Umbria & Puglia
Meeting Point: Rome / Departure Point: Bari

Morning mist rising from a flourishing plain, the wash of waves on a pebbled shore, the heady aroma of a rich chianti—the soul of Italy lives in the glorious fertile heartland of Umbria and Puglia. Stroll through Umbria’s ancient cobblestone streets, explore stunning cathedrals and ancient fortresses, and indulge in some of the finest food and wine in the world. In sun-baked Puglia, visit the remarkable white stone trulli, found nowhere else in the world, and surrender to the overwhelming beauty of the unspoiled coastline. Follow your heart to Umbria and Puglia and discover the essence of Italy.

DAYS 1 & 2, Saturday & Sunday - Depart for Rome, ITALY
Depart your home city for Rome on Saturday. You will be met upon your arrival
on Sunday afternoon and transferred to your luxury hotel, built in 1894 as the first
deluxe hotel in Rome. It is within walking distance of the Spanish Steps, the Trevi
Fountain and Via Veneto. Every guest room has a unique hand painted fresco
depicting a Roman scene installed above the beds headboards, and features
Murano glass chandeliers and Hermes bathroom amenities. Rome is packed with history and artistic achievement. Sip a cappuccino in a square designed by Bernini, stroll to the Roman Forum, birthplace of Western civilization—or shop at designer boutiques near the Spanish Steps. It would take a lifetime to see all the museums, palazzos and churches in this celestial city. Sunday evening, at a festive cocktail party and dinner, you will meet your Travcoa Travel Director and fellow travelers to learn more about the exciting days ahead. St. Regis Grand Hotel

DAY 3, Monday - Rome, Orvieto & Torgiano
Depart this morning on the first stage of your journey through Umbria and Puglia.
First stop: the medieval village of Orvieto. At the heart of the town’s old quarter,
stroll through the tranquil central square and tour the breathtaking Gothic cathedral
to see frescoes painted by Fra Giovanni rom Fiesole and the Last Judgment cycle of
frescoes by Luca Signorelli. Your visit also includes the Duomo of Orvieto, one of
the most important examples of Gothic architecture in Italy. After lunch in Orvieto drive to on to Torgiano. Originally an Etruscan enclave, later a Roman fort, the town sits on a magnificent hilltop above the confluence of the Tiber and Chiàscio Rivers, looking out onto a panorama of fertile valleys and acres of vineyards. Torgiano is a quaint village surrounded by vineyards where time seems to stand still. The afternoon is yours to explore the town and soak up its stylish charm. Torgiano’s delights lie just outside the door of your hotel,the world famous Le Tre Vaselle. The hotel, a renovated 17th century manor, has thick stone walls, wooden beams, terracotta floors, great stone fireplaces and is furnished with antiques, hand woven fabrics, trompeloeils, oil paintings, engravings and sketches. Hotel Le Tre Vaselle

DAY 4, Tuesday - Torgiano & Assisi
This morning depart for Assisi – the crown jewel of the medieval hill towns.
Start the visit with the three levels of the Basilica di San Francesco: the crypt,
where the Saint is buried; the Lower Basilica; and the Upper Basilica of
Romanesque/Gothic architecture, built in the 13th century to house the body of
St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy, and most beloved of all saints for the
Italians. The greatest masters of the time — Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini,
Pietro Lorenzetti — were called here to fresco, rendering this church one of Italy's
most outstanding art museums. Piazza del Comune, Assisis main piazza, is graced by its medieval bell tower, elegant civic buildings of the 13th and 14th century, the stately Temple of Minerva, and the Gothic Basilica di Santa Chiara, where St. Clare of Assisi is buried. Returning to Torgiano this afternoon, you’ll find the village is a veritable treasure trove for lovers of food and wine. Visit the Wine Museum, with an astounding collection on the history of wine and the role of wine in different cultures over the centuries. A companion museum houses an array of fascinating exhibits on the history of olive oil, its use in Umbrian cuisine, and the cultivation of olives. Hotel Le Tre Vaselle

