Marche is a miraculous fruit born from the union between natural beauty and the intelligence of places.
Carlo Bo
This itinerary takes you from ancient Rome through medieval hill towns, stunning mountain landscapes.
Contact us to book a perfect trip for travelers who want to explore Italy’s lesser-known treasures.
All experiences can be customised according to your preferences, e.g. you can add guided tours or change the duration of stays at different locations.
This itinerary is best experienced with a rental car. The roads are excellent and distances are comfortable, allowing you the freedom to stop spontaneously for photos and sightseeing while traveling at your own pace. If you’d prefer not to drive, we’re happy to arrange alternative transportation such as train journeys supplemented by private driver services, or a private driver for the entire trip.
Central Italy: days 1 – 3
After your arrival at the Rome airport, you will immediately transfer to Orvieto, where you will spend your first three nights in a 4-star hotel with all amenities.
You can spend the first day on a guided tour of Orvieto, while the following day we suggest visiting Civita di Bagnoregio and Lake Bolsena.
Rising majestically from a tufa cliff, Orvieto is one of Umbria’s most striking hill towns. Its jewel is the breathtaking Duomo, a Gothic masterpiece with a golden mosaic facade and interior frescoes by Luca Signorelli. Beneath the medieval streets lies a fascinating underground city of Etruscan caves, wells, and tunnels carved over 2,500 years. The town is also famous for its crisp Orvieto Classico white wine – perfect with local cuisine.
Start your second day with a visit to Civita di Bagnoregio, the stunning “dying city” perched on an eroding cliff and accessible only by a dramatic footbridge. Spend 2-3 hours wandering its timeless medieval streets and capturing incredible photos. Then head to Lake Bolsena, Europe’s largest volcanic lake, for a leisurely lakeside lunch featuring fresh local fish. Take time to stroll the charming waterfront town, dip your toes in the crystal-clear water, or simply relax with a gelato overlooking the lake before returning to Orvieto in the late afternoon.
Central Italy: days 4 – 7
From Orvieto you move to Spello where you will stay for 3 nights, it’s ideally positioned for exploring Perugia, Assisi and Montefalco.
Spello, often called the “little jewel of Umbria,” is a beautifully preserved Roman and medieval town feels intimate and authentic, with less tourist traffic than nearby Assisi. Wander the steep cobblestone streets lined with vibrant geraniums and bougainvillea, discover hidden Romanesque churches with Renaissance frescoes by Pinturicchio, and admire ancient Roman gates including the stunning Porta Consolare.
After exploring, settle into a local enoteca or wine bar for a guided tasting of Umbrian wines – Sagrantino di Montefalco, Grechetto, and Trebbiano Spoletino – expertly paired with the region’s culinary treasures. This relaxed, educational experience captures the essence of Umbrian food culture, where wine and local products have been perfectly matched for centuries.
Private guided tour of Perugia, Umbria‘s lively capital, combines medieval architecture with university energy. Stroll the elegant Corso Vannucci, admire the Gothic Fontana Maggiore, and indulge in the city’s famous chocolate scene; to savor the aroma of delicious chocolate and discover the secrets of its production, we offer a cooking class with a master chocolatier where you will learn how to temper chocolate and create delicious chocolates.
Assisi, draped in rose-colored stone across Monte Subasio, is St. Francis’s hometown and a major pilgrimage site. The Basilica di San Francesco showcases Giotto’s magnificent frescoes, while the Rocca Maggiore offers unforgettable sunset vistas. Finally, Montefalco – the “Balcony of Umbria” – sits atop rolling vineyards producing the renowned Sagrantino wine. This tiny circular walled town boasts beautiful Renaissance frescoes and countless wine-tasting opportunities, offering an authentic taste of Umbrian life.
Central Italy: days 8 – 10
Traveling north, you will reach Urbino for the next two nights; along the way, we suggest a stop in Gubbio.
Gubbio feels frozen in time – a dramatically steep medieval town with gray stone buildings climbing Monte Ingino. Take the quirky open-cage cable car up for stunning views and explore the imposing Palazzo dei Consoli.
