The many
ALL INCLUSIVE benefits include
three meals per day with our special Dine-Around program that lets
you enjoy any restaurant you choose or relax with room service,
with à la carte dining. Plus, on 2 evenings, we will have special
group dinners which will be our unique and Exclusive DavidTravel
Experience evenings with local friends invited as our guests.
Note: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
DETAILED
ITINERARY
Morning mist rising from a flourishing plain, the wash of waves
on a pebbled shore, the heady aroma of a rich chianti—the soul of
Italy lives in the glorious fertile heartland of Umbria and Puglia.
Stroll through Umbria’s ancient cobblestone streets, explore
stunning cathedrals and ancient fortresses, and indulge in some of
the finest food and wine in the world. In sun-baked Puglia, visit
the remarkable white stone trulli, found nowhere else in the world,
and surrender to the overwhelming beauty of the unspoiled coastline.
Follow your heart to Umbria and Puglia and discover the essence of
Italy.
JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
• Stroll the piazzas of Assisi on a privately guided walking tour
• Enjoy a private tour of the Wine and Olive Museum in Torgiano
• Savor tantalizing wine and cuisine at an exclusive tasting in
Spello
• Explore the magnificent cave at Castellana
• Explore the unspoiled beauty of the Gargano Coast
• Indulge in the finest Umbrian and Puglian cuisine and wine at
world-class restaurants and wine farms
• Visit the legendary trulli, known as the "white cones of Puglia"
DAILY ITINERARY
DAY 1, Saturday
Depart for Rome, ITALY
Depart your home city for Rome on Saturday.
DAY 2, Sunday Arrive in Rome, ITALY
Arrive in Rome, Italy. You will be met upon
your arrival on Sunday afternoon and transferred to your luxury
hotel, built in 1894 as the first deluxe hotel in Rome. It is within
walking distance of the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and Via
Veneto. Every guest room has a unique hand painted fresco depicting
a Roman scene installed above the bedsʹ headboards, and features
Murano glass chandeliers and Hermes bathroom amenities.
Rome is packed with history and artistic achievement. Sip a
cappuccino in a square designed by Bernini, stroll to the Roman
Forum, birthplace of Western civilization—or shop at designer
boutiques near the Spanish Steps. It would take a lifetime to see
all the museums, palazzos and churches in this celestial city.
Sunday evening, at a festive cocktail party and dinner, you will
meet your DavidTravel Travel Director and fellow travelers to learn
more about the exciting days ahead.
DAY 3, Monday
Rome, ITALY, Orvieto, ITALY & Torgiano, ITALY
Depart this morning on the first stage of your journey through
Umbria and Puglia. First stop: the medieval village of Orvieto. At
the heart of the town’s old quarter, stroll through the tranquil
central square and tour the breathtaking Gothic cathedral to see
frescoes painted by Fra Giovanni rom Fiesole and the Last Judgment
cycle of frescoes by Luca Signorelli. Your visit also includes the
Duomo of Orvieto, one of the most important examples of Gothic
architecture in Italy.
After lunch in Orvieto drive to on to Torgiano. Originally an
Etruscan enclave, later a Roman fort, the town sits on a magnificent
hilltop above the confluence of the Tiber and Chiàscio Rivers,
looking out onto a panorama of fertile valleys and acres of
vineyards. Torgiano is a quaint village surrounded by vineyards
where time seems to stand still. The afternoon is yours to explore
the town and soak up its stylish charm.
Torgiano’s delights lie just outside the door of your hotel, the
world-famous Le Tre Vaselle. The hotel, a renovated 17th century
manor, has thick stone walls, wooden beams, terracotta floors, great
stone fireplaces and is furnished with antiques, hand-woven fabrics,
trompe-lʹoeils, oil paintings, engravings and sketches.
DAY 4, Tuesday Torgiano, ITALY & Assisi, ITALY
This morning depart for Assisi – the ʺcrown jewel of the medieval
hill towns.ʺ Start the visit with the three levels of the Basilica
di San Francesco: the crypt, where the Saint is buried; the Lower
Basilica; and the Upper Basilica of Romanesque/Gothic architecture,
built in the 13th century to house the body of St. Francis of
Assisi, patron saint of Italy, and most beloved of all saints for
the Italians. The greatest masters of the time — Cimabue, Giotto,
Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti — were called here to fresco,
rendering this church one of Italyʹs most outstanding art museums.
Piazza del Comune, Assisiʹs main piazza, is graced by its
medieval bell tower, elegant civic buildings of the 13th- and 14th
century, the stately Temple of Minerva, and the Gothic Basilica di
Santa Chiara, where St. Clare of Assisi is buried.
