Richly verdant Umbria, sandwiched between the rolling landscape of Tuscany and the hills of Lazio, is Italy's only land locked region and is frequently referred to as the country's 'green heart'. The area is renowned for its deep valleys, abundant oak forest, swathes of olive groves and of course its stunning medieval towns and ancient hill top villages.
This 6 night twin centre walking trip takes you to the highlights of this beautiful region, to discover its UNESCO sites, historic pilgrimage trails and stunning sun drenched landscapes.
Your first 3 nights are in magical Assisi, the town of St Francis. Here you enjoy a city walk to fully appreciate the fantastic sites that this beautiful medieval town has to offer. Climb to St Francis' peaceful hermitage retreat, hidden within lush oak forest on the flanks of Monte Subasio, where the saint would preach to the birds. From Assisi, you walk to the medieval gem that is Spello, with balcony views of the Umbrian Valley. Your final 3 nights are spent in the fascinating historic city of Spoleto, crammed with exciting Roman remains including the Emperor Vespasian's mother's house, baths and mosaics. From here you ascend to an ancient monastery through sacred woodland that has for years been tended and cared for by the Franciscan monks, and follow the Olive Grove Trail through evocative hilltop villages back to Spoleto.
Your **** accommodation for the 6 nights combine superb levels of comfort with prime locations, ranging from a Renaissance style palace in Assisi to a family run villa style hotel set in pristine gardens in Spoleto.
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The routes and paths you follow are generally well maintained. As there are frequent ascents and descents, you need to be reasonably fit and confident. Walking boots are essential and walking poles are recommended (but only if you already use them).
Settle into your comfortable **** hotel in the heart of Assisi's historic centre.
You stay at the Hotel Fontebella Palace (breakfast included)
Today's walk takes in all of Assisi's famous sights including the perfectly preserved temple of Minerva and of course St Francis' basilica with its magnificent 13th century Giotto frescoes. There's the option to extend the walk to the impressive 16th century basilica in Sta Maria degli Angeli, returning to Assisi by bus.
You stay at the Hotel Fontebella Palace (breakfast included)
Head uphill to the Hermitage of St Francis, set in a gorge where the saint himself would retreat to pray and where a small oratory has been dedicated to his memory. Optional loop walk on Monte Subasio. Descend back to Assisi.
You stay at the Hotel Fontebella Palace (breakfast included)
Walk through verdant olive groves on the slopes of Monte Subasio with stunning views of the lush Valley of Spoleto. The longer option takes you past the Abbey of San Benedetto through olive groves to Spello. Explore medieval Spello, its tiny cobbled streets resplendent with colourful flower boxes, before taking the train to Spoleto.
You stay at the Hotel San Luca (breakfast included)
Monte Luco, once considered a holy place in ancient times, is swathed with peaceful oak woods where hermits used to live. Follow the hermits' path with opportunities to spot woodpeckers and porcupines, past a series of ancient hermitages to the Convent of San Francesco, said to have been founded by the famous saint.
You stay at the Hotel San Luca (breakfast included)
Transfer to Poreta, then follow the Sentiero degli Olivi through the typically Umbrian villages of Bazzano and Eggi, before joining St Francis' Trail to the centre of Spoleto.
You stay at the Hotel San Luca (breakfast included)
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Room upgrades: Superior valley view
Superior rooms are larger than classic rooms
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Room upgrades: Deluxe and junior suite
Deluxe rooms are larger with a more stately decor.
Junior suites have a separate living room.
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Foligno train station at 17:15, and back to Spoleto train station at 10:30.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
Lovely trip walking in Umbria. Hotel accommodation was brilliant as always. It is worth having a good look around Spoleto. At first sight, this is a big ugly town but it repays exploration. There are some artistic marvels to be found if you take a little time. The walking in the surrounding countryside is beautiful.
We much enjoyed the holiday.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 6 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Twin-centre accommodation in hotels
All continental breakfasts
Briefing at the start of your holiday
Comprehensive route directions provided prior to departure
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walk transfer on day 6
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further details.
Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed by Headwater rep.
Departures
Meals
All continental breakfasts
Tour only
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Foligno train station at 17:15, and back to Spoleto train station at 10:30.
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.
If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.
