Tuscany, the heart of Italy. It is known as the golden
region, renowned for its cypress meadows, olive trees, vineyards and
walled medieval villages. And of course for its tuscan cooking.
It has endless museums, cathedrals,
historical buildings, streets, towns like Florence, Siena, Pisa and
more. Tuscany, full of ancient Etruscan and Roman ruins... But one can
not pass through this land without being aware of Medieval Tuscany.
Still visible are the small walled towns which are a testimony to the
Middle Ages just as much as its great cities. Castles, fortresses, watch-towers,
and town walls appear everywhere; some are well preserved, others are
in ruins.
The pleasures of landlocked Umbria
are there to be enjoyed whether you are able to spend only a few days
in the region or can manage a longer stay. Every locale is within 1
1/2 hours of Rome or Florence by rail or car, and the entire area is
only 1/20th the size of Illinois. Umbria's attractions are its landscape,
history, art, simple but not hardy food, robust wines, and friendly
people.
If you have interest in antiquities,
you'll be fascinated by the remarkable Etruscan remains in Perugia and
elsewhere. There are also many Roman ruins, Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals,
Renaissance palaces, and splendid museums.
Another fascination is what may best
be described as its spiritual atmosphere. St. Benedict was born in Norcia
near Spoleto, and St. Francis in Assisi. The latter town is today a
major religious shrine where all branches of the Franciscan Order and
Poor Clares, the nuns' community founded by St. Francis's disciple St.
Clare, have churches and convents.
Itinerary 3 : "Umbria + Tuscany"
- Umbria 3 days, Tuscany 3 days, Como 3 days
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