Top Umbria Culture - page 3

Take a group tour of the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi and learn about its history and significance. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most famous and important churches in Italy, filled with frescoes and paintings by famous artists. Enter the tomb of St. Francis, visit the friary cloister, and explore the upper church all built for one of the most revered saints in Christianity.

Orvieto's clifftop has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years, but most visitors miss out on its long history. Dive into the city's culture and architecture and cover the top sights in just a few hours on this private walking tour. Follow your local guide to discover views over the beautiful Paglia Valley and explore the city's winding streets and magnificent architecture. Opt to enter the magnificent Orvieto Cathedral (tickets own expense), considered to be one of the most important in Europe.

Make the most of your time in Assisi and cover the hill town's top three basilicas in just a few hours with this private tour. Visit the soaring Basilica of St. Claire before transferring to the valley below to admire the frescoed Porziuncola. End with a tour of the UNESCO-listed Basilica of St. Francis to marvel at its art and architecture and learn more about the life of one of Italy’s most beloved saints.

The tour begins at the Gubbio Cathedral and the Palazzo Ducale, built by Federico da Montefeltro in the Renaissance and particularly famous for its impressive “studiolo” made of inlaid wood panels. Then follow your knowledgeable guide to the very heart of Gubbio, the marvellous square called Piazza Grande: from here you will enjoy a breathtaking view over the beautiful Umbrian countryside! Here, facing the square, you can find the most important medieval palaces in Gubbio, like the massive Palazzo dei Consoli, that is now a museum housing the Iguvine Tablets (Tabulae Iguvinae), the largest surviving text in the Umbrian language, from pre-Roman times (they are more than 2300 years old!). Discover the secrets of the medieval town, like the mystery of the so-called “doors of the dead”, and the legend of Saint Francis: according to the catholic tradition, he tamed a wolf that terrified the city… But was the wolf of Gubbio really a wild beast? Enjoy the tour and find out! This tour can be customized to meet your requests and special needs! Please contact us!

Perugia, the capital of Umbria, is a city of infinite cultural facets, as well as one of the Italian cradles of medieval and Renaissance art. Together we will be able to explore the Noble Collegio del Cambio and discover the secrets of the Renaissance art of Perugino, one of the most appreciated artistic personalities of his time. But there is much more on the horizon ... such as the Umbria Jazz festival and the renowned Eurochocolate event. It will be an exciting experience to explore the secret environments of Rocca Paolina together!

Experience your ASSISI vacation on your own, listening to the audio content of our app on your smartphone. It will be like having at your side a tour guide who will tell you the history, points of interest, and curiosities of the city. Once organized, take your first step into town as your audio guide tells you surprising facts and curiosities about its streets. Look up at monuments and increase your understanding. Benefit from an audio guide without an expiry date, plus no tickets to collect or meeting place. Listen to the audio guide online or offline. The audio content is professionally created by a group of top authors and interpreted by TV and radio professionals. The smartphone is yours, and you will therefore not have contact with unsanitary devices provided by third parties. There is no need to book or to be present at a specific time or date. The Audioguide can be downloaded and used immediately, it never expires, and any date/time indicated here is not binding!

This tour indeed will show you two of the most charming hilltowns of central Italy. You will also enjoy 14th Century frescoes and Reanaissance paintings. It will be like to back to the past! Due to the exposition of the remains of St. Francis, guided tours of the basilica will be suspended from February 15, 2026, to April 6, 2026. The guide will provide an explanation from outside, and then visitors will be able to enter on their own.

Experience a side of authentic Italy on a walking tour of Bevagna, a medieval town that slips under the radar of the tourist crowds. You’ll walk past 12th-century churches and Roman ruins, seeing locals going about their daily lives, as your guide regales you with stories about the town’s past and present. Even better: The tour is private, so you get the guide’s attention all to yourself.

This shore excursion provides private transportation from Civitavecchia Port to Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio. Meet your driver directly at your cruise terminal, and head directly to the two medieval villages and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Spend roughly two hours at each village before making the return journey. Along the way, travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with onboard Wi-Fi.

