Day 1:
Perugia
Arrival in Perugia,
one of the most beautiful
and significant cities in Italy. Powerful Etruscan center and then important
medieval city. Italian city symbol of the food of the Gods, the chocolate.
The gateway to the acropolis is the Rocca Paolina, a unique historical-architectural complex,
"container" of the medieval city hidden inside. Crossing it with the
escalators, among historical remains and contemporary attractions, you climb to
the heart of the city, where the people of Perugia and also the students love
to hang out. A charming route starts from the thirteenth-century Fontana Maggiore in the historical
center, full of museums, churches, monuments, palaces, medieval towers as well
as significant modern and contemporary testimonies.
The visit starts from Piazza
IV Novembre, in the heart of Perugia, with the Palazzo dei Priori, which hosts the Umbrian National Gallery. In the upper part of the square dominates
the Cathedral of S. Lorenzo. The
tour continues towards the Etruscan Arch, the Gallenga Palace, the Church
of S. Maria Nuova, the Church of S.
Maria di Monteluce and the Church of
S. Bevignate.
Transfer to the hotel, accommodation, dinner and overnight.
Eurochocolate is an event dedicated to the
culture of chocolate, which takes place in Perugia in the month of October,
dedicated to the Italian and international chocolate tradition.
Day 2:
Torgiano and Bettona
Departure
for Torgiano, a fortified village at
the junction of the rivers Chiascio and Tevere, surrounded by hills rich in
vineyards and olive trees. Within the walls, along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II,
starting from Via Mazzini there is the Oratory of Misericordia, which is
followed by the Pieve di San Bartolomeo. Continuing along the street there is
the Town Hall. Then follows the baroque Palazzo Graziani Baglioni, which houses
the MUVIT - Wine Museum. Going up
Via Garibaldi, in an ancient building, used until a few decades ago to mill
olives, is the MOO - Museum of Olive and
Oil. In Piazza della Repubblica, is the MCCA- Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art. Torgiano Rosso Riserva was the first wine in Umbria to obtain the DOCG
(Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin), it is a rich and complex
wine, suitable for long ageing.
In the afternoon visit of the village of Bettona, starting from the mighty
Etruscan and medieval walls and then going through the small streets and
squares to discover the Town Hall and the Palazzo del Podestà, home of the
famous Municipal Art Gallery. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Assisi
and Spello
Departure for a visit to Assisi, the city where St. Francis, patron saint of Italy, and St.
Clare were born, lived and died. The magnificent Basilica of St. Francis, since 1230, contains and preserves the
mortal remains of the Seraphic saint. Formed by two superimposed churches,
linked to two different construction phases: in both cases, the interior
decoration is extraordinary. The lower church was started in 1228, the most
renowned artists of the time, from Giotto to Cimabue to Simone Martini, worked
on the decorations of the basilica. The upper church has a simple
"hut" facade. The upper part is decorated with a central rose window,
with the symbols of the Evangelists embossed on the sides. It contains the most
complete collection of medieval stained-glass windows in Italy. The decoration
depicts the figure of St. Francis. The extraordinary final result is due to the
essential contribution of outstanding artists such as Cimabue and Giotto, whose
experimentation has made the Basilica of Assisi one of the most important
places for the evolution of Italian and European art between the thirteenth and
fourteenth centuries. Visit of the Cathedral of San Rufino, the Church of Santa
Chiara, San Damiano. The Crucifix of San Damiano is the cross-shaped figure in
front of which Francis of Assisi was praying when he received the Lord's
request to repair his house. The original cross is currently displayed in the
basilica of St. Clare in Assisi.
Lunch in a restaurant in Assisi: "toasted"
grilled bread, seasoned with a slice of garlic and covered with a generous dose of fresh oil
and a pinch of salt. The Capocollo is a sausage made from the neck and shoulder of the pig. During the Easter
holidays in Umbria, it is served with a so-called Easter pizza, a savory cheese pie. Strangozzi with truffles, a rectangular long pasta with a base of
wheat flour and water.
La rocciata di
Assisi, a horseshoe-shaped cake that looks a lot like strudel. It is
prepared by rolling out the dough and covering it with a mixture of dried fruit
mixed with oil and vin santo and then rolling it up and baking it in the oven.
In the afternoon visit to the town of Spello, a lovely village on Mount
Subasio famous for its "Infiorate": the passionate people
of Spello work all year round to prepare the wonderful Infiorate (carpets and
paintings) which are presented to many Italian and foreign visitors during the
Corpus Domini period. Also, the Cappella Bella, painted by Pinturicchio
in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, deserves to be visited. At the end of
the visit return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Perugia
and chocolate
Visit the factory and the Historical Museum of Perugina,
the famous factory that has made Perugia a chocolate icon. At the end of the
tour small tasting and shopping in the nearby shop.
The Perugina "Baci": created by Luisa
Spagnoli's idea to mix with chocolate the hazelnut pieces that were thrown
during the production of sweets. The result was a strange chocolate with an
irregular shape, which resembled the image of a closed fist, and was named
"Cazzotto" (Punch) because of this. Giovanni Buitoni, unconvinced
that it was a good idea to give chocolates as a gift called "cazzotto",
wanted to rename them with a more suitable name. Thus was born the
"Bacio" Perugina. Return back home.