Slow Umbria - Tour de Forks

Pricing Notes

Cost: Euros 1,469 per person,
based on double occupancy

Departures in 2013:

May 12 - 17, June 16 - 21, July 21 - 26, September 15 - 20, September 29 - October 4, October 20 - 25, November 3 - 8. Guaranteed Departures.

Inclusions:

5 nights in 4* hotels
Breakfast Buffet Daily
4 meals based on traditional regional dishes, including a selection of regional wines: 1 Slow Food welcome dinner; 2 dinners at "Osterie d'Italia" typical Slow Food restaurants; 1 light lunch at the Enoteca Regionale of Umbria winery; 6 guided tastings of Slow Food wines and/or Presidia products from the Umbria region
Entrance Fees To: The Chocolate Museum, Perugia; Duomo Cathedral, Orvieto; St. Francis Basilica, Assisi; Funicolare (cable car), Orvieto; Guided visit of Orvieto (half day); Guided visit of Assisi ( half day)
Travel in state-of the-art, luxury motor coaches
Baggage Handling for the full duration of the tour
Professional Tour Directors and licensed local guides as per itinerary
VAT 21%

Not Included:

International and domestic airfares; excess baggage charges; airport arrival and departure taxes; travel insurance; meals, wines, or sightseeing not included in itinerary; personal expenses such as laundry and communication charges; gratuities, email/fax/telephone charges, and hotel minibar.

Slow Umbria

Tour de Forks is pleased to collaborate with Slow Food to present a special 6 day/5 night escorted tour to discover Umbria, the so-called "Green Heart of Italy", a region not only covered with lush green hills but also ancient towns with cobblestone streets, stunning cathedrals and old fortresses, a region of delicious, hearty food and great wines. The starting point of the tour is Orvieto, whose cathedral is a gothic masterpiece. Next is Todi, followed by St. Francis in Assisi, and then to Perugia with its Etruscan walls, 16th century palaces, and chocolate factories. The tour will then touch the shores of the Trasimeno Lake, and include much more.

Tour participants will have the opportunity to sample wines and/or local typical products at wineries, bakeries, pastry shops, farms, fresh produce markets and more, such as: the famous Sagrantino wine; the wine and local fare of the Palazzo del Gusto, Enoteca Regionale dell'Umbria winery; the Baci and other chocolate pralines at the Perugina Chocolate Museum; the typical traditional cakes and pastries of Perugia and Orvieto.

During the tour the participants will not only discover delightful food and wine but also the most interesting monuments, works of art, churches and natural landscapes of the region: Orvieto, situated on top of a rock offering the most splendid of views, with the wonderful Gothic Cathedral; Todi, yet another splendid medieval little town full of ancient buildings and tiny streets; Assisi, a spiritual place home of the Basilica of St. Francis; Perugia, perched on a hill, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful ancient towns in Italy; Lake Trasimeno, one of Italy's largest lakes and the characteristic towns and villages around it, such as Magione and Castiglione del Lago

ITINERARY

Day 1: Rome
Arrival at Rome airport and transfer to your hotel in Rome on your own. Time to settle in, meet tour escort and welcome dinner in typical restaurant: Grappolo d'oro. During the evening there will be an introduction to the tour and to the Slow Food philosophy, the activities of the association and the Terra Madre Foundation. Transfer to your hotel and overnight stay. (Dinner)

Day 2: Orvieto, Todi
Morning departure to Orvieto, situated on top of a rock offering the most splendid of views. Tour of the city, including the Duomo Gothic Cathedral and a visit to the Palazzo del Gusto, head office of the Enoteca Regionale of Umbria where there will be a guided tour and a light lunch consisting of a tasting of Umbrian wines accompanied by local fare. Before heading off there will be a short visit to the Adriano pastry shop to taste Orvieto's typical cakes and desserts, including chocolates made with chilies and saffron. An afternoon visit to Todi, a splendid medieval town, where it is pleasant to wander around and discover the old monuments and craft shops. Transfer to Hotel Alla Posta dei Donini in San Martino in Campo (Perugia) and overnight stay. (Breakfast, lunch, 1 guided tasting of wines and/or products).

Day 3: Castello di Poreta, Perugia
A morning visit to the Castello di Poreta; visit and sample the extra virgin olive oil and the Roveja, a small wild pea (Slow Food Presidium). Transfer to Perugia. Perched on a hill, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. A visit to the Perugina chocolate museum, famous for its Baci Perugina chocolates. Free time to discover the old city. Stop off at the historical Pasticceria Sandri pastry shop. For dinner: the traditional Umbrian dishes at the Osteria La Lumera. Return to the hotel and overnight stay. (Breakfast, 1 guided tasting of wines and/or products, dinner).

Day 4: Assisi, Bevagna, Montefalco
Morning guided tour of Assisi, including the Basilica of St Francis. Continue on to Bevagna, an ancient medieval town that has held on to its characteristics. Free time. On to Montefalco, another splendid town situated on top of a hill, offering spectacular views over the hills. Visit the city and taste the "Sagrantino" wine at the "Cantine di Antonelli", then move to the ancient olive groves - 3,000 plants - belonging to the Romanelli family, to discover the many plant varieties and the extra virgin olive oil production techniques and wines, along with a tasting. Return to the hotel and overnight stay. (Breakfast, 2 guided tastings of wines and/or products)

Day 5: Lake Trasimeno, Magione, Castiglione
Departure for Lake Trasimeno, one of the largest in Italy, to visit some of the characteristic towns around the lake. First stop at the Castello di Magione, visit the cellars and sample the local wines. Departure to Castiglione del Lago and second stop at the Azienda Madrevite. Visit the cellars and take a pleasurable stroll across the vineyards, then sample wine and typical products. Time to discover Castiglione del Lago, followed by dinner at the Trattoria l'Acquario, where traditional dishes, including the Fagiolina del Lago (Slow Food Presidium) will be served. Return to the hotel and overnight stay. (Breakfast, 2 guided tastings of wines and/or products, dinner).

Day 6: Departure
Early morning collective transfer to Termini Train Station in Rome. [Breakfast]

Hotels
The Independent Hotel 4* or similar - Rome
Historical Residence Alla Posta dei Donini 4* or similar - San Martino in Campo (Perugia)