October 16 - 25, 2021. Urbino, Gubbio, Assisi, Perugia, Monte Cornero, Corinaldo, Fano
October 25 - 29: Post-Tour Options to the Adriatic Beaches or Foodie Fun in Umbria
Please inquire about pricing.
Please join Tour Director Sandy Gregory for this wonderful adventure through Italy, or contact us to help you create your own independent travel experience in Italy with our Concierge Travel Services.
Join us to experience la bella vita. We know that the decision to spend your valuable time and money traveling is a costly investment. Call on us to create the perfect guided or independent travel custom itinerary. We work closely with groups who want a personalized, private experience. Che Bella Tours is Creative Travel, and the partner you want when planning a remarkable family vacation, destination wedding, trip of a lifetime or other special occasion. Contact us for more information. We'll be happy to send you the detailed itinerary for this tour.
October 25 - 29: Post-Tour Options to the Adriatic Beaches or Foodie Fun in Umbria
Please inquire about pricing.
Please join Tour Director Sandy Gregory for this wonderful adventure through Italy, or contact us to help you create your own independent travel experience in Italy with our Concierge Travel Services.
Join us to experience la bella vita. We know that the decision to spend your valuable time and money traveling is a costly investment. Call on us to create the perfect guided or independent travel custom itinerary. We work closely with groups who want a personalized, private experience. Che Bella Tours is Creative Travel, and the partner you want when planning a remarkable family vacation, destination wedding, trip of a lifetime or other special occasion. Contact us for more information. We'll be happy to send you the detailed itinerary for this tour.
Fri, Oct 15: Fly to Rome/Florence or Bologna from the U.S.
Day 1. Sat, Oct. 16. Arrive in Le Marche.
Upon arrival to Rome or Florence or Bologna, you’ll connect to the Le Marche Airport in Ancona airport. Your greeter will meet your at baggage claim for your transfer to Urbino. Bienvenuti a Le Marche!
Welcome Dinner in Urbino
Overnight in Urbino
Day 2: Sun, Oct 17. Morning tour of the World Heritage city of Urbino.
One of the most cultured and rewarding small towns in Italy. This Renaissance city has many sights to see, including the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, the Palazzo Ducale, the Duomo, the Oratorio San Giovanni Battista, Raphael’s House and San Bernadino.
Included lunch will be enjoyed in a traditional local restaurant just outside of the town.
The rest of the day and dinner is on your own in Urbino
Day 3. Mon, Oct 18. Urbino to Gubbio, Asissi and Perugia.
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your driver and guide at the lobby.
Enroute, we’ll take a small detour to stop at the Gola di Furlo, a scenic river gorge, where the ancient Via Flaminia passes through a tunnel carved in the rock face in Roman times. Near Furlo is Acqualagna, the truffle capital of Le Marche, where we'll make a stop at the Truffle Museum and Experience.
Included truffle lunch enroute. After lunch, we’re on our way to Assisi with a short stop in Gubbio, an ancient city located in the central Italian region of Umbria. It dates back to the Etruscan era when it was controlled by the Romans. On arrival, you'll explore the cobbled streets of the ancient town center. With such a charming place, there's no wrong way to spend your time here - there's picture-perfect views around every corner.
We are then on to Assisi, known throughout the world as the birthplace of Saint Francis. We will take a guided walking tour of the city and see the many important sights, including the spectacular Basilica of Saint Francis with its frescoes by Giotto. You'll have time to explore the town: Take in the Temple of Minerva, with its 2,000-year-old columns and facade well preserved, and spot the Assisi's ancient amphitheater, which has been adapted in modern times to a garden. We’ll finish our day in the city of Perugia, the capital city of Umbria.
Overnight in Perugia.
Included dinner in Perugia.
Day 4. Tues, Oct 19.A Day in Perugia.