Learn more about leather craftsmanship and find out how it still survives in Umbria’s most popular destinations. You will meet your local guide at Porta Nuova and walk through Assisi’s main drag, where ancient stone walls and artisan traditions still live side by side. She will share fun anecdotes about what it feels like living in a real medieval town and lead you to one of the last authentic leather shops remaining in town. Once there, you will meet the owner who will warmly welcome you into his world. You will instantly be charmed by the rich scent of leather and get to know how meticulous working with leather truly is. From choosing the right cut to bringing fashion ideas to life, you will explore quality and understand why real Made in Italy is so precious and one-of-a-kind. • Duration: About 3 hours, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm • Group size: Minimum 2, maximum 10 participants • Fun facts about daily life in a medieval town • Visit to an authentic handcrafted leather shop

Of all Italian hill towns perhaps Orvieto is the most photogenic and easiest to walk around. Largely pedestrianized and flat, it is easily covered on foot. The medieval streets and alleyways have both imposing palaces and quaint, modest townhouses. Orvieto is full of surprises: round that corner, you catch sight of the imposing Gothic facade of the cathedral for the first time; at the end of an alleyway is the entrance to a Renaissance courtyard; over there is the entrance to an ancient Etruscan tomb. Your photography teacher has lived here for 15 years and knows the place intimately. He has taught photography for 20 years and has been a pro since graduating from photography college in 1977. From the city walls, there are stunning views of the surrounding countryside with vineyards, olive groves, and picturesque villas and farms across two regions, Tuscany and Umbria.

Spoleto is one of the most fascinating towns in Umbria, thanks to its 3000-years-long history and its breathtaking views! Admire the marvels from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, such as Spoleto Cathedral, a wonderful example of a church in Romanesque style decorated with amazing frescoes painted by the greatest medieval artists, like Pinturicchio and Filippo Lippi. Finally, enjoy the National Museum of the Duchy of Spoleto, and top it off with the stunning view from Saint Elia's Hill, from where a majestic medieval fortress dominates the city: especially enjoy a breathtaking outlook over the “Ponte delle Torri”, an impressive bridge 80 meters high!

Tour to discover a particular and unknown moment in the history of Assisi. Men and women who inspired by the courage of St. Francis have decided to put their own lives at stake to save that of others. The protagonists have names little known even to the Assisans themselves but they make up an epic picture of the "seraphic" city between 1943 and 1945. Tour in which we will reconstruct history and relive the dark atmosphere of that period, however, illuminated by the light of hope ...

Leave the hustle of the city behind and discover a quieter, more authentic side of Italy. This private day trip takes you away from the crowds and into the refined calm of Umbria a region of soft hills, stone villages, and timeless beauty. Your driver-guide will pick you up at your hotel in Rome in a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan. Sit back and relax as the landscape changes and the pace slows. Your first stop is Orvieto, a charming hilltop town with Etruscan roots and peaceful streets. Enjoy a traditional lunch, prepared with care by local "grandma" using family recipes. After, you’ll arrive in Assisi, birthplace of Saint Francis. Here, the air is still, the stones are pink, and the silence speaks. Explore the elegant basilica, stroll through quiet lanes, and soak in the views of olive groves and distant hills. Throughout the day, you’ll travel in comfort, with full flexibility and thoughtful guidance. No rush, no crowds just the essence of Italy, beautifully revealed.

A medieval castle razed by French King Charles VIII. A possibly headless ghost. "Doors of the Dead" and other centuries-old superstitions. Join me on this self guided audio tour as we traipse around the charming, beautiful nooks and crannies of my adopted hometown, and coax the stones and bricks to reveal some of the secrets of this picturesque Umbrian village. This is a self guided audio tour with a personal touch. My husband Paolo is from here, so I am in a unique position to take you around this beautiful village I call home. Come with me as we roam the alleys and browse the piazzas of this quintessential Italian hilltop town.