Returning to Torgiano this afternoon, you’ll find the village is
a veritable treasure trove for lovers of food and wine. Visit the
Wine Museum, with an astounding collection on the history of wine
and the role of wine in different cultures over the centuries. A
companion museum houses an array of fascinating exhibits on the
history of olive oil, its use in Umbrian cuisine, and the
cultivation of olives.
DAY 5, Wednesday Torgiano, ITALY & Perugia, ITALY
This morning visit the capital of Umbria, Perugia, famous for its
architecture that includes buildings from the time of the Etruscans,
the Roman Empire, and the middle ages. Also known for its chocolate,
Perugia welcomes visitors with a combination of charm, good humor,
and warm hospitality.
Among the sites in the city, you will visit the Collegio del
Cambio, Palazzo dei Priori, built in the 15th century and one-time
home of the powerful Bankers Guild. Continue to the National Gallery
of Umbria where you’ll view the work of the city’s most honored son,
Pietro Perugino, one of the earliest Italian practitioners of oil
painting.
After a sumptuous lunch in Perugia, you’ll have the afternoon at
leisure back in Torgiano to enjoy the peace and quiet of the Umbrian
countryside and the small-town atmosphere.
DAY 6, Thursday
Spello, ITALY & Spoleto, ITALY
Depart from Torgiano today for a visit to the town of Spello, with
its beautiful view over the Umbrian plain from Perugia to Spoleto.
It is constructed in the local pink limestone quarried on Mt.
Subasio, lending it a unique rosy hue, particularly at sunset.
This ancient village, whose history goes back up to the Roman
Age, has two well-preserved Augustan gates, which surround the town.
Also visit Porta Venere, with its towers, Porta Consolare and Porta
Urbicale. Then see the most precious treasure of Spello, the
wonderful frescoes of Pinturicchio, in the church of Santa Maria
Maggiore. Continue to a medieval wine cellar for a tasting of
Umbriaʹs best wines, olive oils and various Umbrian delicacies.
Later this afternoon, drive to Spoleto and your luxury hotel for
the next two nights. This picturesque city is beautifully positioned
on a small hill crowned with a fortress. The town, with its
grey-towered profile, slopes down towards the plains with their
beautiful backdrop of green mountains. Spoleto is known for its
important archeological, medieval and renaissance monuments, and
also for the world-famous Spoleto Festival of the arts.
DAY 7, Friday
Spoleto, ITALY
Spoleto’s wonders await you this morning. Visit the cathedral that
was built at the end of 13th century. The Romanesque facade, next to
a great bell tower, is decorated in the upper part by a magnificent
mosaic created in 1207. Among the many works of art adorning the
cathedral are the wonderful frescoes of Filippo Lippi and of
Pinturicchio, and an exquisite bronze bust of Urbano VIII by Bernini.
After lunch in a local restaurant, the afternoon is yours at
leisure to further explore Spoleto—sip an espresso at a sidewalk
café, indulge in a glass of wine, or just sit and watch the world go
by at its perfectly leisurely Umbrian pace.
At your historical residence, the terrace of Villa Milani offers
an extraordinary panorama. The view is of the imposing Ponte delle
Torri; the majestic Rocca Albernoziana; the palaces and bell towers
of Spoleto; and the view of Assisi Valley, skirted by medieval
villages and in the distance Mount Subasio.
DAY 8, Saturday
Gubbio, ITALY & Vieste, ITALY
Depart this morning for Gubbio, perhaps the prettiest hill town in
all of Italy. While there, wander its cobblestone streets, visit the
magnificent Palazzo dei Sonsoli, and ride the cable car to the
summit of Monte San Ubaldo for spectacular views.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch in Gubbio before saying arrivederci to
Umbria. Board the TGV train in Ancona, bound for the sun-kissed land
of Puglia, home to ancient monuments, unspoiled coastline, and
delectable food and wine.
Arrive in Vieste, one of the oldest cities on the Gargano Coast.
Its past includes visits from kings and queens, popes and
illustrious doges from the Venetian empire. The beach of Pizzomunno
("the edge of the world") is one of the loveliest in the entire
country. An attractive lighthouse and a mysterious monolith rise out
of the water like sentinels, protecting the town. The well-preserved
medieval monastery, the legendary castle, and the lovely Church of
San Francisco all lend the town a sense of romance and history.
DAY 9, Sunday
Peschici, ITALY & Monopoli, ITALY
Your destination this morning is Peschichi, a small town perched on
a promontory above the dazzling Adriatic Sea. The coastline has been
inhabited for thousands of years by a multitude of civilizations and
the cultures and histories intermigle here to make a heady stew.
