Umbria’s Hidden Gems: Assisi & Perugia

This week-long escorted tour with Riviera Travel takes you to the heart of Umbria, Italy's less-travelled region noted for its medieval towns and rural landscapes. Starting in Perugia, you'll see a city divided by geography—its upper section a nearly untouched medieval centre with cobbled streets and historic piazzas, and the lower city opening onto the Tiber valley. There's time to explore the underground passages beneath the Rocca Paolina fortress, still used by locals.

Next is Assisi, known for its Franciscan basilica adorned with Giotto frescoes, sitting among shuttered stone houses and overlooking the Umbrian hills. On the lake-side day, a ferry to Isola Maggiore crosses the placid waters of Lake Trasimeno, followed by leisure time in Cortona with views over the Tuscan countryside. The journey continues to Spoleto and a wine tasting of Sagrantino di Montefalco, before a venture east to the Frasassi Caves in Marche, a dramatic karst formation.

The tour wraps up with Orvieto, perched atop volcanic rock with its Gothic cathedral and underground Etruscan sites, paired with a countryside lunch at a local agriturismo. The pace balances guided walks with free time to wander, admire architectural details, or sample local flavours. Flights start or end in Rome or Perugia, and accommodation is at a four-star hotel in Perugia.