The experience
Itinerary of spirituality
Umbria is a region marked by a strong spiritual sense. We propose an itinerary made up of stages that through nature, art and architecture give you a taste of its characteristic.
A walk around Spello will make you fall in love with it, a day in Assisi to walk through the stages of the lives of two world-famous saints like St. Francis and St. Clare. Whether your interest in the stories of these characters is religious or secular, you will be struck by the powerful nature you will find yourself immersed in as you travel the itinerary. Walking to the Hermitage of the Prisons, one of the Franciscan sanctuaries, you will find yourself in the heart of a forest of centuries-old holm oaks. The word “jails,” from Latin “carceres” means a secluded place therefore suitable for prayer. When Francis chose it there were only natural caves in the thicket. These were used as cells for the friars and so the shrine was expanded over the centuries.
Nature will also accompany the day dedicated to the history of St. Rita, with the hiking guide we will start from the hamlet of Roccaporena di Cascia (the birthplace of the Saint), walk through the pastures and at the end of the trek you will be able to see from a wonderful vantage point the “Rock” where the Saint used to retire in prayer.
Before embarking on this trek, it will be important to stock up on chocolate! And we will do it in Perugia: after a visit to the Cathedral of San Lorenzo in which we will introduce you to a relic of global significance, we will go together to the Perugina Factory, famous for its Kiss. Here you can taste but most importantly participate in the cooking class offered by the School of Chocolate.
Summary
Day 1
Guided tour of the village of Spello and the Barbanera Foundation
Day 2
Morning in Assisi to visit the Basilica of St. Francis, St. Clare and the town.
Afternoon nature walk to Eremo delle Carceri, above Assisi; transfer to Santa Maria degli Angeli, to visit the Basilica and Convent.
Day 3
City tour to Umbria’s capital city, Perugia.
In the afternoon, visit, tasting and cooking class at the House of Chocolate, Perugina-Nestlè plant in San Sisto.
Day 4
Guided tour of Cascia, the convent of Santa Rita and the church
Loop trekking around Cascia, starting and returning to Roccaporena.
Shortly
Tour
Spello
Morning
Guided tour of Spello, one of the most visited villages in the region because of its beauty, strategic location in the Umbrian Valley and the care taken by the inhabitants who beautify it with colorful plants and flowers. Spello will be able to tell you the idea of Umbria that visitors around the world expect by coming here. You will be able to lose yourself in its most hidden streets and alleys, all of which are extremely well-kept in detail. You’ll discover the richness of the Villa of the Mosaics, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore with frescoes by Pintoricchio and Perugino), the majestic gateways to the city.
At the end of the walk, lunch
Address: Piazza della Repubblica, 67, 06038 Spello PG
Visit to the Blackbeard Foundation in Spello
Afternoon
Guided tour of the Blackbeard Foundation, which holds the Blackbeard collection of lunars and almanacs included by UNESCO in the prestigious Memory of the World Register, which protects the most significant documentary heritages of humanity. Here you will be able to see some almanacs made for emigrants who undertook the journey to the Americas.
You will visit the kitchen garden where you will learn about medicinal herbs, ancient flowers with strong symbolic meaning, endangered vegetables, and an orchard of old local varieties. Elements that express practices and values held dear by the Apennine astronomer and philosopher, from biodiversity to respect for lunar phases and seasonal cycles.
Address: Via S. Giuseppe, 1, 06038 Spello PG
Assisi
Morning
The guided tour, like the entire day, will be dedicated to the figure of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Italy and a beloved saint throughout the world. Your Tour will start right in his hometown and will see entry to the Lower and Upper Basilica of Assisi, the alleged home of the saint’s father, the main square and the church of St. Clare.
You will be able to sample traditional Assisian gastronomic dishes while having lunch in one of the trattorias or osterias in the alleyways.
Address: Piazza Inferiore di S. Francesco, 2, 06081 Assisi PG
Hermitage of the Prisons and Basilica of the Portiuncula
Afternoon
In the afternoon you will visit the Prison Hermitage, on the slopes of Mount Subasio. At the end of the walk, descending to the valley, you will enter the Portiuncula, the site of the Saint’s death, kept in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. In case of mobility difficulties, the shrine of Rivotorto can be visited instead of the walk to the Hermitage.
Address: Via Eremo delle Carceri, 38, 06081 Assisi PG
Perugia
Morning
Perugia, the capital of the Umbria region, lends itself well to a guided walk: you will walk along the ancient stretch of its Etruscan walls, in a real journey through time through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the modern age, told by the monuments that seem suspended in time. Such as the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, which holds a relic of worldwide significance, namely the ring that St. Joseph gave to Mary on her wedding day. Breathtaking views await you from the Carducci Gardens
Address: Piazza IV Novembre, 06100 Perugia PG
Chocolate tasting & cooking class
Afternoon
In the afternoon you will visit the factory where the world’s most iconic chocolate was born: the Bacio Perugina. The Perugina Factory, originally established in the historic center and now in San Sisto (PG), now houses a museum, “Casa del Cioccolato” and the factories that follow part of the chocolate production, distributed throughout the territory.
You will begin your visit at the Historical Museum where they will tell you the history of Perugina, continue on to the sweet tasting stop and arrive at the heart of the Factory, accompanied by irresistible aromas.
Your journey into taste may culminate in the direct experience of a course at the School of Chocolate the place where Perugina shares passion, experience and creative skill with chocolate lovers.
For a sweet keepsake, you can purchase Perugina creations at the Gift Shop.
Address: Viale S. Sisto, 207/C, 06132 Perugia PG
Cascia
Morning
You will visit the village of Cascia and the Cloistered Monastery, the historic site where St. Rita lived for 40 years as an Augustinian nun.
Address: Via Santa Rita 06043 Cascia (PG, Italy)
Trekking in Roccaporena
Afternoon
A hiking guide will accompany you on the walk, which will start from the hamlet of Roccaporena di Cascia (the birthplace of St. Rita) following a marked path formerly used by local residents and shepherds to reach pastures. The trek will offer you a view of the “Rock,” a rocky outcrop on which St. Rita used to retreat in prayer.
On the highly scenic route you will admire the Sibillini Mountains chain, Terminillo, to the villages of Poggiodomo and Roccatamburo.
Address: Roccaporena, 51 06043 Cascia (PG)
Let us guide you on your journey to the Roots
Don't miss the opportunity to explore the places that have shaped your origins, request a tailor-made itinerary without obligation
