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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Rome & the Heart of Umbria

Nine-day escorted tour of Rome and Umbria with medieval villages and wine.

Illustration of Rome & the Heart of Umbria

Vacations By Rail's nine-day Rome and Umbria tour combines classical Roman history with the medieval villages and pastoral countryside of Umbria, Italy's "Green Heart." Departing from Rome, the escorted journey begins with two nights at a four-star hotel near the city centre, where a Tour Manager meets the group. Day two covers Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and Rome's classical sites including the Colosseum and Roman Forum. The group then coaches into Umbria, spending six nights at a 13th-century resort hotel in Collepepe. From there, guided tours radiate to UNESCO-listed Assisi, the chocolate workshops of Perugia, the medieval architecture of Gubbio and Todi, and Lake Trasimeno. Day 7 includes a short local rail journey to the fishing village of Passignano del Lago. The tour closes with visits to Deruta's hand-painted pottery studios and Torgiano's Olive and Wine Museums, including a winery lunch with tasting. Eight nights' accommodation, breakfast daily, one lunch, seven dinners, all guided tours, and coach transport are included. This itinerary suits travellers seeking a structured, guide-led experience with substantial daily walking through historic towns and access to art, architecture, food, and wine traditions.

What to know before you look closer

  • Mobility Rating 3 means substantial daily walking on guided tours; confirm fitness level before booking.
  • The trip ends in Collepepe on Day 8; Day 9 offers optional coach transfer to Rome's airport for flights home, which are not included.
  • Rail travel is limited to one local leg on Day 7 (to Passignano del Lago); the majority of transport is by coach.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Rome

    Arriving in Italy's capital, Rome

    As you arrive, make your own way to our four-star hotel, located a short distance from Rome Termini Station, and check in for the first two nights. Return to the hotel this evening to meet the Tour Manager and your travel group, and then together, sit down to dinner in the hotel's restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Rome

    Uncovering the iconic sites of Vatican City and Rome

    Our tour includes entrance to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam." We continue with a guided city tour past the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Collepepe

    Into the olive orchards and vineyards of Umbria

    We board our coach for a journey from Lazio into central Umbria, stopping in the hill town of Orvieto for a guided tour including its 14th-century cathedral, before continuing to our base for the next six nights in Collepepe, a resort hotel dating to the 13th century.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Collepepe

    UNESCO sites and historic delights in Assisi and Spello

    A guided tour of Assisi takes in the Basilica of St. Clare, the Duomo of Assisi and the Basilica of St. Francis, before we continue to the walled town of Spello for time at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Collepepe

    The well-preserved medieval villages of Gubbio and Todi

    A guided tour of Gubbio takes in its piazzas, public palaces, cathedrals, gardens and city walls, before we continue by coach to Todi for a guided look at its medieval and Baroque architecture.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Collepepe

    Savoring the history and flavors of Perugia

    A guided tour of Perugia takes in Piazza IV Novembre and the 14th-century San Lorenzo Cathedral, followed by a visit to the Casa del Cioccolato to learn the story of the city's famous chocolates.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Collepepe

    Uncovering Lake Trasimeno and ancient pottery in Deruta

    Free time in Castiglione del Lago on Lake Trasimeno, then continue by local rail to the fishing village of Passignano del Lago, before rejoining the coach to Deruta to witness the making of its renowned hand-painted pottery.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Collepepe

    A day discovering the symbolic products of Umbria

    We visit the walled town of Torgiano to explore the Olive and Oil Museum and the Wine Museum, then continue to Lungarotti Winery for lunch and a wine tasting.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9

    Traveling home

    An optional coach transfer takes you to Rome's airport this morning for your journey home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, including Michelangelo's Creation of Adam, followed by visits to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.
  • Day 4Guided tour of Assisi's Basilica of St. Clare, Duomo of Assisi, and Basilica of St. Francis, then leisure time in the walled town of Spello.
  • Day 6Guided tour of Perugia including Piazza IV Novembre and the 14th-century San Lorenzo Cathedral, followed by a visit to Casa del Cioccolato to learn about the city's famous chocolates.
  • Day 7Free time in Castiglione del Lago on Lake Trasimeno, then local rail to Passignano del Lago and a visit to Deruta to witness hand-painted pottery being made.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • All coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 7 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Flights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Day 7 includes a local rail journey from Castiglione del Lago to Passignano del Lago. The rest of the tour uses coach transport.
What is included in the price?
Eight nights' four-star hotel accommodation, breakfast each day, one lunch, seven dinners, all guided tours and excursions, a Tour Manager from start to finish, and all coach travel. Flights and travel insurance are not included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager who accompanies the group throughout the entire nine days.
Where do I stay?
Two nights at Grand Hotel Palatino in Rome (four-star), then six nights at Abbazia Di Collemedio in Collepepe (four-star resort hotel from the 13th century).
How much walking is involved?
The operator rates this tour Mobility Rating 3, indicating substantial walking on guided city tours through medieval hilltop towns.
When does this tour depart?
The operator does not list specific departure dates in the available information; contact Vacations By Rail directly for scheduling.

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