CULTOUR ITALIA
A LUXURY CULINARY TOUR
IN BEAUTIFUL UMBRIA
Small Group Adventure for your Tastebuds
This Cultour Italia culinary adventure promises to tantalize your taste buds and immerse you in the vibrant culture of Italy’s Umbria’s Region.
Join your local hosts Sonia & Benedetta from Cultour Italia for a slice of Italian life in the region that is known as the Green Heart of Italy.
Umbria is located in Central Italy, a region made up of rolling countryside, historic towns and charming villages. Rich in art, history and culture, it is also famous for its wine and olive oil tradition, with roots dating back to the Stone Age.
Join us for an intimate exploration of picturesque villages, lush vineyards, and artistic treasures.
Immerse yourself in local traditions as you savour the flavours of Umbria, from artisan-crafted wines to gourmet dining experiences.
This Umbria Culinary Tour is limited to 12 guests.
Highlights of this Exclusive Umbria Culinary Tour
DAY 1: WELCOME TO ASSISI
Welcome to Florence, Italy!
We meet in Florence and transfer to Assisi where you check into the tranquil NUN Assisi Relais and Spa Museum, formerly a convent built in 1275.
That evening we gather for a welcome drink in the hotel’s bucolic garden and then walk through the storied streets of Assisi, continuing past the town walls and along green paths to dine just below the beautiful Basilica of St. Francis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meals: D
ACCOMMODATION: NUN Assisi Relais & Spa
Day 2 – OLIVE OIL & SPA BLISS
The morning takes us to Spello, a Roman colony in the 1st century BC. We start with a bike ride through olive groves, finishing at an oil mill where we see the production facility and taste the typical Umbrian olive oil. We are deep in the Umbrian countryside, where no pesticides are used to produce what is considered to be one of Italy’s highest quality olive oil.
We lunch in Spello and then return to NUN where you have free time to enjoy the gardens and spa. Remarkably, the spa contains ancient Roman remains from the imperial era. Unearthed during the hotel’s renovation, they were incorporated into its design.
Later that evening we dine on site, enjoying the beautiful surroundings and delicious regional flavours. The restaurant’s chef is deeply passionate about highlighting local ingredients and emphasizing traditional Umbrian dishes.
*The bike excursion is on e-bikes, on low trafficked roads, 15km long with an elevation gain of 250m. The terrain is paved and we have a charming stop along the way.
ACCOMMODATION: NUN Assisi Relais & Spa
Meals: B / L / D
Day 3: PHILOSOPHICAL SITES & VITICULTURAL DELIGHTS
Homeland of St. Francis of Assisi, we begin the day with a visit to the hermitage where St. Francis and other hermits would go to meditate. The site contains a building dating back to 1205, with further buildings added later.
We continue with a visit to the Basilica* of St. Francis of Assisi. Construction was begun in 1228 and comprises an upper and lower church. Both are decorated with frescoes by numerous late medieval painters. The range and quality of the works give the Basilica a unique importance in demonstrating the outstanding development of Italian art of this period.
We depart Assisi (and check out of the hotel) and continue to Bevagna – a charming medieval town which was a former Roman river port, connected with Rome via the Tiber River. Here we visit some fascinating Roman archaeological sites.
The late afternoon and evening take us to back to the Umbrian countryside, this time into vineyards, where we visit two distinct wineries, with tastings and dinner.
The first is a family-run winery with roots in the land dating back to the 1500’s, and the second is a young winery where a chef and wine grower focuses his passion in biodynamic agriculture and sustainable growing practices. We dine in the former stables of this farmhouse turned winery and enjoy rustic gastronomy sourced from the land.
Tonight we check in to our hotel in Perugia, the luxury 5 star hotel SINA Brufani, located in the heart of the medieval city, it dates from 1884.
*The term basilica originally referred to a specific function and style of building in use during the time of the Roman Empire. It was a public building used by the Emperor or Judges for major events of noble import or significance.
ACCOMMODATION: Sina Brufani
Meals: B/ L / D
Day 4: DISCOVERING PERUGIA
The morning is free to explore Perugia – the small and vibrant capital city of Umbria. Step out your hotel doors and you are immediately immersed in the medieval architecture of the historic downtown. We rejoin for lunch in the city center and begin our guided tour of this captivating city whose history dates back to the Etruscans and which boasts a university dating from 1308.
We finish our tour back at the hotel, then leave the city walls and juxtapose the day’s energy with a bucolic walk among the vineyards of our third winery, where a passion for art and organic wine production shaped renovations and viticultural efforts.
We end the day with an exclusive cellar tour, wine tasting, and a dinner focused on typical, rustic Umbrian cuisine.
