Central Italy
Guided By David Tordi
12-Day Tour
Orvieto, Sovana, Cortona
$6495 per traveler (double occupancy)
+$1000 single room supplement
$1000 deposit resera
Nov 17 — Nov 28, 2024
* Celebrate Thanksgiving in Italy *
(Sun — Thur)
Oct 26 — Nov 6, 2025
(Sun — Thur)
“To fully understand Ancient Rome and Western Civilization you must travel through the land of the Etruscans, which has 3,000 years of history in three regions: Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio.”
—David
Orvieto
Four nights on a volcanic rock
Orvieto Cathedral and San Brizio Chapel visit, Day 1
“It’s my honor to walk with you through the territory where I was born. Orvieto has its own personality, it’s one part Rome, one part ancient Tuscany, and one part wild Umbria.”
—David
Sovana
Three nights in Southern Tuscany
Sovana village piazza, Days 5—7
“The land of Tuscia, between Lazio and Tuscany, is where tufa volcanic rock gives the richness to the soil famously worked by the Etruscans. Here we’ll walk ancient paths and visit local artisan producers.”
—David
Cortona
Four nights among olive trees
Cortona walking tour, Day 9
“Cortona is famous for its medieval charm and lively streets but it’s also an original Etruscan city. We’ll stay in the heart of town, surrounded by a valley of olive trees ready for harvest, and close to everything.”
—David
Itinerary
Pitigliano, Day 5
Tour begins at 3pm in Orvieto at Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini.
Day 1. Welcome aperitivo at our hotel. Orientation walk in town and visit of the Duomo with Signorelli’s San Brizio Chapel frescoes. Dinner party together.
Day 2. Archeological walking tour of Orvieto, including ancient underground sights, a local museum, and an Etruscan banquet explanation followed by lunch together. Dinner on your own in Orvieto.
Day 3. Free day in Orvieto! You will be able to explore many more attractions in town, including the morning farmers’ market. Tonight we enjoy a group dinner together.
Day 4. Day trip to Bomarzo, a 16th century park built in a sacred Etruscan area. We will continue to a working olive oil mill to taste fresh pressed “olio novello” and have a light lunch, with a stroll and free time in Bolsena afterwards. Group dinner at a local favorite restaurant.
Bus transfer into Southern Tuscany near Pitigliano, staying at Sovana Hotel & Resort.
Day 5. Depart Orvieto and drive to Tarquinia, one of the major Etruscan cities of Southern Etruria. Today we will explore its fantastic frescoed tombs and the local museum. Lunch is on your own in Tarquina. Later, we will arrive in Sovana, our next home for three nights, followed by a group dinner.
Day 6. Today we will explore the surrounding areas of Sovana, with a walking tour of its Archaeological Park, an ancient “Via Cava” (sacred carved road) and a tour of Pitigliano. Lunch on your own in Pitigliano. After returning to our charming village Sovana and some down time, we will enjoy a group dinner.
Day 7. Day trip to the Mediterranean Sea! Visit to the seaside town of Orbetello, where we will experience a seafood lunch together. On the way back to our hotel, we will take a stop at the ancient hot spring waterfalls of Saturnia (water shoes are strongly recommended). Free evening for dinner in Sovana.
Bus transfer to Cortona, staying at Hotel San Michele.
Day 8. Scenic drive through Tuscany’s Val d'Orcia with visits to Pienza and Montichiello for a group lunch. Early evening arrival to Cortona, the town of “Under the Tuscan Sun” as well as a Northern Etruscan city and our new home for four nights. Check in and free evening on your own.
Day 9. Walking tour of Cortona, followed by a group lunch at a local ristorante. Free afternoon and evening in town. Dinner on your own in Cortona.
Day 10. Road trip to Arezzo to explore the pretty town of the Casentino area and to enjoy its crafts and architecture. Visit to a local historical winery with a wine tasting lunch. Afternoon return to Cortona, dinner on your own in town.
Day 11. Drive around Lake Trasimeno and a walking tour of Castiglione del Lago, “On Hannibal’s Trails,” site of an epic battle between the Carthaginian Army and Roman Legions. After lunch on your own, we’ll return to Cortona to enjoy a free afternoon of relaxation, shopping, exploration. Tonight we will enjoy our farewell group dinner together in Cortona.
Day 12. Tour over after breakfast. I’ll help you make arrangements for any post-tour transportation.
*Itinerary details subject to change
What’s Included
Saturnia Thermal Baths, Day 6
Included:
A small group experience of 10-15 people
Eleven nights accommodation, breakfasts included
Eight group meals, drinks included
Wine tasting experience
All sightseeing activity entrances and local guides
Local group travel and bus transfers between tour hotels
All tips
One hour pre-tour travel consultation with David
Flexible reservations and cancellation policy
Not Included:
Airfare
Airport transportation to and from tour hotels
(We can help arrange if you like)
Conditions:
Tour hotels and itinerary details subject to change.
Tour departure contingent on travel restrictions.
FAQ
Arezzo walking tour, Day 10
Where will this tour stay?
This tour stays in 4-star accommodations with historic charm, within the center of town, or within walking distance. I feel it’s important that the hotels reflect the culture of the places we visit, for this reason, they are often historical palaces and residences.
How much walking will there be on this tour?
There is some kind of walking tour each day. Nothing strenuous but sometimes we venture over uneven ground, trails or paths in the countryside, or around archaeological sites. Plan on bringing walking shoes (also water shoes!) and on walking about 3 miles each day. It’s good for the appetite and for your next gelato to taste!
What’s the balance between group time and free time?
This tour is designed to strike a balance between group time and your own free time to explore or just chill out and relax. David will be on hand to help plan your activities during free time.
Will there be live music on this tour???
Hahaha! Well, I do love surprises…
When should I plan to arrive in Orvieto for this tour?
The tour starts at 3pm. Some travelers like to arrive the day before and book a hotel on their own, just to get settled. Orvieto is on the train line between Rome and Florence and easily reachable from either place. If you’re flying into Rome the day the tour starts, plan to arrive in the early morning to comfortably make your way to Orvieto, about 2 hours drive north from Fiumicino Airport, before our start time. And while it’s not necessary to arrive a few days early to adjust to the time change, many travelers do to start the tour feeling fresh. It’s up to you!
What’s the best way to get to/from Rome’s Airport to the begin-of-tour hotel?
You can hire (ahead of time) a car rental service with a driver that picks you up at the airport and drives you directly to our first hotel. You can also take a train from the Leonardo Da Vinci (FCO) Rome airport to central station Roma Termini. From here take another train directly to Orvieto. Once you arrive in Orvieto, you can get a taxi or cross the train station square and take the local cable car (funicolare), which will take you up to the center of Orvieto in 3 minutes (it runs every 10 minutes). Once you get off the funicolare up town, wait for the local mini bus for “P.zza della Repubblica”. Our Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini is 2 minutes from Piazza della Repubblica.
What will we eat?
I think it’s safe to say, the food on this tour is so good, it actually inspired the Guided By logo! There will be many delicacies, including some spectacular charcuterie, local wines and pasta, as well as wild boar, a specialty of Central Italy.
Ask David
Will there be music on this tour?
