TOUR PROGRAM

Day 1
Castle day Santo Stefano di Sessanio (accommodation for 1 night)
After arrival and hotel acommodation in Santo Stefano di Sessanio we will visit its city centre.
In the afternoon we will discover the small medieval villages of Pacentro . Visit Pacentro is like back to Middle Ages! At the summit of the hill rises the Castle of the Caldora, whose original structure dates back to the 10th century. Together with the castles of Pettorano, Introdacqua, Anversa, Bugnara, Popoli and Roccacasale, it was part of the defensive system of the Valle Peligna. Pacentro, artistic handicraft boasts a centuries old tradition and consists of the working of white stone from the Maiella, small terracotta figurines for cribs, crochet work and the Abruzzi women's costumes.

Day 2
Noricia day (accomodation for 2 nights)
From Abruzzo we will move to Norcia in Umbria. Norcia is a village between sacred and profane, where spirituality is strictly joined to the beauty of nature, the amazing art and genuine gastronomy. The craft of stuffing iron boasts of secular tradition. Also “massello wood” craft is flourishing and we can visit the numerous shops specialized in furniture carving and restauration with antiques technique. According to the period we can take part to San Benedetto celebration, declared main Europe Patron in 480 a.C.

Day 3
Brocantage day-trip
After breakfast we will reach Montefalco . Throughout the world Montefalco means Sagrantino, the precious red nectar certified Docg whose passito version is perfect with roasts and desserts. In the afternoon we will travel to Trevi (10 km) The conical and curled configuration of this village is unique and unmistakable. Conforming itself to the contours of the hill on which it stands, it has filled past travellers with wonder, the poet Leopardi among them. We take time to visit some particular craftsmen’s and brocantage shop.

Day 4
Bevagna day (acccommodation for 1 night)
The tour will take to another Umbrian village: Castiglione del Lago (98 km). The name derives from the medieval fortress built around 1250 and called “Castello del Leone” (Lion Castle) because of its pentagonal shape inspired by the constellation Leo.
Few kilometres close there is Bevagna (84 km), where our hotel is located. Cut off from the industrial development in the region, Bevagna has preserved virtually intact its medieval urban structure, which for the most part follows the plan of the ancient Roman town. Of the many trades handed down from father to son, that which is historically most typical of the area is the working of hemp. The poorer quality hemp was employed for rope making, while the best hemp was used for making the Bevagna cloths that were prized all throughout the Papal States.

Day 5
Volterra day (accommodation for 2 nights)
From Umbria we will move to the enchanting landscape of Tuscany.
Volterra is an important medieval city where history, from Etruscan Age to XVIII century, left his mark with monumental and artistic evidences of great importance. After hotel accomodation and lunch we stroll among historic centre streets to discover it and to visit local museum like: Etruscan Museum, Sacred Art Museum and Alabaster Museum. All this plunged in a pure land, where life quality has still a human dimension. We dedicate the day to discovery it.

Day 6
Buonconvento day-trip
The nextday we will visit another medieval city of Tuscany.
Buonconvento , a small village which name derives from the Latin bonus conventus, meaning "happy, fortunate community": a good gathering of people who enjoy the fertility of the land and the advantages of being close to the Arbia and Ombrone rivers, as well as the excellent position near where the important Via Francigena or Romea crosses the river. Memorable aromas are given of by the Crete Senesi white truffle, and the local Chianina veal is also excellent.
In the afternoon we will make a short trip to Cetona, a picturesque village, characterized by the “coste”, narrow pavement streets close to the hill, or the “cittadella” the ancient group of houses dominating the renaissance square.


Day 7
Poppi day (accommodation for 1 night)
After breakfast we will move from Volterra to Poppi, which is located at the center of the Casentino, one of the most beautiful valleys in Tuscany. The medieval village is a rare walled town, with the Castello dei Conti Guidi at its highest point, dominating over all. In the afternoon, we visit Anghiari a splendid medieval village overlooking the green valley of the upper Tiber River. An impregnable bastion with powerful 13th-century walls. The village is a nest of expert antiquarians who scour the surrounding area in search of precious relics from the past. This passion has turned into a commercial
enterprise, thanks to the presence of skilled craftsmen who are able to restore any object to its initial splendour. We visit them, taking time for shopping.

Day 8
Departure day
After breakfast and check-out, individual departure from Poppi