Day 1: Arrival

Arrive at your beautiful hotel in the Centre of Assisi. Residenza D’Epoca San Crispino is a 14th century medieval mansion beautifully restored with panoramic views across town. You will be met by our representative in the afternoon who will go over the route with you and provide you with everything you need for the holiday.

Day 2:  Assisi Town walk

The Assisi town walk will take you round the most important cultural monuments of Assisi, which are mostly connected with the lives of the saints Francis and Clare, who were born in Assisi. See the remains of an ampitheatre, the medieval castle, the basilica of St. Francis, the temple of Minerva, the church ‘Chiesa Nuova’ and the basilica of St. Clare, finally walking down to the monastery of S. Damiano. Walking time: 3 – 4 ½ hours.

Day 3: Walk in the vicinity of Assisi

A walk on the hills around Assisi starts from the Porta Cappuccini town gate (470m a.s.l.). From here you walk up to the spring ‘Fonte Maddalena’ (810m a.s.l.) on Monte Subasio. You then descend to the hamlets of Costa di Trex (570m a.s.l.) and Ponte Grande, where you can enjoy a well-deserved rest in one of the hamlet’s two restaurants or in the bar. Your route will then bring you back to Assisi through gentle, rolling countryside. Walking time: 4 ½ hours (about 14 km)

Day 4: Assisi to Spello

There are two routes to Spello: a longer one going uphill to the hermitage Eremo delle Carceri or a shorter one through olive groves along the slopes of Monte Subasio. From the Porta Cappuccini a footpath will take you to the hermitage, which is situated at 830m. Saint Francis and his companions used to retreat here to meditate in the woods. After St. Francis’s death a monastery was built on this spot. Passing the spring ‘Tre Fontane’ and the abbey of S. Benedetto you will descend to Spello, walking first through woods and then through olive groves. Walking time: 6 hours (about 17 km)

The lower route follows the slopes of Mount Subasio and involves less climbing, but it is also a beautiful walk through olive groves with astounding views. Spello is built on the slopes of Mount Subasio. This little town has Roman origins, as we are reminded by several features including the Porta Venere and Porta Consolare town gates and the remains of a Roman theatre outside the town walls. Don’t forget to admire the colourful frescoes by Pinturicchio in the church of S. Maria Maggiore. Walking time: 3 hours (about 12 km).

From Spello you take the train to Spoleto or we can arrange a transfer. Settle into your beautiful hotel in the centre.

Day 5:  Spoleto to Monteluco

The walk today takes you to Monteluco (Mount Luco). The name ‘Lucu’ (lucus) means ‘sacred woods’, and signifies that in ancient times the mountain was considered a holy place. From the 5th century hermits lived under Benedictine rule on the mountain. Later the Franciscans also built a monastery here. The evergreen oak wood was always very important for the town and was therefore already a protected area in the Middle Ages. The animals living here include porcupines, wild cats, badgers and squirrels. Walking time: 3 ½ hours (10 km)

Day 6: Spoleto to Spello

The day starts with a private transfer to Poreta and from here you walk along the Olive Trail –’sentiero degli olivi’-, a walking route from Spoleto to Assisi. As the name indicates you will mostly walk through olive groves on the slopes of the mountains. You pass several little villages, mostly built on hills, like Eggi and Bazzano. Walking time: 6 hours (18 km)

There is the possibility of a shorter walk (6km) please ask at the orientation meeting for details if you do not want to do the longer walk.

Day 7: departure

After breakfast the tour ends

Assisi: Residence d’Epoca S.Crispino

Residenza D’Epoca San Crispino is a 14th century medieval mansion in  the historic centre of Assisi.  Stay in a beautifully restored suite and  enjoy panoramic views across town. With traditional stone and wood interiors as well as frescos and original antique furniture, apartment suites at the San Crispino Residenza are unique and atmospheric.Each suite includes its own computer, allowing you to connect to the internet free of charge. Wi-Fi access is also available free, should you wish to bring your  own laptop. http://www.assisibenessere.it/pagine/residenza-epoca-san-crispino

Spoleto: Hotel San Luca ****

Situated in the historical centre of Spoleto.  The hotel rooms all have wifi, air conditioning, safe, queen or kingsize beds and 24-hour room service. There is a lovely inner court , bar and solarium. www.hotelsanluca.com

Getting to Assisi:

Flights to Rome or Perugia:  then there is a good service from both cities – www.trenitalia.com

Good rail service to Assisi – journey takes approximately 2 hours from Rome depending on the train taken.

To return to Rome at the end of the tour: train from Spoleto takes approximately one hour 40 minutes.