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UMBRIA

The "Green Heart" of Italy
Perugia, Assisi, Deruta,  Montefalco

Chocolate/Truffles/Olive Oil/Wine - Oh My!
May 30-June 5, 2010
$3150(USD) per person, dbl occ.
$3550 (USD) single occupancy
Airfare NOT included

South of Tuscany and north of Rome sits a gleaming jewel of a region known as "The Green Heart of Italy" - UMBRIA.  And green it is - the rolling hills and rich verdant countryside invite you to stop a while, relax and enjoy the treasures contained within.  

And what treasures they are: Chocolates, Truffles, Olive Oil, Wine, Sausages, Pasta, Cheeses - an amazingly rich culinary heritage.  In addition there are the artisan traditions carefully nurtured by the passionate Umbrians: Deruta ceramics, exquisite hand-loomed linens, gold artists, and many more.

A real bonus is that Umbria is still relatively undiscovered, uncrowded and unspoiled - everyone is proud and happy to share their artistry with us.  The enthusiasm is contagious.

Speaking of enthusiasm, it all starts with our hosts - it will be difficult for you to find more hospitable people.  They are bursting with excitement to show you the best of Umbria.  We stay in their exquisitely renovated country inn just outside the city of Perugia.  This is a country inn like non-other I've seen: beautiful gardens and grounds, large gorgeous rooms, meeting room, sauna, swimming pool, laundry, and as electronically sophisticated as you could ask: satellite TV, internet - it's all there.

Culinary Excursions & Events:

• Chocolate Making class whereby you produce your own chocolate treats
• Tour famous Perugina Chocolate Museum - and tasting
• Tour antique olive oil mill and museum
• Sausage Tasting - Umbria is renowned for its wide variety of sausages
• Ultimate Truffle Experience - a truffle meal extravaganza par excellence!
• Special cooking class from a local Nonna (grandmother) who shares family recipes

Other exciting excursions:

• Assisi - guided tour of this famous city
• Deruta - demonstration of the famous majolica ceramics
• Montefalco - famous medieval town
• Lake Trasameno - magnificent lake that dominates Umbria
• Perugia - hand-loomed linen weaving demonstration

As you can see - Umbria has it all.

INCLUDED in tour:
  Transfer from/to Rome or Perugia airport  to our country inn
  6 nights accommodation
  All breakfasts
  Four (4) lunches
  Six (6) dinners, w/house wines
  Cooking classes as listed in itinerary
  Culinary & cultural excursions (listed in itinerary)
  Professional guides as listed in itinerary
  Gourmetravel Personal guide for ALL listed activities
  Ground transportation for excursions in itinerary
NOT included:
  Airfare
  Gratuities & personal expenses

Sample Itinerary

Travel Day (Sat) 

• Lv U.S. - Travel day to Italy

Day 1

• Arrive Rome airport (or Perugia),  van transfer to our Country Inn in Perugia

• Check In

• WELCOME DINNER & Orientation

Day 2                                                

• Guided Tour of PERUGIA w/its exquisite medieval and Etruscan architecture, and Renaissance frescoes
  all topped off with a tasting of their famed chocolates!

• BANQUET/LUNCH in the DERUTA countryside w/locals

• Private tour of family-run ceramic tile producer                                                       

• DINNER @local trattoria
   

Day 3 

• CULINARY TOURS - Antique Olive Oil Frantoio & museum

• Winery Tour

• LUNCH - WINE/CHEESE/SALAMI  at the winery 

• COOKING CLASS w/Nonna Leona - the family matriarch
  shares her pasta making techniques

• DINNER - dine on our class creations washed down w/local wines  

Day 4

• TOUR to ASSISI - the "crown jewel of medieval hill towns" and the 2nd only to the Vatican in popularity.

• LUNCH on our own in ASSISI

• Afternoon free in ASSISI

• DINNER @ a local trattoria
   

Day 5

• CHOCOLATE MAKING CLASS - guided by a master chocolatier
  you will produce your own delicious chocolates to take home

• LUNCH  in PERUGIA

• Free time in PERUGIA

• Late afternoon visit to famous LAKE TRASAMENO

• DINNER CRUISE on LAKE TRASAMENO

Day 6

• TOUR - MONTEFALCO - and the "traditional cuisine"
  Wines, Textiles, this medieval town has this and much more; a visit to a private convent w/hidden treasures.

• LUNCH - in a remote family-run restaurant with a 72 y/o "nonna" (grandma) at the helm.  A meal you won't soon forget.

• Return to our Country Inn

• FAREWELL PIZZA PARTY  @our Inn 

Day 7 (Sat)

• End of tour - Van to airport
   

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