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Monday, October 27 — Arrival | Orientation & Connection | Corciano

Arrive in Rome, Italy, Rome Fiumicino International Airport “Leonardo da Vinci” by 10 a.m., and travel by bus to Villa Pieve in Corciano. Greet your classmates, facilitators, host, and guide at the Restaurant il Convento during a light lunch followed by a caffè at Alberto’s Arte del Gelato bar on the main square to familiarize yourself with locals.

Walk to discover the historic center of this lovely hilltop hamlet. Here you will enjoy the view of small alleys and streets that have been the same since the Middle Ages — it is like taking a walk back in time. Highlights include the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with the Renaissance altarpiece of Perugino and if time allows, visit the Antiquarium with precious Etruscan and Roman remains. Travel by bus to Villa Pieve, and check in. End the day with your new group for a welcome reception before enjoying a lovely dinner at Villa Pieve.

Tuesday, October 28 — Adversity to Transformation | Assisi | Cooking Class 1

After breakfast, travel by bus to Assisi; its magical atmosphere can hardly be described. A highlight will be your visit to the famous Basilica of Saint Francis and its cycle of frescoes by Cimabue, Giotto, Pietro Lorenzetti, and Simone Martini. You will have free time to explore Assisi and have lunch on your own.

After lunch, travel by bus to Spello, known as the City of Flowers. Built like Assisi with the local pink limestone taken from Subasio Mountain, Spello was anciently called “Hispellum” by the Romans. Walking through the medieval piazzas, the Roman arches, and the narrow streets overlooking the Umbrian Valley, it is impossible to miss one of the most splendid Renaissance fresco cycles in Umbria, painted by Pinturicchio, kept in the Romanesque Collegiata of St. Mary the Major. While in Spello, you’ll visit the Frantoio di Spello, a historic olive oil mill where you can experience firsthand the art and tradition of Umbrian olive oil production, complete with tastings of their exceptional extra virgin olive oil.

Travel back to the Villa for the first cooking class and dinner.

Wednesday, October 29 — The Living Scripture | Bittarelli Farm

After breakfast, leave the Villa and travel to a horse farm and visit Patrizio Bittarelli’s farm. Meet Bittarelli family members who will introduce us to the farm animals and explain their programs with school children and local associations. Walk in the fields and learn about their plantations (ancient grains, local beans called fangirling del lago going back to the ancient Etruscans, spelt, chickpeas, etc.) and traditional farming methods passed on from generation to generation, respecting the environment.

Travel back to the Villa for dinner.

Thursday, October 30 — Finding Mission & Purpose| Cortona | Cooking Class 2

After breakfast, leave the Villa and travel to Le Celle via bus with tour guide, Catia Melani — time to explore Le Celle the Franciscan hermitage, built by Brother Elias after Francis died. Here the Saint, along with a few of his followers, built the first nine cells. This is believed to be the place where St. Francis dictated his will. Here you will meet a Franciscan Friar and Rossella Vasta. You will then reach the Basilica of St. Margherita by bus. St. Margherita is the Patron Saint of Cortona. At the end of the 13th century, she joined the Third Order of St. Francis, lived in strict poverty, and founded a hospital for the sick and poor. Before walking downhill into town, we will enjoy a view that embraces the whole Valdichiana and Lake Trasimeno, famous for the battle where Hannibal ambushed the Roman army in 217 BC. You will have free time to explore Cortona and find lunch. Cortona’s rich history is revealed by the beauty that springs from every corner.

Travel by bus to Gubbio, among Italy’s best-preserved medieval towns, situated on the slope of the Monte Ingino. Here we will have a group lunch in a traditional restaurant. Gubbio is where, according to legend, St. Francis of Assisi made a peace pact with a wolf that had been terrorizing the town. The story of Gubbio and Francis of Assisi means the discovery of an intense relationship, interwoven with travels, friendship, and feelings. The main square is a daring construction, a so-called hanging square upon which rises an impressive town hall, starting from here on the 15th of May, the locals organize Italy’s most peculiar procession, the ‘Candle Race’ la Corsa dei Ceri, to the sanctuary of Saint Ubaldus on top of the mountain.

Travel back to the Villa for the second cooking class and dinner.

Friday, October 31 — Sacred Space & Practices | Perugia | Cooking Class 3

After breakfast, leave the Villa and travel to Perugia via bus with Catia Melani. Visit the Perugia city center by Mini-Metro. Engage in a walking tour of the Acropolis of Perugia, including the Rocca Paolina and its undergrounds.

Lunch on your own to taste traditional dishes like Torta al Testo or real Pizza that we will help you find. After lunch, you will discover one of the treasures of this city: the Turan artisan chocolate laboratory. Offering an extraordinary experience of an interactive immersion in the world of chocolate, you will have the opportunity to experience the creation and processing of the famous “Bacio” guided by maître chocolatier Giulia.

Travel back to the Villa for the final cooking class and dinner.

Saturday, November 1 — Resilience, Grace & Unexplained Gifts | Montefalco

After breakfast, travel by bus to Montefalco. We will start by enjoying a cappuccino on the main square and have a walk in the little hilltop village known as “the balcony of Umbria” for its infinite views.

We will then enjoy a guided visit and wine tasting at Fratelli Pardi, a family-owned winery deeply rooted in the traditions of the region. Learn about their distinctive wines, the family’s enduring connection to the land, and their heartfelt commitment to quality, sustainability, and the people who enjoy their wine.

In the afternoon, continue to nearby Bevagna, a beautifully preserved medieval town. Step back in time as you explore two traditional artisan workshops: witness the age-old craft of wax candle making and discover the intricate techniques of handmade paper production at the local paper mill.

Travel back to the Villa for dinner.

Sunday, November 2 — Integration | Carini Farm

After breakfast, enjoy free time or choose from attending Corciano’s church service, participating in an art group session, or taking a meditative hike up to Corciano. Travel by bus to Carini’s Farm and tour the farm and wine cellar. Here you will experience how a focused and holistic/ethical approach to farming and animal relationships results in a richer experience of food and dining. Lunch there with the produce of the farm cold cuts, cheeses, wine, and olive oil. Travel back to the Villa by bus to pack and enjoy a final dinner with the group.

Monday, November 3 — Departure

Travel to Rome via bus for return to the U.S. or further personal travel. Do not book flights before 10 a.m. to provide time for us to drive from Villa Pieve in Corciano to Rome.