ACCOMMODATION: Sina Brufani
Meals: B L D
DAY 5: CERAMICS & CASTLES
We check out and depart for the hilltown of Deruta, renowned for its rich history and craftsmanship, particularly in ceramic production. Its origins can be traced back to ancient times, with archaeological evidence suggesting that the area was inhabited during the Roman era. Deruta is known worldwide for the production of artistic ceramics, documented since the Middle Ages. It is still today the center of the largest production of artistic majolica in Italy.
We visit the workshop, museum and store of a family who has been producing the renowned Deruta majolica for five centuries, using time-honoured traditions passed down from generation to generation.
After a replenishing lunch, we venture onto the private acreage of a castle whose origins date back to the 12th century, when it was built as a defensive stronghold. Strategically positioned and offering a commanding view of the surrounding landscape, it was an important site for monitoring and protecting the area from potential invaders.
We have an exclusive tour of the castle and dinner too!
This evening we check into our last uniquely selected accommodation.
ACCOMMODATION: Luxury Rural Accommodation TBD
Meals: B / L / D
DAY 6: TRUFFLE HUNTING ADVENTURE
The first half of the day is dedicated to truffles! We head out truffle hunting in the lush, green woods of the upper Tiber valley with hunters and dogs.* Hopefully after a successful hunt we return to the family farm and cook typical pasta & truffle recipes in a familiar and comfortable atmosphere.
Sated, the afternoon is free to enjoy some leisure time before our final dinner together.
Our last dinner is at the Michelin-starred restaurant housed within the walls of Vocabolo Moscatelli, a former 13th-century monastery.
*The truffle hunting terrain is gentle with the occasional incline and we’re in the woods approx. 60-90min.
ACCOMMODATION: Luxury Rural Accommodation TBD
Meals: B / L / D
DAY 7: ARRIVEDERCI – DEPARTURES
After a week filled with unforgettable experiences, we provide a transfer back to Florence for your onward journey.
We hope you’ll choose to join us in Umbria, where the blend of art, history and gastronomy makes the region a captivating destination for travellers seeking an authentic Italian experience.
*Itinerary subject to modifications.
If you would like to extend elsewhere in Italy, please feel free to reach out to info@finisterra.ca
Meals: B
Tour Exclusions
IMPORTANT NOTES
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change. Although we always do our best to stick to the itinerary, due to the ever-changing nature of Mother Nature, activities, hotels, and visits are subject to change due to forces beyond our control.
FLIGHTS: Please do not purchase your flights until this tour is confirmed.
PASSPORTS: Must be valid for at least 6 months upon return date to your home country. Proper documentation is the responsibility of each traveller.
VISAS & VACCINATIONS: Responsibility of the traveller. VISAS (responsibility of the traveller)
Date: June 2nd-8th, 2025
Prices from: €6,325 per participant based on Double / Twin accommodation
Travel Insurance
Cancellation, Travel, Flight, and Health insurance are required and are the responsibility of the participant to research and secure the appropriate coverage. Click HERE for a Travel Insurance Quote or please email nicola@finisterra.ca for a quote.
Check with your local travel agent /insurance provider/health plan for advice about traveling overseas.
Waiver Form
All participants will be required to sign a Waiver Form prior to departure.
Experience Italy with a Local.
Benadetta & Sonia were both born in a small town in the Italian Alps into hotel-owning families, so hospitality has been a part of our lives since childhood. We have had lifelong careers in the food and beverage industry, having owned and operated acclaimed hotels, restaurants, a live music venue, and curated unforgettable gastronomic events across Italy, France, Austria, and Switzerland for both private and public clients of all sizes.
We are passionate foodies, inspired by genuine ingredients and unique experiences. Combining our passion and hospitality expertise, we now focus on designing intimate, upscale food tours in Italy.
We are dedicated to exploring Italy’s rich culinary & cultural heritage, and creating meaningful experiences for fellow culinary enthusiasts. Join us for an authentic taste of Italian life.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Even though we wish you a flawless trip, things can happen, especially nowadays. Make sure you are prepared with a Travel Insurance policy that is right for you. Finisterra recommends Manulife Insurance or John Hancock Please feel free to ask us about Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance, Cancel for Any Reason Policies, Travel Medical Insurance, or any other questions you may have.
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CANADIANS
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TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR AMERICANS – JOHN HANCOCK
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WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
At Finisterra Travel we help you discover, push personal boundaries, and explore the unknown.
We are super passionate about sustainable, transformational, and adventure travel. Definitely not “armchair travellers”, we have firsthand experience of where you’ll be heading.No one wants to feel like a tourist which is why when we plan a custom travel experience for you, we strive to make your adventure as authentic as possible. We offer an array of Small Group Adventures & Custom Trips, and have something for every type of traveller.
Our unique itineraries are designed to best showcase some of our favourite destinations around Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, and Europe. All itineraries are fully-customizable.Not your typical online travel agency, nor are we quite a tour operator, we are international travel designers with a flair for unique experiences. We’d love to hear from you!
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