A Central Italy Journey

An unforgettable journey through the Archipelago Toscano and countrysides of Umbria and Tuscany.

Duration: 9 Days - 8 Nights | Dates: September 13 - 21, 2019

Day 1: September 13th

• Pick up at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO) *Pending flight arrival information

• Drive to Roccafiore Spa & Resort in Todi, Umbria.

• Check-in, get settled in and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Umbria’s countryside while you begin adjusting to the time difference.

• 7:30pm: A pre-set dinner of Umbrian specialties at Fiorfiore Restaurant (located onsite)

Activity Level: Easy / Meals: Dinner / Sleep: Umbria

Day 2: September 14th

• Breakfast

• If you’d like, take some time to enjoy the amenities of Roccafiore Resort & Spa this morning!

• Once you’re ready, we’ll depart for the small town of Bevagna. (35 min)

• After some time self-exploring the narrow lanes and shops of this medieval hamlet, we’ll head to the historic, hilltop town of Assisi.

• Take your time self-exploring Assisi this afternoon.

• Once you’re ready, we’ll head to Spello for an unforgettable dinner and wine tasting.

• 7:00pm: Enoteca Properzio.

Activity Level: Moderate / Meals: Breakfast & Dinner / Sleep: Umbria

Day 3: September 15th

• Breakfast

• After breakfast this morning, we’ll check-out and begin driving to the stunning hilltop town of Orvieto. (45 min)

  • Please Note: you’ll need your bathing suit and towel if you’re planning to enter the thermal waters later today. There are no changing rooms at Cascate del Mulino.

• Take all the time you’d like self-exploring Orvieto. *Suggestions Below:

  • The Duomo of Orvieto. (5€ pp) 1pm to 5:30pm

  • Orvieto’s Underground Cave Tour (7€ pp) 1 hour tour available 11am, 12:15pm or 4pm

• Once you’re ready, we’ll begin driving to Cascate del Mulino. (1 hr)

• Soak in the warm waters of these ancient thermal pools. The cascades of sulfurous water are about 98° F and overlook a small expanse of natural swimming pools in which it’s possible to enjoy a regenerating bath, lulled by the gentle flow of water.

• Once you’re ready, we’ll travel to our B&B in Pienza Tuscany where we’ll drop our bags and freshen up before dinner. (1.5 hrs)

• Dinner at a local trattoria in town!

Activity Level: Moderate / Meals: Breakfast & Dinner / Sleep: Tuscany

Day 4: September 16th

• Breakfast

• Winery tour

• Enjoy the rest of your day making your own discoveries in Pienza! *Suggestions below:

  • Palazzo Piccolomini (2 min walk)

    • A beautiful palace and garden complex from the 15th century. The views over the Val d’Orcia from here are stunning! Open from 10am to 6:30pm

  • Museo Diocesano (2 min walk)

    • An exceptional museum with a precious collection of paintings, tapestries and liturgical furnishings. A first-rate museum! Open from 10:30am to 6:30pm

  • E-Bike ride in the countryside!

  • Private tour of Pienza - must be pre-arranged

  • Be sure to pick up some of the famous Pecorino di Pienza (sheep's milk) cheese from this region!

I’m available all day to assist you in planning transportation and arranging experiences. I’ll be happy to provide pricing information for any of your day’s activities.

Activity Level: Up to you! / Meals: Breakfast / Sleep: Tuscany

Day 5: September 17th

• Breakfast

• 8:30am: Check-out then drive to the hilltop town of Siena. (1 hr)

• 10am: Private walking tour of Siena with Costanza, a local, passionate guide (3 hrs). Some of the sights we’ll see:

  • San Domenico Basilica and the relics of Saint Catherine from Siena

  • Main square "piazza del Campo"

  • Cathedral Square

• 1pm: Lunch at a local trattoria

• 2:30pm: Leave Siena for the port of Piombino. (1.5 hrs)

• Ferry to the Tuscan island Elba. (1 hr)

• We’ll stop for dinner on the way to our accommodations this evening.

• Check-in Hotel Baia Imperiale.

Activity Level: Moderate / Meals: Breakfast & Lunch / Sleep: Elba

Day 6: September 18th

• Breakfast

• This morning we’ll visit the highest point on Elba Island, Monte Capanne! The peak provides a panoramic view of Italy’s mainland along with the islands of Corsica, Capraia, Pianosa and Monte Cristo (3.5 hours each way at medium difficulty. You may also decide to take the cable car to the top in 20 minutes!)

• The rest of the day is up to you! The following activities must be pre-arranged. Kindly let me know if you’re interested in any of these options by September 5th.

  • Kayaking Tour

  • Island Boat Tour

  • Snorkeling

  • Visit one of the island’s most beautiful beaches (Cavoli) and only a 5 minute walk from our hotel!

I’m available all day to assist you in planning transportation and arranging experiences. I’ll be happy to provide pricing information for any of your day’s activities.

