Choose Your Pace: Walking the Hill Towns of Umbria

After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation meeting followed by dinner.

At the hotel.

Orientation: 6:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. Road Scholar participants will choose between hikes with different levels of difficulty and demands, organized into groups based on preference and ability: Group 1 (easy), Group 2 (intermediate), and Group 3 (challenging). The groups are led by a combination of the Group Leader, local hikers, and local experts. The group leader will always accompany Group 1, and give the field lecture for the day. The other two groups will be accompanied by a local hiker who will provide the field lecture. Details of each hike will be provided the evening prior; participants are not required to stay in the same group for the entire program, and may select a group for each hike depending on personal preference. Sites visited may vary based on the hiking level selected for that day. Hike durations will be largely dependent on pace and ability level of participants in each group. Transportation is primarily by private motorcoach or taxis (where appropriate), unless otherwise specified. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

We will set out from the hotel on foot for today’s field trip. Group 1 will stop in the center of Montefalco, where they will visit the St. Francis Museum (Museale di San Francesco), which occupies its namesake’s former convent that was built in the 13th century; the complex is home to Francis’ art collection, including renowned frescoes painted by Benozzo Gozzoli – such as “Scenes from the life of St. Francis” – that are considered some of the finest of the Renaissance. The other groups will continue to walk across the town to the outskirts of Montefalco, where they will start walking through woods and open fields to the north. This Umbrian valley has wonderful views (weather permitting) of the city of Assisi. As we walk, we will pass through woods and open fields and learn about the local wines. After some time at the complex, Group 1 will have time for independent exploration before meeting the other two groups for lunch. After hiking for about 2.5 hours, Group 2 will be picked up via minibus and taken back to the center of Montefalco where they will have some free time for independent exploration before all three groups come together for lunch.

At a local restaurant.

Next, all three groups will walk to a local winery for an expert-led field trip that will conclude with wine tasting. We will and return to the hotel on foot.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Groups 1 and 2 will take a motorcoach to the tiny hamlet of Collepino, a medieval gem which they will explore while waiting for Group 3 to arrive. Group 3 will set out after breakfast – one hour before the other two groups – and ride the motorcoach 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 will descend down through meadows and woods to Collepino, where all three groups will meet. Group 1 will board the motorcoach and ride to Spello — a former Roman town notable today for its medieval character. There will be some time for independent exploration of the Capella Baglioni with Pinturicchio frescoes while waiting for Groups 2 and 3, who walk all the way to Spello.

At a restaurant in Spello.

All three groups will ride back to the hotel together. The remainder of the afternoon will be free. This period of time has been set aside for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests each of us most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

This morning we will board our motorcoach and ride to Perugia (673 feet) where we’ll set out on a walking field trip with a local guide. We’ll learn about the area’s history and culture as we walk. When Perugia was founded is lost in the mists of time but it developed during the 4th century BCE with both Umbrian and Etruscan roots. It was one of the 12 Etruscan city-states — the Dodecapolis — in what is now the region of Umbria, for which it is the regional capital.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Perugia. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Groups 2 and 3 will set out on expert-led urban trekking field trip. Group 1 will have time for independent exploration and will then rendezvous at an announced time and place to meet Groups 2 and 3 for transfer back to the hotel by motorcoach.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Groups 1 and 2 will ride to the Eremo delle Carceri, now known as the Hermitage of St. Francis near Assisi. Group 3 will set out early and ride to Mount Subasio, then walk to the Hermitage. Upon their arrival, all three groups will explore the Hermitage with a local expert. First visited by St. Francis around the year 1205, this peaceful forest on the mountain about three miles from Assisi features many caves that were eventually occupied by both Francis and his followers. Shortly thereafter, friars were going there to pray ardently and emulate the solitary ascetic tradition of St. Francis. A sanctuary and small chapel were built up around his particular cave soon after and the hermitage, after some expansions over the centuries, became a sort of complex dedicated to religious contemplation and solitude. It has remained largely unchanged since the 19th century. Group 1 will take taxis on to Assisi while Groups 2 and 3 will walk. Designated as a UN World Heritage Site, Assisi is situated under Mount Subasio, which provided the pink stones for a number of Franciscan building. The tranquil backstreets and homes with geranium-filled window boxes give the impression that one has gone back in time.

On your own to sample the regional cuisine in Assisi. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

We will rendezvous at an announced time and place, then walk to the Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi — the Basilica of St. Francis — for a field trip led by a monk who lives in the monastery. Francis, the patron saint of ecology as well as Italy, is one of Catholicism’s most revered figures. Having been born into wealth, he founded the Franciscan Order – which practiced a lifestyle of self-induced poverty and care for animals and the environment – after an encounter with a man with leprosy. Just a couple of years after he died in 1226, he was canonized, and the basilica – itself a UN World Heritage Site – began construction. Here we can see Francis depicted in late medieval frescoes painted by a number of Italian artists including Cimabue and Giotto. All three groups will have some time for independent exploration before riding back to the hotel together.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will board a private motorcoach and ride to Gualdo Cattaneo. During a brief exploration of this medieval fortified village, we’ll learn about Umbrian history as we all walk through the hamlet with our Group Leader. Groups 1 and 2 will visit the town of Gualdo Cattaneo. After the visit, those in Group 1 will go on to explore the Fortress of Gualdo Cattaneo and then ride to Torre del Colle. Those in Groups 2 and 3 will then begin walking towards Torre del Colle. About half way to Torre del Colle, Group 2 will be picked up and transferred the rest of the way. Once all three groups arrive in Torre del Colle, those in the Group 2 will join Group 1 and ride to an olive mill. Group 3 will continue walking to the olive mill. Once at the mill, all groups will learn from a local expert about olive oil production.

At the olive mill.

Groups 1 and 2 will ride to the serene, handsome, medieval town of Bevagna, which has two of Umbria’s finest Romanesque churches. They will first visit a medieval paper manufacturer and learn from an onsite expert about the techniques of this ancient art. Then, they will have some time for independent exploration of the town. Group 3 will walk from Torre del Colle through vineyards and olive groves to Bevagna. When they arrive, everyone will ride back to the hotel together with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

On your own.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

After breakfast, Group 3 will set out on foot and begin walking towards the truffle farm with their local hiking guide. Groups 1 and 2 will board the motorcoach and ride to the Sacred Wood and Franciscan Hermitage of Monteluco with the Group Leader. Full of evergreen oaks, this sacred forest is home to numerous species of birds, particularly several types of woodpeckers. It was protected by the first forest regulation law, the Lex Spoletina, in the late 3rd century BCE. Here we might see a reproduction of ancient stone slab the law was carved into. The hermitage, located at an elevation of 800 meters, was the sanctuary of Saint Francis. Both groups will then board the motorcoach and ride to Monte Patrico - located above the town of Spoleto on the summit of the Valnerina Mountains, known for their rugged beauty. When all three groups have met at the truffle farm, we will meet with the owner and learn about truffles. We’ll then set out on a truffle hunt with the owner and his truffle dogs.

At the farm with the truffle farmers.

Next, all groups will ride to Spoleto for an expert-led walking field trip. In Spoleto, we will all together see the Ponte delle Torri, a bridge and aqueduct of 10 towering arches that links Spoleto with the slopes of Monteluco and is arguably one of the greatest engineering works of the Trecento (14th century) in Italy. We’ll walk to the upper part of the town center, then take the motorcoach back to Montefalco.

At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our Farewell Dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At the hotel. This concludes our program.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!