B | L | R | D denotes included breakfasts, lunches, receptions and dinners.
This itinerary is subject to change due to operational conditions.
Day 1 | Depart gateway city
AHI FlexAir passengers depart for Rome, Italy. Please check your luggage from your gateway city to your arrival city. Your claim checks should have the following airport code: FCO.
Day 2 | Rome, Italy / Perugia
Sina Brufani Perugia
R | D
Arrive at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. Proceed through immigration to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage. After completing customs, AHI FlexAir passengers traveling on flights that qualify for the group arrival transfer and Land Program passengers who have purchased seats on the group transfer should exit the baggage claim area and proceed to the designated meeting spot, where an AHI Travel representative will meet you. The meeting location will be provided with your final documents.
Transfer to the deluxe Sina Brufani Perugia hotel. Located in the heart of medieval Perugia, the former castle boasts sweeping views over the lush Umbrian valleys. Please note that if you arrive before check-in time, your room may not be immediately available.
Welcome Reception and Dinner. This evening, meet and mingle with your fellow passengers at the Welcome Reception and Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3 | Perugia
Sina Brufani Perugia
B | L
Enrichment: History of Perugia and Umbria. Discover the fascinating history of Perugia, the capital of Umbria, well known as the chocolate capital of Italy’s central region. Gain insight into these two regions, lauded for their medieval towns, vineyards, wine, olive groves and olive oil mills. Known as the “Land of the Saints,” Umbria is renowned for its profound spiritual heritage, marked by its sacred sites and peaceful atmosphere..
Perugia City Tour. Take a guided walking tour of Umbria’s capital city, brimming with medieval pageantry. You’ll begin in the heart of the city at the 14th-century Piazza IV Novembre and admire the stunning 13th-century Fontana Maggiore, decorated with intricate carvings. Pass by Etruscan- and Roman-period walls and see the Gothic-style Prior’s Palace, a masterpiece of medieval architecture. Then, relish a traditional Umbrian lunch together at a local osteria. (Moderate)
Perugian Chocolate Tasting. Cap off your excursion with a visit to a local chocolate shop. Perugia is renowned for its irresistible Italian Baci chocolate. Learn about the city’s chocolate-making history and indulge in tastings of a variety of chocolates, truffles and other sweet treats. (Mild)
Free Time: Enjoy some free time in Perugia to explore further on your own for the remainder of the day and evening, including dinner at leisure. Find a local trattoria to savor Perugia’s cuisine, known for its simple, hearty and flavorful dishes that showcase local ingredients such as olive oil, truffles, pork, legumes and grains.
Day 4 | Perugia | Orvieto
Sina Brufani Perugia
B | L
The Hill Town of Orvieto. Venture to picturesque Orvieto, the Umbrian jewel perched atop a volcanic tuff cliff. Set out on a guided walk up and down the hilly, cobblestone streets to the town square, lined with shops, cafés and restaurants. Peek into the town’s charming alleys as you stroll while admiring breathtaking vistas over the Umbrian countryside’s rolling hills. Arrive at the Duomo di Orvieto, one of Italy’s most stunning cathedrals, which is considered a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture. As you approach, admire the façade adorned with intricate mosaics, sculptures and reliefs. Step inside to marvel at the Chapel of San Brizio’s frescoes that depict the Last Judgement and see a relic of the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena housed in the Chapel of the Corporal. Then, enjoy some free time in Orvieto to explore on your own. (Moderate – Active)
AHI Connects | Oleoteca Bartolomei Olive Oil Mill and Museum: Continue to the Oleoteca Bartolomei Olive Oil Mill and Museum on the San Martino farm just outside Orvieto. The Bartolomei family has been producing olive oil here for generations. Engage with family members to learn about their traditional and modern production techniques, see historical tools and artifacts, including ancient presses and storage jars, and learn about the olive oil-making process from beginning to end. The mill produces delicious olive oil from its Moraiolo, Frantoio, Leccino and Pendolino olive groves. Best of all, sit down to a delicious lunch and olive oil tasting on the property! (Moderate)
Return to the hotel in Perugia, relax after a full day and have dinner on your own.
