Italy: Sun-drenched Umbria

Self-Guided Walking Tour, Italy: Sun-drenched UmbriaSelf-Guided Walking Tour, Italy: Sun-drenched Umbria

Italy

Sun-drenched Umbria

overview

This Self-Guided Walking Adventure ambles through Italy’s unspoiled “green heart,” a fertile region of olive groves and vineyards not yet overrun by visitors, although it offers some of the best eating experiences and local wines in the world. Your journey here will carry you deep into history, from Etruscan and Roman ruins to important medieval and Renaissance sites. Don’t miss the St. Francis Basilica in Assisi, or the impressive Minerva Temple in the town’s classic Piazza del Comune. Walk the Franciscan trail to Monte Subasio National Park and the town of Satriano, where nearby footpaths take you through pasturelands, oak forests, deep gorges, and villages where encounters with local residents spice up your day. Stroll within the ancient walls of Spello, one of the region’s best-preserved medieval towns. Relax at family-run hotels and sample black truffles, fresh olive oils, and delicious Umbrian specialties paired with superb local vintages like the region’s acclaimed Orvietos.
 

tour includes

  • Continental breakfast and dinner daily (lunches and beverages are not included)
  • All accommodations (with private bathrooms) while on tour
  • Local transfers as noted in the itinerary
  • Luggage transfers between the hotels
  • Detailed route notes and maps
  • Basic travel insurance coverage
  • 24-hour emergency service
  • The exclusive ease of a mobile phone rental with our Cellhire partnership. Receive preferred calling rates, free phone rental, and complimentary shipping of mobile phones
  • The unbeatable and cumulative experience of the CW staff

Details

Length
9 days, 8 nights
Activity Level
Moderate; 9-10 miles daily
Meet and Depart
Foligno, Italy

gallery

Itinerary and Accommodations

Days
Destination
1
Spello
View on map
2
Assisi
View on map
3
Assisi
View on map
4
Santa Maria di Lignano
View on map
5
Santa Maria di Lignano
View on map
6
Armenzano
View on map
7
Armenzano
View on map
8
Spello
View on map
9
Spello
View on map
Day 1

Spello

Arrival in Spello

We meet you at Foligno train station late afternoon and transfer you (25 minutes) to your hotel in time for dinner.

La Bastiglia

Spello, Italy

Located in a former 16th-century grain mill in the walled medieval town of Spello, this elegant hotel boasts a wide terrace with panoramic views overlooking the Chiona Valley. Spacious guest rooms have traditional décor and most overlook the cypress and olive groves below. With a Michelin-starred restaurant, prestigious wine cellar, and small heated swimming pool, all within a few minutes' walk from the center of the ancient town.

Day 2

Assisi

Spello to Assisi; 11km/8mi/4hr or 16km/10mi/5hr

The shorter, lower route takes you through lush Umbrian countryside, with its distinctive dark green cypresses and silver-colored olive trees, and will get you back to Assisi with time to continue your exploration of this spiritual city. The longer, more challenging route takes you via the sacred Eremo delle Carceri (St. Francis's famous hermitage) where he used to pray and talk to the birds. A final dinner of Umbrian specialties rewards your efforts.

Hotel La Terrazza

Assisi, Italy

An expansive hotel just a short walk from the center of Assisi sits in olive groves overlooking the Umbrian valley and nearby Mount Subasio. Guestrooms are stylish and modern with tile floors, white walls, and invitingly colored fabrics and artwork. A large outdoor pool is surrounded by chaise lounges and a wide lawn. The hotel’s restaurant serves local specialties either in the dining room or, weather permitting, poolside.

Day 3

Assisi

Layover day at Assisi

Several options await you today. You may laze by the hotel pool, enjoy a relaxed lunch on the outdoor patio, walk to the historic center of town, or visit the stunning St. Francis basilica and the beautiful Piazza del Comune where you’ll find the well-preserved Minerva Temple. Or you may take the train into Perugia, the region’s capital city and home to infinite art treasures.

Hotel La Terrazza

Assisi, Italy

An expansive hotel just a short walk from the center of Assisi sits in olive groves overlooking the Umbrian valley and nearby Mount Subasio. Guestrooms are stylish and modern with tile floors, white walls, and invitingly colored fabrics and artwork. A large outdoor pool is surrounded by chaise lounges and a wide lawn. The hotel’s restaurant serves local specialties either in the dining room or, weather permitting, poolside.

Day 4

Santa Maria di Lignano

Assisi to Santa Maria di Lignano; 15km/9mi/4.5hr

Today, you then head out along the unspoiled Franciscan trail, tracing (in reverse) St. Francis's steps on his last journey to the town. You’ll skirt the north side of Monte Subasio before winding down to Satriano, in the heart of the Monte Subasio Natural Park, where you arrive at your home for the next two nights.

