Next Step’s Umbria Walking Tour

Gubbio to Spello to Todi
Available for Custom Departures
7 days / 6 nights
Price per Person: $4750
Single Supplement: $750

Umbria is often considered Tuscany’s poorer little brother to the southeast, but our explorations will prove that this is far from the truth. The landscape is varied, ranging from wild mountains to gently sloping vineyards and peaceful river valleys. The cultural landscape is equally diverse. The ceramic craftsmen of Umbria have eclipsed the skills of all others on the peninsula, creating colors of rich magnificence never achieved elsewhere. Cuisine is earthy and simple, capitalizing on extraordinary local ingredients. Umbria has a character all its own and our journey here will bring each unique element of it to life.

What’s Included?

Next Step Walking Tours are all-inclusive. Everything but your transportation to the initial meeting place is included. All accommodations, meals including fine wines, admission fees, tips and transfers are included. From the time you check in to the time of your departure, the only money you may need is for personal shopping or spa treatments.

Day By Day

Day 1	Welcome to Gubbio, the spiritual heart of Umbria! Our accommodations here are at the Relais Ducal Palace, a splendidly renovated 17th century palazzo with its original stone ceilings and winding staircases. The view over the city from the upstairs garden is stunning. Don’t miss it! This evening, we will meet in the garden for a welcome cocktail and then proceed to the Taverna del Lupo. Here you may have your first taste of the famous black Norcia truffle and the exquisite olive oil that Umbria is so well known for.
Day 2	This morning, we will travel high above the city. Our walk provides an excellent look at the wild countryside that acted as a natural protector of the city throughout the years. We wander through woods and isolated farmsteads, arriving at a spectacular viewpoint of the entire Gubbio region for an elegant lunch. After lunch, we will return to town either on foot through the woods or via panoramic gondola. A visit to the atelier of our friend Katia, a local ceramic producer who has perfected the 16th-century art of mixing gold and silver with organic colors, is a special treat. Tonight’s dinner is in a local restaurant that houses the original oven that the Maestro Giorgio used to bake his ceramic treasures in the 1500s. Today the ovens bake tender meats, and a bottle of Sangratino di Montefalco provides the perfect accompaniment!
Day 3	This morning, you will enjoy a beautiful drive down to the valley surrounding Perugia and stop at Assisi. From here, we walk in the footsteps of St. Francis through the olive groves that surround Spello and Assisi. Our destination is La Mandrie San Paolo, a restored farmhouse where mother, father and son work together to preserve Umbria’s varied agricultural history. La Mandrie makes its own olive oil, marmalades and pastas, and their kitchen works wonders with local seasonal ingredients. After lunch, the fragrance of honeysuckle surrounds us on the trail to Spello. This medieval town is our home for the next two nights. You are free to explore it and all of its crooked alleyways and fine shops. A special wine tasting dinner is in store for us tonight, hosted by our good friend Roberto. His enoteca has been rated in the top 10 of Italy. Not only does he showcase all of Umbria’s finest vintages, he also makes a special effort to seek out small vintners with production so small that they will not be found elsewhere. We have never tasted the same wine twice here, and we have taken home many a bottle for special occasions!
Day 4	The city of Assisi is a marvel and today it is our marvel. With the help of a local professional guide, we have designed an itinerary that winds in and out of the city walls, and down ancient streets steeped in silence―all offering views of the surrounding countryside that are seldom seen. It gives us the opportunity to better understand this deeply spiritual city away from the crowds that surround the main cathedral. For lunch, we repair high up onto the hillside of Monte Subasio to a medieval hamlet for a taste of Umbrian cuisine at its most simple and traditional. Afterward, a wide country lane winds down through olive groves to the valley floor and the fertile plain that surrounds Spello. Tonight’s restaurant has a more modern flair. La Cantina bottles its own water from their local springs and specializes, for those who are so bold, in traditional grilled pigeon! It is spicy, delicious and not to be missed!
Day 5	The wine country of Umbria is not as extensive as that of Tuscany, but it produces some exquisite varietals. The most prized of these is the Sagrantino of Montefalco. We descend this morning through these treasured vineyards to the lovely village of Bevagna for a special lunch in an excavated Roman amphitheatre. Watching our chefs prepare our meal in the modern, glass-enclosed kitchen built directly into the heart of this ancient structure is almost as enjoyable as eating it. Afterward, we will explore the rich medieval heritage of Bevagna. Demonstrations of the ancient methods of linen, candle and paper production are a special treat. Our new home, the Tenuta di Canonica, is an exquisitely restored Umbrian farmhouse. Each room is unique, reflecting the original construction, and well appointed with exquisite antiques. Life in the Umbrian countryside is fine indeed!
Day 6	Today you will enjoy a true victory walk. Leaving directly from the Tenuta, our path rises slowly into the surrounding hills. Arriving at a small crossroads, we enjoy a view that extends from Todi to Perugia. Our destination, which is visible in the distance, is the medieval hamlet of Monte Castello di Vibio. It was here in Monte Castello in the late 1940s that Gina Lollobrigida first took the stage at the Teatro della Concordia, Italy’s smallest theater. We will enjoy a visit here before retiring to the nearby town of Todi for a lovely lunch. Our stay at the Tenuta di Canonica is highlighted by a hands-on cooking demonstration by Chef Andrea Cussimoni of the nearby Cordon Blue school of Perugia. He will share his flair with traditional Umbrian recipes that we can easily replicate with ingredients found in the United States. What better way to relive our Umbrian memories for years to come!
Day 7	This morning, we have arranged for private transportation to nearby Orvietto. From there, you may easily make connections to Rome or Florence. Whatever your travel plans, we will go over them with you and make sure that your continuing journey is as easy and effortless as possible. Arrivederci!