Welcome to Assisi
As if cupped in celestial hands, with the plains spreading picturesquely below and Monte Subasio rearing steep and wooded above, the mere sight of Assisi in the rosy glow of dusk is enough to send pilgrims' souls spiralling to heaven. It is at this hour, when the pitter-patter of daytripper footsteps have faded and the town is shrouded in saintly silence, that the true spirit of St Francis of Assisi, born here in... Read More
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Assisi activities
Assisi and Orvieto Day Trip from Rome
Leave Rome and travel north by air-conditioned coach, following the River Tiber toward Tuscany. After roughly 1.5 hours on the road, you’ll arrive in the gorgeous town of Orvieto. Seemingly sprouting out of the volcanic rock on which it stands, the hilltop town boasts a history that dates back to Etruscan times.Stretch your legs and walk around the town, seeing highlights like the 14th-century Orvieto Cathedral – a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with a glistening façade of stained glass, mosaics and sculptures. Soak up Orvieto’s charms and admire the countless churches that are scattered around its center.Return to your coach and travel through the rolling hills toward Umbria – Tuscany’s lesser known but just as captivating neighbor. Stop for lunch on the shores of Lake Trasimeno, and then continue to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Assisi. Famed as the birthplace of Italy’s Catholic patron saint, St Francis of Assisi, the sleepy little town documents all the highs and lows of his life. On a walking tour, see the stall where he was said to be born, his childhood home, and the spot where he pledged his life to his vocation. Hear of the town’s other, lesser-known saint, St Clare, who became one of St Francis’ first true followers. Visit the Convent of Santa Chiara, which is dedicated to her, before heading to Assisi's Basilica di San Francesco for a tour. Other Assisi highlights include the town hall square, Piazza del Comune, with its turreted ‘palace’-- Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. Admire the Roman Temple of Minerva and then return to your coach for the journey south.Before your tour ends, enjoy a final stop in the town of Santa Maria degli Angeli to see its beautiful basilica – a 9th-century church where St Francis reportedly worshiped. Head back to Rome and finish your tour at the start point in the early evening.
Assisi and Cortona Day Trip from Florence
Leave central Florence in the morning and travel south out of Tuscany by coach, into the Umbrian countryside. Your first stop is Assisi, an enchantingly beautiful hill town that’s known for its links to St Francis. This son of a wealthy merchant, who chose to embrace poverty and preach on the streets of the town, has since became Italy’s patron saint.Follow in St Francis’ footsteps on a walking tour of the town and visit the Basilica of San Francesco with its famous Giotto frescoes. Gaze in wonder at the artwork and learn about their medieval depictions of St Francis’ life in Assisi. The town was also the home of St Clare, who became one of St Francis’ first true followers. Visit the Convent of Santa Chiara dedicated to her, and then make your way back to your coach to leave Assisi.On the town’s outskirts lies Santa Maria degli Angeli, home to a beautiful 9th-century church that’s believed to be the place of worship once favored by St Francis. Take some time to wander around the aisles with your tour leader, and then continue back into Tuscany.In the early afternoon, stop in the hilltop town of Cortona, famous as the setting of Under the Tuscan Sun, a 2003 movie based on a memoir of the same title. Use your free time in Cortona to find a restaurant for lunch (own expense), or perhaps sightsee independently. Landmarks to look out for include the imposing Palazzo Comunale and Santa Margherita Sanctuary, a place of worship that was built to celebrate Cortona’s patron saint.Meet your tour leader at the prearranged time, and then travel back through the Tuscan hills to central Florence where your tour finishes.Please note: the order of the visits to Assisi and Cortona are subject to change on the day of your tour.
Small Group Tour of Assisi
Meet the guide at 10:30am and visit the old Roman ruins of the local amphitheater, which was reused in the Middle Ages as a quarry for stones to build local houses. You will see how the amphitheater was turned into a private neighborhood. From there, the view toward the Rocca Maggiore medieval castle is one of the best in the city.Through narrow alleys and medieval squares you will reach Saint Rufino’s Cathedral and Saint Claire's Basilica. From there, you will get to the main city square, Piazza del Comune. At the square you will see one of the best-preserved Roman temples in Italy – Minerva's temple – which is surrounded by imposing medieval government buildings.The tour will then head down to the Basilica of Saint Francis which is world-famous for its 13th-14th century frescoes by the best painters of Italy at that time. Among those, the most famous is Giotto.Come to Assisi and explore with a guide the history, art,and local traditions of one of the most famous hill towns of Italy.
