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THE ART OF MAKING CHOCOLATE IN ONE OF ITALY'S MOST ATTRACTIVE PLACES
Whether it is dark, white, chocolate cake or some other type, people just adore chocolate. It is hard to find somebody who does not enjoy its excellent taste. It is no wonder chocolate itself has "survived" more than 3000 years, since the Aztecs first discover and enjoy the most popular sweet in the world. Chocolate melts in persons' mouth, the cocoa butter (what the chocolate is mostly composed of) gives a rich and creamy consistency and it transmits cocoa's flavor.
Now you can get into a class at Perugina's Scuola del Ciccolato,the leading Italian chocolate maker's new chocolate school.
The school in a wing of the Nestle/Perugina factory, just outside of Perugia offers three classes right now: chocolate tasting, chocolate artistry and masters in chocolate.
Perugina has a special place in the hearts of Italians and Italophiles, alike. It began as a small chocolate shop founded by four partners in 1907. Their famous Baci (kisses) bite-sized chocolate-covered hazelnut candies were introduced for Valentine's Day 1922 small love notes and wrap them around the chocolates.
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DURATION
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4 Nights / 5 Days
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HIGHLIGHTS
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Perugina School of chocolate
Assisi Cathedral of St. Francis and Giotto's frescoes
Orvieto Dome
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PROGRAM
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Day 1 : Check in and Chocolate Classes
Masters in Chocolate
(4 hours)
Chocolate Tasting
(2 hours)
Chocolate Artistry
(2 hours)
In the late afternoon the possibility of visiting Perugia, unique in Italy for many reasons: it is one of the oldest Italian cities, it possesses one of the oldest squares in Italy, it has one of the country's most important archeological museums, and hosts two international events: Umbria Jazz dedicated to music, and Eurochocolate dedicated to the lovers of chocolate.
Perugia offers much more still: the complex of St Francis, the cathedral, the Oratorio of St Bernardino, Palazzo dell'Università Vecchia, the Fontana Maggiore, the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, Palazzo dei Priori.
Day 2 : Gubbio & Assisi Tour
This guided tour features magical Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis, patron saint of the animals. Your guided tour of this spectacular city, built up the steep slopes of Mount Subasio, includes the tomb and Cathedral of St. Francis, famous for Giotto's brilliant frescoes depicting the saint's life. You will also travel through time through Assisi's various historical sites, from the Temple of Minerva and Piazza del Comune, both built two millennia ago, to a 13th-century church called Chiesa di Santa Chiara.
Afterward, your private tour will take you to Gubbio, one of Umbria's most picturesque and charming cities. Built beneath Mount Ingino on the eastern side of the Tiber, Gubbio was an important town of the ancient Umbrians in pre-Roman times. Gubbio's Civic Museum displays the famous Eugubine Tablets, written in Umbrian language using the Latin and the Etruscan alphabets. The tablets, dating from the 2nd century BC, document the Umbrian civilization, from its religion to government.
Day 3 : Spoleto & Montefalco Tour
This guided tour takes you to ancient Spoleto, a beautiful Roman town built atop a mountain on the Flaminia Road. Spoleto boasts many important Roman structures including its stone wall, theater and bridge, the town is also known for its 14th century fortress.
You can enjoy lunch and wine tasting at a very nice wine bar in Spoleto (price not included), and explore this charming city and its great churches, museums and medieval piazzas before heading to Montefalco.
Montefalco is also known for its fine wines, sponsoring an annual "Wine Week" every Easter, and you can stop for a wine tasting here. The town's most renowned grape, Sagrantino, produces a wonderful red wine as well as one of the best dessert wines in central Italy.
You can also tour some of Montefalco's beautiful churches, which cover the Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles. The beautifully-frescoed church of San Francesco has been converted to the town's museum, offering an extensive collection of art and artifacts from Umbria.
Finally, this tour includes an optional stop to a cashmere factory outlet.
Day 4 : Orvieto & Civita Di Bagnoregio Tour
This guided day trip features Orvieto, an ancient Umbrian hill town dramatically situated atop volcanic tufa rock. Your private tour of Orvieto, a charming medieval town features a beautiful Gothic cathedral and chapel where pilgrims and art lovers alike come to see Luca Signorelli's colorful frescoes vividly depicting the Apocalypse. Orvieto is just as interesting below ground as it is above, with Etruscan and medieval caves, and the underground remains of an old olive press, for example. Orvieto is also famous for its museums, ceramics, and wines (most notably the Orvieto Classico). You will also tour the village of Civita di Bagnoregio in Lazio. Founded by the Etruscans over 2,500 years ago, this town has seen its population dwindle to just fifteen residents, earning its unfortunate nickname "the dying town." You will walk across a 900-foot-long bridge to reach this earthquake-prone village, only accessible by foot.
Day 5 : Check-out and departure
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HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
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Our accommodation choices include:
Castello di Petroia Hotel,
a conglomerate of medieval buildings enclosed within Castle walls. The origins of the Castle, the most important being a decree of the date back to 1163. Here it is possible to enjoy the warm hospitality of an ancient family which, not wanting to trasform their Castle into a cold museum, preferred to give their guests an opportunity to live a few days as real lords of the Castle. Six rooms, each whit private bath, livingroom, refrigerator bar, television and telephone, are for our guests who, along with the owners, can live thronghout the Castle, its park, forest and lawns.
Park Hotel ai Cappuccini,
situated in what was once a 17th century monastery located in secluded parkland on the outskirts of Umbria's fascinating medieval city of Gubbio, skilfully restored and transformed in stunning 4 star hotel in the mid 1960's.
Castello dell'Oscano,
an historic residence immersed in a centuries old park, close to Perugia. Accommodation is available in the castle itself, in the adjacent Villa Ada and the Macina dell'Oscano farmhouse
Hotel Brufani
The 5*Hotel Brufani Palace is located in the old centre of Perugia, and is a symbol of exclusivity in this beautiful old Medieval city. The roomy frescoed lounges, large stone fireplaces, antique candelabras and wooden floors, the intimate and cosy public areas, and the way elegance blends with tradition evoke an atmosphere of other days. And, from the hotel's balconies, which look out over a sheer drop, there are wonderful views of Umbria's rolling countryside.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED
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- Transfers from/to Hotel;
- All private excursions with transportation and guide;
- Daily breakfast.
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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
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- Porterage at the Airport;
- Tips;
- Meals not mentioned in the program;
- Travel Insurance.
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NOTE
All tours with private transportation, services of your English-speaking driving guide, taxes, tolls and parking.
Check availability and prices..
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