After arriving in Rome, meet your driver for a private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to rest or explore your surroundings. This evening enjoy a 3-course dinner at a local restaurant. Arrive on your own for your 8pm reservation. Your concierge can assist you with directions and arranging a taxi.

(Dinner & Accommodations, Rome)

Your morning is free to relax or explore on your own. In the afternoon, meet your guide for a Small Group Colosseum and Roman Forum Tour. This three-hour tour is dedicated to discovering the symbols of Rome's Golden Age: the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. The small group tour will allow you to fully experience being thrown back into the time when Rome was the center of the known world. Your tour begins at the foot of the Colosseum, where your guide will explain how emperors had to gain consent, to hold the power, and also to avoid troubles by diverting attention from political and economic issues. The arena was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as animal hunts, mock sea battles, re-enactments of famous battles, and executions. Once the visit of the Colosseum is finished, you'll continue to the Forum; the center of Rome's political life from the very beginning of its foundation. Here, people gathered to do business, to appeal the courts, to cheer politicians, or to question them. The remains of the most noteworthy buildings are still visible today to remind us that the present is always built on the past. After the tour, you'll return to your hotel, and dinner will be on your own this evening.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Rome)

This morning after breakfast, meet your driver for a private transfer to Perugia. You'll stop enroute in Pettino for truffle hunting, meeting a local family and their well-trained truffle dogs. Enjoy a pleasant stroll through forests and pastures, immersed in nature, and gathering truffles as the locals do. After enough truffles have been gathered,your guide will stop in a clearing, set a fire, uncork a bottle of local wine, and prepare a plate of scrambled eggs with freshly grated truffles. You'll return to Pettino, where your local guide will make fresh pasta from scratch. You can join her, or sit back with a glass of local wine and sample some of the appetizers coming from the kitchen: truffle snacks, pecorino cheese, salami and prosciutto. When the pasta is ready, gather around the table with your host family and experience a traditional Umbrian lunch. After the meal, you'll be tranferred to your chosen accomodations near Perugia for the evening.

(Breakfast, Rome; Lunch & Accommodations, Perugia)

After breakfast, your driver will meet you in the lobby for an informative of tour of Perugia. Your local guide will take you into the heart of this fascinating old town, perched atop a high cliff. An escalator allows visitors to reach the Renaissance fortress, Rocca Paolina, and be rewarded with breathtaking views of the facades of medieval palaces, churches, as well as the Umbrian hills. Some of the other sites to be seen are the 15th century Perugia Cathedral, Palazzo dei Pietro, and the Fontana Maggiore, the imposing medieval fountain.

Once the tour is over, you'll drive to a local estate, devoted to low impact viticulture. You'll discover that no machines are used and most work is carried out by draft horses. Enjoy a relaxing tour by horse and coach through the vineyards, kept in check by a flock of geese that run free and feed on the wild grass that grows between the rows. Your tour is followed by a wine tasting, accompanied by organic and locally-produced cold cuts and cheese. A short drive takes you to Spello, a delightful medieval hillside town. This jewel is ranked as one of Italy's Small Historical Towns, and famous for its cobbled streets, blooming and colorful balconies, and their renowned flower festival. After the tour of Spello, you'll return to your Perugia hotel.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Perugia)

Meet your driver for a visit to Assisi; one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the world. As you walk with your local guide along the cobbled lanes, you'll hear about the history and cultural treasures of this UNESCO World Heritage site. It's a unique place where faith, art, and history entwine around the figure of Saint Francis, who crossed the boundaries of religion and became a universal symbol of humility. The highlight, and probably the most impressive attraction, is the stunning Basilica di San Francesco. The upper church, or Basilica Superiore, is covered with 28 frescoes by Giotto. Conversely, the lower church, holding the tomb of St Francis, is subdued with its austere surroundings. Other sites on your tour include the Duomo di San Rufino, the Basilica di Santa Chiara (St Claire), and the lovely main square, Piazza del Comune. The massive 14th century castle, Rocca Maggiore, sits at the top of Assisi and provides panoramic views. If it's a clear day, you'll be able to see where your day began, Perugia to the west.

At the end of your walking tour of Assisi, meet your driver again who will take you to a nearby winery. You'll be welcomed by the Mencarellis, the owners of this beautiful estate. Then, equipped a picnic basket containing a selection of their best produce, stroll through the vineyards along a winding path to their pavilion. You'll savor local delicacies like pecorino cheese, cured meats, and torta al testo, a typical Umbrian griddle bread, accompanied by some of their excellent wines. After such a revitalizing break, your driver will return you to your hotel.

*You have the option of choosing an alternate tour, which consists of a Hot Air Balloon ride followed by an Umbrian breakfast at a winery and visit the hillside town of Bevagna.

(Breakfast, Lunch, & Accommodations, Perugia)

After breakfast, meet your driver and depart for Orvieto. This hilltop town, surrounded by small parks and gardens, has beautiful views, gorgeous buildings, and one of the most awe-inspiring cathedrals in Italy. Your local guide will unveil Orvieto's unexpected charm, while pleasantly strolling among its lively, but never overcrowded alleys. At the end of the walking tour, head for the Tenuta Decugnano, a wine estate established nearly fifty years ago in an area renowned for its ancient vines and wines. A tour of the premises includes a walk among the ripe berried vineyards and a visit to the ancient tufa cellars, followed by a traditional Umbrian cooking class. In the beautiful St Mary's Chapel, you'll learn how to prepare a four-course meal from scratch. A wine expert will pair the dishes you prepared with the most suitable wine, so that the meal that follows will be a truly inspiring experience. After lunch, you'll return to Rome. After checking into your hotel, you can relax before tonight's special dinner.

At approximately 7:30 pm, your driver will meet you at hotel and will take you to a local Roman's home for an unforgettable evening. Your host, Barbara (or her assistants), will warmly welcome you. You will meet other guests and have the opportunity to enjoy the evening in a Roman home*. Your appetizer will be served with some excellent Italian wines and dinner will continue with some traditional dishes like bruschetta, amatriciana, carciofo alla romana, pollo e peperoni, and a typical Italian dessert. After this lovely evening, your hosts can arrange a taxi for the return to your hotel.

*A maximum 20 guests can attend this experience. Depending on various conditions, during the summer months, dinner may be served on a roof top terrace. In this case maximum 24 participants can attend. Your 4-course dinner will include wine, coffee, and liqueurs.

(Breakfast, Perugia; Lunch, Orvieto; Dinner & Accommodations, Rome)

After breakfast, meet your driver for a private transfer to Fiumicino Airport for your return home or on to your next Avanti Destination!

(Breakfast, Rome)