Day 1: Arrive in Assisi.  

Visit the Papal Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, the mother church of the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor Conventual in Assisi, where Saint Francis was born and died.  Have a coffee in one of the piazzas and enjoy this wonderful town.  In the evening you will be given maps and route notes and you can ask questions about the tour if you wish.

The nine night holiday includes 2 nights in Assisi: On the second day you can do a circular walk through Assisi and in its surroundings. This walk will take you among the best-known Franciscan monuments in and around Assisi. It starts at the Porta Cappuccini town gate. From here you walk up through the woods of Mount Subasio to the hermitage ‘Eremo delle Carceri’ (830m a.s.l.), where St. Francis and his companions retreated to meditate and pray in the silence of the woods. A steep descent brings you back to Assisi. The town walk will take you round the Basilica of St. Francis, where he is buried, the Basilica of St.Clare, housing the cross which spoke to St. Francis, his birthplace and the monastery of San Damiano After your visit of this monastery you can choose to go back to your hotel or to continue your walk downhill to the village of S.Maria degli Angel (210m a.s.l.) to visit the impressive basilica. From here the local bus will take you back to Assisi. Walking time: 5 hours (15 km)

Day 2: Assisi-Spello

There are two routes to go to Spello: a longer one going uphill to the hermitage Eremo delle Carceri or a shorter one through olive groves along the slopes of Monte Subasio. From the porta Cappuccini a footpath will take you to the hermitage, which is situated at 830m a.s.l. Saint Francis and his companions used to retreat here to meditate in the woods. After St. Francis’s death, a monastery was built on this spot. Passing the spring ‘Tre Fontane’ and the abbey of S. Benedetto you will descend to Spello, walking first through the woods and then through olive groves. Total Ascent-descent: + 900m -980m Walking time: 6 hours Distance: 17,4 km / 10,8 miles

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The lower route follows the slopes of Mount Subasio and involves less climbing, but it is also a beautiful walk through olive groves with astounding views. Spello is built on the slopes of Mount Subasio. This little town has Roman origins, as several features including the porta Venere and porta Consolare town gates and the remains of a Roman theatre outside the town walls remind us. Do not forget to admire the colorful frescoes by Pinturicchio in the church S.Maria Maggiore.  Total ascent-descent: + 304m – 380m / Walking time: 3 hours / Distance: 10,8 km / 6,7 miles

Day 3:  Spello – Bevagna:

You will leave the hills for a while now and will descend into the valley ‘Valle Umbra’ . Walking on quiet little country roads you will arrive in Bevagna, which unlike most Umbrian towns isn’t built on a hilltop, but rather at the confluence of the rivers Timia and Topino. During Roman times Bevagna was a prosperous town, as it was situated along the busy trade road, the Via Flaminia, which connected Rome with the Adriatic coast. Particularly characteristic are the 2km of 13th to 14th century town walls which surround most of Bevagna. The heart of this town is the square, ‘Piazza Silvestri’, with its beautiful fountain and two Romanesque churches. Do not forget to visit the mosaic of a former Roman baths. Your hotel is in the historical centre of the village.  Total ascent: + 60m – 190 m/ Walking time: 3 ½ hours or 4 ½ hours / Distance: 13,1 km or 16, 3 km

Day 4:  Bevagna- Montefalco:

Here you will again be walking through a slightly hilly landscape, but the olive groves soon make make way for vineyards. The hills surrounding Montefalco are famous for the production of excellent wines: Sagrantino and Rosso di Montefalco. To reach the town you have to climb, because Montefalco is –predictable- built on a hilltop. The town is also known as the balcony (‘ringhiera’) of Umbria, because of its beautiful panorama. The St. Francis church is now a fine museum which housing, among other things, frescoes by the Florentine painter Benozzo Gozzoli. Do not forget to taste some of the delicious wine in one of the many wine bars. Total ascent-descent: + 506m -286m / Walking time: 3 hours 45 min / Distance: 12,4 km / 7,7 mile

Day 5: Montefalco –Trevi:

On the way to Trevi (420m a.s.l.), on the lower flank of Mt. Serano overlooking the wide plain of the Clitunno river, your route crosses the fertile valley with its various waterways. Trevi is also called the capital of olive oil and indeed, you will notice that the slopes of the surrounding mountains are covered with evergreen olive groves. Trevi has a dozen medieval churches: the most important are the Romanesque Duomo (S. Emiliano), the shrine of the Madonna delle Lacrime notable for a fresco by Perugino and the former church of S. Francesco, now a museum. You will stay in the historical centre of the town. Total Ascent-Descent: +297m / -380m / Walking time: 4 hours / Distance 13,5 km / 8,4 miles

