Tuscany and Umbria: Italy’s Art and Soul

Arrive Florence airport; a private transfer will take you to your hotel in the heart of Florence. 

In the afternoon meet a private guide and embark on an orientation tour of Florence. Your three-hour guided tour of Florence begins in the iconic Piazza del Duomo, where you’ll admire the stunning exteriors of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery with its famous bronze doors. From there, you’ll stroll through the historic center, hearing stories of Renaissance Florence. In Piazza della Signoria, you'll take in the grandeur of Palazzo Vecchio and the statues of the Loggia dei Lanzi. 

The tour continues through elegant streets and lesser-known corners, offering a complete picture of Florence’s artistic and political past. Your final stop is the Accademia Gallery, where you’ll enter with skip-the-line tickets to admire Michelangelo’s David and other masterpieces, concluding the experience immersed in the soul of Florentine art. 

Overnight in a 5* hotel in central Florence.

Discover the artistic soul of Florence on a guided tour that reveals two of its most captivating treasures: the Bargello Museum and the Opificio delle Pietre Dure. This cultural experience combines Renaissance genius with the refined elegance of Florentine craftsmanship. 

Your visit begins in the heart of the city at the Bargello Museum; a former medieval palace transformed into a temple of sculpture. Within its solemn walls, your guide will lead you through masterpieces by Donatello, Michelangelo, and Verrocchio—works that capture the human grace and creative spirit of the Renaissance. Each sculpture tells the story of Florence’s artistic revolution and its enduring pursuit of beauty. 

Next, you’ll explore the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, one of the city’s hidden gems. Founded by the Medici family, this fascinating museum celebrates the intricate art of stone inlay. Here, semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, jasper, and malachite are transformed into luminous mosaics that once decorated royal chapels and palaces. 

After the guided tour, enjoy free time to explore at your own pace. We recommend visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome, a masterpiece of engineering that offers breathtaking views over Florence.

After checking out from your hotel in Florence, you’ll collect your rental car and begin your scenic drive through the Tuscan countryside, where rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves stretch as far as the eye can see. Your first destination is San Gimignano, a beautifully preserved medieval town often called the “City of Towers.”  You’ll have time at leisure to wander through its charming streets and to admire the elegant squares such as Piazza della Cisterna, surrounded by graceful palazzi and bustling with life, while enjoying the atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the afternoon, continue your journey to Siena, one of Tuscany’s most captivating cities. Upon arrival, meet your private guide for a walking tour through its historic centre. The heart of Siena is Piazza del Campo, a magnificent shell-shaped square that has been the stage for civic life for centuries. Here, your guide will share the stories behind the city’s most famous tradition, the Palio di Siena, the thrilling horse race held twice a year that stirs fierce neighbourhood rivalries and immense local pride. Dominating the square is the elegant Palazzo Pubblico with its tall Torre del Mangia, symbols of Siena’s medieval power and artistry. Your tour continues to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture adorned with intricate marble patterns, sculptural details, and frescoes by artists such as Donatello and Pinturicchio. As you explore, your guide will reveal the artistic and spiritual significance of this extraordinary monument. After some time at leisure to soak in the atmosphere, you’ll drive south toward Umbria, arriving at the Ecoluxury Retreat Borghi dell’Eremo for the overnight.

I Borghi dell'Eremo

Piegaro (PG)

Travel to Perugia with your rent-a-car, which you will visit accompanied by a local guide. A guided tour of Perugia will take you to the heart of one of the most fascinating cities in central Italy, where history, art, and medieval atmosphere blend in a unique way. 

You will start from the historic centre, passing through the ancient Etruscan gates and walking along the cobbled streets that lead to Piazza IV Novembre, dominated by the majestic Fontana Maggiore, the symbol of the city. The guide will accompany you on a tour of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo and the Palazzo dei Priori, a treasure trove of art and civic power.  Along the way, panoramic views and historic shops enrich an intense cultural experience, immersed in an authentic and timeless atmosphere. 

In addition to its cultural beauty, the city is also known as one of Italy's chocolate capitals, which you will learn about in a pastry workshop where, together with a master chocolatier, you will learn not only the techniques of chocolate making, but also how to make some pralines. On the way back to the hotel, we recommend a stop in the village of Panicale, a charming Umbrian village overlooking Lake Trasimeno, with medieval alleys, harmonious squares, and Renaissance frescoes. 

Overnight at your Hotel.

In the morning, head to Pienza, built by Pope Pius II to be an ideal city. Visiting Pienza means immersing yourself in a Renaissance dream, amid architectural harmony and breathtaking views of the Val d'Orcia. Strolling through well-kept alleys and palaces, you will have the opportunity to admire the splendid central square with the Cathedral and Palazzo Piccolomini. All this while your gaze wanders over the hilly landscapes, which, thanks to the beauty of their views, are part of UNESCO's World Heritage Site.  

