From Massa Martana to Monte Castello di Vibio, through Todi and Fratta Todina, from Collazzone to Torgiano, through Marsciano and Perugia, and then Bettona, Cannara and Spello: it’s the Canticle Wine Route that celebrates not just wine but also the other typical and quality products of the territory, together with its art, environment, culture and artisinal crafts.
Autumn, during harvest time, is one of the best times to make this itinerary combining the pleasure of good food and of great wines with visits to villages, castles, churches and abbeys, framed by a unique and evocative landscape.
This itinerary will lead you to discover two of the splendid towns of the Canticle Wine Route: Perugia and Spello.
Get a wine glass and start your journey from Perugia, among tastes and flavours.
The region’s capital, Perugia, will capture you with its medieval architecture and Renaissance palaces.
Take your time to discover its historical centre that preserves many historical-artistic treasures: Piazza IV Novembre and the beautiful Fontana Maggiore; the Cathedral of St. Lawrence; the Priori Palace (with the Cambio College frescoed by Perugino); the Umbria National Gallery rich with masterpieces of artists such as Piero della Francesca, Pinturicchio, Perugino; the Etruscan Arch, walls and the well.
After you finish touring the acropolis, it’s time for a break! You have to taste Torta al Testo: an ancient bread, baked on the “Testum”, the iron griddle from which it takes its name. Fill with ham, cheese, sausage, cooked vegetables or any other ingredient. We suggest you enjoy it with a red wine, Doc Colli Perugini.
Before going on, there is an almost compulsory stop in one of the sweetest towns in Italy: discover the combination of chocolate and wine. If you happen to be in Perugia in October, visit Eurochocolate, the festival entirely devoted to chocolate.
Catch the minimetro (frequent service until about 9 pm, timetables here) to the Perugia station and from there it's a short ride to Spello with the fast regional train (timetable here).
Visiting Spello is always a unique and delightful experience: admire it from below, walk along its medieval alleys decorated with colourfully flower-draped balconies and be seduced by its history and beauty.
Start your tour by walking along its city walls to the town gates. Among these gates, three ones are of particular relevance: the Consular Gate, the Venus Gate with the Towers of Properzio and the Urbica Gate.
Spello overflows with artistic treasures: don’t miss the church of St. Maria Maggiore housing the Baglioni Chapel, decorated with splendid colourful frescoes by Pinturicchio. In the church of St. Andrea is another work by Pinturicchio, an altarpiece with the Virgin and the Child enthroned with various saints. The Villa dei Mosaici museum preserves nearly 500 m2 of glorious polychrome mosaic flooring, the remains of a luxurious villa of the Imperial Roman era. This incredible archaeological treasure was discovered by accident in 2005.
Conclude your visit by wandering among the charming flower-filled alleyways of the town, one picturesque, scented and colourful spot leading to another.
If you are hungry, taste the local cuisine: bruschette perfumed with oil or truffle, home-made pasta seasoned with truffle, hare and boar. Many traditional recipes are based on legumes: the chickpeas of Spello are famous in the world, as well as the risina (a variety of small and white bean with a delicate flavour), and cicerchia or chickling vetch (a variety of legume similar to chickpeas and with a flavour a bit like fava beans), which are served in tasty soups or fresh salads. For wines the Assisi Doc is a choice that will not disappoint you.
Stroll back to the station for the train back to Perugia, maybe taking along a bottle of wine to remember this lovely day out in Umbria.
Info utili
La lunghezza dell’itinerario è di circa 190 km da percorrere in circa tre ore.
Percorsi trekking
Da Massa Martana al Passo di Acqua Canale, solo andata, lunghezza 7 km, tempo di percorrenza circa 3 ore.
Da Monte Castello di Vibio a Doglio, Parco fluviale del Tevere, solo andata, lunghezza 6 km, tempo di percorrenza cica due ore.
Da Todi a Vocabolo Palombara, solo andata, lunghezza circa 19 km, tempo di percorrenza circa 4 ore.
Fratta Todina, alla scoperta dei suoi dintorni, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale circa 11 km, tempo di percorrenza circa mezz’ora.
Da Collazzone a Collepepe e alla miniera, solo andata, lunghezza circa 8 km, tempo di percorrenza circa tre ore.
Da Marsciano a Casalina, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale circa 20 km, tempo di percorrenza circa un’ora e mezza.
Da Deruta a Pontenuovo, “percorso verde”, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale circa 11 km, tempo di percorrenza circa un’ora.
Da Torgiano a Deruta, in MTB, (Ponte Rosciano-Le Cinque Querce), itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale circa 22 km, tempo di percorrenza circa 3 ore.
Perugia, l’anello di Monte Pacciano, lunghezza totale circa 10 km, tempo di percorrenza tre ore.
Da Bettona a Collemancio, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale circa 19 km, tempo di percorrenza circa 5 ore.
Cannara, alla scoperta dei dintorni, solo andata, lunghezza circa 4 km, tempo di percorrenza 1 ora.
Da Assisi a Rivorto, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale circa 6 km, tempo di percorrenza circa 1 ora e mezza.
Da Spello all’Acquedotto romano, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale 15,5 km, circa 5 ore.
Percorsi bike
Massa Martana, alla scoperta dei Monti Martani, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale 37 km, tempo di percorrenza circa 4 ore.
Da Monte Castello di Vibio a Todi, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale 28,6 km, tempo di percorrenza cica due ore e mezza.
Da Fratta Todina a Marsciano, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale 34 km circa, tempo di percorrenza due ore.
Da Deruta a Castelleone, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale 16,36 km, tempo di percorrenza circa 1 ora.
Da Torgiano alla chiesa di S. Giuliana, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale 35 km, tempo di percorrenza circa 3 ore.
Perugia, giro per le cinque Porte, solo andata, lunghezza circa 7,5 km, tempo di percorrenza due ore e mezza.
Bettona, da Passaggio di Bettona alle colline a sud, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale 31 km, tempo di percorrenza circa ore.
Da Assisi alla Basilica di Santa Chiara, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale 50 km, tempo di percorrenza circa 4 ore.
Da Cannara all’Eremo delle carceri di Assisi, itinerario ad anello, lunghezza totale 40 km, tempo di percorrenza tre ore e mezza.
Da Spello a Santa Maria degli Angeli, solo andata, lunghezza 19,2 km, tempo di percorrenza circa 1 ora e mezza.