Urbino: The Renaissance Masterpiece You’ve Never Heard Of
Forget the crowds of Florence and Rome – Urbino delivers jaw-dropping Renaissance splendor without the tour buses. This stunning hilltop city was ground zero for some of history’s greatest artistic achievements, yet remains blissfully under the radar. The Ducal Palace alone is worth the trip: a sprawling Renaissance wonder packed with masterpieces, intricate inlaid wood studiolo, and the Duke’s secret passages.
But Urbino is more than museums. Lose yourself in a maze of steep medieval lanes, stumble upon the intimate house where Raphael learned to paint, and discover the breathtaking Oratory of San Giovanni with its explosive fresco cycle. The city’s dramatic hilltop setting offers killer views at every turn, while excellent restaurants serve Marche specialties and local Bianchello wine. With a thriving student scene keeping things lively, Urbino proves that Italy’s best-kept secrets are often the most rewarding.
Central Italy: days 11 – 12
Heading back south, before reaching your next destination, Ascoli Piceno, we recommend stopping to visit the Frasassi Caves: descend into the breathtaking Frasassi Caves, one of Europe’s largest and most stunning cave systems.
Ascoli Piceno: One of central Italy’s most beautiful and underrated cities, Ascoli Piceno dazzles with its elegant travertine architecture. The heart is Piazza del Popolo, often called one of Italy’s most harmonious squares – lined with Renaissance porticos, outdoor cafés, and the striking Palazzo dei Capitani. Don’t miss the Duomo and its octagonal baptistery, or the medieval towers that once numbered over 200. Cross the Roman Ponte di Solestà for views of the old town, and explore the charming Quartiere Monticelli with its narrow medieval lanes.
Ascoli is the birthplace of olive all’ascolana, delicious fried stuffed olives that are a must-try, best enjoyed during the evening passeggiata with an aperitivo. The city’s café culture is legendary, and locals take their evening stroll very seriously. Visit the colorful morning market and browse artisan shops for ceramics and local products.
If you wish, and if the season allows, you can also spend a relaxing day at the beach:
- San Benedetto del Tronto (~25 km, 30 minutes) The closest and most popular option. This lively resort town boasts a long, wide sandy beach with excellent facilities. Clean, family-friendly, with Blue Flag certification for water quality.
- Grottammare (~30 km, 35 minutes) A more charming alternative with a beautiful sandy beach and a historic borgo antico (old town) perched on the hill above. Less crowded than San Benedetto, with a relaxed, authentic vibe.
- Cupra Marittima (~20 km, 25 minutes) Quieter and more laid-back, perfect if you want to escape crowds. Wide sandy beach with clear water, backed by pine groves. Great seafood restaurants along the lungomare.
Central Italy: days 13 – 16
Return to Rome for the last leg of your journey in central Italy. Along the way, if you’re here between late May and mid-July, you can stop at Castelluccio di Norcia: the vast Castelluccio plateau transforms into a natural canvas of extraordinary beauty. For several weeks, the green pastures give way to a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors: waves of ochre yellow, deep red, purple, and white create a landscape that looks hand-painted.
Mother Nature doesn’t follow a fixed calendar, this magical spectacle keeps its own schedule, dictated entirely by the year’s weather condition sthat decide when the show will begin. Castelluccio’s flowering remains unpredictable, and that’s what makes it all the more precious.
Once you arrive in Rome, you can return your rental car and spend your last two days in Italy enjoying the beauty of the “Eternal City.” We will organize a private tour of the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, and the Imperial Forums for you, as well as a food-stroll through the typical and historic Trastevere neighborhood.
On the day of your departure, you will be accompanied to the airport by private transfer.
On the 16th day you will take the flight back home from the Rome Fiumicino airport.
PRIVATE TOUR & LUNCH IN ORVIETO
Art, history, archaeology, and local flavor in one of Umbria’s most enchanting towns
Perched dramatically atop a volcanic cliff, Orvieto reveals its treasures through an immersive guided walking tour of medieval streets and ancient underground passages. The journey begins at the breathtaking Duomo, one of Italy’s most spectacular Gothic cathedrals. Its golden mosaic facade seems to glow in the sunlight, while inside, Luca Signorelli’s powerful Last Judgment frescoes showcase a masterpiece that influenced Michelangelo himself.
