Born in the region of Umbria, Saint Francis loved its countryside. Refusing to ride his “brother donkey”, he was a tireless trekker and left numerous memories of his presence behind. Both Assisi – his birthplace – and Perugia are well worth visiting, as are the Franciscan woods below the famous Basilica. Francis founded a convent near the evocative town of Spoleto, on the holy Mount Luco, from which you can admire both this peaceful site and the picturesque town below. We’ll visit Lake Trasimeno and its Maggiore Island, where Francis celebrated Easter, and look across Umbria’s largest lake to the soft hills surrounding it. This region is called the green heart of Italy for good reason! We’ll stop in Gubbio, a special little town where Saint Francis is said to have tamed the wolf. No other medieval town in Italy can boast a square that rises so steeply among the houses. We’ll also discover the Umbrian valley, with its historic villages like Montefalco and Bevagna, which are close to where Saint Francis’ famous prayer to the birds took place.
Umbria is more than worth a good hike! Peaceful hills and mountains, picturesque villages and medieval towns, good food, and delicious wines – a perfect combination!