- Join a guided tour in Rome, which takes in the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain
- Hike through the hills and villages of Umbria
- Discover the Unesco-listed hill town of Assisi, birthplace of Saint Francis
- Enjoy the comforts of a four-star hotel and countryside resort with a spa
- Sample fine wines and craft beers in Montefalco and Todi
- Learn the secrets of making fresh pasta in an Italian cooking class
- Visit the iconic Museum of Chocolate in Perugia
- Learn all about the art of producing delicious olive oil

RCGS: Rome, Assisi & Magical Umbria - Premium Adventure with Robin Esrock





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- RCGS: Rome, Assisi & Magical Umbria – Premium Adventure with Robin Esrock
Discover Rome, Assisi and Umbria with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society accompanied by explorer Robin Esrock
Explore historic landmarks and classical ruins in Rome and Assisi. Walk through Italy's unspoiled countryside staying in a picturesque four-star resort in the hills of Umbria, led by an expert local guide and hosted by bestselling author, TV host, public speaker and RCGS fellow Robin Esrock. Whether it’s your first time in Italy or your 100th, this guided walking trip will live long in your heart.
Did you know you can travel by train to this trip? Find out more here
Highlights
Key Information
- One night in a four-star hotel in Rome city centre
- Six nights in a four-star country resort and spa in Umbria
- Five days of gentle walking and sightseeing
- Low altitude throughout
- Groups normally 5 to 15, plus leader
- Option to travel by train to your adventure
What's Included
- All accommodation, all breakfasts, three lunches and five dinners
- Welcome aperitivo and complimentary spa access
- Wine, beer and olive oil tastings with nibbles
- Chocolate experience
- Airport transfers
- All daily transport and listed activities
- Expert tour leader, chosen for great customer feedback
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
- Local taxes (approximately €6 per person, see Trip Notes)
5 Days of Premium Adventures
Leisurely to Moderate
Paved tracks, paved roads, forest trails, gravel
13 km / 8.1 miles
7 km / 4.3 miles
11 km / 6.8 miles
People, places and planet
We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
- Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
- This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
- Read more about our other initiatives here.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
- By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
- We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re-usable bottles.
- The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves and archaeological sites generates income which is used for upkeep and development of these important sites.
- We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
- Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
- Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
- Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
- Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
- Plastic waste reduction: please bring a re-usable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Itinerary
Rome Rome
The adventure begins in the endlessly alluring city of Rome. We’ll gather for the first time as a group at our four-star hotel near Rome Termini train station, then head to a nearby trattoria for a welcome dinner of traditional Roman dishes.
Meals included: Dinner
Everyone will be itching to explore the Eternal City, so after breakfast we’ll meet a certified guide for a tour of the landmarks, visiting the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and more.
There’s free time for lunch before a private transfer away from the city buzz to Abbazia Collemedio, our peaceful resort in the Umbrian countryside. The staff will be waiting with sparkling wine and appetisers for an extra-warm welcome.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
We enjoy our first guided walk in Umbria this morning, a circular route starting and ending in the medieval town of Bevagna. From here, we venture to Montefalco, a hilltop town overlooking vineyards producing the much-revered rosso di Montefalco and sagrantino wines, the latter of which can be aged for up to 30 years.
Both Bevagna and Montefalco are considered among the most beautiful villages in the country, and make a perfect introduction to the splendour of the region. Along our route, we’ll stop for a picnic lunch.
Later in the afternoon, we visit Cantina Baldassarri, a celebrated vineyard and olive oil mill, to sample their fine wines and virgin olive oil accompanied by charcuterie, bruschetta and cheeses.
Distance covered: 8mi (13km)
Ascent: 1,214ft (370m); Activity hours: 5-6
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We explore the hills and paths around our resort this morning, starting at our front door and heading to the hilltop village of Collazzone. Upon our return, we head to the hotel kitchen and join a local chef for a hands-on cooking class, learning how to prepare perfect fresh pasta, tiramisu and flan.
There’s free time in the afternoon to relax by the pool, before we head to Todi, another magnificent medieval village, where we can take advantage of the hilltop location and watch the sunset. There are many wonderful restaurants for dinner here – your leader will happily make recommendations.
Distance covered: 4mi (7km)
Activity hours: 3
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
We take a transfer to Assisi this morning, a Unesco-listed hilltop town and, as the birthplace of Saint Francis, one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Italy. You’re free to explore it solo, but don’t miss the 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco, an astounding early gothic complex home to the tomb of Saint Francis and celebrated frescoes by Giotto. You may also want to visit the pink-and-white-striped Basilica of Santa Chiara; admire the towering columns at the Temple of Minerva; and visit the Rocca Maggiore, an imposing 12th-century stone fortress that protected the town for centuries.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we head to Perugia, a buzzing university town and capital of the Umbria region. Our first stop is Casa Museo Del Cioccolato, where we dive deep into the world’s favourite treat and taste a few samples. We’ll also learn about Baci Perugina, a world-renowned local chocolate with a hidden love message inside.
