A Journey Through Medieval Italy with an Italian Countess

The Exploration of Art, Food and Wine in an ancient Culture

Departure date: September 1

Alessandra Ranghiasci Gardino, a countess from an ancient Italian family, has designed an unforgettable travel experience that will allow you to visit still-hidden destinations and become more than just tourists within the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Central Italy.

The expedition is built around Countess Alessandra's 800-year-old ancestral palace in Gubbio , Italy 's best preserved medieval village. A three-night stay here will give you the rare chance to experience life in a small Italian village.

Itinerary Overview:

Your Italian experience begins with a short stay in Rome where you will have time to visit ancient Roman attractions such as the spectacular Parthenon and Coliseum before making your way to Orvieto , a picturesque Umbrian hilltown built high on a plateau of tufa rock. Besides impressive vistas and ancient Etruscan ruins, you will visit the Cathedral that inspired Michelangelo to paint portions of the Sistine Chapel and you will enjoy a cooking experience in a privately-owned Etruscan cave.

Next, you will make your way to Gubbio , a small hill town overlooking an Umbrian landscape famed to be part of the Franciscan Trail. Countess Alessandra's ancestral home, the Ranghiasci Palace , extends the entire length of Gubbio ' s main piazza and it will serve as your home base for the next three days. Alessandra will give you a tour through her palazzo ' s 39-room "noble floor" while sharing the ancestral traditions of a family that has entertained kings, princes and popes.

From Gubbio, you will take intriguing day trips to Umbria 's greatest attractions including Deruta, Assisi and Spello . Along the way, Alessandra will tell you about how one of her ancestors was commissioned by a pope in the 1700 ' s to preserve the medieval frescoes of Giotto in the Basilica of Saint Francis.

The second part of your trip takes in the highlights of Tuscany , one of Italy 's finest wine-producing regions and the birthplace of the Renaissance. Here, you will take day trips to the famed hill towns of Cortona , Siena , Pienza and Montepulciano from an estate in the Tuscan countryside which overlooks olive orchards and vineyards.

The trip will end in Florence , where you can visit the greatest wonders of the Renaissance including Michelangelo ' s “David” and you can recount the adventures of your journey with a café macchiato at the Ponte Vecchio.

This itinerary is designed to give you an intimate introduction to Italian culture, art, wine and cuisine. Past clients have expressed great satisfaction at not having to unpack their bags every night. Of course, if you want to enjoy a longer stay in Rome or Florence (a must if you have never been to Italy ), M&G Expeditions will help organize an extension of your trip in these fascinating cities.

Your Journey:

1 night in Rome

3 nights in Orvieto
3 nights in Gubbio

3 nights in the Tuscan countryside

1 night in Florence

Trip Facts:
12 days, 11 nights
US $ 3,850 per person in double room (land only)
US $ 680 single supplement

What ' s included in your trip:

- Accommodation in carefully selected, centrally-located hotels and charming country inns

- All group transportation in a deluxe air-conditioned private bus

- Meals: all breakfasts, most dinners (3 courses with wine) including a semi-formal dinner and reception at Alessandra ' s Palace, 1 lunch and 2 wine-tastings lunch

- Tour leading by highly professional tour guides

- Entrance to museums and attractions as per itinerary

- 3 cooking classes and olive oil tasting

- Wine and cheese parties throughout the trip

- Pre and post tour planning assistance

- Travel Insurance (not including cancellation)

What is not included:

- International airfare to and from Italy

- Personal expenses

- Tips for drivers and guides (including the Countess who contributes any gratuity to a fund for the ongoing restoration of her family ' s 250-room palace).

Day to Day Details

Day 0
Fly from the US to Rome.

Day 1 – September 1 - Rome
After your arrival in Rome , you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel in the center of the city. After a jet-lag rest, you can join your fellow travellers for a special wine and cheese apertivo (the trick to surviving Italy ' s late dining hour) followed by a welcome dinner at a quaint local restaurant. Sleep in Rome

Day 2 – September 2 - Rome and Orvieto
This morning you will have time to visit several of Rome ' s greatest historical sites before your departure to Orvieto, a picturesque Umbrian town built on a high plateau of tufa rock. Tonight ' s dinner will introduce you to traditional Umbrian cuisine. Sleep in Orvieto

Day 3 – September 3 - Orvieto

Orvieto will surely be one of the greatest cultural highlights of your trip. Here you will visit a spectacular Etruscan Necropolis just outside of town before making your way to the Cathedral which inspired Michelangelo for his contributions to the Sistine Chapel. After a bit of free time, you will have a special dinner and cooking experience in a privately owned Etruscan cave.