DAY 5, Wednesday - Torgiano & Perugia
This morning visit the capital of Umbria, Perugia, famous for its architecture that
includes buildings from the time of the Etruscans, the Roman Empire, and the
middle ages. Also known for its chocolate, Perugia welcomes visitors with a
combination of charm, good humor, and warm hospitality. Among the sites in the city, you will visit the Collegio del Cambio, Palazzo dei Priori, built in the 15th century and one time home of the powerful Bankers Guild. Continue to the National Gallery of Umbria where you’ll view the work of the city’s most honored son, Pietro Perugino, one of the earliest Italian practitioners of oil painting. After a sumptuous lunch in Perugia, you’ll have the afternoon at leisure back in Torgiano to enjoy the peace and quiet of the Umbrian countryside and the small-town atmosphere. Hotel Le Tre Vaselle

DAY 6, Thursday - Spello & Spoleto
Depart from Torgiano today for a visit to the town of Spello, with its beautiful
over the Umbrian plain from Perugia to Spoleto. It is constructed in the local pink
limestone quarried on Mt. Subasio, lending it a unique rosy hue, particularly at
sunset. This ancient village, whose history goes back up to the Roman Age, has two well preserved Augustan gates, which surround the town. Also visit Porta Venere,
with its towers, Porta Consolare and Porta Urbicale. Then see the most precious
treasure of Spello, the wonderful frescoes of Pinturicchio, in the church of Santa
Maria Maggiore. Continue to a medieval wine cellar for a tasting of Umbria's
best wines, olive oils and various Umbrian delicacies. Later this afternoon, drive to Spoleto and your luxury hotel for the next two nights. This picturesque city is beautifully positioned on a small hill crowned with a fortress. The town, with its grey towered profile, slopes down towards the plains with their beautiful backdrop of green mountains. Spoleto is known for its important archeological, medieval and renaissance monuments, and also for the world-famous Spoleto Festival of the arts. Villa Milani

DAY 7, Friday - Spoleto
Spoleto’s wonders await you this morning. Visit the cathedral that was built
at the end of 13th century. The Romanesque facade, next to a great bell tower,
is decorated in the upper part by a magnificent mosaic created in 1207. Among
the many works of art adorning the cathedral are the wonderful frescoes of
Filippo Lippi and of Pinturicchio, and an exquisite bronze bust of Urbano VIII by
Bernini. After lunch in a local restaurant, the afternoon is yours at leisure to further
explore Spoleto—sip an espresso at a sidewalk café, indulge in a glass of
wine, or just sit and watch the world go by at its perfectly leisurely Umbrian pace. At your historical residence, the terrace of Villa Milani offers an extraordinary
panorama. The view is of the imposing Ponte delle Torri; the majestic Rocca
Albernoziana; the palaces and bell towers of Spoleto; and the view of Assisi
Valley, skirted by medieval villages and in the distance Mount Subasio. Villa Milani

DAY 8, Saturday - Gubbio & Vieste
Depart this morning for Gubbio, perhaps the prettiest hill town in all of Italy. While
there, wander its cobblestone streets,visit the magnificent Palazzo dei Sonsoli,
and ride the cable car to the summit of Monte San Ubaldo for spectacular views. Enjoy a leisurely lunch in Gubbio before saying arrivederci to Umbria. Board the
TGV train in Ancona, bound for the sun-kissed land of Puglia, home to ancient
monuments, unspoiled coastline, and delectable food and wine. Arrive in Vieste, one of the oldest cities on the Gargano Coast. Its past includes visits from kings and queens, popes and illustrious doges from the Venetian empire. The beach of Pizzomunno (“the edge of the world”) is one of the loveliest in the entire
country. An attractive lighthouse and a mysterious monolith rise out of the water
like sentinels, protecting the town. The well-preserved medieval monastery, the
legendary castle, and the lovely Church of San Francisco all lend the town a sense
of romance and history. Palace Hotel Pizzomunno

