Departure from the US.
Arrival in Roma Fiumicino Airport and independent transfer to Spoleto . Transfers are not included but we can make the arrangements for you.
Check-in to Hotel San Luca for four nights. This charming, family-run hotel is set in the grounds of a former convent with original features such as the 18th-century fireplace in the lobby. Spoleto’s historic center and its cathedral are just up the hill by escalator, a 10-minute walk away.
In the evening, meet your tour guests at a Welcome Dinner at a restaurant serving Umbrian specialties.
Overnight in Spoleto – Hotel San Luca.
We start the tour with a city tour of Spoleto. Overlooked by the imposing Rocca Albornoziana , the city is still protected by walls that encircle its medieval buildings. We will see the Duomo , the Roman Theatre, and the Bridge of Towers.
A system of escalators will take us from the bottom of town (near your hotel) to the top with intermediate stops near the major points of interest. For fans of the long-running Italian mystery series, Don Matteo, we will see the Basilica di Sant’Eufemia (Don Matteo’s church).
In the afternoon we will join a hunt for Umbria’s prized delicacy, the tartufo (truffle) with a tartufaio (truffle hunter) and his dog. Following will be a homestyle cooking class featuring Umbria’s rustic fare at the agriturismo (inn on a farm) of an excellent winery .
Of course, we will be cooking with those truffles you’ve just unearthed with a little help from our expert truffle hunter. Dinner will consist of the dishes you have prepared paired with wines from the winery.
Overnight in Spoleto – Hotel San Luca
Discover Orvieto and Cività di Bagnoregio
In the morning, we will travel about an hour and a half drive to the East towards Tuscany to Orvieto . Orvieto is one of the most enchanting cities in Umbria, famous for its gold-mosaic fronted Duomo , a masterpiece of Romanesque-Gothic architecture, and St. Patrick’s Well , a renaissance engineering work 54 metres deep, excavated to supply the city with water in the event of a siege. We will explore the Etruscan origins of the city in the caves of the Pozzo della Cava , (Underground Orvieto) under the streets and houses of the oldest part of the medieval quarter.
After lunch we depart for Civita di Bagnoregio , designated one of the most beautiful villages in Italy also known as ‘ the dying city ’, because of its location on a tuffa (soft volcanic stone) hill that is constantly eroding.
Founded by the Etruscans over 2,500 years ago, today access to the village is only through a narrow pedestrian bridge with a stunning panoramic view.
Entering the town through Santa Maria Gate, we will stroll through an intricate labyrinth of medieval alleys, small squares and ancient stone buildings.
Overnight in Spoleto – Hotel San Luca
Norcia, Italy’s “Capital of Meat” and a Cheese Producer
The town of Norcia is famed throughout Italy for its skilled butchers. We will visit the town and then enjoy lunch based on the rich local tradition of salumi (cured meats) called “ norcinerie. ”
In the afternoon, we visit a farm making cheese to learn about Umbrian dairy products like ricotta and pecorino (sheep’s milk cheese), followed by a tasting. The farm also cultivates and sells the prized small local lentils firm enough to keep their shape when cooked.
Overnight in Spoleto – Hotel San Luca
Olive Oil, Montefalco Sagrantino Wine, and Bevagna (B, L)
After check-out and transfer of baggage on board our minibus, we travel to Perugia with stops along the way. We start our day with a visit to an oil mill where we’ll learn about the production methods of extra virgin olive oil followed by a guided tasting.
Next stop is a winery in the production area of DOCG Montefalco Sagrantino . The combination of thick-skinned Sagrantino grape and long aging in oak produces a dense, full-bodied wine, high in tannins, which mellows as it ages. The visit will be followed by a tasting of wines paired with a light lunch.
After lunch, we head to Bevagna , an enchanting medieval borgo (an old hamlet) where a nice walk will lead us to the cashmere shops that are part of the long tradition of textile craftsmanship in Umbria.
Arrive in Perugia , check-in to your hotel for five nights followed by dinner on your own.