La Tavola dei Cavalieri

Santa Maria di Lignano, Italy

This hotel (and working organic farm) is part of a carefully restored medieval hamlet surrounded by the Natural Park of Monte Subasio on the outskirts of Assisi. Comfortable rooms have traditional décor with wooden beams, terra-cotta floors, and wrought iron furniture. Its restaurant features local specialties made from its own farm and gardens.

Day 5

Santa Maria di Lignano

Layover day at Santa Maria di Lignano

At an altitude of 800 meters (2,625 feet) above sea level, the views from your hotel afford a fabulous 360-degree panorama of the luxuriant natural park and surrounding Apennine Mountains. There are literally hundreds of forest trails at your doorstep. The hotel also rents bikes if you prefer to explore on two wheels.

La Tavola dei Cavalieri

Santa Maria di Lignano, Italy

This hotel (and working organic farm) is part of a carefully restored medieval hamlet surrounded by the Natural Park of Monte Subasio on the outskirts of Assisi. Comfortable rooms have traditional décor with wooden beams, terra-cotta floors, and wrought iron furniture. Its restaurant features local specialties made from its own farm and gardens.

Day 6

Armenzano

Santa Maria di Lignano to Le Silve; 14km/9mi/4.5hr

You set off this morning along pine-scented forest trails before winding slightly uphill along the Marchetto River. You continue along former drovers’ tracks, passing meadows carpeted with colorful flowers—orchids, edelweiss, and wild tulips—enjoying lovely gorge views en route. You cross the gorge via the Ponte del Marchetto, also known as Ponte dei Lupi, or Wolves’ Bridge. It’s unlikely you will encounter this rare animal. You will, however, enjoy pure luxury for the next two nights relaxing at the Silve di Armenzano estate.

Hotel Le Silve

Armenzano, Italy

Built on a natural terrace in the foothills of the Nature Park of Mount Subasio, the hotel is in a truly unforgettable and serene setting of hills, fields, and forest. Individually decorated rooms incorporate exposed beams, stone walls, and terra-cotta with oriental rugs and elegant furnishings. Amenities include 3 swimming pools (including one saltwater), tennis courts, and an extensive network of marked walking trails.

Day 7

Armenzano

Layover day at Le Silve

You almost feel as though you have the world to yourself as you explore the wonderfully wild surroundings of your 230-hectare estate. There are over 20 kilometers, or 12.4 miles, of well-marked walking paths and trails winding around St. Francis's “magical” Subasio Mountain and the surrounding valleys. Enjoy a swim in the new deck-level saltwater pool, and perhaps end the day with a relaxing sauna or afternoon tea in the exquisite tearoom. A guided tour of the estate, complete with photography stations for wildlife, can be organized through the hotel’s reception.

Hotel Le Silve

Armenzano, Italy

Built on a natural terrace in the foothills of the Nature Park of Mount Subasio, the hotel is in a truly unforgettable and serene setting of hills, fields, and forest. Individually decorated rooms incorporate exposed beams, stone walls, and terra-cotta with oriental rugs and elegant furnishings. Amenities include 3 swimming pools (including one saltwater), tennis courts, and an extensive network of marked walking trails.

Day 8

Spello

Le Silve to Spello; 14km/9mi/4.5hr

Today’s route follows the lower eastern slopes of Monte Subasio, passing through the restored hamlet of San Giovanni. You then continue up to the Rifugio di Madonna della Spella for panoramic views over the open pastureland before descending through oak and centuries-old olive groves to finish in charming Spello, one of the finest preserved medieval towns in the region.

La Bastiglia

Spello, Italy

Located in a former 16th-century grain mill in the walled medieval town of Spello, this elegant hotel boasts a wide terrace with panoramic views overlooking the Chiona Valley. Spacious guest rooms have traditional décor and most overlook the cypress and olive groves below. With a Michelin-starred restaurant, prestigious wine cellar, and small heated swimming pool, all within a few minutes' walk from the center of the ancient town.

Day 9

Spello

Departure from Spello

After breakfast, a transfer is provided to Foligno train station (30 minutes) where you may make connections for your journey home or your next destination.

Itinerary Disclaimer

Bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience. If you are currently booked on a CW adventure, an itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call CW at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact itinerary or hotels selected for any of our tours.

Guest Comments

M. Vazquez, Colorado, May 2012

The self-guided walking tour was just what I wanted. I was able to really experience the Umbrian countryside and culture and do it at my own pace. Walking the trails was so peaceful, with beautiful vistas and wildflowers and lovely birdsong. The trip was just what I was looking for.

T. & S. Strane, Wisconsin, September 2010

After eight days of hiking around Umbria we felt wonderful and invigorated! The scenery was great, the staff at the hotels were wonderful, the food was fabulous, and our lack of Italian language skills was not a problem.