Umbria: The Green Heart of Italy
“Still from the mountain which undulates with the dim
Groves of darksome ash-trees murmuring with the wind,
And to the distant breezes wafts its odours fresh
Of wild thyme, and salvia
Descend at dewy eve to thee, O Clitumnus,
The flocks from the pastures, and to thee the Umbrian
Shepherd boy drives the recalcitrant ewe to plunge
In thy waters.”
It was the poet Giosuè Carducci who dubbed Umbria the green heart of Italy. While we can’t promise you any shepherd boys or ewes plunging into the waters of the Clitumnus, our 6-day tour will have you truffle hunting, making goat milk ricotta, learning the secrets of Umbrian salumi, and lunching among the vines in a boutique vineyard.
We will visit the superb walled hill town of Orvieto with its spectacular mosaic fronted Duomo. We’ll shop for our dinner in its ancient market and stay in a centuries old farmhouse surrounded by olive groves. We will explore its farm garden and pick fresh produce and herbs while learning the secrets of timeless Umbrian pastas and hearty soups and sipping wine from the hand carved tufa cellar.
And, of course, you will also have time to explore the Umbrian countryside and perhaps even find the source of the Clitumnus.
Your Australian guide is Paul van Reyk, food writer and critic, passionate about showing you Umbria and sharing its cuisine with you.
Follow Paul on Facebook! It’s a trip as irresistible as a glass of Orvieto Classico.
Dates for 2018
4 - 10 May
Outline:
- Day 1 Make your own way to Orvieto. Overnight at Locanda Rosati. Introductory talk on Umbria
- Day 2 Orvieto sightseeing. Visit Duomo di Orvieto and local markets. Afternoon at leisure in Orvieto. First cooking demonstration in the evening
- Day 3 Visit a goat farm. Cheese making class and lunch. Afternoon at leisure to visit nearby olive oil distillery or Orvieto
- Day 4 Morning spent truffle hunting. Truffle cooking demonstration in the evening
- Day 5 Free day to explore the nearby Renaissance splendours of Florence, or medieval gems like Sienna or Assisi
- Day 6 Visit to local vineyard with lunch. Farewell dinner at Locanda Rosati
- Day 7 Breakfast and then depart for Orvieto station
Cost:
Twin share AUD 3500 (flights not included)Single, own room AUD 3900
* If you are travelling alone and wish to share a room we will endeavour to match you with another single participant.