Imagine starting each day practicing yoga among vineyards and olive groves—or in a 13th

century abbey. Then visiting a beautiful medieval hill town—perhaps with a hike to the top of a

mountain behind the town or around an ancient city wall. Add in a curated food tour, cooking

class, wine tasting, truffle hunt—and of course, loads of historic sites and fabulous

shopportunities—and you have this unique eight-day experience in magical Umbria, Italy.

On this small group, active tour, you’ll travel like a local with Susan Guerra, a wine professional

and the owner of Via Del Vino Food and Wine Tours who lives in Umbria and will show you the

sights that only the locals know. You'll practice yoga each day with Heal BFLO instructors Cheryl

Strauss and Corey Sampson.

You’ll stay in a meticulously restored 13th-century villa surrounded by quiet countryside, just 20

minutes north of the capital city of Perugia (and about two hours from Rome and Florence, yet a

world away). Mingle with locals as you discover this enchanting region that's remained little

changed by the centuries and is far from the tourist crowds.

What Guests Have Said About This Tour

"You think you've seen much of the awe and beauty of Italy...and then you find yourself in Umbria! Singular, local experiences. A small group of very interesting travelers with easy camaraderie nurtured by the exceptionally fun, outgoing, and knowledgeable hosts." –Pattie D.

“Wow. Big wow. You did a wonderful job. I feel like I have pushed the reset button for my life and this trip was a big part of that. Expertise, good humor, and superb organization just skim the surface. Fascinating new friends were certainly integral to the success of the adventure too!” –Cyndy W.

“Buongiorno! We could not have had a more perfect trip! Every single detail was stunning!” –Linda R. and Scott S.

"I can’t imagine having a more wonderful trip than we had in May! Chiesa del Carmine was exquisite, I find it hard to imagine a setting more conducive to a relaxing stay. I learned so much about the wines of Italy. I loved that we visited a different region each night through the wines. I’m hoping to join you on another trip in the future, and have boasted about you all to everyone I know! The trip was so well thought out and organized and I am looking forward to future experiences." –Joanne G.

Cheryl Strauss, Heal BFLO

Cheryl began her yoga journey 10 years ago when she walked into Power Yoga Buffalo. She immediately felt something new and unique and was intrigued by the physicality and emotional energy that consumed her. With the desire to spread this love of yoga to everyone, she started HEAL BFLO with her best friend to create unique yoga events all over WNY. The people, the community, the love and friendship has created a life that fills her up every day. Cheryl currently teaches at Power Yoga Buffalo, Buffalo State College, M&T Bank, Evergreen Health Services and private/group classes. She teaches a powerful vinyasa flow designed to challenge you both physically and emotionally. 

Cory Sampson, Heal BFLO

Cory started taking Yoga classes at Buffalo State College to increase his flexibility. Yoga became an outlet to test his limits and make progress in ways that he never saw as attainable. Yoga has become a cornerstone in his life and enabling others to cultivate their practice is what keeps Cory inspired to push people towards their choice, growth and freedom. His mission is to create a space for people of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds to push themselves and test their limits creating a community of individuals that strive to be better than they were before. Recognizing our strengths and weaknesses and loving ourselves enough to emphasize our strengths and prepare for our weaknesses so that we may take on the world with an open mind, an open heart and the will to be who we truly are.

SUSAN GUERRA, Via del Vino Food & Wine Tours

Born and raised in New Jersey, Susan’s Italian heritage sparked a lifelong interest in the Italian language, travel, food, and wine. After a career in graphic design, Susan earned the Advanced Certificate in Wines & Spirits from the WSET and is currently a candidate in the Italian Wine Scholar program. Prior to founding Via Del Vino, Susan worked in the wine business for 10 years and wrote about wine for New Jersey Monthly Magazine. She moved to Perugia, Italy with her pastry chef husband, Richard in 2014.

Today is your arrival day in Umbria and to our beautiful villa, Chiesa del Carmine. Your home base for the week is surrounded by gardens, stone terraces, and quiet places to reflect. The villa features a swimming pool (heated if needed), located in a quiet and secluded position. We'll be welcomed first at the property's adjacent winery, Vinieria del Carmine for a light lunch accompanied by the wines produced right on the estate. Afterward, you'll have time to relax before an optional evening yoga session. During dinner this evening Sue will guide us through an introduction to Italian wines.

Evening Yoga or Hike (optional)

Accommodation: Chiesa Del Carmine

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Today, we'll spend the day in Perugia for a special version of Sue's top-rated tour, Taste Perugia. As we stroll through a maze of medieval streets, you'll be struck by the beauty of this ancient city and by the delicious simplicity of Umbrian food. We'll end the tour with a special chocolate-tasting experience followed by a creamy gelato from one of Italy's Top 100-rated artisan gelaterias. After the tour, you'll have the rest of the day to explore on your own, or join a guided hike around the ancient city wall—ending with a special "apericena" on Sue's terrace, which sits on top of a 3rd-century BC Etruscan gate.