Many visitors know of Assisi’s above-ground religious monuments, but not so many know that beneath the ground lies the remains of an ancient Roman forum, a Romanesque cloister, and a crypt. This small-group walking tour shines the light on these underground sites with an itinerary that uncovers the history of the Diocesan Museum, the Crypt of St. Rufino, and Assisi’s Roman Forum. Note that entry fees are extra.

Combine tours of Assisi and Spello with personalized attention on this private tour. With a guide leading you on a thoughtful itinerary, you'll get to know the best of both towns. Learn about the history and culture of each town through commentary tailored to your interests while viewing the Renaissance paintings and 14th-century frescoes.

Maximize time in Umbria with a private walking tour of Todi, a hilltop town in the Tiber Valley. Learn about the town’s history, including its prosperity during the Middle Ages, as you see landmarks including the Cathedral of Saint Mary. Skip the hassle of navigating and follow your local guide.

Skip the dry guidebook and learn history and lore about the medieval town of Spoleto you'd otherwise miss on this private guided walking tour. Take in everything from ruins of Roman temples to masterpieces of Renaissance painting, plus hear about the city’s rich modern-day culture as the host of the annual Festival dei Due Mondi. Opt to sample local flavor with olive oil and wine tastings and enjoy the personalized attention of a private guide.

Enjoy a private walking tour through the city's characteristic medieval streets. Our guide will take you inside the famous Duomo and the streets that made this town famous in the heart of Italy. Orvieto is located on a volcanic rock 100 meters above the beautiful valley of the Paglia river. The city is known for its magnificent 14th century cathedral century, one of the most important in Europe architecturally.

Wander the streets of Assisi with your local guide and learn about the history of this special place. See the best-preserved Roman temple in Italy—the Piazza del Comune—and spot the Rocca Maggiore from on top of its hill overlooking the town. Visit the Basilica di Santa Chiara and Duomo di San Rufino, and enter the Basilica of St. Francis with included admission to see Saint Francis’s tomb.

We will leave from Piazza Italia to walk to Rocca Paolina, an imposing Renaissance fortress. Once we have reached the historic center of Perugia, we will be able to take a coffee break with a good espresso or a cup of hot chocolate. We are in the so-called "City of Chocolate"! The most popular tourist points of interest in the city where you prefer to linger the most. Some of the most characteristic corners are via dell'Acquedotto, one of the most famous streets in the center, or the Arco Augusto, the oldest of all the walls. After a walk we will stop in front of the Fontana Maggiore, considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. Finally, we will conclude the tour by observing the buildings that overlook the square, among which the Cathedral and the Palazzo dei Priori stand out.

When Freud visited Orvieto in September 1897, he was so impressed by what he saw and experienced during his three days, that it changed the course of his life, and thus ours. What was it that triggered his Epiphany? This tour will show you. He was halfway through life's journey, but like his hero Dante, lost in a dark wood. He was suffering from anxiety and confusion, but also the intellectual excitement of a new start. He was mourning the death of his father. He had suffered a hostile reception to his latest theory by his peers. He was fearful of rising antisemitism in Vienna. He was also withdrawing from cocaine addiction. We shall retrace his steps and I will illustrate why these Orvieto places had such a profound effect. Orvieto's Etruscan sites and museums unleashed his passion for archeology and antique collecting. The tour embraces art, psychology, archeology, and the biography of a genius. The famous Freudian slip was born of his visit here.

Discover the art and legends of Orvieto, a masterpiece of the Middle Ages and the Reinassance in Umbria, in Central Italy! Visit the majestic Orvieto Cathedral, dating back to the14th-century, famous for its splendid façade decorated by fascinating statues in Gothic style and gilded mosaics. Inside you can admire marvellous frescoes and the Reliquary of the Santo Corporale, a Gothic masterwork containing the stained corporal of the miracle of Bolsena. The Cathedral's masterpiece is however the “Sistine Chapel of Orvieto”, a breathtaking series of frescoes concerning the Apocalypse and the Last Judgment, painted by Luca Signorelli and other famous artists of the Italian Renaissance. Top it off with a nice stroll through the city center and discover the most beautiful medieval palaces in Orvieto, including the majestic Torre del Moro, a tower almost 50 meters high!