Saints, Artists & Landscapes of Umbria and Tuscany

Introduction

This Tour Explore three elements which have been vital to the development and character of this area of central Italy. Based in the small town of Citta di Castello, in the heart of Umbria, Assisi, Siena and Cortona can be easily reached where we will explore the lives of St Francis, St Clare and St Catherine as well as seeing the art by such greats as Piero della Francesca, Fra Angelico and Giotto that found its inspiration in the nation's legacy and the landscapes of this area.

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE - FRIDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER

Stansted - Ancona - Citta Di Castello

Scheduled flight from Stansted to Ancona. On arrival we transfer by coacj to the medieval town of Citta di Castello, where we check-in to our hotel, 'Le Mura', which is situated within the city walls and is our base for the seven nights.

DAY TWO - SATURDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER

Assisi

Today we set off early for Assisi (40 minutes). We journey in the footsteps of St Francis and St Clare with a guided walking tour of the town as they would have known it. We see the sites of their early homes, and the Basilica of St Clare which houses her tomb but which previously had been the chapel where St Francis received his education. We continue to the Basilica of St Francis which was completed in little more than 20 years. You will see not only the tomb of the Saint in the crypt but also view the frescoes in the Lower Basilica by Simone Martini and Cimabue. From here we descend to the town of Santa Maria degli Angeli to see the Porziuncula, the chapel that St Francis restored, and which became the centre of his first community and where he died. There will be the opportunity to attend an anticipated Mass for Sunday in the Basilica.

DAY THREE - SUNDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER

Lake Trasimeno - Cortona

We spend this morning around Lake Trasimeno, taking a boat ride from Passignano to the picturesque island of Isola Maggiore, where Francis spent the 40 days of Lent on his own in 1213. We visit the grotto beside the shore near to where he landed, and the church dedicated to him. There will be some time for private exploration befor ethe return boat ride to Passignano, and lunch at choice. In the afternoon we travel by coach to the medieval town of Cortona, just outside of which is Le Celle, founded as a hermitage by Francis, and which was also visited by St Anthony of Padua and St Bonaventure. There will also be a short orientation tour of Cortona including a visit to the Museo Diocesano, where an 'Annunciation' by Fra Angelico and a 'Deposition' by Signorelli are part of the exhibits. We have time to explore the medieval streets or even climb to the sanctuary of St Margaret, the city's patroness and a follower of St Francis.

DAY FOUR - MONDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER

La Verna

Situated at over 3,000ft above sea level, this beautiful sanctuary in the Casentino National Park was where St Francis and his followers came to spend short periods in seclusion and where in 1224 the great saint received what he felt to be the greatest honour from his Lord, that of the signs of Christ's Passion, the Stigmata. La Verna, however, is also home to another great masterpiece of the renaissance, those made in ceramics by the Della Robbia family. In their familiar colours of pale blue and white they beautifully and movingly portray scenes from the Gospel, notably the Annunciation and the Crucifixion, and they are certainly a fine complement to the paintings of Piero della Francesca. Lunch in a local restaurant is included in the optional excursion and there will be time to join the procession, which each day takes place recalling St Francis' receiving of the Stigmata.

DAY FIVE - TUESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER

Siena

Today we visit Siena, home of St Catherine the Great, and a prominent city throughout Italy's history. St Catherine was a mystic in regular dialogue with our Lord, and wrote some letters of advice to the Pope who was then in exile in Avignon, urging him to return to Rome. We visit the house of the Saint and the church of San Domenico which houses the Saint's head. Lunch will be at choice, and there will be some time at leisure before we return to Citta di Castello.

DAY SIX - WEDNESDAY 1ST OCTOBER

San Sepolcro - Monterchi

After breakfast we need only travel a short distance to discover some of Piero della Francesca's great works. We will visit the town of his birth, San Sepolcro, named after the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, as two returning pilgrims brought back soil from the shrine, which tradition holds was laid down as the foundation for the monastery built there. The Museo Civico, once the town hall, houses the 'Resurrection' painted by Piero della Francesca which is the symbol of the town and is a poignat reminder of the recovery of San Sepolcro, after it was so badly damaged by the ravages of World War II. We continue to the village of Monterchi, to see a painting by Piero of an unusual subject, the Madonna del Parto, which depicts Our Lady about to give birth to Jesus. We rturn to the hotel in the late afternoon.

DAY SEVEN - THURSDAY 2ND OCTOBER

Urbino

Today we travel into the neighbouring region of Abruzzo to visit the beautiful hilltop city of Urbino. Although, at first glance, Urbino is very much a medieval city, it received a renaissance 'makeover' thanks to its ruler in the mid-fifteeth century, Federigo da Montefeltro. Federigo was a great humanist and patron of the arts and sponsored Piero, several of whose works are exhibited in Federigo's beautiful palace, including the 'Flagellation', which is perhaps the finest demonstration of Piero's understanding of mathematical perspertive. There will be a guided your of the Palazzo Ducale after which we will have time at leisure to discover the 'Ideal City' for ourselves. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

DAY EIGHT - FRIDAY 3RD OCTOBER

Citta di Castello - Perugia - Stansted

After breakfast we transfer to Perugia Airport for the return flight to London Stansted.

Travel Dates and Cost:
26th September 2008 - 3rd October 2008 Eight Days £699
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Terms of Payment: Deposit of £90 per person on booking (plus the insurance premium if the cover we offer is required). Final payment due two months before the departure date. THIS PRICE IS GUARANTEED UNTIL THREE MONTHS DEFORE THE DEPARTURE DATE, AFTER THIS TIME THERE MAY BE A FLIGHT SURCHARGE
THIS TRIP INCLUDES: Return scheduled flights: London - Ancona (or Forli), Perugia - London. UK and Italy airport taxes. The services of a Pax Travel Tour Escort and local guides in Siena and Assisi. Seven nights half-board accommodation in shared twin bedded rooms at a 3-star hotel in Citta di Castello. All touring as per the itinerary. Lunch at La Verna. EXTRAS: Travel insurance at £26 per person. Single room supplement at £98 per person for the 7 nights (Limited availability). Contribution to the Basilica of San Francesco, suggested £5 per person. Lunches, drinks and souvenirs. Supplement for scheduled flights from Glasgow, Belfast or Manchester at £60 per person. RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP: Ecumenical

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