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Umbria |
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A Discovering the hilltop towns of Perugia and Gubbio and the timeless scenery of Umbria |
Ref: EX-DIU
8 days
from £589 (minimum 8 passengers)
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Destination:
Italy
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Discovering the hilltop towns of Perugia and Gubbio and the timeless scenery of Umbria
The classic landscapes of Italy, so often portrayed by the fine artists of the Renaissance, are found throughout Umbria. It is a land of mediaeval hilltop towns, vineyards, olive groves and full of the history and tradition of central Italy. Perugia and Gubbio are two fine examples of fortified hilltop towns, very different in character but both easily accessible from our base at the hamlet of Mengara. Perugia is the cultural and economic centre of Umbria, much more 'advanced' than any other Umbrian city and a complete contrast in character to Gubbio, one of Italy's mediaeval gems. Gubbio clings to the hillside on the fringe of the Apennines, which rear up behind the ancient city walls, and the waters from the Camignano gorge tumble towards the town. The pastoral surroundings of our base at Mengara provide an ideal escape from the pressures and hubbub of the 21st century. When out walking across the undulating countryside other tourists are rare. The rural corners of landlocked Umbria are yet to be discovered as a mainstream tourist destination, but you will see the sleepy hamlets and smallholdings that are the real Umbria, the 'green heart of Italy'.
Extend your stay: extra nights can be booked at the Oasi Verde Mengara. A single room costs £43 per night and a twin room costs £72. Please note that a £5 booking fee will be added to your invoice.
Further Information:
Special equipment required:
walking boots and comfortable footwear for sightseeing days. Small daypack and water bottle, waterproofs and warm clothes.
Extra Expenses:
lunches are extra: about €50 - €60 is normally sufficient, but the cost will depend very much on your choice of meal when sightseeing in the towns. For daywalks a picnic lunch is available from Oasi Verde. You will also need Euros for snacks, drinks and your bar tab. Entrance fees to the various museums and historic sites are not included - the total cost should not be more than €40. Free day excursions cost extra, for Assisi allow approx. €40.
Meals Included:
7 breakfasts and 7 evening meals.
Transport:
minibus or coach for airport transfers. For most of the programme public transport is used.
Children:
children under the age of 16 cannot join the group departure
Joining locally:
the land-only joining point is the Oasi Verde Mengara. The nearest train station is Fossato de Vico, from where it is about a 30 minute taxi ride to Mengara, or there are buses from Perugia (50 minute journey time) to Mengara.
Group & Staff:
Min. 8, max. 16, plus leader.
Accommodation:
The Oasi Verde Mengara is an old farm converted into accommodation of character and high standard in a marvellous situation. Rooms have a rustic charm: some are in the main house and others in adjacent buildings. Double, twin and single rooms are spacious, and have en suite facilities and a television; some twin rooms have a double bed and small single bed. There is a restaurant, bar area, a garden with a small swimming pool (available during the warmer months) and a lake just 5 minutes walk away. As a "Centro Agrituristico", Oasi Verde is part of a scheme designed to support rural tourism, committed to supporting the local community and growing their own produce. The aim is to sustain economic activity in rural areas and reverse the depopulation and decline of the countryside.
Food:
The Rossi family take great pride in their house and in particular the food and service in the restaurant, which draws local diners from miles around. Staying and eating here for a whole week normally results in the addition of a few extra pounds despite the exercise included in the daily programme. Breakfasts are normally a continental-style buffet including cereals, yoghurts and homemade jam and honey. Lunch in the cities can be taken in one of the many cafes and bars. The evening meal is always typically Italian, freshly cooked and extremely tasty. Meals usually consist of four courses, commencing with antipasti, followed by soup and/or pasta, a main meat dish with salad or vegetables and dessert. Vegetarian choices are always available.
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Day 1 | Fly from London Gatwick to Bologna(some departures fly to Pisa). On arrival we travel by road to Mengara, 3 ½ hours. Those with land-only arrangements join us at Oasi Verde Mengara. | Day 2 | Guided for five days and one free day. There are two days when the focus of the day is to walk in the verdant countryside. Routes include up to 5 hours of walking on good paths, tracks and quiet roads but the pace is relaxed and there is plenty of time for stops on the way. One is around Mengara and one in the hills around Gubbio where there can be a few short steeper sections. Two days mix sightseeing and walking in and around Gubbio. There is plenty of opportunity to see the imposing Palazzo dei Consoli with its crenellated silhouette and 300-foot campanile, which dominates Gubbio and houses the Museum. Around this centrepiece is a honeycomb of old rosy pink stone streets and within the old city walls are the splendid interior of the Duomo and the Palazzo Ducale. More unusual sights include the Botte dei Canoncini, a 16th century 40000-litre capacity wine barrel. Above the town, and reached by an energetic walk or a ride on the funicular, is the Basilica di Sant'Ubaldo, perched on Monte Ingino. From here a walk up to the Rocca gives tremendous views. A full day is spent in Perugia, historically an important town due to its position on major trade routes and proximity to the Tiber. The Palazzo dei Priori houses the Galleria Nazionale, with probably the best single collection of Umbrian art. In the centre of mediaeval Perugia is Corso Vannucci, a pedestrian thoroughfare with Piazzas at either end. The Piazza IV Novembre is flanked by the Duomo and the imposing Palazzo dei Priori and has the graceful Fontana Maggiore in the centre. There are numerous notable churches, among them San Pietro with its 'glittering' interior. Venturing from these central attractions there are many levels to discover tucked inside the ancient city walls. For the free day there are a number of options; spend more time in Perugia or Gubbio, visit unforgettable Assisi, about one hour's drive away, walk from the farmhouse, just relax or even hire a mountain bike. | Day 3 | As above | Day 4 | As above | Day 5 | As above | Day 6 | As above | Day 7 | As above | Day 8 | We travel back to Bologna (or Pisa) for our flight to London Gatwick. Those with land-only arrangements will leave us at Oasi Verde Mengara. |
Departures Between | Price from | 10 Oct 04
17 Oct 04 | *£589 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Local payment €135 (approx. £97)
Single room supplement £65
Insurance £25
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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Umbria
A Discovering the hilltop towns of Perugia and Gubbio and the timeless scenery of Umbria
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