Day 6 Trevi– Campelo Alto

From Trevi you will pick up the pilgrimage route the Way of Saint Francis, which runs from La Verna in Tuscany, crosses Umbria and finishes in Rome. The route will lead you through olive groves and you will have astonishing views of the Valle Umbra. Total ascent-descent: + 432m – m or + 572m – 529m / Walking Time 4 hours 30 min or 4 hrs 45 min / Distance: 12,8 km / 8 miles (Poreta village) and 13,6 km / 8,5 miles (Poreta Castello)

Day 7 Poreta – Spoleto:

You leave your hotel and walk again along the Way of Saint Francis. Also today, the olive groves accompany you. You cross Eggi, a typical medieval ‘Borgo’ and you will reach Spoleto, a pretty hill-town filled with beautiful architecture. It is famous for the Spoleto Festival, which takes place every summer (end of June beginning of July). In Spoleto worthwhile to visit are the cathedral, the castle, a Roman house, Roman theatre and many museums. But Spoleto is not only art and culture, but also food & wine ! The town has some nice shops with fantastic local products, many cosy bars with terraces and excellent restaurants. Total ascent-descent: + 560m -519 (village) or +539m -653m (Castello) / Walking Time 5 hours/ Distance: 15 km / 9,3 miles (village of Poreta) or 15,4 km / 9,6 miles (Castello)

Day 8 Departure after breakfast

HOTEL LIST

Assisi:  Hotel Restaurant ‘Da Angelo’ **   www.hoteldaangelo.com   or La Terrazza www.laterrazzahotel.it (upgrade with supplement of £35 pp)

Spello: Hotel Il Cacciatore ***        www.ilcacciatorehotel.com

Bevagna: Hotel Palazzo Brunamonti *** www.brunamonti.com    or Residenza Porta Guelfa www.residenzaportaguelfa.com (upgrade with supplement of £

Montefalco: Hotel degli Affreschi *** www.hoteldegliaffreschi.it or Guesthouse alla Rocca www.laroccabb.com

Trevi: Hotel Terzieri ***  Or Palazzo Natalini

Campelo Alto: La Fontanal** or Relais Del Convento Barnabiti

Spoleto: Hotel Clitunno *** is situated in the historical centre of Spoleto. www.hotelclitunno.com or

Hotel Charleston *** is situated in the historical centre of Spoleto. www.hotelcharleston.it or for thouse who prefer to stay in a more rural hotel with swimming pool Hotel la Macchia *** is situated just outside Spoleto (20mins walking to historical centre) www.albergolamacchia.it

DELUXE HOTELS

Assisi: Residence d’Epoca S.Crispino Residenza D’Epoca San Crispino is a medieval mansion in Assisi town centre, dating back to the 14th century. Stay in a beautifully restored suite and enjoy panoramic views across town. With traditional stone and wood interiors as well as frescos and original antique furniture, apartment suites at the San Crispino Residenza are unique and atmospheric. Each suite includes its own computer, allowing you to connect to the internet free of charge. Wi-Fi access is also available free, should you wish to bring your own laptop. Not all the rooms have aircon, because the thick walls keep the rooms fresh www.assisibenessere.it

Spello: Hotel La Bastiglia **** is also situated in the historic town of Spello in the upper panoramic zone of the ancient medieval village. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, telephone, minibar, hairdryer, satellite Tv with foreign channels, pay Tv, free wi-fi internet access and private bathroom with shower in the Standard and Superior Rooms and bath in the Deluxe rooms. Services: bar and restaurant available also for external customers, a wonderful panoramic terrace with external cooling system, Swimmig Pool and Solarium, Wellness Center. Inside La Bastiglia Hotel Restaurant there are some important creations of ceramics, antique furnitures and important paintings from the private collection of Schifano and Norberto www.labastiglia.com

Bevagna: L’Orto Degli Angeli is a historic villa from the 18th century, located in the historic centre of Bevagna. The residence d’epoca L’Orto degli Angeli has fourteen rooms and apartments all different and preserving most of their original fittings: antique furniture, paintings, kitchen utensils and little things which have always been there and tell the history of the family giving a special charm to these comfortable spaces. The hotel includes a small wellness area with hot tub and a massage room. The garden is an ideal place to relax.  www.ortoangeli.com

Montefalco: Guesthouse alla Rocca situated in the historical centre. The superior rooms have private bathroom (shower chromotherapy), private terrace, tv, airconditioning, herbal tea service plan. There is a nice terrace garden with a view www.laroccabb.com

Trevi : Trevi: Hotel Terzieri ***  Or Palazzo Natalini

Campelo Alto: La Relais Borgo Compello

Spoleto:  Hotel San Luca **** Hotel San Luca **** is situated in the historical centre of Spoleto.

The hotel’s rooms offer guests a considerable number of amenities including a Wi-Fi internet connection, air conditioning, safe, queen or kingsize beds and 24-hour room service. There is a lovely inner court, bar and solarium. www.hotelsanluca.com