The Perugia and Assisi tour usually starts from Rome-Fiumicino “Leonardo da Vinci” Airport. A driver at your complete disposal will accompany you in your journey to these two wonderful Umbrian cities.
Umbria is the innermost region of Central Italy. Wet by the Tiber and its tributaries, it stands out for the beauty of its hilly landscape. The Ancient Romans, who started their domination in Umbria in 295 BC, reached it by following the Via Flaminia, which crossed the region from Narni to Foligno. From 568 to 1247 Umbria was the seat of the Lombard Duchy of Spoleto, but the region reached its height during the commune and signoria periods.
In the 16th century it became part of the domains of the Pope and, except during the Napoleonic era, it remained so until the Italian Unification.
To reach Assisi, the first stop of the Tour of Assisi and Perugia, you’ll travel on the E45. You’ll have a short coffee break in a roadside restaurant or bar, and then carry on with your journey, which will take about 2 hours and 40 minutes in total.
Assisi is world-famous for the memories of Saint Francis (1182-1226), patron saint of the town, of Italy and of many foreign locations, among which San Francisco in the US. People coming from all over the world go everyday on a pilgrimage to the tomb of the saint, kept in the crypt of the Basilica of Saint Francis, where you can feel a strong mystical-religious atmosphere. The first place of prayer that you’ll visit is the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which stands where Saint Francis organized the Franciscan Order and where he died on the 3rd October 1226. Inside the magnificent basilica, which was started at the end of 17th century, there’s the “Porziuncola”. The facade was frescoed by the Nazarene painter Friedrich Overbeck in 1830. Close to it: the Cappella del Transito, built where Saint Francis spent his last moments of life.
You’ll continue your Assisi tour traveling in your Transfers Rome private car, from the frazione of Santa Maria degli Angeli toward Assisi, located on the slopes of Monte Subasio. Traveling in the direction of the mountain you’ll notice the majestic walls of the “Sacred Convent” that surround the Franciscan Basilicas. Once on the top, you’ll admire from above the vast plain of the Umbrian Valley. In the historical center you’ll visit: the Duomo, the Romanesque-Gothic Basilica of Saint Clare, which preserves the body of the Saint and the Crucifix of Saint Damian, and finally the Basilica of Saint Francis. The building consists of a crypt, with the tombs of the Saint and some of his followers, and two overlapping churches: the Lower Basilica and the Upper Basilica, famous for its 28 frescoes portraying the Life and Miracles of Saint Francis, painted by Giotto between 1297 and 1300.
After completing your visit to Assisi, you’ll have lunch in a local restaurant (you can ask your driver for advice) to taste typical Umbrian dishes.
In the afternoon, departure for the second stop of the Tour of Assisi and Perugia. The latter is more or less 25 Km from Assisi, so you’ll reach it in about half an hour. Capital City of the region of Umbria, Perugia stands on a hill in the Tiber Valley. It’s an important city of art that preserves remains of Etruscan origin, religious and civil buildings from the Middle Ages and the Pre-Renaissance. The Arch of Augustus (3rd century BC) was the ancient entrance of the Etruscan city. In Piazza IV Novembre you’ll find one of the main monuments of Perugia: the Fontana Maggiore (1275-78). Designed and created by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, the fountain has been receiving water from Mount Pacciano for more than 800 years. Behind it: the imposing Palazzo dei Priori (1293-1443), built between the 13th and the 15th centuries. In Corso Vannucci, you’ll find the decorated portal from which you enter the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, the most important collection of Umbrian paintings, which includes precious works by Gentile da Fabriano, Beato Angelico, Piero della Francesca, panels by Perugino and Pinturicchio. You’ll complete your visit in Perugia, going through Corso Vannucci, the main street of the city. You’ll be able to buy as souvenirs Deruta Ceramics and delicious Perugian chocolate.
At the end of the Perugia and Assisi tour: return journey to Rome or overnight stay in Perugia.
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