Are you visiting Umbria? DISCOVER THIS AMAZING REGION WITH LOCAL PEOPLE! AN EXPERIENCE THAT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!
NEW EXCURSIONS 2010!! BOOK NOW!!! Finally, after two months of inspections and several km around Umbria, Discovering Umbria is happy to inform you that we have finalized the detailed programme of Excursions and Special Services for "discovering (our) Umbria" for 2010.
DISCOVER OUR 1 DAY EXCURSIONS!
OUR TWO NEW 2010 EXCITING PROPOSALS:
1) THE VALNERINA: MYSTICISM, NATURE AND LOCAL EXCELLENCE NEW!!
A whole day exploring one of the wildest and most beautiful areas in Umbria: the Valnerina.
This includes Norcia, the birthplace of Saint Benedict, the patron of Europe and home to the finest cured meats in Italy, and the plain of Castelluccio, with its outstanding colours and magic atmosphere. The town of Norcia boasts countless environmental, artistic, gastronomical and cultural resources –making it both attractive and unique in the eyes of every visitor.
The journey to Norcia, passing through Spoleto, follows the ancient route of the Via Flaminia. Norcia is positioned in the most mountainous and striking part of Umbria, in the area of the Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini (Monti Sibillini National Park). Here profound spirituality is complemented by the fascination of the surrounding nature, the marvels of art and the authenticity of the local gastronomy. The undisputed culinary fame of this beautiful little town has been well documented since the Middle Ages. Among the wealthiest and most sought after gastronomical paradises in the whole of Italy, Norcia is not only the capital of “norcineria” meats (an evocative term which clearly takes its name from that of the town itself), but also of the prestigious black truffles, cheeses and famous lentils of Castelluccio.
The journey to Norcia takes about one and half hours, passing through the mountainous landscape of the Apennines.
Programme:
Early morning departure from Todi. Arrival in Norcia and short visit to the main monuments: the statue dedicated to Saint Benedict, the Palazzo Comunal and the Church of S. Benedetto and the Church of Santa Maria Argentea.
Free time for a walk along Corso Sertorio, the main street of the city full of shops of typical products. Time for the tasting, a light lunch (not included) and shopping.
In the early afternoon we leave for the Plain of Castelluccio, a unique feature of the landscape. The most striking feature of the high Carsic Plains of Castelluccio (1350m above sea level) is enchanting meadowland which blossoms in spectacular fashion in late Spring. We stop here to take some photos and then move on to the charming village of Castelluccio itself, which, at 1452 m. above sea level, is the highest settlement in the entire Umbrian-Marches Apennines and at the very heart of the Monti Sibillini National Park.Our tour of the village includes time for a quick rest before we return to Todi in the late afternoon.
2) THE VIA AMERINA AND ITS LANDSCAPE NEW!!
A day of trekking in the beautiful countryside around Todi, discovering the ancient ruins of the Roman road “Via Amerina” under the guidance of an expert Hiking Guide (10,2 km walk)
Programme:
Morning: departure from Todi by car for the village of Montenero at approx.10 km from Todi.
The village stands at 407 metres above sea level and is inhabited by only 23 people. Throughout the Middle Ages the Castle was inhabited by several families from the area.
Arrival in Montenero. After a few kilometres on foot we find some abandoned springs, a clear indication that these woods were once inhabited and full of life. In the past the woods were frequented not only by shepherds with their flocks but also charcoal burners who used to directly cut the timber they needed for their charcoal, and so-called ‘calcinari’, lime workers who produced lime from the chalk rock typical of these woods.
We take a short break at the springs and then move on to the ‘solfatare’ – fumaroles of water and mud which form as a result of underground vulcanic activity in the area. Indeed, the soil here gives off carbon dioxide, which creates gurgling pools of rainwater. This mud, at room temperature, rich as it is in carbon dioxide, was and still is used by the local peasants to treat animals with illnesses of the skin. These animals, goats, sheep and hunting dogs are put into the curative pools for a few minutes. In Pre-Roman times the ‘solfatare’ were considered sacred places (dedicated to the divinities Silvano and Fauno) whose gurgling mud was interpreted as an oracle.
Stop for a picnic with sandwiches with porchetta (roast pork) and local salami.
We continue walking again until after a few kilometres, we reach what is known as the Roman bridge. This bridge, which in reality dates back to the Early Middle Ages, is the oldest of its kind remaining today in the Municipal area of Todi. The name ‘Ponte Romano’ (Roman Bridge) derives from the fact that an earlier bridge was built in wood, in Roman times, precisely around 2 B.C., on this stretch of the via Amerina, the road which connected Rome to the Adriatic coast before the via Flaminia was built. The construction of the via Flaminia, more important and with a better quality surface, brought about the rapid decline of the via Amerina, which was no longer used for several centuries. Following the fall of the Roman Empire and the conquest of the Duchy of Spoleto by the Longobards, and the consequent occupancy of the via Flaminia, the via Amerina became once again the only passable means of communication between Roma and Ravenna, which was at the time the capital of the Byzantine Empire, and thus acquired renewed importance and vitality. This led to the need for a new bridge, built in the same spot where the wooden Roman brdige had stood.
After a stop at the bridge, we walk on to Montenero. Back to Todi by car.
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THE OTHER SUCCESSFUL "SOLD OUT" FULL DAY EXCURSIONS:
ON THE SAGRANTINO ROAD
Sagrantino di Montefalco Dogc wines are named after the Sagrantino grape from which they are made. Cultivated for centuries on the hills of Umbria, Sagrantino is considered the only one really autochthonous and its DOCG (that means "di origine controllata e garantita"-checked and guaranteed origin) makes a major contribution to the reputation the Region of Umbria has earned as producer of fine wines.
