The Lingering Road to Umbria

"My idea of heaven still is to drive the gravel farm roads of Umbria and Tuscany, very pleasantly lost." Frances Mayes 

Anyone who has been to Umbria will understand exactly what she (the author of Under the Tuscan Sun) meant. This is a region that exudes slowness. Winding roads, hill towns, olive groves, the quality of afternoon light through an open valley... all are synonymous with Umbria. One experiences moments here that feel like daydreams suspended in time.

One of the major figures of the Romantic Movement, 19th century poet Lord Byron was so enchanted by the wild and unspoilt landscape of Umbria, that he decided to immortalize this divine encounter by dedicating eleven stanzas, one hundred lines, to Umbria in his famous narrative poem ‘Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage’.

So it was rather fitting that for one of our Italy with Class familiarisation trip, we brought guests into this quieter, deeper Italy. We traced up along the Tiber Valley to make it to what would be our first resting spot for our explorations- an iconic Perugian hosting space since 1742.  

Etruscan Echoes and Underground Secrets

The journey began in Perugia, with a first walk through the Rocca Paolina, a subterranean Renaissance neighbourhood preserved intact beneath the modern city. Emerging from it into the evening life of Piazza IV Novembre and the Fontana Maggiore feels like surfacing from one world into another.
It's as if we were determined to taste both the roots and the skies of Perugia; afterwards, we had an evening aperitivo atop the Torre degli Sciri, the last remaining tower from the "city of 100 towers" that Perugia was once dubbed with. The 360 degree views were breathtaking. 

The Sacred and The Sweet... then, Assisi

The following day moved between two very different kinds of pleasure - Perugia's chocolate-making tradition, and the spiritual stillness of Assisi. We partook in a 'Chocolate Experience', celebrating the rich cacao that has defined the city for over a century. 
We then visited the intimate Porziuncola chapel (where Saint Francis lays) inside Santa Maria degli Angeli,  before continuing to the Upper and Lower Basilicas. Giotto's frescoes in particular were one of the most genuinely moving artistic encounters of the entire trip. Some experiences are difficult to articulate as being present around them speaks to one’s heart and the visuals last a lifetime.

Bevagna e Montefalco: Medieval Craft and Sagrantino

Guests stepped into living history in Bevagna to witness artisan workshops where silk, paper, and ancient craft traditions are not preserved behind glass but actively practised since the Middle Ages. These objects started materializing right before our eyes, like magic. We followed the rhythm of the looms, and soaked our hands in paper solution.
From there we headed to Montefalco, also called the ‘Balcony of Umbria, where Sagrantino was discovered. We got to pair it with local flavours of porchetta and aged pecorino, which helped us understand why the Sagrantino grape was considered to be so...regal.  

Truffles, Frescoes and Liquid Gold

The forests near Trevi brought one of the trip's most memorable mornings as we set out to chase the 'Black Diamond'. This truffle hunt with Lagotto dogs (friendly, gorgeous, and a delight), was followed by a rustic, truffle-led feast that needed no embellishment... one could have no complaints whatsoever! In Spello, the Baglioni Chapel offered us more revelations through Pinturicchio's frescoes, before an olive oil tasting introduced guests to what the Umbrians rightly call their liquid gold.

The Tuscan Interlude

The itinerary finally entered into Tuscany offering Cortona's layered Etruscan history with our guide Giovanni, then a Michelin-starred culinary experience at Il Falconiere, where we were hosted by the lovely Lina, Silvia and Annamaria. We made a stop in Solomeo, the extraordinary village shaped by Brunello Cucinelli's vision of dignified work and beautiful craft. The group then checked into a neo-Gothic estate set within private parkland. 

Deruta and The Hands of the Masters

A return to the makers and craftsmanship marked the final full day. Giuditta Brozzetti's historic looms, Moretti Caselli's stained-glass studio, and the maiolica workshops of Deruta, where artists still paint the dragon and floral motifs that have travelled from Umbrian hands to tables around the world for centuries. It was an apt close - a reminder that what makes this region extraordinary is not just what has survived, but also what continues to make this region what it is – an experience for which words alone do not suffice. That's why we are hoping this article will help you immerse yourselves in the Umbrian world!