Day 5 | Perugia | Cortona | Montepulciano
Sina Brufani Perugia
B
A Day in Tuscany. Begin your day in the Etruscan city of Cortona and the gateway to Tuscany. Take a guided walk past historic palazzos and charming piazzas and step inside the 11th-century Cortona Cathedral, a remarkable example of religious architecture with Romanesque- and Renaissance-style elements. Stop for a coffee break and continue to the Museum of the Etruscan Academy, housed in the historic Palazzo Casali in the heart of Cortona. On a guided tour, view the extensive collection of ancient Etruscan, Roman, medieval and Egyptian artifacts and archeological finds while gaining insight into the Etruscan civilization, the history of Cortona and its cultural heritage.
Continue to “The Pearl of the Renaissance,” Montepulciano, to appreciate Renaissance Italy’s classical antiquity, architecture, art and literature that influenced the entire Western world. Walk to the town’s Renaissance-style Piazza Grande central square, admiring the architecture, the Town Hall, the Duomo and historic palaces, churches and cathedrals. Continue your stroll down the hilltop town’s delightful winding streets lined with shops, cafés and artisan shops, stopping to chat with the artisans. Also, be sure to peek inside the historic underground wine cellars; Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, one of Italy’s finest red wines, is produced in this region. (Moderate)
Return to the hotel in Perugia and enjoy the remainder of the evening, including dinner, at leisure.
Day 6 | Perugia
Sina Brufani Perugia
B | L
Winery Cooking Demonstration. You’re in for a treat today! Visit a nearby Perugian winery for an interactive Nonna Marcella cooking class. Learn the secrets of traditional Umbrian recipes, such as homemade pasta and cakes, while the dishes are prepared. Then, relish an unforgettable taste experience as you savor the delicious cuisine with paired wines for lunch. (Mild)
Return to the hotel for the evening and dinner at leisure.
Day 7 | Perugia | Assisi | Gubbio
Sina Brufani Perugia
B | L
Assisi, The City of St. Francis. Set out for the walled town of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and one of Italy’s most important pilgrimage destinations for Christians and Franciscans worldwide. Visit the UNESCO-inscribed Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi, the burial place of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan Order. The basilica is a deeply spiritual site that embodies the teachings of St. Francis.
Explore this masterpiece of medieval architecture and a treasure trove of religious art at your own pace. Discover the Basilica Superiore, the upper basilica, characterized by a light-filled Gothic style with tall ceilings and the extraordinary cycle of 18 frescoes by Giotto, illustrating the life of St. Francis. In the Basilica Inferiore, the lower basilica, take note of the Romanesque style of the arches and stonework and a darker, more intimate atmosphere conducive to prayer and reflection. Also, admire the remarkable works by Lorenzetti and Martini here—depicting the Passion of Christ and scenes from the Virgin Mary’s life—as well as the luminous frescoes by Simone Martini. Then, in the spiritual heart of the basilica in a crypt beneath the lower basilica, view the hallowed tomb of St. Francis, a reverent, holy space imbued with spiritual significance.
