Assisi and Cortona Day Trip from Siena
- Overview
Visit Cortona and Assisi, two stunning hilltop towns, on a full-day trip from Siena! Explore the town of Cortona in the morning, sightseeing independently or discovering its delights on a guided walking tour (own expense). Then, spend your afternoon in the town of Assisi, following in the footsteps St Francis of Assisi (ItalyÂ’s patron saint) on a walking tour, learning about his life in the town. Leave your central Siena hotel in the morning and travel east to Cortona, a stunning little hilltop town of ancient origins. The setting for the
2003 rom-com Under the Tuscan Sun, Cortona boasts a wealth of
picture-perfect medieval architecture making it a perfect place to spend
your morning. Sightsee at leisure or join a walking tour (own
expense), seeing sites like Santa Margherita Sanctuary – built to
commemorate the patron saint of the city – and the imposing Palazzo
Communale. Enjoy a walk and stroll around the city walls.
After your tour, relax with some free time in the town to do as you
please. Perhaps find a piazza-side café for lunch (own expense) or
stroll around the narrow lanes admiring the sun-bleached stone
buildings. Meet back up with your guide at a pre-arranged time to leave Cortona by coach.
Continue your tour traveling south into Umbria to visit Assisi, an enchantingly beautiful hill town, best known for its links to St Francis – a wealthy merchant’s son who chose to embrace poverty and preach on the streets of the town.
Follow in St FrancisÂ’ footsteps on a walking tour around Assisi, ambling along winding streets and alleyways and ending up in the spectacular Basilica di San Francesco. See both the upper and lower basilicas -- one lavishly ornate and the other minimalistic and sober in line with St FrancisÂ’ teachings. The church is also famous for its Giotto frescoes, and your guide will point out these medieval depictions of St FrancisÂ’ life in the town.
Return to your coach
for the journey back through the picturesque Tuscan hills to Siena,
where you'll arrive in the late afternoon.