Morning Yoga (optional)

Afternoon Guided Hike (optional)

Accommodation: Chiesa Del Carmine

Meals: Breakfast, Light Dinner (apericena)

Today we'll head to the walled city of Gubbio. Sitting majestically at the foot of Monte Ingino, Gubbio gives visitors a generous dose of medieval charm with its compact mass of stony buildings that seem to be carved from the mountain itself. The archives of Gubbio show that the work of master potters began here in the 14th century. Today there are still many shops to wander and browse. For those inclined to a more vertical adventure, we’ll offer a guided hike to the top mountain with a breathtaking view of the city and valley below—or ride the Funivia Colle Eletto, a basket-like chair lift that whisks you up or down the mountain. Or take free time to wander Gubbio, perhaps shopping for some of the town’s famous painted pottery, grabbing lunch on your own before returning to our villa with time to relax before a cooking class followed by dinner at in the gorgeous chef’s kitchen at the winery adjacent to our villa. For those who don't want to cook, simply come and enjoy, nibble on snacks and sip wine while taking in the vineyard views from the winery’s beautiful stone terrace.

Morning Yoga (optional)

Afternoon Guided Hike (optional)

Accommodation: Chiesa Del Carmine

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (Cooking Class)

Today we'll head to Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis and Saint Claire. Assisi is considered to be the spiritual heart of Umbria. Assisi's majestic Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands above the valley and offers panoramic views in every direction. The basilica, a religious pilgrimage site and also the final resting place of Saint Francis is famous for its series of Giotto frescoes depicting his life. The city itself is built into Monte Subasio, a national park in the Apennine Range famous for its many hiking trails and symbolic places where Saint Francis retreated from civilization to meditate and pray. You'll have free time to meander and shop the many boutiques then have lunch on your own before we return to our villa in the afternoon. Tonight, we'll have a pizza-making night at the villa with a local pizzaiolo who prepares the pizza bases in advance and puts on quite a show, tossing and spinning them in the air! You are welcome to join in if you'd like to learn how. Otherwise, you'll have a spread of traditional Italian pizza toppings to create your own versions of this famous Italian food staple.

Morning Yoga or Hike (optional)

Afternoon Guided Hike (optional)

Accommodation: Chiesa Del Carmine

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we'll have a truffle hunting adventure on a farm where Susan's friend Francesca and her family have been hunting truffles and living off the land since the 1400s. The hunt starts from a small mountain village where Luca, an expert truffle hunter will take us to comb the forests with his highly trained dogs. When we have enough of this local delicacy to make lunch, we'll stop in a panoramic spot and have our first taste of a freshly dug truffle with scrambled eggs (an Umbrian specialty) paired with a glass or two of Prosecco. Afterward, you can lend a hand to Francesca as she makes fresh pasta or simply sit back and watch as you enjoy an assortment of homemade local specialties with generous pours of great local wine. When the pasta is made, we'll sit down to a truly authentic lunch where all of the recipes are part of a centuries-old family tradition. In the later afternoon, we'll return to Chiesa Del Carmine for dinner.

Accommodation: Chiesa Del Carmine

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we'll head to Umbria's most prestigious red wine-making area, Montefalco DOCG for a visit to Azienda Agricola Valdangius. At this small, family-owned winery, we'll have a tour and a wine pairing lunch of local products amongst the vines. After lunch and if time permits, we'll stop in Bevagna, a former Roman settlement now brimming with medieval charm.

Morning Yoga or Hike (optional)

Accommodation: Chiesa Del Carmine

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We'll head to Spello today, a little borgo that's been named one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. With its winding stone streets, beautiful countryside vistas, and balconies overflowing with seasonal flowers it's easy to see why. Those who want to shop will have plenty of artisan boutiques to choose from. For archeology and history lovers, Spello is also home to The Villa of Mosaics, an archeological site discovered by chance when the town was building a parking lot. The villa houses over 500 square meters of Roman mosaics and features 3D presentations that help to visualize what this villa once looked like during the Augustan Era and Imperial Age, the two major epochs discovered during its excavation. After lunch on your own, we'll return to Chiesa del Carmine for an "Umbrian-American" style BBQ prepared by Sue's husband (and personal chef), Richard!

Morning Yoga or Hike (optional)

Accommodation: Chiesa Del Carmine

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, after breakfast, we'll check out and head toward Rome. On our way, we’ll visit Orvieto, a city with an ancient and mysterious atmosphere that soars above the surrounding valley, perched atop a tufa cliff. The historic center is enhanced not only by its magnificent cathedral, monuments, and museums, but through the tradition of wood craftsmanship, wrought iron, and majolica pottery, which can be purchased in the many shops throughout the historic center. You'll have free time to shop and have lunch on your own before we head to Rome. 

Morning Yoga or Hike (optional)

Accommodations: Hotel Tiber Rome Fiumicino

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is your departure day. Your trip price includes the shuttle fare from our last hotel to Rome Fiumicino Airport. We will help you schedule your shuttle at the hotel front desk in accordance with your morning flight departure. Or if you are staying in Italy a little longer, we can help you arrange onward journeys—let us know at the time of booking.