
Far from being your typical Italian vacation, "Under The Umbrian Spell" is our version of what a diverse journey combining food, wine and culture should be, in a region that has not yet been overtaken by mass tourism and where tradition and authenticity can still be found at every corners.
Join us on this journey discovering or re-discovering a true pallet of colors and flavors. Spend 7 nights in a breathtaking country house situated in the middle of vineyards and olive groves. Enjoy your own bedroom with en-suite bathroom, and be pampered by our staff and resident chef.
If you have not yet visited Umbria and discovered its infinite beauty and the kindness of its people, this is your chance to do so (read our blog here)
Your home for a week will be one of history and charm. Our selection of villas in Umbria range from the 12th to the 17th century, and each one comes with its own history and modern comfort. As well as feeling at home, you will want to stay a good while.
Experience the less busy/more authentic towns and villages of Umbria (as opposed to its neighbor Tuscany), their markets, their traditions and their incredible cuisine. It is also home to Assisi, Spello, Gubbio, Spoleto, Trevi and Perugia, all boasting centuries of Christian, Etruscan and Roman history
Our local chef knows the best products, the best farmers and of course, delivers an outstanding and authentic culinary experience at the estate. Our menu is mixed, varied, diverse and always traditional. And our wine flows at will!
Armed with some of the best local guides, get to know the towns and villages of Umbria without ever being bored nor overwhelmed. Enjoy a light and carefully-thought itinerary to discover what this Umbria has to offer, all while enjoying its traditions and its beauty at a pace that is yours.
On arrival in Rome, you will be picked up and your adventure will start right away with a stop in Orvieto for a tour at leisure and lunch. Then, an hour drive will bring you to what will be your home for a week. Tonight, our chef awaits to surprise you with local traditional cuisine and wines perfectly paired.
On this Sunday morning, we discover the incredible town of Assisi. A private guide awaits for a 3-hour walking tour followed by lunch (own account) and the afternoon discovering the town and its shops. We then head back to the estate for some time to be spent by the pool, or enjoying the ground, before sunset drinks and dinner are served in the vineyards.
A magical morning spent in the countryside of Montefalco! We begin with a visit to a family farm where we will meet the animals, notably various breeds of Italian cattle, and sample cheeses and yogurt made from their cows, sheep and goats! We then take a stroll through the beautiful hilltop village of Montefalco to see local producers of linens, olive wood and more! Our final stop is a small farm just under the walls of the town where we will learn about biodiversity and how all of the animals ‘help out’ from honeybees, to chickens & geese, to the pigs and sheep! We conclude the day enjoying a light lunch on the farm. Tonight, dinner is served at the villa, paired with local wines.
After a lovely morning at leisure (or slow pace), we depart for Spello and its award-winning streets where flowers of all colors and all shapes ornate balconies and stairways. After a lunch at leisure, we depart for the lovely town of Trevi where our guide/chef awaits for a short yet fulfilling tour. It is followed by a truffle hunting and a truffle dinner at what was once a 12th century church. It is paired with lovely wines from the Montefalco region.
Today, after a morning at leisure, our local chef introduces you to pasta and tiramisu making at the villa. At the estate, learn how to make traditional fresh pastas and Italian's favorite dessert, before lunch is served. After a quick "siesta", we head to Perugia, Italy's (contested) Chocolate capital. There, we are hosted at a local artisan's for a demonstration on chocolate making, served with dessert wine. Tonight is Pizza night at the villa, and everyone is invited to participate and contribute.
Today, we cheat on Umbria and venture into Tuscany. Bordering Umbria, we make our way to one of its capitals, Siena. Home to the famous "Palio", our local guide Kathleen awaits for a short yet fun tour of some of the city's main sites. After lunch (own account), we make our way to our favorite winery: Felsina. There, we are given a private tour of the cellars followed by a tasting. Tonight, dinner is once again prepared by our chef at the villa, and paired with exciting Tuscan wines.
This is your day! To pack, relax by the pool or pack more in your schedule with one of our favorite activities (be it biking, hiking, shopping for locally made cashmere products, ceramics or simply horseback riding in the vineyards). Our hosts are here to assist should you be interested in visiting additional sites, indulge in more wine tasting or even make your way back to some of your favorite towns. Tonight, our farewell dinner is grand and prepared by our Chef at the villa.
Your transfer back to Rome is included (airport or city). Why go home though? Let our travel expert design for you the perfect extension, beyond Umbria. Discover Florence, Piedmont or even Lake Come and Venice. Or how about a short flight to Sicily or Malta? Our experts will listen to your interests and make their recommendations based on those, time allotted and budget.
Our day-to-day itinerary may, from time to time and prior to departure, need to be altered or slightly modified to address possible unforeseen logistical and weather challenges. In such rare instances, Art In Voyage guarantees delivery of the content of the itinerary yet, in a different order.
All listed retreats (hotels, villas, and barges) are, at times, subject to changes. In such rare instances, similar or higher standards will be upheld.
In case of a cancelation at more than 60 days prior to departure, your deposit will be returned minus a $250 per person administrative fee.
Find a replacement at least 30 days prior to departure and your journey will be fully refunded, minus a $250 per person administrative fee.