Leaving Rome in a northerly direction, you will
cross the valley of the Tevere, before taking the Via Flaminia near to the medieval
village of Orte with it's Etruscan origins. You will pass typical medieval villages such
as Spoleto, the ancient capital of the "Ducato Longobardo", Trevi, Foligno,
Spello, before arriving in Assisi at around 10.30 11.00 am. You will then start your walk
with our guide through the narrow streets of the village to see the church of Santa
Chiara, the site where St. Francis was born and then on to see the house where he spent
the first years of his life. You will then proceed to see the Piazza del Comune (Town Hall
square) with the Palazzo del Popolo (people's palace) and the Roman Temple dedicated to
Minerva. Then, near to the ancient city walls you will see the Basilica of San Francesco,
which is internally decorated with frescoes from the 12th and 13th centuries. Now you will
rejoin the coach and go to a typical local family-run restaurant situated in a
characteristic farmhouse where you will sample the local delicacies of the area.
After lunch you will then proceed with the coach to Santa Maria degli
Angeli to visit the chapel of Porziuncola and the site where St. Francesco died in 1226.
The return journey will be via Perugia and Todi (approx 180 Km) to arrive in Rome at
around 5.30/6.00 pm.
N.B. It is not permitted to enter churches in shorts, miniskirts or
with uncovered shoulders.
The real Italy, far away from the modern highways and large cities, where
small ancient villages are waiting to be discovered in the heart of the Umbrian
countryside. Assisi is an oasis of art and architecture and home of San Francesco one of
Italy's most loved saints.
