Itinerary

Day 1 –Welcome; Guided Walking Tour of Bevagna; Wine Tasting in Montefalco

Check in at your accommodation, a beautiful historical residence in the center of Bevagna. Bevagna, a prosperous former Roman settlement, where Roman aristocrats used to build their villas, is nowadays a tranquil town whose streets are lined with lovely crafts shops, delicatessens and trattorias. Once you have had a chance to freshen up we will take you for a short walking tour of Bevagna and lunch at a typical osteria, where you will enjoy an introduction to the tour over a meal of traditional Umbrian cuisine.


In the afternoon we will depart for Montefalco for a private tour of selected local wineries with wine tastings. Sagrantino di Montefalco is one of only two Umbrian wines to be awarded the prestigious DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita –the highest Italian wine appellation) and the area also produces the excellent Rosso di Montefalco. Known as “the balcony of Umbria” because of the panoramic views it enjoys, although Montefalco is now famous for its wines it is also home to some important works of art such as the 15th century fresco cycle by Benozzo Gozzoli depicting the life of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Day 2 -Olive Oil Sampling; Walking Tour of Spoleto; Italian Cooking Class 1

In the morning we will visit an olive oil mill near Trevi to sample the area’s extra-virgin olive oils. Extra-virgin olive oil is a staple of Umbrian cooking and the olive oil from Trevi is renowned throughout Italy as being among the country’s finest.

We will then travel to nearby Spoleto for a private walking tour of the atmospheric hilltop town. The tour will take you through the medieval streets and will visit the sights of Spoleto including the Duomo (cathedral) with its frescoes by Pinturicchio and Fra’ Filippo Lippi and the Ponte delle Torri, Spoleto’s striking 13th-century aqueduct. We will also have lunch in Spoleto at a typical Umbrian restaurant.
 

Later in the afternoon it is time to roll up your sleeves for your first Italian cooking lesson. The cooking lesson will take place in a restaurant in Bevagna with a professional chef. The restaurant, one of Umbria’s finest, is located in part of a Roman theatre dating back to the 1st Century. The exact menu will be provided at the time of booking but is likely to consist of one primo (entrée) (such as a pasta dish or gnocchi) and one main course (such as braised veal in Rosso di Montefalco wine sauce). Following an aperitivo, dinner will consist mainly of the food you have prepared at the cooking lesson.

Day 3 –Guided Walking Tour of Assisi; Italian Cooking Class 2

This morning we will head for the city of Assisi known throughout the world as the birthplace of Saint Francis. We will take a guided walking tour of the city and see the main sights, including the spectacular Basilica of Saint Francis with its frescoes by Giotto. In Assisi we will also have a light lunch, including salamis and hams accompanied by the local Torta al Testo bread.

In the afternoon we will return to Bevagna for your second Italian cooking lesson. At the cooking lesson you will learn to prepare traditional Italian and Umbrian cuisine using seasonal ingredients, such as mushrooms and chestnuts in autumn or wild asparagus and rocket in spring. Again you will get to enjoy the results of your efforts at dinner.

Day 4 –Cheese, Salami and Truffles in Norcia

In the morning we will take a trip through the Valnerina area of Umbria where we will visit the walled town of Norcia. Norcia is famous throughout Italy for its cured meats, cheeses and truffles and most Italian towns boast a Norcineria selling salamis and other cured meats. You will also get some free time to explore Norcia’s many delicatessens and stock up on local delicacies.

Depending on the season, lunch will either be an al fresco picnic of Italian salamis, cheeses and breads in the stunning Monti Sibillini national park or lunch at a rustic trattoria in Norcia.

In the afternoon we will return to Bevagna for your third and final Italian cooking lesson. Again at the cooking lesson you will prepare Italian staples such as pasta and seasonal Umbrian dishes before once more testing your own culinary ability at dinner. After the final cooking lesson you will also receive a certificate and a special gift to remind you of your wonderful time in Umbria.

Day 5 –Farewell

Farewell breakfast and check out from your hotel. Alternatively why not allow yourself a few extra days to take in some more sights or spend time relaxing? Let us know and we can discuss options.

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