Culinary Experience
Make It & Taste It
This 10-day tour is designed to demonstrate the culinary treasures that are unique to the region and showcase the dedication and care that goes into the preparation of our local products. Take part in the various steps that go into the cultivation, transformation, and final preparation of our most traditional meals. Take a cooking class in Spoleto, go truffle hunting in the Umbrian hills, taste the freshest olive oil in Montefalco and relax with a glass of local wine. You will come away from this experience with a deeper understanding of the language of Italian food, culture and the traditions that make the region unique.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - Depart to Rome
Most flights from the U.S. depart in the evening and arrive in Rome the following morning.
Day 2 - Rome to Spoleto
Arrive at Fiumicino Airport in Rome where a private bus will transport you to Spoleto. After settling into your room at Palazzo Leti, one of the top 20 exclusive residences of epoch in Italy, begin your exploration of this enchanting town by taking an evening walk through the Medieval streets of Spoleto. Discover Roman ruins and traditional local shops along the way.
Day 3 - Ode to Hill Towns
Situated atop an imposing cliff, Orvieto is the perfect example of how Ancient and Renaissance cultures blended to create something incredibly unique. Step into a fully intact Etruscan tomb at the Museo Civico and take in Luca Signorelli’s magnificent frescoes in the Duomo. Continue on to Civita di Bagnoregio, a small village suspended in time and space. Isolated from the rest of the countryside, it is accessible only to pedestrians and animals via a narrow bridge.
Day 4 - Choice of 3
This is a customizable day with three activities to choose from. One, you can journey to Norcia and Vettore to sample the delicious sandwiches of Saint Anatolia. Two, you can hike up Monte Luco, the mountain overlooking Spoleto, and explore the Sacred Wood where Saint Francis came to pray. Or three, you can drive a short distance to Castel Ritaldi and wander through the olive trees.
Day 5 - A Taste of Siena
Visit Siena, one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, located in the heart of the Tuscan hills. Have lunch at a traditional trattoria like La Torre and experience Siena’s culinary tradition, rich with unique pasta and tasty long-stewed meats. Wander around Piazza del Campo, home of the Palio, and take in the beautiful frescoes in the Duomo and Palazzo Pubblico.
Day 6 - From the Mountains
Venture into the Apennine Mountains to the remote town of Monteleone. Meet Domenico Angelini and his family to learn how saffron is cultivated and used in traditional desserts or how sheep’s milk is turned into savory Pecorino cheese on their farm. A home-cooked meal prepared by Domenico himself is the perfect conclusion to the day.
Day 7 - Truffles in Trevi
Enjoy a picturesque drive through olive groves to the mountaintop village of Trevi where you will be greeted by truffle hunters and their dogs, trained to sniff out Umbria’s greatest culinary treasure: truffles. Walk with these adept canines as they go to work, and learn about the land and why it makes Umbria the largest truffle producer in Italy. The magnificent view of the Umbrian valley unfolds below as you sip on a glass of wine and savor freshly grated truffles.
Day 8 - Perugina Chocolate
Start your day in Perugia, Italy’s capital of chocolate and home to the renowned Perugina Chocolate Factory. Taste the delicious Bacio Perugina as master chocolatiers guide you through the careful selection of cocoa beans and assist you in transforming these rich beans into authentic Perugina products. Stop in Assisi on the way back to Spoleto and enjoy a breathtaking sunset from the Basilica of St. Francis, the holy patron of Italy.
Day 9 - Wine & Olive Oil
Embark on a wine and olive oil tasting adventure in Montefalco, known for its Sagrantino grapes that produce the delicious wines of Umbria. Stroll through vineyards while learning about the growing and cultivation process. End the day with a beautiful sunset dinner in the small town of Bevagna.
Day 10 - Travel Day Home
Depart Spoleto around 6:30 am for Fiumicino airport, arriving in Rome around 8:30 am. Flights home depart after 12 pm.
Cost - starts at $2800
This itinerary is best suited for families and small private groups of 6 or more travelers. Prices are in U.S. dollars, per person, and based on double occupancy for a group of 6. The single room supplement for this tour is $600.
Pricing for this experience as listed includes:
Lodging at the Palazzo Leti for 9 nights
Transportation between locations
Entry into all places listed on travel days
Meals
Pricing does not include airfare, health or travel insurance, or personal expenses.
The price indicated is for the itinerary as shown. We can further customize this tour to suit your group’s desires. Any element can be tailored including the activities, length, hotels, meals, and destinations.
Book this experience
Does this sound like a great start to your ideal vacation? Contact us to put on the finishing touches and we will have you eating your way through Central Italy soon!