The charming historic center unfolds as you stroll through its cobblestone lanes, learning about Orvieto’s fascinating history as an Etruscan stronghold and later a papal refuge. Your guide shares stories of popes, artists, and ancient civilizations while pointing out architectural details you might otherwise miss.
Before or after the tour, you can enjoy a lunch featuring local recipes and products at a restaurant that will also allow you to visit Orvieto’s hidden marvel: the underground city, a labyrinth of caves, tunnels, and wells hand-carved into the volcanic tufa over 2,500 years awaits exploration. Ancient Etruscan chambers, medieval wine cellars, Renaissance-era wells, and World War II shelters reveal layers of history literally beneath your feet.
Wine & Food Experience in Spello
True flavors, a lasting memory
A guided tasting of Umbrian wines – Sagrantino di Montefalco, Grechetto, and Trebbiano Spoletino – expertly paired with the region’s culinary treasures. Sample aged pecorino and truffle cheeses, paper-thin slices of prosciutto and salami, bruschetta drizzled with peppery olive oil, black truffles, and lentils from nearby Castelluccio.
This relaxed, educational experience captures the essence of Umbrian food culture, where wine and local products have been perfectly matched for centuries.
Guided tour of Perugia
Historic, vibrant, artistic, chocolate-loving, hilltop city
Umbria’s captivating capital unfolds its treasures during a guided walking tour that reveals layers of history from Etruscan times to the present day. Your expert guide leads you through the elegant historic center, beginning along Corso Vannucci—the city’s refined main street where locals gather for their evening passeggiata among Renaissance palaces and historic cafés.
The magnificent Piazza IV Novembre serves as Perugia’s heart, home to the Gothic Fontana Maggiore with its intricate medieval sculptures and the imposing Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Your guide shares fascinating tales of the city’s turbulent past, including power struggles between noble families, papal conflicts, and the fierce independence that defined medieval Perugia.
Chocolate Making Class in Perugia
Roll up your sleeves and craft your own chocolate creations!
Perugia’s reputation as Italy’s chocolate capital comes alive during a hands-on chocolate making class that’s perfect for food lovers and families alike. Under the guidance of an expert chocolatier, you’ll discover the art and science behind creating authentic Italian chocolate, from bean to bar.
Frasassi caves
One of Europe’s most magnificent underground systems
This underground marvel features colossal chambers – the first is large enough to hold Milan’s cathedral – adorned with spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, and bizarre limestone formations sculpted over 190 million years. Guided tours lead you through an alien landscape of crystalline pools, towering columns, and delicate stone “curtains” in a constantly cool 14°C (57°F) environment..
Vatican Museums Tour
Private guided tour
Your expert guide will lead you through the highlights, providing fascinating historical context and stories behind the art. Marvel at the intricate Gallery of Maps with its stunning ceiling frescoes and 16th-century cartography. Walk through the Raphael Rooms, where the master’s frescoes—including the iconic “School of Athens”—showcase Renaissance genius at its peak.
Admire the classical sculptures in the Pio-Clementino Museum, including the famous Laocoön and Apollo Belvedere that inspired generations of artists. The tour culminates in the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s supreme masterpiece.
Private tour of Colosseum & Imperial Forums
The Colosseum and ancient Rome’s ruins tell the epic story of an empire
Into the heart of the Roman Empire at the Colosseum, the ancient world’s most iconic monument. Standing in the arena where warriors fought for glory and survival, you’ll feel the weight of 2,000 years of history.
Adjacent to the Colosseum lies the Roman Forum, the empire’s political, commercial, and religious center.
Climb Palatine Hill, where Rome’s legendary founders Romulus and Remus were said to have been raised by a she-wolf, and where emperors built their lavish palaces overlooking the city. The archaeological complex offers unparalleled insight into daily Roman life, from the grandeur of imperial power to the engineering marvels of aqueducts and roads that connected an empire stretching from Britain to Egypt.