Assisi Day Trip from Rome
Get picked up at your hotel in Rome or make your own way to the prearranged location in central Rome. Then, climb aboard an air-conditioned coach for the 2-hour drive to Assisi, a striking hill town in Umbria. On the way there, learn about the history of Assisi as well as the man who put it on the spiritual map: St Francis of Assisi.Once there, explore Francis’ eponymous basilica, erected in the 13th century. The UNESCO World Heritage site is placed where Francis’ body rests and is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the Catholic world. Next, break for a delicious 3-course lunch at a quaint, local restaurant. Feast on traditional delights such as pasta al pomodoro (pasta in a tomato and basil sauce) and roast chicken with potatoes.Then, visit the Basilica of Santa Chiara, named for St Clair, who saw St Francis as a spiritual father figure. Formerly known as St George (and the spot where Francis’ body rested before the construction of the basilica named for him), the church has a simple yet striking façade.Finally, visit the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli, at the base of the hill that Assisi sits on. This spiritual spot, constructed in Mannerist style of architecture in the 17th century, is a popular pilgrimage site because it houses the Porziuncola, a small church that St Francis had restored after having a vision of Jesus.
Perugia Assisi and Cortona from Florence
Cortona, a delightful hilltop town of ancient origins bursting with architectural treasures and offering spectacular views over the surrounding landscape. You will immerse yourself in the setting of the famous movie “Under the Tuscan Sun”, which was filmed in Cortona in 2003. Assisi, San Francesco’s birthplace, stands on the top of a hill overlooking a picturesque valley surrounded by gentle slopes and vineyards. Following San Francesco and Santa Chiara’s footsteps, you will be guided along winding streets and alleyways to the historical and artistic treasures of this Medieval town. In the superb Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi, gazing Giotto’s frescoes of San Francesco’s life, you will learn the history of this important spiritual centre. There will be some free time to stroll around and relax in the enchanting atmosphere of this Umbrian jewel. The tour ends in Perugia with the opportunity to stroll through the old town in search of springs and fountains, beautiful views, Etruscan walls and doors, parks and gardens through trails that wind between the five historic districts of the city: Porta Sole, Porta Sant’Angelo, Porta Santa Susanna, Eburnea Gate and Porta San Pietro. The city, founded by the Etruscan, is rich in history and monuments, including Fontana Maggiore, which is one of the main monuments in the city and a crucial example of medieval sculpture, the Etruscan Arch of Augustus, which is the largest monument among Etruscan remains, the gateway of the Etruscan walls, the Palazzo dei Priori and the Rocca Paolina.
8-Day Best of Italy Tour from Rome Including Tuscany, Venice and Milan
Your 8-day tour begins in Italy’s capital, Rome, once the heart of the Roman Empire. Fittingly called the Eternal City, Rome has timeless appeal, and during your visit you’ll be bowled over by its array of incredible monuments. Spend two nights here, enjoying independent sightseeing time plus a guided tour.Travel north into Umbria to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Assisi, and then venture into Tuscany – the region typified by rolling hills and sun-drenched vineyards. Tuscany’s leading city, Florence, is your base for two nights, providing you with convenient access to visit the top destinations in this gorgeous region; relax in Siena, see Renaissance art and architecture in Florence and then visit Pisa if you wish.Continue east into the Veneto area and spend two nights in beautiful Venice, discovering its myriad of canals and Gothic palazzos. Admire its delights on a walking tour, visit the islands of Murano, and then discover the neighboring city of Padua. The last part of your tour includes a day in the Italian Lakes, visiting Lake Garda and Lake Como, before staying in Milan overnight. See the city's top attractions, and then finish your tour with a drop-off at Milano Centrale station. Alternatively, make use of a complimentary transfer back to Rome.Please note: The listed price does not include a city tax, payable at the time of hotel check-in. The tax is required by the hotels and is not within our control.