Private Full-Day Tour of Assisi and Cortona from Florence

To start your incredible journey, an expert private driver will pick you up directly from your accommodation in Florence in a luxury Mercedes Benz vehicle. Enjoy the comfort of private transportation as you admire lovely views throughout the Tuscan countryside heading south, passing the regional border into Umbria. The drive to the small, hilltop town of Assisi will take about two hours.

Your driver will drop you off in the mesmerizing town of Assisi, filled with white buildings overlooking the green, picturesque valley below. This town is known as one of the most sacred places in Italy, as it is the home of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. You will have plenty of free time to independently explore the natural beauty and medieval alleyways of the city. Take a step back in time as you explore the ancient architecture and walk down the same cobblestone streets in which Saint Francis walked generations ago. This town has a special aura in the air, and there is so much to be discovered! The ancient churches of Assisi are among the most sacred in Italy, and extremely rich in history and culture. Must-sees while you are visiting Assisi include: Basilica di Santa Chiara, Basilica di San Francesco, and Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli.

Basilica di Santa Chiara is dedicated to Saint Clare, and it is an extremely religious site in Italy. Outside of the Basilica, you will find interestingly colored materials - the church is decorated in white and pink striped marble from a mountain near Assisi. The belltower is the tallest in Assisi. However, inside the church, there is an unexpected emptiness - the church has only one aisle. Once decorated by intricate frescoes, these were all lost through time. Beneath the church, you can find the tomb of Saint Clare. For a woman who helped and influenced so many, this Basilica is a beautiful memorial.

Basilica di San Francesco is one of the most important religious sites in the entire country of Italy. Not only is it the oldest Gothic church throughout the country, but it is also built above the tomb of Saint Francis. The church technically consists of two parts - a lower church and upper church. In the lower half, visitors can find the incredibly sacred tomb of San Francesco, as well as important frescoes by Cimabue, Pietro Lorenzetti, and Simone Martini. The upper part of the church allows a heavenly light to shine in, glowing upon ancient frescoes painted by Giotto. These colorful 28 frescoes are dazzle in glory, depicting the life of the Saint, and forever representing a vivid celebration of life. After exploring the inside of Basilica di San Francesco, you can exit onto a lawn overlooking the skyline of Assisi.

Make the most of your private driver, and ask him to take you to the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. It is located about two and a half miles (four kilometers) from the city center. When visiting Santa Maria degli Angeli, you can actually enter another much smaller building inside - “Porziuncola,” a very small, stone chapel which housed Saint Francis and his followers. Inside this tiny structure, Saint Francis started the Franciscan order. Now, you will see the Porziuncola has been decorated in Gothic style frescoes, glorifying the small building. This sacred stop is a must-see during your visit to Assisi for those interested in religious history or relics.

After spending some time in Assisi, your driver will take you to the lovely, hilltop town of Cortona. It is most well known for being the place where the film, “Under the Tuscan Sun,” was filmed in the early 2000’s. This town is extremely historic; in fact, it was originally built by the Etruscans! Now, you can enjoy the picturesque streets filled with flowers, stunning views of the rolling hills, and Tuscan architecture. Enjoy some free time to independently explore the town, take plenty of pictures, and sip on a coffee, or indulge in an aperitivo beverage! When you are ready, your private driver will be waiting for you.

After a memorable day of history, sacred sites, and natural beauty, you can enjoy the comfort of a private Mercedes vehicle. You will be dropped off directly at your accommodation in Florence in the early evening.