The heart and soul of Italy.
Collazzone: A small medieval town perched above the Tiber River Valley (with plenty of local color and spectacular views), this is “home” to La Segreta. Narrow cobblestoned streets lead to a caffè, a pizzeria and ancient monuments. As San Lorenzo is Collazzone’s patron saint, the local church bears his name – as does the ancient Roman monastery in the nearby hills.
Todi: This quintessential Umbrian hill town features a beautiful main piazza. Historic sites, traced back to Roman and Etruscan times, include the Gothic Duomo and the Church of San Fortunato. Some of our favorite restaurants are in Todi, including a tiny enoteca that serves up excellent wines by the glass and delicious homemade strozzapreti pasta.
Deruta: Renowned for its Renaissance majolica ceramics and only 20 minutes north of La Segreta. Ask us to recommend our favorite workshops or to arrange a private painting lesson on the outskirts of town.
Perugia: The cultural heart of Umbria, Perugia is reached easiest by electric cable Minimetrò. Corso Vanucci, the main avenue in town, is lined with famous Italian clothing stores, gelaterie and caffes. Well worth a visit are Perugia’s unique medieval fountain, numerous churches and the acclaimed Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria (where masterpieces by Perugino and Piero della Francesca are on display). This vibrant city is also home to “Baci” Perugina chocolates. Baci chocolate-making lessons are happily arranged at the Perugina factory outside of town.
Assisi: Wander through medieval streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire Giotto's frescoes in the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi and visit the many other religious memorials in the birthplace of St. Francis. If you have time, nearby Spello is well worth a visit.
Montefalco: Home to Umbria’s very own Sagrantino wine, Montefalco is a charming and well-preserved village lined with artisan shops and excellent little trattoria and ristoranti. While visiting, you can stop at a number of famed wine producers, from Caprai and Antonelli to Scacciadiavoli and Paolo Bea. Although wine is Montefalco’s most recent claim to fame, the town’s excellent local museum should not be overlooked. Housed in the medieval church of St. Francis, it has been excavated to expose the underground Roman catacombs and boasts spectacular frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli.
Bevagna, Spello, Orvieto, Cortona, Pienza or Montepulciano: Enjoy day trips to these Umbrian and Southern Tuscan towns.