A WALK THROUGH THE MIDDLE AGES

Meet your private driver at your accommodation and enjoy a trip back down the centuries, to medieval Umbria.

The first stop on your excursion will bring you to Todi, perched irresistibly on a 400-metre-high hill offering bountiful views of the verdant Tevere Valley. An eagle is the protagonist of the town’s mythical founding. According to legend, while members of the Veii-Umbri tribe were dining along the shores of the River Tiber, where they had begun to build a settlement, an eagle swooped swiftly from the sky, stole a tablecloth and dropped it on a hilltop. This was immediately interpreted by the tribe’s leader as a divine omen that a new village should be erected on the very spot where Todi stands today. As you wander through the streets you will certainly spot the symbol of Todi, an eagle seizing a piece of cloth in its claws, evidence of an enduring fascination with the town’s origins and the local affinity for tradition.

Remains and foundations of three circles of walls, from the Etruscan, Roman and medieval eras, shield a historic centre which remains astonishingly intact, peppered with palazzi and churches mostly dating from the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries when Todi rejoiced in its golden age. A meticulously assembled collage of narrow alleys, Gothic arches, crenellations and stone towers, all pasted onto a background of peaceful green fields has miraculously survived to this day, offering contemporary visitors a panorama that must closely match the one our ancestors looked out on in the Middle Ages.

Your private guide will meet you by the Renaissance Temple of Santa Maria della Consolazione, just outside the old centre, and lead you on a tour of Todi’s main attractions. Not to be missed on your walk about town are the picture-postcard Piazza del Popolo, graced by the Romanesque Cathedral of Santissima Annunziata and handsome medieval buildings, and the Church of San Fortunato, housing a fresco of a Madonna and Child by Masolino da Panicale, the relics of the town’s patron saints and the tomb of Todi’s most famous son, 13th century poet Jacopo Benedetti.

After some free time for lunch meet up with your driver and relax on the ride to Spoleto, a charming hilltop town dominated by a 14th century fortress and set against the backdrop of the majestic Apennines. A true treasure trove of artistic and architectural wonders, spanning hundreds of years, Spoleto dispenses surprises at every corner. Your guide will lead you on a trail across pretty squares, up and down stairways and cobbled streets, and make sure you take note of its famous landmarks.

Traces of Spoleto’s 2,000-year-old history, including its early days as a thriving Roman settlement, still survive within the beautifully preserved medieval fabric which incorporates the ruins of an ancient arch, a temple and theatre, as well as pre-Roman remains of stone walls. One of Spoleto’s finest features is the striking Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Among the masterpieces to be found inside are the intricately-patterned marble and mosaic flooring, Filippo Lippi’s apse frescoes representing Scenes from the Life of the Virgin Mary, the Eroli Chapel decorated by Pinturicchio and an authentic 13th century letter thought to be written by St. Francis himself.

The delightful Piazza del Duomo in front of the cathedral is the setting for concerts held during the Festival dei Due Mondi, a popular cultural summer event that lasts a fortnight and takes place every year between the end of June and beginning of July. At that time Spoleto explodes with colour and creativity: art exhibitions and poetry readings are held in locations across the town, ballet and theatre performances draw an enthusiastic audience and an open air stage starring internationally acclaimed artists provides a glorious focal point for the seasonal celebrations.

Take a long last look at this enchanting town before returning to the present day and to your accommodation.