Continue to the UNESCO-listed Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli. At the heart of the basilica is the Porziuncola, a tiny stone chapel with immense spiritual significance. Here, St. Francis experienced his divine calling and founded the Franciscan order in 1209. View the Chapel of Transit, where St. Francis passed away on October 3, 1226, and admire the beautiful frescoes. The much larger basilica, built between 1569 and 1679, features Renaissance and baroque styles represented by harmonious proportions and grandeur, with a light-filled central dome, a nave lined with side chapels, elegant artwork, frescoes and sculptures, some depicting scenes from St. Francis’ life and the history of the Franciscan order. Stroll the adjacent Rose Garden, known as the “thornless rose garden,” where, according to legend, St. Francis experienced the Miracle of the Roses. While you are here, pause to admire the backdrop of Mount Subasio and the sweeping views of the Umbrian valley’s natural, serene beauty. (Moderate - Active)
Medieval Gubbio. Visit this picturesque medieval city at the foot of Mount Ingino for an enjoyable guided walk and lunch at a local restaurant. You’ll begin at the 13th-century San Francesco Church, dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, and stroll to the Piazza Grande, a massive, elevated square framed by impressive medieval buildings, including the 14th-century Palazzo del Popolo, or Palazzo dei Consoli. Considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture—with its grand arches, crenelated walls and a bell tower—it stands as a symbol of Gubbio’s historical importance and architectural splendor.
The historic Festa dei Ceri, the Race of the Candles, is one of Italy’s oldest and most unique festivals that takes place at the Piazza Grande every May 15. During the energetic display of devotion, tradition and community spirit, teams race through the street carrying enormous wooden candles in honor of St. Ubaldo. You’ll also appreciate breathtaking panoramic views of Gubbio and the Umbrian valley from the piazza's high vantage point, and the quirky, legendary Fontana dei Matti (Fountain of the Mad) is located nearby, embodying the town’s unique traditions and sense of humor.
Continue to the Duomo di San Mariano e San Giacomo. Constructed in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, the cathedral was built on the site of an earlier 12th-century Romanesque church, incorporating elements of the original church with architectural advancements and stylistic transitions of the time. (Moderate – Active)
Back in Perugia, relax over dinner on your own after a full and enriching day.
Day 8 | Perugia | Todi
Sina Brufani Perugia
B | R | D
Enrichment: Contemporary Italy. Join an engaging discussion of Italy’s current economy, politics, society and role in the European Union.
Historic Todi. Set out for a morning excursion to visit this charming town perched on a hill amid the Tiber River Valley’s rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards. On a guided walk in the town center, see the Piazza del Popolo, one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval squares. It is surrounded by historic buildings, such as the Palazzo del Capitano, which houses the Civic Museum and the Etruscan-Roman Museum, and the Palazzo dei Priori, featuring a grand façade adorned with a bronze eagle that symbolizes Todi. Look up and be awed by the Romanesque-Gothic-style Duomo di Santa Maria Anunziata, or Todi Cathedral, towering over the piazza from its location at the top of a grand staircase. During your walk, you’ll also see the Temple of Santa Maria della Consolazione, or the Cathedral of Saint Mary, a striking visual presence that dominates the Umbrian skyline. Built to honor a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary, this masterpiece of Renaissance architecture is notable for its centralized Greek-cross layout with a massive central dome and a perfect symmetry that reflects the ideals of balance, harmony and serenity.
Visit the San Fortunato Church for a guided tour of the magnificent Umbrian-Gothic-style structure dedicated to St. Fortunatus, a 4th-century bishop and the patron saint of Todi. The church’s unfinished façade, with its simple yet elegant portal and bell tower, contrasts with the vast and majestic interior featuring high vaulted ceilings and pointed arches. In the church’s crypt, see the tomb of Jacopone da Todi, a 13th-century mystic, poet and Franciscan friar famous for his religious poems and hymns, including “Stabat Mater.” Take in the church’s spiritual importance, tranquil atmosphere, architectural beauty and spectacular panoramic views from here. (Moderate – Active)
Farewell Reception and Dinner. Gather to toast your amazing Umbrian adventure with your fellow travelers at this evening’s Farewell Reception and Dinner at the hotel.
Day 9 | Depart for gateway city
B
After breakfast, AHI FlexAir passengers traveling on flights that qualify for a group transfer and Land Program passengers who have purchased seats on the group transfer depart for Leonardo da Vinci International Airport for your return flights home. Your Travel Director will provide the details.
Note: Itinerary may change due to local conditions.