After visiting Pienza, don't miss a picnic at a local dairy, where you can taste Pecorino di Pienza DOP cheese and other specialties while immersed in the beauty of the landscape. Continue to Montepulciano, which charms visitors with its Renaissance historic centre perched on a hill, among elegant buildings, picturesque squares, and views of the Val d'Orcia. Strolling along the main street, you will come to historic underground cellars dug into the tuff, where time seems to have stood still. Here, among centuries-old barrels, you will discover the secrets of the famous Vino Nobile, tasting it directly in the heart of a thousand-year-old wine-making tradition. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

After sampling the flavours of Tuscany, it's time to return to those of Umbria. Visiting an oil mill in Umbria means discovering the soul of a land deeply connected to olive trees. 

Among green hills and harmonious landscapes, you will have the opportunity to taste different types of oil, including the intense and fragrant Colli del Trasimeno DOP extra virgin olive oil. The oil tasting will be accompanied by other typical local products.  This product, a symbol of identity and rural culture, is fundamental to the local economy and represents excellence that tells stories of passion, craftsmanship, and respect for nature.

The rest of the day is at your disposal to visit nearby Lake Trasimeno: worth visiting are the villages of Castiglione del Lago, where you can stroll through medieval alleys and possibly visit the Rocca del Leone and the Palazzo della Corgna with its valuable Renaissance frescoes, and Passignano sul Trasimeno, dominated by the fortress and from where you can reach Isola Maggiore by boat. 

Reach Orvieto by car and meet your local guide who will lead you through its atmospheric medieval streets, where every corner reveals traces of Etruscan, Roman, and medieval heritage. The tour begins with a visit to the magnificent Orvieto Cathedral, one of Italy’s greatest Gothic masterpieces. Its striking façade, decorated with golden mosaics, rose windows, and intricate bas-reliefs, glows in the sunlight. Inside, you’ll discover stunning frescoes by Luca Signorelli in the Chapel of San Brizio, vivid, emotional scenes that profoundly influenced Michelangelo’s later work in the Sistine Chapel. The Duomo is not only an artistic treasure but also a place of deep spiritual significance, linked to the miracle of Bolsena that inspired the Feast of Corpus Christi. From the cathedral, the walk continues through the elegant Piazza del Duomo and into the heart of the old town, where artisans’ shops, small cafés, and ancient palaces line the narrow stone lanes. Your guide will share stories of Orvieto’s powerful medieval families and its strategic role as a papal refuge during times of unrest in Rome.

You’ll also explore Orvieto’s fascinating underground world, a network of caves and tunnels carved by the Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago. These hidden passages reveal ancient wells, cisterns, and olive presses that sustained the city through centuries of siege and isolation. Emerging once more into the sunlight, the tour concludes with panoramic views from the city walls—an unforgettable vista stretching across vineyards, olive groves, and rolling Umbrian hills. After an incredible day in Orvieto return to your accommodation for the overnight.

Your day begins as you depart from Borghi dell’Eremo in your rental car, driving through the gentle Umbrian countryside toward your next destination, the enchanting Borgo di Postignano. Along the way, you’ll stop in two of Umbria’s most captivating towns — Assisi and Spello — each offering a perfect blend of art, history, and authentic Italian charm.

Your first stop is Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the spiritual heart of Umbria. Here, a private local guide will meet you for a walking tour of the town’s most iconic landmarks. The visit includes the Basilica of Saint Francis, one of the great masterpieces of medieval art and architecture, where the saint’s tomb lies beneath magnificent frescoes painted by Giotto and his followers. As you walk through the cobbled streets, your guide will share stories of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, and how their legacy continues to shape the spirit of Assisi today. You’ll also explore Piazza del Comune, surrounded by elegant medieval buildings and the ancient Temple of Minerva, a striking reminder of the town’s Roman origins.

After the visit, continue by car to Spello, a delightful hilltop village famous for its blooming balconies, honey-coloured stone houses, and serene charm. Before enjoying some time at leisure, don’t miss the Cappella Baglioni inside the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. This small chapel is adorned with extraordinary frescoes by Pinturicchio, whose vivid colours and graceful figures perfectly capture the elegance of the Umbrian Renaissance.

In the late afternoon, drive onward through scenic hills and olive groves to the Ecoluxury Retreat Borgo di Postignano, a beautifully restored medieval hamlet. Upon arrival, check in and relax.

Castello di Postignano Relais

Sellano

CHARME

After breakfast, head to the forests that make Umbria “the green heart of Italy” for a unique truffle hunting experience, guided by expert truffle hunters and their loyal dogs. Surrounded by nature, discover the secrets of this precious underground treasure. After the excursion, enjoy a genuine lunch featuring the unmistakable flavour of local truffles. 

In the afternoon, continue to Spoleto for a guided tour of this culturally rich and artistic town.

Start in Piazza del Duomo, one of Umbria’s most striking spots, home to the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Inside, admire renowned frescoes by Pinturicchio and Filippo Lippi, as well as the beautiful Romanesque apse. Visit the Roman Theatre, still used today for cultural events, then wander the cobbled streets to discover Renaissance palaces and the Roman House, with its perfectly preserved mosaics. End the visit at the impressive Rocca Albornoz, perched high above the town. From the pathway, enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding valley. The day concludes with a walk across the Ponte delle Torri, a medieval aqueduct and iconic symbol of Spoleto’s poetic soul. Overnight stay.