Though Peschichi was founded in the 10th century, nearby
excavations have found traces of prehistoric settlements and the
town itself embraces its storied past. Explore the town, paying
special attention to its well-preserved houses that hearken back to
its glorious history. The Gargano Coast offers some of the most
splendid scenery in all of Italy. With its many fascinating
grottoes, sea caves, and rocky promontories all framing the cerulean
sea, you many never want to leave.
Enjoy lunch on the coast before continuing to San Giovanni
Rotondo for a visit to the shrine of Padre Pio, the second-most
visited Catholic shrine in the world. Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
was a Capuchin friar, priest and mystic who died in 1968 and was
declared a saint in 2002.
Later this afternoon, arrive in Monopoli, first settled by the
Greeks more than 2,000 years ago.
DAY 10, Monday
Castellana, ITALY & Alberobello, ITALY
This morning visit the spectacular caves at Castellana. The story
goes that in 1938 spelunker Franco Anelli discovered the beautiful
caverns after inhabitants of the town told him taes about ghosts and
monsters inside the mysterious chasm called La Grave (the Deep). Now
famous the world over for their lovely stalactite and stalagmite
formations covered with gorgeous calcite crystals that mae the stone
look like blooming lilies, the subterranean caves provide a striking
counterpoint to the sun-baked earth above.
Alberobello is known best for the legendary trulli, the "White
Cones of Puglia." A trullo is an oddly shaped, squat white stone
house with a conical stone roof. Some of the roofs are decorated
with crosses, while others are adorned with stylized suns, geometric
patterns, or shapes painted all in white to stand out against the
gray stone of the roof. Spend some time wandering around Alberobello
and visit several trulli before enjoying lunch at a local
restaurant.
Your last stop today is the white city of Ostuni, famous for its
rows and rows of whitewashed houses, stark and beautiful above the
sparkling Adriatic Sea below. On the way, visit Martina Franca, a
small town clinging to a hillside that overlooks the gorgeous Vale
d’Itria. Look out over the valley and see an incredible vista of
white trulli, red earth, and traditional gray stone walls.
DAY 11, Tuesday
Trani, ITALY
Begin your full day exploration of one of the loveliest areas of
Puglia with a scenic drive through verdant countryside to Tran,
sometimes called the Gubbio of Puglia. A lovely seaside town, Trani
boasts an incredible cathedral dedicated to St. Nicholas the Pilgrim
who was martyred in 1094. The arch on the cathedral is a perfect
example of high Romanesque architecture and some of the carvings on
the capitals show a Arabic influence.
Make a stop at the 13th century castle, now restored to its
former glory, and the ornate synagogue, set in the area of town that
retains its medieval architecture and ornamentation.
Enjoy a rustic lunch of local specialties at the Lama di Luna
farm before continuing to a traditional winery for an
informativetasting and lecture.
DAY 12, Wednesday
Matera, ITALY & Monopoli, ITALY
This morning, continue your exploration of Puglia by stepping into
history. The ghost town of Matera bewitches all who visit with its
spectacular natural setting and echoes of the past. The UNESCO World
Heritage Site Matera, city of stones, has been inhabited since the
Paleolithic era. The numerous grottoes in the deep canyon, were the
perfect homes for prehistoric man.
As time progressed, a city grew up on the side of the canyon,
with buildings carved out of the rock itself. As you explore the
houses and temples, you realize that you are actually inside the
mountain. With its striking scenery and well-preserved buildings,
Matera has been the location of several movies, most recently Mel
Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.
Tonight you will enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow
travelers and your Travel Director to say good-bye to bella Italia.
DAY 13, Thursday
Bari, ITALY and Depart for Home
This morning you will be taken to the airport in Bari for your
flight home or on to your next destination.
B
NOTE: The Daily Itinerary above is subject to
change dependent upon local conditions and/or operational changes or
improvements. The specific times and order of inclusions within each
destination may also be altered to best accommodate unscheduled
closure, special events, weather, traffic, etc. Please contact
DavidTravel before scheduling any coinciding appointments. You will
receive an up-dated, itinerary approximately 30 days prior to your
journey’s scheduled departure date.
Rome, St. Regis Grand Hotel: 1 Night
Built in 1894 as the first deluxe hotel in Rome, the St. Regis Grand
is within walking distance of the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain
and Via Veneto. Upon reopening in mid-December 1999, after an
extensive restoration and renovation, the St. Regis Grand reclaimed
its status as the finest hotel in Rome and one of the best in the
world. This honor has been re-emphasized by recently being named to
Conde Nast Travelers Gold List.
