Enchanting Italy Self Drive Discovery

Welcome to Rome ! Upon your arrival in Rome, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Discover the Eternal City on your own or consider taking optional small group tour to the Colosseum, the heart of the city, or the Vatican Museums.

In the morning, pick up your rental car and take a scenic drive from Rome to Umbria. Consider a stop in Todi, Spoleto, or Foligno for lunch at a local restaurant where you can taste the region’s famous truffles. Check in to your hotel in Perugia, Orvieto, or Cortona.

Today you may want to visit two of Umbria’s most famous cities, Perugia and Assisi. The birthplace of St. Francis (known as San Francesco here), Assisi stands on the top of a hill overlooking a picturesque valley surrounded by gentle slopes and vineyards. Following in San Francisco and Santa Chiara’s footsteps, stroll winding streets and alleyways and discover the historical and artistic treasures of this Medieval town. In the superb Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi, gazing Giotto’s frescoes of San Francesco’s life, you will learn the history of this important spiritual centre. Perugia is an ancient city founded by the Etruscans. You’ll have the opportunity to stroll through the old town where you’ll find springs and fountains, parks and gardens, Etruscan walls and doors, and beautiful views. Perugia is also known as the chocolate city, so don’t miss out on a chocolate tasting.

Today, discover more of Umbria. We suggest visiting Civita di Bagnoregio and Orvieto. Civita di Bagnoregio is one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy. Perched atop a plateau of rock, it is connected to the rest of the world by just a narrow bridge which can be crossed on foot or by bike. Enjoy a superb lunch at Locanda Palazzone before heading to Orvieto. Orvieto is famous not just for its impressive cathedral but in general for its all-Italian beauty and mysterious charm: an amalgam of natural, artistic and historical beauty and breathtaking landscapes.

In the morning, head to Tuscany. Your drive takes you along the shores of picturesque Lake Trasimeno: this is the perfect place to stop and have lunch in one of the small villages (like Passignano sul Trasimeno). Along the way, you may also want to stop in Montalcino, Pienza or Montepulciano, enchanting medieval villages that should not be missed. Savor a famous red wine (just as the “king” Brunello di Montalcino) in a wine shop built with stones in a traditional Tuscan style and feel like you’re part of a fairytale. Check in to your hotel in Chianti, San Gimignano or Siena and overnight.

Today, spend your day exploring Tuscany. You may want to visit some of Tuscany’s most iconic places like Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti. In Siena, admire the stunning Piazza del Campo, an open-air fish bowl, surrounded by softly-washed Siena stone architectural masterpieces. Visit Piazza del Duomo and be impressed by the imposing Cathedral, one of the finest achievements of Italian Gothic. San Gimignano, known as the Manhattan of the Middle Ages for its signature skyline of towers resembling skyscrapers, offers charming medieval streets, cozy bistros, and wine tasting with incredible views. Or visit Chianti, the world-famous wine region. Few wine regions have the instant name recognition of Tuscany’s Chianti, first legally defined in 1716 though recognized as a wine region as early as the 13th century. Some of Chianti’s most acclaimed wines, however, don’t carry its name. Only reds based on the Sangiovese grape can be called Chianti.

Say “arrividerci” to Italy as you have breakfast at the hotel drive to Florence Airport, return your rental car and continue to your next destination.