Walking & Hiking in Idyllic Tuscany and Mystical Umbria

While we wait for our rooms to be ready, we will secure our luggage at the hotel and join our group leader and a local guide for an introductory walk around the neighborhood in Pienza before returning to the hotel for check-in and Orientation. 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. Our knowledgeable Group Leader and local experts will conduct the educational program including hiking and walking field trips. Breakfasts will offer typical European-style choices such as breads, cheeses, cold cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea, water. Other included meals will feature local cuisine. Dinners in Italy are typically later and last longer than American dinners. Water is included in the program cost at all meals. 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.

Welcome dinner at the hotel.

At leisure. 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’ll set out with our Group Leader and a local expert on a walk from the hotel through beautiful Tuscany to reach Monticchiello, a small, renovated village known for its Teatro Povera (Poor Theatre). During our walk, we will see the Italian countryside, hike, and learn about the region through educational commentary.

At a local establishment in Monticchiello, we will enjoy a wine and cheese tasting lunch. While we eat we will learn about regional cheese making practices and produce that is prevalent in Tuscany from the cheese monger.

After lunch, for those that wish to continue walking, we will walk through the beautiful landscape to Montepulciano. The last part of this walk can be a bit of a climb with an altitude difference of roughly 600 feet. Montepulciano is a medieval village perched on the crest of a hill of volcanic rock. Its buildings represent the iconic style of the Florentine Renaissance. Those that do not wish to continue walking can choose to board the motorcoach and make a driving transfer to Montepulciano where they may enjoy some free time while waiting for the rest of the group. The entire group will rendezvous in the town square where we will board the motorcoach and make the short transfer back to the hotel.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Transferring by motorcoach to Siena, we’ll set out on an in-depth walking field trip through this beautiful city that is draped onto hills and noted for its flamboyant ensemble of medieval buildings in honest brown (sienna-colored) brick. On the lower slopes, we will find gardens and olive groves that fill half of the space within the old city wall. Above, we’ll see Tuscany’s tallest tower and dazzling cathedral. During our walking field trip, we’ll learn from a local expert about the history of Siena.

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

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. We’ll meet at a predetermined point and return to the hotel via motorcoach.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Boarding the motorcoach, we’ll ride to Monte Amiata at 5,700 feet, the highest point and only “real” mountain in southern Tuscany. The mountainous landscape is covered with thick chestnut and beech forests, crisscrossed with brooks and streams. A broad-based mountain, Monte Amiata is visible for miles from the low hills with a well-maintained trail system in a gorgeous countryside. A circle of towns rings its lower slopes. The delightful spring-fed pools here belong to a geometrical system that more or less encircles Monte Amiata as well, producing an abundance of natural springs. This morning’s walk will include a bit of a climb; however, the scenery is well worth the effort. During the field trip, we’ll take in commentary about the Apennine nature and volcanic origins of the area.

At a mountain hut.

We’ll then continue our walk on Monte Amiata with commentary, learning about the history of the area including cultural details, as well as information regarding the local flora and fauna. Then take a coach to the medieval hamlet of Bagno Vignoni for the chance to dip your feet in the warm, soothing water of its natural hot springs. People have been enjoying these famous "spas" since the Renaissance. Walk back to the hotel.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Traveling by motorcoach, we’ll journey to Montalcino, home of the famous Brunello wine. After a short walking field trip through Montalcino with our Group Leader, during which we will learn about the region and this quintessential Italian town, we’ll walk through vineyards towards the Abbey of St. Antimo in the center of this charming valley.

At the local restaurant, or osteria, we’ll taste some of their offered specialties.

After lunch, we will return to the hotel on foot. A motorcoach will be available to those that do not wish to continue walking. The remainder of the afternoon is free for independent exploration.

On your own.

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

At the hotel.

Once checked out of the hotel, we will board the motorcoach for transfer along the banks of Lake Trasimeno to Perugia where we will stop and enjoy a city walk led by a local expert. Perugia is one of the 12 Etruscan city-states and is the regional capital. It also has one of the largest state universities in the country.

On your own.

We’ll complete our transfer to Montefalco and check into the hotel. Upon arrival, we’ll set out for an introductory walk in the neighborhood. With our Group Leader, we’ll learn about the history of the town as we see where the nearest points of interest are including ATMs, pharmacies, etc.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will set off from the hotel on foot for a walking field trip led by our Group Leader through Montefalco and the famous Sagrantino wine country, we’ll make our way along a river with vineyards as we listen to commentary about local wines. The origins of these wines go back to Etruscan times and are among the most important Italian red wines today. Continuing, we’ll traverse the slopes of Montepennino overlooking the entire Umbrian vale.

At a local restaurant.

After lunch, we will enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery. Enjoy some time in Montefalco for independent exploration before we regroup and walk back to the hotel.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

This morning we will board a motorcoach to Gualdo Cattaneo, where we’ll go for a short visit to this medieval fortified village where we’ll learn about Umbrian history from our Group Leader during the walk through the hamlet. Afterwards, we’ll walk through the farmland and woods to an olive mill where we will learn about olive oil production.

At the family-run mill.

Next, we’ll travel to the serene and handsome medieval town of Bevagna, a city older than Rome that has two of Umbria's finest Romanesque churches. While here with a local expert, we’ll visit a medieval paper manufacturer and learn about how paper was made in the Middle Ages. We will then travel back to the hotel via motorcoach.

On your own.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Transferring by mtorcoach, we’ll make our way to Assisi. From Assisi we will take taxis to St. Francis’ Hermitage for a field trip, during which we will learn from a local expert about the life and impact of St. Francis of Assisi. Afterwards, we will walk down to Assisi for a stroll through this famous town as we enjoy the tranquil back streets and homes with geranium-filled window boxes. Assisi is visible for miles around, tucked under the ridge of Monte Subasio. Depending on our group pace, we may get to see most of the sights of Assisi in one day.

At a local restaurant.

Next, we’ll walk to the Basilica St. Francis for a field trip led by a monk who lives in the monastery. St. Francis was born in Assisi in 1182 and died in 1226 at the age of 44. Construction began on the basilica when he was canonized as a saint a mere two years after his death; it was completed in 1253. As founder of the mendicant Franciscan order of Catholic monks, St. Francis is depicted in the church’s abundant Early Renaissance fresco paintings by many artists such as Giotto and Cimabue. We’ll then return to the hotel via private motorcoach.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Upon arrival by motorcoach to Monte Patrico at about 3,340 feet, we’ll take a short walk to a farm estate in the mountains where we will go on a truffle hunt with the farm owner and his truffle dogs. Monte Patrico is located above the town of Spoleto on the summit of the Valnerina Mountains, which are known for their rugged beauty. Before setting out on the truffle hunt, we will gather with the farm owner and listen to a field lecture all about truffles.

At the farm with our host farmers.

This afternoon, we’ll transfer to Spoleto, one of Umbria’s loveliest hill towns. In Spoleto, we will enjoy a walking tour and view 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 Italy). We’ll walk to the upper part of the town center and take the motorcoach back to Montefalco.

At the hotel, we’ll have a farewell meal together. Share some of your favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departures 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!