Overnight in Perugia—Hotel Sangallo Palace
Explore Perugia, Italy’s City of Chocolate
Perugia was built as a fortified medieval village on the side of a hill over the Tiber River Valley. Like Spoleto, Perugia has an efficient escalator system that will lead you from your hotel to the very heart of the historic centro, through the remains of the Rocca Paolina , a fortress built by Pope Paul III. For our city tour, we will walk along the Corso Pietro Vannucci , named after the famous Renaissance painter, known familiarly as “Perugino.”
We will see the Piazza IV Novembre with the Fontana Maggiore surrounded by the Palazzo dei Priori and the Duomo.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Perugina Chocolate Museum.
Next, we will have a class with a Perugina Maître Chocolatier (chocolate master) including hand-tempering if we choose. We may also be able to visit the soon-to-be-opened Chocolate City in the former indoor market area in central Perugia.
Overnight in Perugia—Hotel Sangallo Palace.
Cooking Class and the Burri Museum
In the morning, we’ll travel to the charming town of Montone where Chef Giancarlo Polito (“ Il Capitano ”) will teach us to prepare some of his specialties followed by lunch.
After lunch, we visit the Burri Museum in Città di Castello , a former tobacco drying plant featuring the work of Alberto Burri, one of the most prominent abstract painters of the twentieth century. After returning to Perugia, free time to explore the town and perhaps find a charming trattoria to enjoy dinner on your own.
Overnight in Perugia—Hotel Sangallo Palace.
White Truffles & Gubbio—the City of Stone
Morning excursion to Acqualagna in the neighboring Marche region for a visit to the annual White Truffle Festival . This event takes place over three weekends between October and November and promotes the prized tartufo bianco with its intoxicatingly potent aroma and flavor. It features a central market with local products like cheese, wine, and hazelnuts, along with vendors and chef demonstrations. While you can’t bring home fresh white truffles, products like truffle pasta, truffle-infused chocolates, and truffle pesto make fantastic souvenirs.
In the afternoon, we will have a guided tour of Gubbio , the ” city of stone” which dates back to the 1300’s. We will wander through its labyrinth of medieval alleys and narrow streets to discover the charm of this unique town. In the heart of the historic center is Piazza Grande , with the Gothic Palazzo dei Consoli .
A few steps away is the Renaissance style Palazzo Ducale and the notorious Fontana dei Matti (madmen’s fountain). According to a local legend if you run around it three times, you will go mad.
Overnight in Perugia—Hotel Sangallo Palace.
In the afternoon, we will have a guided tour of Gubbio, the ” city of stone” which dates back to the 1300’s. We will wander through its labyrinth of medieval alleys and narrow streets to discover the charm of this unique town. In the heart of the historic center is Piazza Grande , with the Gothic Palazzo dei Consoli .
A few steps away is the Renaissance style Palazzo Ducale and the notorious Fontana dei Matti (madmen’s fountain). According to a local legend if you run around it three times, you will go mad.
Overnight in Perugia—Hotel Sangallo Palace.
Assisi and Giotto then Ceramics in Deruta
In the morning, enjoy a guided tour of Assisi , one of the most sacred sites in Italy. You will admire the stunning frescoes that the great painter Giotto made in the upper church of St. Francis’ Basilica between approximately 1296 and 1304 and depicting the life of the saint in 28 scenes.
After lunch on your own, we depart for Deruta, famous for its hand-painted ceramics , with time to visit the many workshops and buy them if you wish. Farewell dinner in Perugia.
Overnight in Perugia—Hotel Sangallo Palace.
After lunch on your own, we depart for Deruta, famous for its hand-painted ceramics , with time to visit the many workshops and buy them if you wish. Farewell dinner in Perugia.
Overnight in Perugia—Hotel Sangallo Palace.
Independent departures. Private transfers to Roma Airport can be arranged upon request.