Sleep in Orvieto

Day 4 – September 4 - Civita and country side
Today you will first visit the crumbling city of Civita . This village was abandoned by all but a hardy few after a series of earthquakes in the 1600 ' s and can only be reached by foot over a bridge that was built after World War II. Small cobblestone streets and flowers growing out of ancient walls will transport you to another time. A local lunch cooked in the fireplace of an old mill will introduce you to the life of one of the local families. In the afternoon you will enjoy some free time in the city. Sleep in Orvieto

Day 5 – September 5 - Spello and Gubbio

Before heading towards Gubbio you will first be introduced to the famed ceramics of Deruta, possibly the most famous in Italy . Then you will reach the beautiful village of Spello to enjoy the town ' s medieval spirit, walk among Roman antiquities and inspect the city's renaissance monuments. You will also enjoy a very special lunch at the best wine cellar in the region.

You will then make your way to the city of Gubbio where Alessandra, the granddaughter of the city ' s last Marquis, will share with you the secrets of her city. Finally, you will end the day at a local restaurant with a gourmet dinner. Sleep in Gubbio

Day 6 - September 6 - Gubbio and local sightseeing

After a visit to Gubbio's most important medieval sights (including the city's most beautiful cathedral and the Consoli Palace) you will have time on your own to explore the village or climb to a beautiful viewpoint on top of the Mount Ingino (the mountain on which the city is built). In the afternoon you can join Alessandra for a tour of her palace and a cooking class. This evening you are cordially invited back to the Palazzo Ranghiasci for a welcome drink and lavish dinner. Sleep in Gubbio

Day 7 – September 7 - Assisi

The birthplace of St. Francis, Assisi is the most mystical of all locations you will visit while in Italy . It was St. Francis who rescued the Catholic Church in 13th century after a period of terrible papal indulgencies. Preaching a gospel of purity, humility, simplicity and the love of all creatures to the common man, St. Francis sent a message to the Vatican that could not be ignored by Pope Innocent III. You will be given plenty of time to visit the Basilica of Saint Francis where you can absorb the frescoes of Giotto and feel the special essence of St. Francis's Crypt. One of Alessandra ' s ancestors was commissioned by the pope in the 1700 ' s to renovate Giotto ' s frescoes, something she will speak about for those interested.

After lunch you ' ll have time to wander along the Piazza del Comune before we will make our way to Eremo delle Carceri -- the tranquil monastery where St. Francis frequently communed with nature. We will also visit the mystic Church of San Damiano and the incredible "Porziuncola". Returning to Gubbio you will have a delicious local dinner with regional specialties. Sleep in Gubbio

Day 8 – September 8 - Cortona and Tuscan Countryside
Today you will enjoy a lovely drive on the shoreline of Lago Trasimeno, where you will visit a local oil press mill and taste the region's fruity and delicate extra virgin olive oil. In the late morning you will reach Cortona, a gorgeous Tuscan hilltown which was once an important center of Etruscan civilization. Cortona's new-found fame can be attributed to its role in Francis Mayes' novel “Under the Tuscan Sun.”

In the afternoon you will drive along the sloping landscapes of the Tuscan countryside to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this special region in a charming countryside estate, where you will taste, among others, the local Chianti Classico, and where you will learn how to cook famous Tuscan dishes. Sleep in the Tuscan countryside

Day 9 – September 9 - Siena
Today we will head off to one of Tuscany ' s grand jewels: the city of Siena . You will learn from a local about the famous Palio, the horse race all Sienese are crazy about, and you will visit several of Siena ' s amazing architectural masterpieces such as the grand Cathedral and the Campo square.Sleep in the Tuscan countryside

Day 10 – September 10 - Tuscan Hill towns

Today you will explore Montepulciano and Pienza, two wonderful Tuscan hilltowns. In Montepulciano you will sample the famous wine “Vino Nobile” at a small, family-owned winery, and then you will head to Pienza to discover its great pecorino cheese.You will then have a late-afternoon cooking demonstration at the castle and a dinner in its impressive medieval dining room. Sleep in the Tuscan countryside

Day 11 - September 11 - Florence
We will leave early this morning for the spectacular city of Florence . Here you can visit the Accademia Museum and Michelangelo ' s David and then explore the city on a walking tour. You will have the rest of the day to stroll around at your own pace…visiting museums, churches or just sitting in a café near the Ponte Vecchio, people-watching in one of the world ' s finest cities. Tonight we will have a lavish farewell dinner. Sleep in Florence

Day 12 – September 12 - Florence, begin M&G Extension or return home
Today you can fly home or enjoy more time in Florence or Rome on a special M&G tour extension (a must if this is your first time to Italy !). Let us know if you need help to make your arrangements and transfers to go back home.

Please Contact Us for more information!