Assisi & Orvieto Tours

The jewels in the crown of Umbria are the small but perfectly formed walled hill towns of Assisi and Orvieto.

Forever entwined with the name of St Francis, Assisi is a place of pilgrimage for animal-lovers and Christians the world over. St Francis was born here in 1182, and his body lies in the crypt of his basilica. The church’s upper floors are lined with medieval frescoes attributed to Giotto.

Perhaps one of the best things to do is to take a wander through Assisi’s medieval heart to see the Roman ruins and hilltop fortress.

The highlight of any visit to hilltop Orvieto is its amazing Gothic cathedral. Oversized for such a small town, its facade glimmers with golden mosaics and statues. Inside, a famous fresco cycle by Luca Signorelli lines the walls.

While you’re here, take the opportunity to sample Orvieto’s famous white wines and make the most of those hilltop views.

Practical Info

Orvieto is around 75 minutes from Rome by train; catch a bus or the century-old funicular from the train station to reach its cliff-top perch. Assisi is best reached by bus from Rome, taking around three hours.

Once there, you can easily get around on foot.