Umbrian escapade: from Venice to Rome

Discover the green heart of Italy on a journey through charming Umbria, mingling with pilgrims, eating delicious foods and seeing ancient sites along the way. Experience the romance of Venice, explore medieval Gubbio, ride a cable car over picturesque valleys and ancient ruins, visit the birthplace of St Francis, sample Umbrian delicacies in Spello, and see the ancient sights of Rome.

Summary Itinerary

The start point hotel Villa Rosa, located in the quiet area of Cannaregio in Venice, is an old but fully refurbished 3 storey villa. The property is just a 5 minutes' walk from the Santa Lucia railway station, and 20 minutes by vaporetto from Piazza San Marco.

Days 1-2
Venice: Be enchanted by the maze of streets and alleyways, tiny bridges and winding canals. Board a traghetto to cross the Grand Canal then sip espresso in one of the spacious piazzas.

Days 3-4
Gubbio: To make the most of the town's stunning mountain scenery, dine al fresco at a streetside cafe. Feast on local tartufo and porcini 'steaks'.

Days 5-6
Assisi/ Spello: Home of St Francis, founder of the Franciscan monks, Assisi is one of Italy's most important religious towns. The many wonderful sights here include the Basilica di Santa Chiara and the Basilica di San Francesco.

Days 7-8
Rome: The lively city of Rome is crowded with ancient ruins and religious artefacts, and yet it buzzes with modern life. There is plenty of free time to visit the historical centre of the city to see some of its famous landmarks, including the incredible Colosseum and the Pantheon. Be sure to sit for a moment on the Spanish Steps and stop for a gelato at an atmospheric cafe.