Perugia Chocolate & Deruta Ceramics

Duration: 8 hours.

Start point: Your hotel, 9am

Walking level: Easy.

Included: private van and driver-guide; ceramic studio visit

Bordering with Tuscany, the land of Umbria has few rivals in its capacity to surprice, delight and capture the heart of the traveler. It is never easy to explain the resons of the heart, as it is a subtle, intangible pleasure to travel in this multiform land rich in aesthetic delights. Considered the "green heart of Italy", a holy land, and the Region of 100 towns, Umbria since the beginning of its history has had the role of being an important crossroads of people,ideas and cultures.

And this is particularly evident in its major city: Perugia. Walking through its elegant centre, you will immediately realise the political and economical importance that this city has had in its history: from the Palazzo dei Priori, elegant public palace along the main street, to the Guild's House and its adjoining medieval Collegio del Cambio (Exchange bureau).

The walking tour will also include some parts of the Etruscan and Roman city, as gates, public wells and walls; besides the Cathedral of S. Lorenzo. Very interesting will be then to visit the Fortress within the city, an unique example of Renaissance Fort equipped with an escalator!

If the food is the mirror of a civilization, the many faces of Umbria are represented well by its rich variety of culinary specilaties, of which you will try the very best with your guide, starting with a taste of the best Italian chocolate: Baci Perugina!

In the afternoon, a pleasant drive will take you to nearby Deruta, a town completely devoted to make ceramics. The great production coming today from the workshops of Deruta explores the memory of an art begun with the precious archaic medieval ceramics and reaching a high point in the Renaissance with the lustre technique, which gives iridescent, golden and copper-red colors to the wares. The old styles and techniques are reflected and perfected in the skilled hands of contemporary ceramic artists. You will enjoy some free time for exploring and shopping. Upon request it will also be possible to watch some of the artists making their crafts! At the end of the visits, your driver-guide will take you back to your hotel.