Combination Tours> Italy> Cooking and Walking in Umbria

Italy: Cooking and Walking in Umbria
(Options: Biking, Spa, Shopping, Wine Tours, Shorter or Longer Stays)
Umbria, Italy - 6 nights


Spend some time in the beautiful hills of Umbria at a splendid 17th-century patrician Villa. Villa di Monte Solare, a luxurious country hotel set in a tranquil setting, overlooks rolling hills and olive groves and invites you to experience its romance and unparalleled comfort. Over the years the Villa has been a noble residence and a base for the important agricultural work of the farm. It retains its large fireplaces, frescoes, ancient cotto floors and period furnishings. Here you will take a cooking class with an Italian chef, walk through breathtaking scenery, discover delectable wines and indulge in exquisite cuisine.

COOKING CLASS
Chef Andrea Sposini who will teach you the secrets of Umbrian and Tuscan cuisine, using the freshest ingredients of the season. Learn to cook traditional dishes that you will easily be able to re-create at home for your friends and family. Cooking classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays only.

VINO NOBILE WINE TOUR
Visit to the beautiful renaissance town Montepulciano and wine tasting in a famous cellar with “Vino Nobile” and local produce. A drive to Pienza, the ideal town designed under the ispiration of Pope Pius II, Piccolomini. Possibility of  shopping for “pecorino” cheese, wild-boar salami and other typical produce.

WALK TO LAKE TRASIMENO
Today you walk directly to Lake Trasimeno. You start from the Villa di Monte Solare and you go up the windy country gravel road to Castello dei Montali: enjoy the really best view of the lake and all the islands. Your path brings you downhill near the shores of Lake Trasimeno where you can visit the nature reserve “Oasi la Valle” (ticket payable locally). In this peaceful place you can take a marvelous walk for bird watching: a corner of heaven with many species of birds in the reeds. There is also the small museum which tells you about the nature and ornithology of Lake Trasimeno. Lunch package. Transfer back to the hotel in the afternoon.

WALK TO MONTALI AND FONTIGNANO
After breakfast you start directly from the Hotel Villa di Monte Solare. Walking up and down through olive groves, oak woods and vineyards until you reach the Castle of Montali with stunning views on Lake Trasimeno and the other surrounding valleys. Along the hillcrest you start to descend in direction of Fontignano. After passing the ruin of the castle you reach the village of Fontignano where you can rest or visit the tomb of Il Perugino. And up from here you follow a windy country road through lovely olive groves back to the Villa di Monte Solare

SPA DAY
Enjoy an entire day pampering yourself after your walking tours and exploring. You will receive a facial massage, a steam bath with massage on hot stones and an Ayurvedic massage.

HOW TO ARRIVE

Airports:

Perugia (30 miles from the hotel)
Roma Fiumicino (110 miles from the hotel)
Florence Airport (about 100 miles from the hotel)

Train Station:

The nearest train station is Chiusi-Chianciano (about 20 miles from the hotel)

BOOKING INFORMATION
2008 FEES PER PERSON	DEPOSIT
Classic Double Room/US$2325            Single Supplement/US$400	After availability is confirmed, a non-refundable deposit of US$800 per person and the submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full 60 days before your arrival date.
2008 DATES	INCLUDED
Available year round	*Welcome aperif upon arrival *Six (6) nights' in classic double room accommodations with breakfast *Six (6) dinners (wine/drinks not included) *One (1) three hour cooking class (lunch not included) *Two (2) walks as described in itinerary *One (1) Vino Nobile wine tour to Montepulciano (unescorted) *One (1) lunch package *One (1) spa day including three (3) treatments *One (1) transfer back to the hotel Airfare and personal expenses are not included.

For further inquiries or to register, click here.



CANCELLATION POLICY
For cancellation up to 22 days prior to the date of arrival : no charge
For cancellation up to 21-10 days prior to the date of arrival : charge of 50% of the total sum of the stay
For cancellation within 10 days or in case of no-show or earlier departure : full charge of sum for the entire stay
Travel insurance is highly recommended.



CLIENT REMARKS
Furnished upon request.