WHERE EAGLES DARE

Raise your glass to Umbria’s delights on this full-day excursion to the countryside. Guests will enjoy a stroll through the fairy-tale world of Todi’s quaint streets followed by a grape escape to an eco-friendly farm.

You begin your day with a scenic drive through the gently rolling Umbrian landscape to the charming town of 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. Among the sights to enchant you on your walk about town are the picture-postcard Piazza del Popolo, graced by the Romanesque Cathedral of Santissima Annunziata and splendid 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 rejoin your driver and reach a wine and olive oil producing estate. Here a dedicated, forward-thinking family has been working hard to revive Umbria’s authentic flavours and ancient traditions since the 1960s. Forty hectares of vineyards, lovingly tended by experienced oenologists, are cultivated with a carefully researched selection of red and white grape varieties, both native and international, including Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Merlot, Syrah, Trebbiano and Grechetto. A favourable climate and terroir also allows for 12,000 olive trees to thrive, facilitating the production of one of the region’s finest oils.

During a tour of the vineyards and olive groves on board electric vehicles, guests will discover how this estate has managed to respect the land and implement a “360° Green Revolution” project while simultaneously maintaining its high quality targets. Committed to sustainable farming, the owners have succeeded in significantly reducing the environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions by introducing innovative systems and equipment, such as solar panels and biodiesel-fuelled tractors. Their efforts have been rewarded with prestigious accolades. After a visit to the vinification room and barrique cellar, top off your day with a tasting of the estate’s wines and a toast… cheers to Umbria!

Your private chauffeur will drive you back to your accommodation in the afternoon.