South Tuscany & Umbria – Daily Schedule

 

Day 1

Meal/s included: DINNER 

Meet in the afternoon at Chiusi TGV station in Chiusi Scalo, and transfer
to our Umbrian country house, set on a small organic farm, overlooking
a lake, near the borders of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio. This is home for
the next seven days. Collect your bike, or tie on the walking shoes, and
set out to explore the nearby villages, before enjoying our first experience
of the stunning cuisine of this area. Our host will provide an introduction
to the workings of his cantina – wine cellar – before a dinner of local specialities.

 

Day 2

Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER

To the neighbouring town of Chiusi, a setting much-loved by the early Etruscan people, and by a series of Popes. In modern times the stunning climate has led to the development of a thriving tree nursery industry. Enjoy an introduction to the secondo piatto in the inimitable Tuscan-style, at a lakeside restaurant. After lunch, continue the clockwise circumnavigation of Lake Chiusi, or take the longer route to the fortified Castiglione del Lago sitting dramatically above Lago di Trasimeno. Before dinner, depending on conditions, there could be a chance to participate in the
grape harvest.

 

Day 3

Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER

After breakfast, set off for the noted wine town of Montalcino,

travelling through the countryside of the Val d’Orcia, made famous
in the books of Iris Origo. These must be the best known cypresses
in the world. (Support vehicle ferrying today!) The steep streets of
Montalcino hide a multitude of caves storing one of Italy’s premium
wines, brunello di Montalcino. Neighbourhood rivalries are still very
strong in Montalcino and you will see the banners delineating the
various medieval quartieres whose residents relish their annual battles.

 

Descend to the exquisite Abbey of Sant'Antimo, set in the Umbrian

valley. Founded by the Emperor Charlemagne, the abbey boasts

Gregorian chants sung by monks that can still be heard here several
times a day. Down to the unique spa of Bagno Vignoni – the town
square is a large thermal pool – and there are several other
establishments to investigate.

 

Cruise back home after lunch. On returning to the farm, learn how to

grind the local organic wheat. For dinner tonight, we will be helping

make one of Umbria’s typical pastas. We will collect wild and cultivated

herbs for the salad and other fresh produce from the estate.

 

Day 4

Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER

If lake conditions are suitable, a chance to try the traditional fishing

techniques of this region. To Pienza, a model Renaissance town laid

out on a rectangular pattern by local Pope, Pius II, in the 1400s. Behind the impressive walls and strong facades lie many secrets!

 

Recently, Pienza has proven very popular as a movie set – the locals enjoy their lucrative roles as extras, even if they do have to represent gentlemen from Verona! Strolling the cobbled streets, it is easy to spot the most famous product of this town: pecorino, a delicious sheep cheese. Don’t hesitate to sample it! We’ll enjoy a tasty selection of cheeses with our picnic lunch. Return on small roads, or have a well-earned rest and ride in our support vehicle. Tonight, participate in pizza and bread making using a traditional oak-fired oven. Perhaps some fish?

 

Day 5

Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH

Today’s outing is to another wine giant (and sworn enemy to Montalcino), Montepulciano. Again, the hillsides are honeycombed with cellars containing splendid wines (Nobile di Montepulciano is the most sought-after). Return at speed via a scenic but obscure, largely downhill, route past stately palazzi and the inevitable grape vines and olive trees.

 

Dinner this evening is your choice and cost – local villages, plus the towns of Chiusi and Castiglione del Lago are all readily accessible.

 

Day 6

Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / DINNER

Take the chance to circumnavigate Italy’s fourth largest, and probably

shallowest, lake – Lago di Trasimeno. Much of the route follows a

dedicated cycle track close to the shoreline. You will get great views

of the small islands and of the massacre site where Hannibal drove

the Romans into the lake. (This historic event is still celebrated today).

 

Pause for lunch and to visit the museum depicting life on the lake over

the centuries, then return through beautiful lanes to our country house.

Tonight the famed active gourmet arriverderci feast in our home cantina – a truly memorable experience!

 

Day 7

Meal/s included: BREAKFAST

After breakfast, your Italian rural experience is over. Transfer to Chiusi to collect a rental car or to connect to a train to continue your European journey.