This morning we take a private walking tour of the medieval hill town Perugia, the capital of Umbria. You'll spend your time in the historic old town, still partially enclosed by Etruscan fortified walls. Step out into the stunning white stone Gothic square of Piazza IV Novembre, where you'll spot the 15th century Perugia Cathedral, and admire the impressive early 15th century Priori Palace. Lose yourself in the ornate reliefs carved into the 13th century marble fountain, Fontana Maggiore, at the center of the square.
Lunch and the rest of the day are on your own. We’ve schedule this tour to coincide with the famously sweet Perugia Chocolate Festival. Enjoy! Overnight in Perugia
Day 5: Wed, Oct 20. A leisurely drive from Perugia to Mt. Conero
Meet your private driver and embark on a full day tour today to Italy's Marche region where you'll get to push out beyond the standard tourist route. We’ll make a morning stop in Fabriano, one of the earliest centers of paper manufacturing in Europe. The town has an attractive medieval center and an excellent museum of paper making. They have a wonderful gift shop with all sorts of paper products and artisanal leather agenda covers, notebooks, and other things associated with paper.
Nearby Genga has one of Europe's largest cavern systems, the Frasassi Caverns. Our motorcoach will park and a shuttle bus will bring us to the actual cavern. We’ll walk back down to the parking lot and enjoy enroute the little town of San Vittore Terme, a mineral spa (which explains the odor of sulphur in the air), a lovely 10th-century church in a beautiful setting, which is now a speleological museum and the river.
We’ll then make a panoramic stop in Piticchio and Loretello, two tiny walled towns very near the agriturismo. Loretello is really a tiny castle; for the best view, you need to walk down the path after arriving at the castle to see it from below.
We’ll finish our day in the shadow of Monte Conero's green mountain hills. Mt. Conero is a great destination for sun-seekers and nature lovers alike. This former fishing hamlet is at the foot of Monte Conero in the stunning and unspoiled Conero Nature reserve, and is a great seaside town with lots to do. Here you can enjoy abundant nature and peace and quiet far from the hordes of tourists.
Included dinner
Overnight in Monte Conero
Day 6: Thurs, Oct 21. A Day at Your Leisure
Today is yours to enjoy. The beach is fantastic – fine white pebbles with beautiful with turquoise water, and you can rent beach chairs to have a place to rest and sun between swims. The nearby beaches of Sirolo and Numana are famous for their clear waters, while the mountain offers excellent opportunities for hiking.
HIKING OPTIONAL EXCURSION
One particularly special experience on Mount Conero is the Due Sorelle/Passo del Lupo trail. This 5-hour hike includes a wonderful viewpoint over the “two sisters”– twin rocks emerging from the sea opposite a secluded beach that can only be reached by boat.
Dinner on your own
Overnight in Monte Conero
Day 7: Fri, Oct 22. To Coranaldo. Morning tour and afternoon at leisure
Just a short drive, Coranaldo is a beautiful Medieval town, considered as one of the best-preserved and most charming villages in Italy with towering walls and amazing panoramic views.
Included dinner.
Overnight in Coranaldo.
Day 8: Sat, Oct 23. To Fano. Cooking Tour
This morning we take a short drive to Fano, where we'll meet our chef for a morning tour of the market followed by a full day cooking class with wine tasting.
Overnight in Fano.
Day 9: Sun, Oct 24. Day in Fano
Morning City Tour,
Afternoon at your leisure.
Tonight: Farewell dinner.
Day 10: Mon, Oct 25. Transfer to the airport.
POST-TOUR OPTIONS:
Post-tour Option 1: Beach Time:
Days 10 – 12: Optional Beach Days in Pesaro, Riccione or Senigallia
Day 13: Transfer back to desired airport. Overnight.
Day 14: Depart to the U.S. or add a post-tour through Umbria
Post-tour Option 2: Foodie Fun in Umbria
Day 10: Mon, Oct 23. Fano to Metalica to Norcia
We travel this morning from Fano to Matelica to capture the essence of small town Italy. On arrival in Matelica, we'll meet up with a private local guide. Embrace curiosity and see where the moment takes you as you wander through the historic center, spotting ancient mosaics, and walking amidst alleyways and structures dating back largely to the middle ages. A must while in Matelica- you'll visit the opera house, Teatro Piermarini, built by the same architect who designed La Scala in Milano. You'll have unique access to the area beneath the stage where you'll find very well preserved Roman baths.