Activity Level: Up to you / Breakfast / Sleep: Elba

Day 7: September 19th

• Breakfast

• After breakfast we’ll island hop over to the small, remote island of Pianosa. Only 330 daily visitors are permitted on this island, allowing nature to be left mostly undisturbed. Snorkeling is also available, a chance to observe groupers, lobsters, bass, snappers and moray eels along with many other Mediterranean species in shallow waters (optional activity, additional fee will apply, must be pre-arranged).

• 8:45am: Depart for Marina di Campo.

• 9:45am: Ferry to Pianosa!

• 10:30am: Arrive in Pianosa.

• Visit the beach of Cala San Giovanni, where you can discover the remains of a nearby Roman villa.

• Lunch on Pianosa.

• Explore another beach? It’s up to you! Once you’re ready, we’ll take a ferry back to our home base on Elba.

• 5:30pm: Last departure to Elba.

• 6:15pm: Arrive back in Marina di Campo.

• Dinner on your own this evening! Try one of the amazing seafood restaurants near the beach in Marina di Campo if you’d like!

Activity Level: Moderate / Meals: Breakfast & Lunch / Sleep: Elba

Day 8: September 20th

• Breakfast

• Self-exploration of the island of Elba! *Suggestions below:

  • Drive to the northwest coast, Elba’s wildest corner, popular with divers and hikers. Visit the sheltered, seaside village of San’Andrea. Explore another beach and the cove of Cotoncello.

  • The following activities must be pre-arranged so please let me know if you’re interested in any of these options by September 5th.

    • Kayaking Tour

    • Snorkeling

    • Island Boat Tour

    • Visit one of the many spectacular beaches of the island!

I’m available all day to assist you in planning transportation and arranging experiences. I’ll be happy to provide pricing information for any of your day’s activities.

Activity Level: Up to you / Meals: Breakfast & Lunch / Sleep: Elba

Day 9: September 21st

• Breakfast

• 7:30am: Check out and depart for the port of Portoferraio

• 8:30am: Ferry to Piombino (1 hr)

• 9:30am: Drive to Rome’s FCO airport (about 3 hrs)

• 12:30-1:30pm: Arrive in Rome

  • Depending on your departure flight, you may either be taken directly to the airport or your accommodations!

Activity Level: Easy / Meals: Breakfast

FINAL ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Your home away from home!

Journey Details:

What’s Included: Airport transfers and journey transportation by air conditioned vehicle, 4 ferry crossings, 14 meals, all journey accommodations, all planned entry and activity fees in the final itinerary.

What’s not Included: Airfare, activities, transportation and meals not listed in the itinerary along with travel protection and insurance.

*Activity Level: Our journeys are physically active. This is an important part of traveling like a Sojourner! On our Journeys — among other things — you'll need to be ready willing and able to 1) Carry/roll your luggage over uneven pavement (several blocks if necessary) and up stairways to reach your lodgings; then up several flights of stairs to reach your room. 2) Be on your feet, walking, standing and sometimes hiking for three to eight hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions, on varying types of terrain and elevation. 3) Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning. After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate through the city on your own.

Accommodations: Your Journey Pass includes one double room with one queen size bed or two twin size beds for 2 guests. We stay in small, boutique B&Bs and not hotels. A single supplement will apply if you require an additional room.

Meals: Travelers must make Sojourn Italy aware of any dietary restrictions and allergies 96 days prior to departure. 13 outstanding meals are included on this journey. All included meals are listed in the detailed itinerary.

Cancellation / Transfer Policy: Deposits for journeys are 100% refundable for 30 days from the date they are received. After 30 days your deposit becomes non-refundable, and will be forfeited should you decide to cancel your reservation. Cancellation Fees: 96+ days prior to trip start - $200 per person (including the contest winner). 61-95 days prior to trip start - 30% per person (including the contest winner). 31-60 days prior to trip start - 60% per person (including the contest winner). 0-30 days prior to trip start - 100% per person (including the contest winner). If you must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the policy outlined below. Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, terrorism, civil unrest or personal emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Percentage charges are calculated on the total trip cost, including the value of the contest winner’s free journey pass. Cancellations must be in writing: sent via email to anthony@sojournitaly.com. Cancellations become effective on the date received by Sojourn Italy. You may transfer from one date to another, for this journey only, up to 96 days before the trip departure without penalty, after which time our cancellation policy applies. New journey dates are subject to the availability and full discretion of Sojourn Italy, LLC. When transferring to a new date or trip, if the new trip costs more than the original trip, you must pay the difference in cost. Your transfer request must be approved by Sojourn Italy, LLC.

Traveler Protection: Sojourn Italy, LLC. does not offer a Travel Protection Plan. It is your responsibility to research a plan (if you wish) that covers: trip cancellation for medical reasons, trip delay, medical expenses, accidental death, lost baggage and medical evacuation.

Other: All guests will be required to sign a travel waiver before departure. Passport required for all guests traveling outside their home country. most countries require that your passport be valid at least 6 months beyond your trip dates.