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1 day to discover the Sagrantino road and its famous DOCG wine.
Lunch at a family-run oil mill specialized in 3 different kinds of extra virgin olive oil.
PROGRAMME:
Morning: departure for the full day excursion “On the Sagrantino Road” with DU assistant . On the way to Bevagna stop to admire the amazing view of Todi. Second stop to Santuario di Madonna delle Grazie from which it is possible to see the cities of Assisi, Spello, Foligno and the valley of Mount Subasio. Transfer to the oil mill and visit to the ancient olive tree grove where there is the possibility to see 400 hundreds years old trees. Light lunch with technical oil tasting of 3 different kinds of olio extra vergine di oliva. Arrival in Bevagna and short introduction of the town of Bevagna. Stop for relax and free visit. Transfer and visit of a winery, producing Sagrantino wines. Tasting of 4 several types of wines (Grechetto, Montefalco rosso and the famous Sagrantino secco = dry and passito= sweet) accompanied by a mix of cold cuts, bruschette bread, soupes and sweet tozzetti = cookies.
Back to Todi.
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VIA FLAMINIA AND CARSULAE ‘THE POMPEI OF UMBRIA’
Walking on the ancient ruins of Carsulae “La Pompei dell’Umbria” and Via Flaminia.
Lunch at a family-run farm specialized in the production of extra virgin olive oil, legumes and walnuts.
This one-day excursion focuses on the discovery of ancient Roman archaeological sites and includes a walk on the remains of the ancient Via Flaminia, named after a Roman official by the name of Caio Flaminio around 220 B.C. The Via Flaminia connected Rome to ports on the Adriatic and to the northern regions of Italy, tracing its way across Umbria.
Programme:
Departure for a full day excursion “The Via Flaminia” with DU assistant. Arrival at Carsulae, ancient Roman city situated in the countryside. Visit (entrance included) to the museum and the ruins.
Departure for the farm and visit to the attached museum dedicated in particular to the “peasant” life of the past centuries. From the many artefacts exhibited and information provided it is possible to glean a real understanding of life as it was for those working the land, tending their animals and working in the kitchen. One room is dedicated to a display of embroidery dating from around the 1900s that includes the tools and implements used by the grandmother of the current owner. Another important area is dedicated to the implements used in the cultivation of the grapes and, due to a recent renovation, now displays a new find dating from the 16th – 17th century in a magnificent “geared-lever press,” the only example of its kind in all of Umbria. Light lunch with chickpeas soup, lentils patè, bruschette bread with extra virgin olive oil.
Following departure for Massa Martana and visit to the extraordinary Fonnaia Bridge (part of an impressive road structure built from large, perfectly squared blocks of travertine marble) and to the ancient church of Santa Maria in Pantano (sec. VII).
Back to Todi.
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BIRDWATCHING AT CORBARA LAKE
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1 day in company with an expert ornithologist to admire the fauna of Corbara Lake and the amazing landscapes.
Rich lunch at a famous farm with wine estate.
Programme:
Morning: departure with DU assistance for Titignano, ancient castle built in 937 A.D., situated on an hill surrounding Corbara Lake. Visit to the ornithological bird ringing station. Departure on foot for the ruins of the ancient castle of Roccaccia (5 km; 4 h). During the walk it is possible to observe the many birds and mammals dispersed here. The excursion is conducted by an English speaking ornithologist from the centre for Ornithology “Antonio Valli da Todi”.
Back on foot to Titignano and rich lunch at the farm including: Umbrian appetizer, 3 first courses (including pappardelle with wild boar or hare), roast meat with baked potatoes or salad, dessert with Vin Santo or Vendemmia Tardiva wine, fruit and espresso coffe. Local wines and water included. Back to Todi in the afternoon.
___________________________________________________________________________________ WINE EXCURSIONS IN ORVIETO: DEPARTURE FROM TODI OR ORVIETO
“THE SECRETS OF THE WINE”
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1 day at a celebrated wine estate in the countryside near Orvieto to learn the secrets of the vine cultivation and wine production.
Programme:
Morning : departure for Orvieto with DU assistance following the road along Corbara Lake and its amazing views.
N.B. For clients who stay in Orvieto’s area, the meeting point is Orvieto railway station.
Arrival at the wine estate near the city of Orvieto and visit to the vineyard. The visit is conducted by 1 oenologist and owner of the estate and 1 sommelier the Wine Centre in Orvieto.
Following light lunch with porchetta (roast pork), local cheese, lumachelle from Orvieto (cheese bread), sweets and tasting of 4 wines.
Back to Todi.
“HISTORY OF THE WINE IN ORVIETO”
1 half day to discover the ancient history of the wine production in Orvieto, called in the past times “Oinarea”, “the city where the wine flows”.
Programme:
Departure for Orvieto with DU assistance following the road along Corbara Lake and its amazing views.
N.B. For clients who stay in Orvieto’s area, the meeting point is Orvieto railway station.
Arrival in Orvieto and visit of an Etruscan well (entrance included) , entirely dug into the lithoid tufa of the cliff of Orvieto: 36 meters deep, including the meters of spring water at the bottom. The well is connected with sixth underground rooms, used in the Middle Age as wine cellars.
Walking tour to the Medieval Quarter. Arrival to the Wine Centre, where all the wines produced in Umbria are collected. Visit of the Centre conducted in English by a Sommelier.
Following professional wine tasting in English of an Umbrian white wine and a red wine with local cheese, lumachelle from Orvieto (cheese bread), cold cuts (salami and ham).
Free time for a visit of the Duomo of Orvieto.
Back to Todi.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, AVAILABILITY AND COSTS WRITE TO: info@discoveringumbria.it
Labels: ART and NATURE, FOOD and WINE TOUR, WINE TOUR
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