Leaving Matelica behind, we’ll head outside of town for a special experience as you visit a local bee farm and honey producer. Their bee keepers will explain the various stages in the process of honey and bee production, followed by an included lunch with tastings of various honeys produced by the bees on site. Our day will end in Norcia.
Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Norcia
Our hotel is the perfect setting for an unforgettable stay in Norcia. This impressive hotel, set in a 16th-century Umbrian Palace, exudes elegan ce and charm with its impeccable interior design, the product of the best Umbrian artisans. Guests will be delighted with a gastronomic experience inspired by local ingredients such as the black truffle in the hotel’s on-site restaurant. Being just a minute’s walk from sites like the Museo della Castellina and a short drive from the Abbey of Saint Eutizio, this hotel truly provides guests with the best opportunity to explore the historic town of Norcia.
Day 11: Tues, Oct 26. Truffle Hunting
This morning we’ll meet our English-speaking driver and local guide, and set out for a brief drive into the nearby Sibillini Mountains National Park where we'll meet up with our professional truffle hunter and his trained dog. We'll discover natural secrets and botanical information of this precious land’s product as we look for the prized black truffle, a delicacy which can be found in this region with the right combination of skill and luck. Afterward, another genuine Umbrian experience awaits, as you head to a local farm where you'll be introduced to the process of making Ricotta cheese.
Included lunch with all things truffle.
Overnight in Norcia
Dinner on your own
Day 12: Wed, Oct 27. Marmore Falls
This morning we’re off for some adventure! About an hour from Narcia is the Nera River, which bubbles over the rocks to Marmore Falls, Italy's largest manmade waterfall. You can spend the morning River Walking, a simple walk through woods and rocks, between shades and sun, water and paths. The more adventurous can enjoy Class 4 Whitewater Rafting.
After our day of adventure, we’ll finish our day in Orvieto.
Overnight in Orvieto.
Included dinner in Orvieto
Day 13: Thurs, Oct 28. Orvieto
Today you will discover Orvieto, Umbria’s grand hill town. The town sits majestically on a big chunk of volcanic rock called tuff. Built over several generations, the city's Duomo is one of the seven wonders of Italy; and the dense, organic, medieval fabric of the town dictates the human scale of today’s centro storico, with its cafes and restaurants, its bookshops and artisans’ work. Orvieto has long kept the secret of its labyrinth of caves and tunnels. You will have a special access to private underground caves that accidentally was discovered by the owners.
Lunch and the afternoon are on your own.
Tonight: Farewell dinner in Orvieto.
Day 14: Fri, Oct 29 – Transfer from Orvieto to Rome airport for flights out.
Day 1. Sat, Oct. 16. Arrive in Le Marche.
Upon arrival to Rome or Florence or Bologna, you’ll connect to the Le Marche Airport in Ancona airport. Your greeter will meet your at baggage claim for your transfer to Urbino. Bienvenuti a Le Marche!
Welcome Dinner in Urbino
Overnight in Urbino
Day 2: Sun, Oct 17. Morning tour of the World Heritage city of Urbino.
One of the most cultured and rewarding small towns in Italy. This Renaissance city has many sights to see, including the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, the Palazzo Ducale, the Duomo, the Oratorio San Giovanni Battista, Raphael’s House and San Bernadino.
Included lunch will be enjoyed in a traditional local restaurant just outside of the town.
The rest of the day and dinner is on your own in Urbino
Day 3. Mon, Oct 18. Urbino to Gubbio, Asissi and Perugia.
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your driver and guide at the lobby.
Enroute, we’ll take a small detour to stop at the Gola di Furlo, a scenic river gorge, where the ancient Via Flaminia passes through a tunnel carved in the rock face in Roman times. Near Furlo is Acqualagna, the truffle capital of Le Marche, where we'll make a stop at the Truffle Museum and Experience.
