Tuscany & Umbria by Steam Train

Fly from Dublin to Pisa

Fly from Dublin to Pisa where you will be met at the airport by your resort manager. You will be transferred comfortably by coach to the Hotel Minerva in the enchanting city of Arezzo, where you will stay for seven nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

The hotel is a lovely 4 star featuring modern decor, with a classical twist, mirroring the enchanting city of Arezzo itself. It features a fitness centre with a gym and Turkish baths for quests to enjoy during their stay and bicycles are available to borrow, free of charge. Alternatively, you can walk to the city’s centre in around 15 minutes to explore the many monuments, museums, churches, shops and boutiques.

Perugia & Assisi

On the first excursion of your Escorted Tour Holiday, we will set off on a coach following breakfast in the hotel. We will journey to the city of Perugia, which is the capital of the Umbria region. It’s known for its defensive walls around the historic center. Here you will take a guided tour to ensure you take in the historic sites along the way. The medieval history is palpable in this city which is considered to be one of the most beautiful and beloved cities in Italy.

Aside from charming streets and stunning views, churches are the main draw of the town of Assisi, the most popular tourist attraction of course being, the Basilica of Saint Francis. We will venture on a walking tour of the area, taking in the history and incredible sites before entering the Basilica. This architectural wonder is considered a masterpiece, as well as an outstanding example of a religious building that influenced the development of art and architecture of the entire city. The famed frescos on the Basiclica’s ceiling were painted by Giotta and are sure to leave you feeling well and truly inspired.
Following on from the Basillica visit, we will once again board the coach, to return back to the hotel.

Montepulciano, Pienza & Bagno Vignoni

Today, after breakfast at the hotel, we will take off on an exploration of the towns and villages of the Val d’Orcia. This stunning region is characterised by rolling hills and cypress trees and the quaint towns and villages seem to have been frozen in time.
First, we will visit Montepulciano, a medieval village that is awash with rich history and in particular is known for its churches and the Medici fortress of Sangallo. Notably, this area acted as the set for the film New Moon, from the Twilight saga.
Our second stop for the day will be Pienza, the jewel of the Val d’Orcia. A beautiful, atmospheric city, it is loved for its fifteenth century architecture among its enviable location atop the rolling hills that Tuscany is so famous for. We will then make our way to a local cheese producer, just outside the city, where we will be invited to taste some produce. The area is famed for it’s pecorino cheese and this is your chance to find out why.
Our last stop of the day will be Bagno Vignoni. This is a beautiful thermal town and has been used as the set of many films in its time. In the main square you’ll find a thermal water pool which has been used as a healing facility since as far back as Roman times.
Following on from this, we will board the coach once again to return back to the hotel.