Historic Sites and Hilltop Towns: A Luxury Holiday to Rome and Umbria

For the first full day of your luxury holiday to Rome and Umbria, set off bright and early for a two-and-a-half-hour private tour that takes you to see some of Rome's top historic and ancient sites. You'll be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who can give you fascinating insights into the places you visit and peel back the layers of history that surround them. You'll begin your tour at the Roman Forum, before heading to Palatine Hill, one of the oldest parts of the city and home to fascinating archaeological ruins. Next, you'll amble in the direction of the Colosseum along the Via Sacra (the main street of Ancient Rome) and past the major sites dotted around the city centre from time-worn temples and triumphal arches to beautiful basilicas around the Forum Square.

Once at the Colosseum - a marvel of ancient engineering that has been crowned one of the New Seven Wonders of the World - you'll learn about the role the Colosseum played in the social life of ancient Rome (including the gory gladiator battles that took place) and delve into how this colossal building was built.

After the tour, spend an afternoon at leisure as you mull over everything you've learnt about ancient Rome. Enjoy a leisurely lunch and the chance to wander the city's tangle of streets before tucking into another delicious dinner in an authentic local restaurant (we know how to avoid the tourist traps and overpriced menus).

We've left today free for you to explore at your own pace. After your busy day yesterday, enjoy a leisurely morning before setting off to see the sights. If you're in the mood for more culture, we can arrange for you to enjoy a tour of the Vatican City and Sistine Chapel. Accompanied by a guide, you'll learn about the art and architecture of these stunning sites, and marvel at the spectacular views from the dome of the enormous Basilica.

Come afternoon, enjoy another authentic Italian lunch before taking a stroll around the city's Botanical Gardens or browsing some of the city's wonderful designer shops for a taste of Rome's modern culture.

Wave goodbye to Rome today as you are transferred to the train station to catch a train to Perugia, the capital city of Italy's Umbria region. Enjoy the views on your two-and-a-half-hour journey that takes you through the country's beautiful rolling hinterland. On arrival to Perugia, you will collect your hire car and drive towards your hotel. You'll be staying here for the next four nights of your luxury holiday to Rome and Umbria, so unpack and settle in with a relaxing afternoon exploring the surroundings and readying yourself for dinner.

Foodies will be in their element today as you set off to hunt for truffles. Abundant in Umbria, these delicious delicacies are integral to the region's cuisine and can be grated over pasta, stirred through scrambled eggs and shaved over risottos. After breakfast, set off on a drive towards a nearby family-run farm where you'll venture into the woods with an expert truffle hunter in search of fungi. You'll even meet a local pastor and shepherd on your travels, as you learn more about the landscape, its people and of course its produce. All before popping open a bottle of fizz and tucking into some locally-made pecorino and truffle-infused scrambled eggs. Afterwards, you can go on a tour of the farm, visit their small truffle museum and - of course - give them a taste with a lovely lunch, complete with a demonstration of how to make tagliatelle and an education on cured meats. There’s also generous amounts of salami and bruschetta (made on the barbecue outside) to be sampled too; with lashings of olive oil, freshly made truffle sauce and a plentiful supply of local wine thrown in for good measure too.

On your luxury holiday to Rome and Umbria it would be criminal not to include some wine touring and tasting. After breakfast today, hop in the car and drive to a family-owned and run winery. Located in the beautiful southwest area of Perugia, the Castello di Monte Vibiano is one of the finest in Italy. Committed to the region's terroir and old-fashioned techniques, the boutique wine estate is known for its expressive, organic wines. Head out on a two-and-a-half-hour wine tour, where you'll be shown around the sunny vineyards before tasting four of the wines.

Of course, this region is not limited to just alcohol, in fact the fertile land nestled in the middle of the hills here offers the perfect olive-tree-growing conditions. As a result, this estate produces some of the best extra virgin olive oil, which you can also sample - along with some local cold cuts from the region - after your wine tour.

On the penultimate day of your luxury holiday to Rome and Umbria, you'll be exploring the historic hilltop town of Assisi. Framed by undulating hills, this wonderfully-preserved medieval town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to ancient art and architecture and the birthplace of St. Francis, one of Catholicism's most venerated saints. On arrival, you will be met by your local guide and taken on a private tour through the pristine centro storico(historic centre) to see some of the town's top sites, including the fabulous fresco-filled Basilica di San Francesco.

Enjoy a tasty lunch in an authentic local restaurant with more delicious regional dishes to feast on, from freshly made strangozzipasta to thinly sliced prosciutto ham and black truffles, accompanied by some of the region's wonderful vino varieties.