After, we head to Perugia city centre. There’s free time to explore before a guided tour taking in many of the city landmarks, including Piazza IV Novembre and Rocca Paolina, a medieval fortress built for Pope Paul III with a network of underground tunnels and chambers to explore.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we take a circular walk from Spello, a medieval town where cobbled streets are brought to life with marvellous flower displays. Our guide will help us navigate the crisscross of ancient streets and alleys, giving you time to appreciate the Town of Flowers.
Walking a section of the Path of Olives, we admire a Roman aqueduct, ancient abbeys and reach the village of Collepino, which occupies the sun-soaked face of Mount Subasio.
Though the region has a long association with producing wine, craft beer has become increasingly popular here. So to end this walking adventure, we visit a craft beer factory and sample a selection of their expertly created drinks. An ideal way to toast the last night of the trip.
Distance covered: 7mi (11km)
Activity hours: 5-6
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We enjoy our last breakfast together this morning and bid a fond farewell to Abbazia Collemedio. We then catch a transfer back to Rome Airport, where the tour comes to an end.
Meals included: Breakfast
Essential Info
Visa
Visa
Italy
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html
Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.
Vaccination
Italy
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Eating and Drinking
All breakfasts, three lunches, five dinners and one aperitivo are included.
The food and drink on this Premium Trip showcase the best of Lazio and Umbria, among the top gastronomic regions in Italy.
It begins with your first dinner, which takes place in a traditional trattoria in Rome. The culinary journey continues with an aperitivo upon arrival at Abbazia Collemedio, with sparkling wine and appetisers.
Here, every morning begins with a hearty continental breakfast, including croissants, cereals, eggs, bacon, sausages, hot drinks and more.
There are also two packed lunches provided on the tour, which will include tasty sandwiches and healthy platters of fruit and snacks to fuel your walking.
Dinners will be served at the hotel restaurant: shared starters, two main courses with a side and desserts – all exhibiting the best of Umbrian cooking.
During the week, you will also enjoy wine, beer, olive oil and chocolate tastings.
Several dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free, can be catered for. Please advise us of any dietary requirements upon booking.
Weather
We typically run this tour from May to October to take advantage of the best weather.
April and October have the lowest average temperature and highest chances of rain, although warm sunny days are not unusual. In the mornings and evenings, the temperature may drop considerably, so keep an extra layer and warm clothes with you.
From June to September, the temperatures will be much higher, rising to 35C-40C (95F-104F) in July and August, with a much lower chance of rain. We try to start our walks earlier to avoid the hottest hours of the day but please be aware that temperatures and humidity may be high. You should feel comfortable and be used to walking in the heat. The presence of mosquitos may also increase during this time, so we recommend you take repellent with you. Please note, the weather is always variable so this should be used as a guide only.
Is this trip for you?
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate).
It offers a balanced mix of city and countryside walks. The terrain and paths we walk on include paved tracks, roads, forest trails and gravel. The walks are not technically difficult, but there are some ascents and descents, so reasonable fitness levels are required.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Abbazia Collemedio, a four-star resort in the Umbrian countryside
Rome: A four-star hotel in the city centre (night 1)
Your accommodation for the first night is a four-star hotel near Rome Termini station. The exact hotel is confirmed approximately 10 weeks before the tour start date. All accommodation options meet the standards of this category.
Umbria: Abbazia Collemedio (nights 2-7)
Within the Umbrian countryside, Abbazia Collemedio is a tastefully renovated monastery transformed into a modern four-star resort. When you’re not exploring the many wonders of the region, take advantage of the excellent hotel facilities, which include a swimming pool area, gym and bar. Your stay also includes a free 50-minute session in the spa, where you can take a dip in a hydromassage pool, relax in the Finnish shower, or make the most of the Turkish bath.
Amenities
- Landscaped gardens and a pool area for leisure and relaxation
- Restaurant serving fine Umbrian dishes
- Wellness centre with Finnish sauna and Turkish bath
- Gym
Worth knowing
- The accommodation shown has been booked and agreed in advance; however, we may need to make changes to a property of similar or higher standard after you have booked. We endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance which could, on rare occasions, be at late notice.
Trip Experts

Robin Esrock
RCGS Ambassador
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Would you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
*Please note any date & price adjustments will be displayed on the next step of booking. You will be able to revert back to booking without flights if the options aren't suitable for you.
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