|
A
Hike Through History from Assisi to Orvieto
 Umbria is the landlocked heart of Italy, less well known but reminiscent of Tuscany some 25 years ago. The Umbrian countryside is wonderfully spacious with a pleasing mix of farmland, woodland and rolling hills but with surprisingly few walkers considering the idyllic walking country and the appeal of the destinations on route. The famous city of Assisi just oozes with history and charm, as do the smaller medieval towns on our tour, some dating back to Etruscan times. Add to this the fine wines, olive oil, local cheeses, truffles and wild boar ham and you are sure of a real taste of rural Italy.
Assisi, with the vast Basilica of St Francis, Roman temple and plenty more besides is a fitting start to our route. We cross the slopes of Monte Subasio that rise above Assisi, pass through Holm oak forest and olive groves to the town of Spello, which still retains its Romanesque walls surrounding the medieval centre. From Spello, there is time for a day trip to Spoleto including a circular walk. More Roman remains are seen at
Bavagna on the way to Montefalco, another ancient walled town set among vineyards and olive groves. Our route then crosses the woods and pastures of the Monti Martani hills, before descending to the river Tevere ‘the young Tiber’ that flows through Umbria on its way to Rome
The 6 day tour ends at Todi, a delightful small town with walls dating from Etruscan, Roman and medieval times. From Todi it is another 3 days leisurely walk to Orvieto passing the ancient village of Montecchio, from where panoramic views extend to Monte Fiascone and Monte Amiata. This 9 day tour ends in Orvieto, originally an Etruscan settlement crowning a precipitous hilltop. A network of medieval streets surrounds the renaissance cathedral. The surrounding slopes are largely given over to vineyards, source of the famous dry white Orvieto Classico.
|
Accommodation
5
nights/6 days - In Assisi our small family run 3* hotel is in a quiet back street just off the town’s main square. The view from its pretty terraced garden is wonderful. In
Spello we spend 2 nights in a 3* Albergo. It is an elegantly restored 18th century building near the Augustus Gate. In
Montefalco our 3* hotel shares its structure with the villages eldest church (features of the original church have only recently been discovered). All the rooms are now modernised and have well appointed facilities. At
Todi we normally stay in a small guesthouse (only 4 rooms) in the town centre, or at a modern hotel with a swimming pool just beyond the city wall.
8 nights/9 days - Near Montecchio we stay at one of three rural ‘agriturismo’. In Asproli
a well appointed guesthouse is used. In
Orvieto our 3* hotel is right in the historical centre of the medieval town. Breakfast on the terrace is a must..
Sherpa
Notes
.
Accommodation &
Meals
Bed and breakfast in mainly 3* hotels and 1 or 2 guesthouses. Evening meals are included on 2 nights of the 6 day tour & 3 nights on the 9 day tour. Triple rooms available.
Way Marks
There are some waymarked paths, but elsewhere it is necessary to follow the route descriptions together with the detailed maps provided.
Travel
Shuttle train from Rome, Fiumicino airport to Roma Termini station (half-hourly service, journey time 30 minutes) then train to Assisi. Change trains en route at Foligno. Journey time from Rome 2 to 3 hours (not included in price). On your return take the train from Todi or Orvieto to Roma Termini (2 hours). Change trains en route at Terni. Then shuttle to
Rome.
|
|