Included truffle lunch enroute. After lunch, we’re on our way to Assisi with a short stop in Gubbio, an ancient city located in the central Italian region of Umbria. It dates back to the Etruscan era when it was controlled by the Romans. On arrival, you'll explore the cobbled streets of the ancient town center. With such a charming place, there's no wrong way to spend your time here - there's picture-perfect views around every corner.
We are then on to Assisi, known throughout the world as the birthplace of Saint Francis. We will take a guided walking tour of the city and see the many important sights, including the spectacular Basilica of Saint Francis with its frescoes by Giotto. You'll have time to explore the town: Take in the Temple of Minerva, with its 2,000-year-old columns and facade well preserved, and spot the Assisi's ancient amphitheater, which has been adapted in modern times to a garden. We’ll finish our day in the city of Perugia, the capital city of Umbria.
Overnight in Perugia.
Included dinner in Perugia.
Day 4. Tues, Oct 19.A Day in Perugia.
This morning we take a private walking tour of the medieval hill town Perugia, the capital of Umbria. You'll spend your time in the historic old town, still partially enclosed by Etruscan fortified walls. Step out into the stunning white stone Gothic square of Piazza IV Novembre, where you'll spot the 15th century Perugia Cathedral, and admire the impressive early 15th century Priori Palace. Lose yourself in the ornate reliefs carved into the 13th century marble fountain, Fontana Maggiore, at the center of the square.
Lunch and the rest of the day are on your own. We’ve schedule this tour to coincide with the famously sweet Perugia Chocolate Festival. Enjoy! Overnight in Perugia
Day 5: Wed, Oct 20. A leisurely drive from Perugia to Mt. Conero
Meet your private driver and embark on a full day tour today to Italy's Marche region where you'll get to push out beyond the standard tourist route. We’ll make a morning stop in Fabriano, one of the earliest centers of paper manufacturing in Europe. The town has an attractive medieval center and an excellent museum of paper making. They have a wonderful gift shop with all sorts of paper products and artisanal leather agenda covers, notebooks, and other things associated with paper.
Nearby Genga has one of Europe's largest cavern systems, the Frasassi Caverns. Our motorcoach will park and a shuttle bus will bring us to the actual cavern. We’ll walk back down to the parking lot and enjoy enroute the little town of San Vittore Terme, a mineral spa (which explains the odor of sulphur in the air), a lovely 10th-century church in a beautiful setting, which is now a speleological museum and the river.
We’ll then make a panoramic stop in Piticchio and Loretello, two tiny walled towns very near the agriturismo. Loretello is really a tiny castle; for the best view, you need to walk down the path after arriving at the castle to see it from below.
We’ll finish our day in the shadow of Monte Conero's green mountain hills. Mt. Conero is a great destination for sun-seekers and nature lovers alike. This former fishing hamlet is at the foot of Monte Conero in the stunning and unspoiled Conero Nature reserve, and is a great seaside town with lots to do. Here you can enjoy abundant nature and peace and quiet far from the hordes of tourists.
Included dinner
Overnight in Monte Conero
Day 6: Thurs, Oct 21. A Day at Your Leisure
Today is yours to enjoy. The beach is fantastic – fine white pebbles with beautiful with turquoise water, and you can rent beach chairs to have a place to rest and sun between swims. The nearby beaches of Sirolo and Numana are famous for their clear waters, while the mountain offers excellent opportunities for hiking.
HIKING OPTIONAL EXCURSION
One particularly special experience on Mount Conero is the Due Sorelle/Passo del Lupo trail. This 5-hour hike includes a wonderful viewpoint over the “two sisters”– twin rocks emerging from the sea opposite a secluded beach that can only be reached by boat.
Dinner on your own
Overnight in Monte Conero
Day 7: Fri, Oct 22. To Coranaldo. Morning tour and afternoon at leisure
Just a short drive, Coranaldo is a beautiful Medieval town, considered as one of the best-preserved and most charming villages in Italy with towering walls and amazing panoramic views.
