled streets. Tonight enjoy a gourmet
dinner at your hotel, a most beautifully restored 17th century
monastery. (D)
DAY 2 I GUBBIO In the morning you will join a truffle hunter and his
dogs on his daily truffle hunt in the unspoiled Umbrian forests. Learn
during this unique experience all there is to know about two main
types of truffles (“tartufi” in Italian): the precious black truffle - Tuber
melanosporum, and the summer black truffle - Tuber aestivum.
Afternoon at leisure to relax or to enjoy your included 50 minutes body
message at the hotel’s spa. (B)
DAY 3 I GUBBIO Meet with your guide after breakfast. As you stroll
through a maze of streets, alleys and staircases surrounded by
fortified walls, you will meet local artisans in their studios who will
teach you about the ancient art of pottery, wood engraving and iron
works. After a salumi and cheese tasting you will continue your tour
with a visit of St. Francis church and San Martino neighborhood. You
will then stop by the Bargello Fountain, also known as “Fontana dei
Matti” (Fountain of the Madmen) as folklore has it that if you complete
three laps around the fountain you officially become a lunatic.
Continue to the impressive Piazza Grande home to Palazzo dei
Consoli, a towering Gothic building of limestone lined with narrow
arched windows. The tour will end with dinner at a local restaurant.
(B,D)
DAY 4 I GUBBIO I PERUGIA I GUBBIO This morning we head to
Perugia, the region’s capital city. After a wine tasting session held at
a charming estate dating back to the 13th century, you will enjoy a
visit of the chocolate factory known for its production of the ”Baci
Perugina”. The tour will end with a visit of Perugia. The town’s
Etruscan past is present in the massive Etruscan walls, while the
Medieval and Renaissance past is present in the elegant buildings
that dot the city. Return to Gubbio in the late afternoon. (B)
DAY 5 I GUBBIO Today learn the secrets of the Umbrian cuisine under
the hotel chef’s guidance. After class, you will be invited to feast on
the dishes you have prepared as you take your seat at the table for
lunch. Rest of the afternoon to relax at the hotel’s spa or to visit, on
your own, the Sant'Ubaldo Monastery, a basilica perched upon the
summit of Mount Ingino amid olive orchards, chestnut trees and wild
flowers. For a unique experience, take the open air funicular that
travels along a wire hanging over the rocky hill. (B,L)
DAY 6 I GUBBIO During the Renaissance, Gubbio's strategic position
and the dominance of wealthy and politically important families
greatly contributed to the development of arts and crafts. At that time,
the fame of Gubbio pottery increased enormously thanks to Mastro
Giorgio’s lustre plates which are among the most relevant pieces of
Italian Renaissance art. Today, enjoy a pottery class and learn all
there is to learn about this unique and traditional technique. Free
afternoon to shop and to relax while enjoying your 25 minute facial at
the hotel's spa. Tonight enjoy dinner at the hotel. (B,D)
DAY 7 I GUBBIO I ROME TO USA (OR EXTEND YOUR STAY) Morning
transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
(B) Breakfast - (L) Lunch - (D) Dinner
INCLUDED FEATURES
•Deluxe class hotel accommodation for 6 nights
•10 included meals consisting of:
- 6 buffet breakfasts
- 1 lunch at hotel
- 2 dinners at hotel
- 1 dinner at local restaurant
•Assistance of a professional local Representative
•Sightseeing, including local guide and all entrance fees
as follows:
- Truffle hunting tour (during certain time of the year the
truffle hunting tour might be substituted with 1.25 hour
stone massage at hotel spa)
- Tour of artisanal shops in Gubbio followed by salumi
and cheese tasting
- Full day excursion to Perugia including wine tasting
and visit of Perugina chocolate factory
- Cooking class at hotel
- Pottery class at a local artisan’s workshop
- 50 minutes body message, 25 minutes facial and
access to spa facilities at hotel
•Round trip transfers from Rome airport to hotel
•Baggage handling
•Document holder and luggage tags
•Hotel taxes and service charges
PRICED FROM
Deluxe class hotels: $2,739
Price is per person, based on double occupancy.
PREFERRED HOTELS (or similar)
City Nts. Hotels Cat.
Gubbio 6 Park Hotel Ai Cappuccini Deluxe class
Wine and chocolates of Umbria