OCTOBER 10-16 2010

Day 1 Castiglione del Lago, arrival, reception and dinner in a family run restaurant in the pretty town of Panicale

Day 1 Cortona , the Michelin starred hilltop town made famous in Frances Mayes book “Under the Tuscan Sun”. This is the period of the olive harvest, so we will  visit an Olive mill followed with lunch.

Hands-on cooking class and dinner at Cucina della Terra

DAY 3 Perugia, an area dating back to 310 BCE and a city rich in Renaissance art, is currently home to the world-renowned Umbrian Jazz Festival and Perugina Chocolate.   You will walk the streets, visiting the Etruscan Rocca Paolina, the Fontana Maggiore in the Piazza IV Novembre, the Palazzo dei Priori which is adorned with a griffen, the lion, symbol of the rivaling Guelfs while taking time to sample  pastries from Caffe Sandri.

Hands-on cooking class and dinner at Cucina della Terra

Day 4 Montefalco & Bevagna , an area famous for the production of the Sagrantino wine, warrants a visit for a panoramic view of the vines as they change color and ready for the harvest.  We will enjoy a “gustazione” of the wines of this region in a cantina along with lunch.  We follow this with a visit to the town of Bevagna rich in medieval and Roman history. We will be guided to a tour of local artisans.

Hands-on cooking class and dinner at Cucina della Terra

Day 5 Gubbio , surrounded by the Appenines mountains, houses the Egubine Tablets, the only surviving stones of the ancient Umbrian language. Enjoy a ride up the furnicular to visit the basilica.  Wander along the streets and visit an old wine cellar filled with the ceramic works of a Maestro , watch a demonstration of iron works, and visit an old bookbinder . Lunch at a designated restaurant to sample the regional dishes.

Hands-on cooking class at Cucina della Terra

Day 6 Spello, a small picturesque town brings us to our final destination.  We end with an elegant dinner at the Michelin starred La Bastiglia .

Hands-on cooking class and lunch at Cucina della Terra