Included dinner.
Overnight in Coranaldo.
Day 8: Sat, Oct 23. To Fano. Cooking Tour
This morning we take a short drive to Fano, where we'll meet our chef for a morning tour of the market followed by a full day cooking class with wine tasting.
Overnight in Fano.
Day 9: Sun, Oct 24. Day in Fano
Morning City Tour,
Afternoon at your leisure.
Tonight: Farewell dinner.
Day 10: Mon, Oct 25. Transfer to the airport.
POST-TOUR OPTIONS:
Post-tour Option 1: Beach Time:
Days 10 – 12: Optional Beach Days in Pesaro, Riccione or Senigallia
Day 13: Transfer back to desired airport. Overnight.
Day 14: Depart to the U.S. or add a post-tour through Umbria
Post-tour Option 2: Foodie Fun in Umbria
Day 10: Mon, Oct 23. Fano to Metalica to Norcia
We travel this morning from Fano to Matelica to capture the essence of small town Italy. On arrival in Matelica, we'll meet up with a private local guide. Embrace curiosity and see where the moment takes you as you wander through the historic center, spotting ancient mosaics, and walking amidst alleyways and structures dating back largely to the middle ages. A must while in Matelica- you'll visit the opera house, Teatro Piermarini, built by the same architect who designed La Scala in Milano. You'll have unique access to the area beneath the stage where you'll find very well preserved Roman baths.
Leaving Matelica behind, we’ll head outside of town for a special experience as you visit a local bee farm and honey producer. Their bee keepers will explain the various stages in the process of honey and bee production, followed by an included lunch with tastings of various honeys produced by the bees on site. Our day will end in Norcia.
Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Norcia
Our hotel is the perfect setting for an unforgettable stay in Norcia. This impressive hotel, set in a 16th-century Umbrian Palace, exudes elegan ce and charm with its impeccable interior design, the product of the best Umbrian artisans. Guests will be delighted with a gastronomic experience inspired by local ingredients such as the black truffle in the hotel’s on-site restaurant. Being just a minute’s walk from sites like the Museo della Castellina and a short drive from the Abbey of Saint Eutizio, this hotel truly provides guests with the best opportunity to explore the historic town of Norcia.
Day 11: Tues, Oct 26. Truffle Hunting
This morning we’ll meet our English-speaking driver and local guide, and set out for a brief drive into the nearby Sibillini Mountains National Park where we'll meet up with our professional truffle hunter and his trained dog. We'll discover natural secrets and botanical information of this precious land’s product as we look for the prized black truffle, a delicacy which can be found in this region with the right combination of skill and luck. Afterward, another genuine Umbrian experience awaits, as you head to a local farm where you'll be introduced to the process of making Ricotta cheese.
Included lunch with all things truffle.
Overnight in Norcia
Dinner on your own
Day 12: Wed, Oct 27. Marmore Falls
This morning we’re off for some adventure! About an hour from Narcia is the Nera River, which bubbles over the rocks to Marmore Falls, Italy's largest manmade waterfall. You can spend the morning River Walking, a simple walk through woods and rocks, between shades and sun, water and paths. The more adventurous can enjoy Class 4 Whitewater Rafting.
After our day of adventure, we’ll finish our day in Orvieto.
Overnight in Orvieto.
Included dinner in Orvieto
Day 13: Thurs, Oct 28. Orvieto
Today you will discover Orvieto, Umbria’s grand hill town. The town sits majestically on a big chunk of volcanic rock called tuff. Built over several generations, the city's Duomo is one of the seven wonders of Italy; and the dense, organic, medieval fabric of the town dictates the human scale of today’s centro storico, with its cafes and restaurants, its bookshops and artisans’ work. Orvieto has long kept the secret of its labyrinth of caves and tunnels. You will have a special access to private underground caves that accidentally was discovered by the owners.
Lunch and the afternoon are on your own.
Tonight: Farewell dinner in Orvieto.
Day 14: Fri, Oct 29 – Transfer from Orvieto to Rome airport for flights out.