The St. Regis Grand features luxuriously appointed guest rooms and
suites in an eclectic combination of Empire, Regency and Louis XV
styles. Every guest room has a unique hand-painted fresco depicting
a Roman scene installed above the bedsʹ headboards, and features
Murano glass chandeliers and Hermes bathroom amenities.
You can enjoy a unique dining experience at the Restaurant
Vivendo, nominated by Zagat as the number one restaurant in Rome,
and the Gold Key award winner for design and decor. The private wine
cellar, Di Vino, selected to be depositaire de l’enotheque Dom
Perignon, offers private dining with regional and international
menus enhanced by a wide selection of wines to complement each
course.
Torgiano, Hotel Le Tre Vaselle: 3 Nights Within the city walls of Torgiano is the 5-star Hotel Le
Tre Vaselle, a refined inn and restaurant. The structure of the
large 17th century manor is characteristic of an old Umbrian
residence with its thick stone walls, wooden beams, terracotta
floors and impressive stone fireplaces. The fine decor combines
antique Umbrian furnishings from the 17th and 18th century,
hand-woven fabrics from central Italy, trompe-lʹoeils, oil
paintings, embroidery and antique etchings on a viticultural
theme.
The windows look out on terraces, gardens, courtyards and the
wide Tiber River valley. The surroundings are reflected in the menus
offered which are based on local and regional products which arrive
daily from theLungarotti farm.
Bedrooms and suites, quiet and airy, have views across the
surrounding valley over the terraces, courtyards, or a baroque
garden. Le Tre Vaselleʹs 61 rooms and suites are all decorated with
antique furniture and equipped with independent air conditioning and
heating, direct-access phone in the bedroom and bathroom, satellite
TV with radio, radio-alarm, safe, bar, and bathroom with tub, shower
and hairdryer.
Le Tre Vaselle has an outdoor pool with sun-deck among
century-old olive trees, and an indoor pool with whirlpool and
counter-current swimming, sauna and a small, equipped gym.
Spoleto, Villa Milani: 2 Nights Situated a few kilometers from the historical center of
Spoleto, in a splendid position that dominates the town, the Villa
Milani is surrounded by 20 acres of natural meadows and woods. Built
in 1880, the villa was the country residence of the architect
Giovanni Battista Milani, one of the most important exponents of the
Roman architecture. It was named a Historical Residence by Regione
Umbria.
Villa Milani has 11 rooms furnished with valuable antique
furnishings. The 18th century portal of the Salon opens on an
Italian garden, embellished by a Renaissance fountain and travertine
balustrade. The swimming pool overlooks the green meadows and the
woods of Monteluco Valley. Villa Milaniʹs restaurant and its
creative cuisine is the ideal place to discover the typical tastes
of the past accompanied by vintage wine.
Vieste, Palace Hotel Pizzomunno:
1 Night Set amid luxuriant vegetation, where pines and olive trees
alternate with the bright and colorful bougainvillaea, the hotel,
blends the antique and modern in its furnishings, skilfully creating
a refined and exclusive atmosphere. Winner of the prestigious title
the "Best Hotel in Italy" in 1995, to make the guest’s stay as
comfortable and pleasant as possible, there are many efficient
facilities: two swimming pools – an Olympic-sized one and another
for children – three tennis courts, a private beach with the finest
golden sand, five bars, three restaurants, pizzeria, bazaar,
hairdresser’s salon, boutiques, a cinema, discotheque, a billiards
room and a private heliport. The Palace Hotel Pizzomunno, also has
a fitness centre and beauty centre.
The renowned "Trabucco" restaurant offers excellent regional and
national cuisine amid enchanting natural surroundings.
The Palace Hotel Pizzomunno is clearly one of the most exclusive
structures in the whole Gargano area, boasting of 14 suites and 184
en-suite rooms. All are beautifully furnished with many
conveniences: hydro massage bath, hairdryer, air-conditioning,
telephone, satellite TV, radio, video-recorder, safe, fridge bar,
and terrazzo.
Monopoli, Il Melograno:
4 Nights
In a little known corner of Italy, once part of Magna Graecia, rich
in history and architecture and blessed with a tradition of fine
cuisine, you will find Il Melograno, a 17th century "Masseriaʺ or
fortified farmhouse built originally as a defense against Saracen
and Byzantine invaders. Today, after an impeccable restoration, it
is a luxurious five star Relais & Chateaux hotel, nestled in a sea
of olive trees bent by breezes from the Adriatic and gnarled by the
passing centuries.
