An Italian Adventure through Florence and Umbria

By Jen

Here at Cloud Nine we find that the best travel recommendations come from first hand experience. We can’t recommend a trip if we’ve not been there ourselves! So we visit destinations, hotels and book activities, to give clients an unbiased opinion on breaks.

This means we build relationships with the locals, which uncovers opportunities, that give our clients a unique experience. By knowing and seeing what makes a destination special, we create better and individual itineraries.

My Italian adventure was a great example of this. I enjoyed an itinerary that took me to Florence’s atmospheric streets and Umbria’s stunning countryside. I discovered exclusive hotels, regional foods I’d never tasted before and felt immersed in the local culture. Some of the highlights were:

Florence

My adventure started in beautiful Florence, where I checked into the five star Sina Villa Medici. It was a perfect base for exploring this historic city.

Spending time with the hotel’s General Manager gave me an insight into Florence. We began at the local market, Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, soaking up the atmosphere and tasting some of the regional delicacies, before a winding stroll admiring the city’s architecture and history.

A visit to Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, the world’s oldest operating pharmacy, gives a glimpse into the past and centuries of Italian perfumery. I also enjoyed a floristry experience at Bloom Lab by Frida’s, before moving onto the very English sounding Harry’s Bar 1953, for an evening meal. It was in Harry’s that I learnt about the history of the Negroni cocktail, it felt rude not to sample a few!

Umbria

Leaving a thoroughly enjoyable Florence behind, I travelled through the scenic Umbrian countryside to Quinto Sapore, near Città della Pieve, for a farm to table dining experience that felt as organic as anything could be. Although the inclement weather meant I missed the planned farm walk, a delicious meal, made with produce grown on the farm, more than made up for it!

Next, I arrived at Sina Brufani in Perugia, a hotel that combines Italian elegance with modern luxury. Dinner at the hotel’s Collins’ Restaurant offered a delicious introduction to Umbrian cuisine.

The following day, I dived into Umbria’s heritage, with an itinerary curated by Italy Breeze DMC. At Studio Moretti Caselli, I learnt about the intricate artistry behind stained glass, before visiting Museo Laboratorio Giuditta Brozzetti for a hands on experience of handweaving, for which the area has centuries of tradition.

All provided me with a fascinating insight into the people and their skills, together with how they are preserving Italy’s cultural heritage. It also demonstrates why exploring a destination first hand really makes a difference. It reveals stories and local traditions that are hard to appreciate from a brochure or website.

Of course, no trip to Perugia would be complete without some chocolate! At Turan Café, I enjoyed a guided tasting of the city’s famous chocolate making, followed by the chance to create my own personalised chocolate bar. It was a fun, messy experience and a real treat for a chocolate lover like me.

Assisi

On my last evening, I travelled to Assisi, a hilltop town famed for its medieval streets and architecture.

A guided visit to the cathedral was a personal highlight, especially the exclusive access to areas not normally open to the public.

I also enjoyed a memorable farewell dinner at La Locanda del Cardinale, which is surrounded by the remains of an ancient Roman settlement. It was an extraordinary setting to reflect on the trip.

Florence and Umbria gave me a wonderful combination of history and local cuisine. For anyone mulling an Italian mini break, I would highly recommend looking beyond the well trodden path and landmarks. Sometimes, the smaller discoveries and the people you meet stay with you the longest.