All passports must expire at least six months after the trip’s end-date: May 3, 2027
Accommodation in Spoleto: Hotel San Luca****
https://www.hotelsanluca.com/
Tel: +039 0743223399
Room category : Superior
October 25 – 29, 2026, 4 nights
The Hotel San Luca, run by the Zuccari family, is a meticulously maintained and sophisticated establishment that exudes warmth and familiarity. The interior has been so thoroughly renovated that much of what you see is new, but the atmosphere is old-fashioned. The building likely dates back to the mid-19th century and is certainly influenced by the nearby slaughterhouse, designed by the great architect Ireneo Aleandri, who also designed the Teatro Nuovo and the internal cross street. The internal courtyard with the Fonte Santa ( Holy Fountain) is particularly noteworthy , accessed via a large cloister-like gallery.
Accommodation in Perugia: Sangallo Palace Hotel**** or similar
https://www.sangallo.it/
Tel. +39 075 5730202
Room category : Superior
October 29 – November 3, 2026, 5 nights
Sangallo Palace Hotel, located in the historic center of Perugia within walking distance of its monuments and tourist attractions, is also strategically situated near the Art Towns of Umbria including Assisi, Gubbio, Spoleto, Todi and Orvieto.
Aliza Green is a pioneering Philadelphia-based chef, experienced culinary tour leader, and James Beard Award-winning author. Her fifteen books include “Starting with Ingredients,” “Top 100 Cookbook of the Last 25 Years,” and “Field Guide to Herbs & Spices.” Celestial Voyagers has partnered with Chef Green to create unique cultural tours with a culinary focus for 2025 and 2026. You can find this program on Chef Aliza’s website and learn more details about her work.
Price per person, sharing a double room $8950
Single supplement + $785
Deposit $750
Final payment due: Monday, August 10, 2026
| This trip is a land-only program. For the international flight, you need a ticket going to and leaving from Roma Fiumicino Airport. Please contact Celestial Voyagers before booking your flights. We can help you to select the best route, schedule and fare you may want. Should you get your ticket on your own please send us a copy in order to assist you with arrival and departure transfers. |
Celestial Voyager’s Terms and Conditions relate to specific contracts with various suppliers. The policies and regulations below must be strictly enforced.
We may adjust the program, but we will commit to creating the best possible program for guests with safety, comfort, and ease our top priorities.
A deposit of $750 is paid on line at time of registration and will guarantee your space and the type of room you wish to reserve. We do recommend registering as soon as possible.
Final payment is due by Monday, August, 10, 2026
Should you register after Monday, August, 10, 2026, full payment is due; deposit can be paid on line and the balance due should follow as soon as you receive your invoice.
All changes and cancellations must be provided in writing via email or postal service.
Your deposit is refundable up to Saturday, July 25, 2026 minus $350 processing fee.
For cancellation received in writing between Sunday, Jul 26, 2026 and Mon, August 10, 2026, the deposit is nonrefundable.
For cancellation received in writing between Tuesday, Aug 11, 2026 and Monday, Aug 24, 2026, the penalty is 50 % of the trip value.
For cancellation received in writing after Monday, August 24, 2026 , and in case of no show the penalty is 100% of the trip value.
Should you be able to provide a new participant to take your place the name change fee will be waived and no penalty will apply.
We highly recommend taking travel insurance to protect yourself from these penalties.
We advise all travelers to purchase travel insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances and if you are no longer able to travel. We offer the following insurance policies through Allianz Travel Insurance: Basic, Classic, and Classic with cancel anytime. Prices vary with age and amount insured.
Click on the link below for more details:
https://celestialvoyagers.com/leisure/leisure-insurance-passports-visas/
. 
Passport
Most countries require that a passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of a trip. If your passport expires before May 3, 2027, you must apply to renew your passport.
Visa
If you are not a US citizen please check with the Consulate of Italy or a visa agency for the latest requirements. You will also need a re-entry permit to return to the USA
Aliza Green is a renowned chef, an award-winning author of 15 cookbooks, and a certified tour director who is experienced in planning and leading international culinary tours. She loves to share her deep culinary knowledge, her fascinating stories, and kitchen tips and tricks gained from her extensive experience in the kitchen.