Flanked by olive trees dating back to biblical times, the
Ristorante Il Melograno specializes in the Apulian version of the
much acclaimed Mediterranean cuisine. Puglia is renowned for its
vast variety of dishes based on local vegetables and hand made
pastas unique to the region. The olive oil is pressed from olives
grown on the estate, and many of the seasonable vegetables come from
the hotel garden.
Located 5 miles from Il Melograno property, near the ruins of
ancient Egnazia, is the Le Tamerici Beach Club – a relaxing large
sandy beach. The hotel offers a complimentary scheduled shuttle
service for your convenience.
Each of the 31 rooms is nestled around the central piazza, and
has been individually furnished with antiques under the care of the
owner Camillo Guerra, an art and antique dealer. All of the rooms
are air-conditioned and equipped with satellite TV, security safe
and mini bar.
TRAVEL PLANNING DETAILS
13-Day Itinerary: Per person price is based upon two people
sharing a room. Airfare is additional. Check with DavidTravel for
special international airfares.
Intra-tour air is not required on this journey.
JOURNEY PACE: ACTIVE
JOURNEY EXPECTATIONS & ELIGIBILITY
All guests are expected to be in good health. We consider our
journeys to be active.
Moderate to strenuous exertion, including long walks and climbing
stairs is sometimes an integral part of your journey.
RENDEZVOUS & SCHEDULE POINTS
Below are the times and locations where this journey officially
begins and ends. DavidTravel is pleased to provide arrival and
departure transfers between the designated airport city and the
Rendezvous location hen confirmed flight details are provided with
final payment.
Day 1 - Saturday Depart Hometown
Day 2 - Sunday Arrive Rome, ITALY
Meeting Point - Rome, St. Regis Grand, after lunch
Day 13 - Thursday Depart Bari,
ITALY
Farewell Point - Monopoli, Il Melograno, after breakfast
Arrive Hometown
INTERNATIONAL AIR FLIGHTS
Airfares vary according to airline, departure city and seat
category, and are based on availability and subject to change.
DavidTravel is pleased to assist you with your air reservations for
this journey.
The recommended air carriers for this journey are: Alitalia,
British Airways & United Airlines. Please check with
DavidTravel
for schedules and rates on our preferred carriers.
If you are arranging your own flights, please take careful note
of the Rendezvous Points above. Our office requires flight details 2
months prior to departure to provide your included journey arrival
and departure airport transfers.
EXTENDING YOUR STAY
EXTRA HOTEL NIGHTS:
Call for pre-tour rates at the St. Regis Grand in Rome or post-tour
rates at the Il Melograno in Monopoli. Extra hotel nights are
subject to availability.
CUSTOM JOURNEY EXTENSIONS:
We offer tailor-made itineraries designed around your special
interests and desired departure dates. These can be arranged as pre
or post journey extensions. Call our Custom Journey Planners for
more details.
CONNECTING JOURNEY NOTES:
For a more in-depth experience of this region, extend your travels
by combining this journey with La Dolce Vita or Splendors of Sicily
on select departures. Call for those itineraries.
If you are connecting this journey with another
DavidTravel
escorted or custom journey, please note the connecting flights
between journeys are NOT included. Please contact DavidTravel for the
recommended connecting flight schedule.
YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES:
• Deluxe rooms in the best available hotels*
• Three meals per day, including our unique Dine-Around program that
lets you enjoy any restaurant you choose with à la carte dining, or
relax with room service when available*
• A professional Travel Director as your personal concierge
• Local sightseeing with professional English-speaking guides with
unparalleled knowledge, including entrance fees for places visited
• Active participation and up-close encounters to experience the
cultures of your journey
• Bottled water, soft drinks, coffee and tea included with meals;
bottled water during sightseeing excursions
• All gratuities to hotel and restaurant staff and local guides and
drivers
• Group or individual airport transfers on arrival and departure
flights
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance coverage for injury or
illness, and 24-hour Worldwide Live Travel Assistance through Travel
Guard Assistance
*Due to remote or undeveloped locations on some journeys,
accommodations may not always meet Western standards. Dine-Around
opportunities will be limited in remote or unsecured locations.
THE COST OF YOUR JOURNEY DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Air transportation; airport taxes; passport expenses
• Inoculations and medications
• Visas if required
• Alcoholic beverages (except as noted in itinerary) and caviar
• Expenses of guides, buses or cars for sightseeing not included in
the itinerary
• Laundry, expenses of a personal nature and gratuity for any
personal services
• Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional additional coverage)
• Health, accident, baggage and trip cancellation insurance
• Excessive baggage charges imposed by airlines
• Customary end-of-the-trip gratuity to the Travel Director
(Depending on your satisfaction with their services, $12-$15 per
person, per day is customary.)
DETAILED
ITINERARY