DAY 9, Sunday - Peschici & Monopoli
Your destination this morning is Peschichi, a small town perched on a promontory
above the dazzling Adriatic Sea. The coastline has been inhabited for thousands
of years by a multitude of civilizations and the cultures and histories intermigle
here to make a heady stew. Though Peschichi was founded in the 10th century, nearby excavations have found traces of prehistoric settlements and the town itself embraces its storied past. Explore the town, paying special attention to its well-preserved houses that hearken back to its glorious history. The Gargano Coast offers some of the most splendid scenery in all of Italy. With its many fascinating grottoes,
sea caves, and rocky promontories all framing the cerulean sea, you many never
want to leave. Enjoy lunch on the coast before continuing to San Giovanni Rotondo for a visit to the shrine of Padre Pio, the second-most visited Catholic shrine in the world. Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina was a Capuchin friar, priest and mystic who died
in 1968 and was declared a saint in 2002. Later this afternoon, arrive in Monopoli, first settled by the Greeks more than 2,000 years ago. Il Melograno

DAY 10, Monday - Castellana & Alberobello
This morning visit the spectacular caves at Castellana. The story goes that in 1938
spelunker Franco Anelli discovered the beautiful caverns after inhabitants of
the town told him taes about ghosts and monsters inside the mysterious chasm
called La Grave (the Deep). Now famous the world over for their lovely stalactite
and stalagmite formations covered with gorgeous calcite crystals that mae the
stone look like blooming lilies, the subterranean caves provide a striking
counterpoint to the sun-baked earth above. Alberobello is known best for the legendary trulli, the “White Cones of Puglia.” A trullo is an oddly shaped, squat white stone housewith a conical stone roof. Some of the roofs are decorated with crosses, while others are adorned with stylized suns, geometric patterns,or shapes painted all in white to stand out against the gray stone of the roof. Spend some time wandering around Alberobello and visit several trulli before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.
Your last stop today is the white city of Ostuni, famous for its rows and rows of
whitewashed houses, stark and beautiful above the sparkling Adriatic Sea below. On the way, visit Martina Franca, a small town clinging to a hillside that overlooks the gorgeous Vale d’Itria. Look out over the valley and see an incredible vista of white trulli, red earth, and traditional gray stone walls. Il Melograno

DAY 11, Tuesday - Trani
Begin your full day exploration of one of the loveliest areas of Puglia with a scenic
drive through verdant countryside to Tran, sometimes called the Gubbio of Puglia.
A lovely seaside town, Trani boasts an incredible cathedral dedicated to St. Nicholas
the Pilgrim who was martyred in 1094. The arch on the cathedral is a perfect example
of high Romanesque architecture and some of the carvings on the capitals show a
Arabic influence. Make a stop at the 13th century castle, now restored to its former glory, and the ornate synagogue, set in the area of town that retains its medieval architecture and ornamentation. Enjoy a rustic lunch of local specialties at the Lama di Luna farm before continuing to a traditional winery for an informative tasting and lecture. Il Melograno

DAY 12, Wednesday - Matera & Monopoli
This morning, continue your exploration of Puglia by stepping into history. The ghost
town of Matera bewitches all who visit with its spectacular natural setting and echoes of the past. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Matera, city of stones, has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era. The numerous grottoes in the deep canyon, were the perfect homes for prehistoric man. As time progressed, a city grew up on the side of the canyon, with buildings carved out of the rock itself. As you explore the houses and temples, you realize that you are actually inside the mountain. With its striking scenery and well-preserved buildings, Matera has been the location of several movies, most recently Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. Tonight you will enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers and your Travel Director to say good-bye to bella Italia. Il Melograno

DAY 13, Thursday - Bari and Depart for Home
This morning you will be taken to the airport in Bari for your flight home or on to
your next destination.

NOTE: The Daily Itinerary above is subject to change dependent upon local
conditions and/or operational changes or improvements. The specific times and
order of inclusions within each destination may also be altered to best accommodate
unscheduled closure, special events, weather, traffic, etc. Please contact your
Vacation Planner before scheduling any coinciding appointments. You will receive
an up-dated, itinerary approximately 30 days prior to your journey’s scheduled
departure date.

Saturday, June 14, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008

Price From: $10,795
Single Supplement: $1,595
 

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