An all-inclusive week of food, wine, culture, and connection — personally hosted by Sandy & Phil Ferretti in Italy’s Green Heart.
A WEEK ROOTED IN FOOD, WINE & THE SLOW ITALIAN LIFE.
Food, wine, and olive oil are not trends in Umbria — they are traditions.
Throughout the week, every lunch and every dinner is paired with thoughtfully selected regional wines, served the Italian way: natural, joyful, never rushed.
From age-worthy Sagrantino di Montefalco to elegant local whites and expressive everyday wines, each glass tells a story of soil, season, and pride.
Our philosophy aligns naturally with the Slow Food movement — seasonal cooking, trusted producers, and deep respect for origin. Many of the ingredients you enjoy come directly from nearby farms, gardens, forests, and family workshops.
Evenings unfold gently, the Italian way. A small glass of homemade limoncello, wild-fennel finocchietto, rich nocino, or classic grappa. Conversation lingers. The day fades slowly.
This is a week of indulgence — yes — but also of connection.
To place. To people. To the Italian truth that the best things take time.
Dietary preferences and allergies are always respected with care, without ever compromising flavor, beauty, or experience.
Before we begin…
Every Ultimate Umbria Experience is shaped by the season, the harvest, and the people we visit.
What follows is a sample itinerary — designed to give you a sense of the rhythm, flow, and magic of the week.
While the spirit and quality remain consistent, specific experiences may vary slightly to keep each retreat fresh, authentic, and deeply connected to local life.
Guests arrive in the late afternoon at the borgo, where forested hills, ancient stone walls, and sweeping valley views immediately signal a slower, more elegant rhythm.
After settling into their luxurious suites, Sandy & Phil lead a gentle walk through the borgo, sharing the story of the land and setting the tone for the week ahead.
As the light softens, cocktail hour unfolds on the terrace, followed by a celebratory Umbrian barbecue dinner featuring fire-grilled local meats — porchetta, salsiccia, and seasonal cuts — accompanied by generous pours of regional wine.
The evening closes beneath the stars with dessert, a digestivo, and the unmistakable feeling that something special has begun.
The day begins slowly with breakfast at the borgo — breakfast here is never rushed — before setting out for a morning devoted entirely to restoration.
Guests visit an extraordinary 2,000-year-old Roman spa, built directly over ancient archaeological remains. Moving gently through mineral-rich thermal pools, steam chambers, and stone-walled sanctuaries, the body relaxes as water, warmth, and silence do the work.
Personalized treatments using luxurious oils deepen the sense of renewal, followed by a light, elegant spa lunch enjoyed on site, accompanied by wine or prosecco. The afternoon unfolds naturally: some guests wander the timeless streets of Assisi, others return to the spa or simply rest.
In the evening, everyone gathers back at the borgo for a chef-driven dinner rooted in seasonal Umbrian cuisine — thoughtfully prepared, beautifully paired with regional wines, and designed to bring the day gently to a close.
The day opens with breakfast enjoyed at an unhurried pace, the countryside waking gently around you as anticipation builds.
The morning leads into the forest for a guided truffle hunt with a trusted local hunter and his expertly trained dogs. Guests learn how truffles grow, how scent and season guide the search, and why Umbria’s soil produces such prized treasures.
The moment a truffle is uncovered is unforgettable — earthy, aromatic, and quietly thrilling.
Midday brings a hands-on, truffle-focused cooking experience, where classic Umbrian dishes are prepared with restraint and reverence, allowing the truffle to shine. Lunch is the reward — enjoyed together at the table, paired with wines chosen specifically to complement the richness of the meal.
The afternoon unfolds gently, offering time to rest, wander, or simply absorb the day before evening draws everyone back together.
As the sun lowers, aperitivo leads into a truffle-forward tasting dinner — layered, generous, and celebratory — with wines flowing easily and conversation lingering long into the evening. For those who wish, the night closes softly with nocino or grappa.
The day begins with a relaxed breakfast at the Borgo, setting the pace for a deeper exploration of Umbria’s most powerful wine landscape.
Today is devoted to Montefalco, home of Sagrantino — one of Italy’s boldest, most age-worthy wines. Guests visit two contrasting estates, offering different expressions of the same remarkable grape. Vineyard walks and cellar tastings reveal structure, patience, and time — wines built to evolve, not follow trends.
A long, wine-paired lunch follows among the vines, where Umbrian cuisine meets Sagrantino in perfect balance. Courses unfold slowly, conversations deepen, and the afternoon stretches comfortably without urgency.
After lunch, there is time to wander Montefalco’s stone streets — browsing artisan workshops, admiring panoramic views, or simply enjoying the rhythm of village life.
Evening returns everyone to the Borgo for a refined, chef-driven dinner — elegant, grounded, and deeply satisfying — paired thoughtfully with wines that echo the day’s discoveries.
The day begins with breakfast at the Borgo, enjoyed at an easy pace before heading out to explore two pillars of Umbrian life: art and agriculture.
Morning unfolds in historic Deruta, where centuries-old maiolica traditions are still practiced by hand. Guests visit a working ceramic studio and stroll ceramic-lined streets, learning how craft, patience, and daily life have always been intertwined here.
Midday brings a traditional Umbrian lunch in town, paired with local wine — simple, generous, and deeply rooted in place.
In the afternoon, the countryside calls. Guests visit an award-winning olive oil mill, where a guided tasting reveals oils that are vivid, peppery, and alive — true liquid gold. You’ll learn how olive oil is grown, pressed, and evaluated, understanding why it is both nourishment and medicine in Italian life.
Evening returns everyone to the Borgo for a farm-to-table dinner celebrating Umbria at its purest — seasonal ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and wines chosen to complement the day. The night winds down naturally, with conversation lingering long after plates are cleared.
The day begins with breakfast at the Borgo before heading into the Umbrian countryside to explore the living traditions that still shape daily life here.
Morning opens at a small Birrificio Umbro, where artisan beer is crafted from local grains and pure spring water. Guests taste and learn how brewing has quietly become part of Umbria’s modern agricultural story. From there, the journey continues to a family-run cheese farm, where generations of hands-on knowledge shape each wheel — from pasture to aging room.
Late morning brings us into the medieval town of Bevagna, where Roman foundations sit just beneath the streets and artisan workshops still operate as they have for centuries. Walking the town feels less like sightseeing and more like stepping into a living workshop of Umbrian life.
Lunch unfolds slowly at Jennifer’s restaurant — a chef-driven, farm-to-table experience rooted in local ingredients and thoughtful technique, paired with Umbrian wines and guided with warmth and ease.
The afternoon offers free time to wander Bevagna’s shops, cafés, and artisan studios before returning to the Borgo.
Evening closes with a relaxed, joyful pizza night under the stars — served tasting-style, shared communally, and meant to celebrate the friendships formed over the week.
The final full day is devoted to Assisi — the place that ultimately called us to Umbria and inspired us to build our next chapter here.
Assisi is not simply beautiful; it is deeply grounding. Perched on the slopes of Monte Subasio, it has been a place of pilgrimage, reflection, and quiet power for centuries. This is where history, spirituality, art, and daily life exist in balance — and where time naturally slows.
After breakfast, we descend into Assisi with a trusted local guide for an intimate exploration of the town. Together we walk medieval lanes, artisan workshops, and quiet corners that reveal Assisi beyond the postcards. The visit culminates at the Basilica of Saint Francis, where light, frescoes, and silence create a profoundly moving experience — regardless of faith. It is a place that invites reflection, presence, and perspective.
Lunch follows in Assisi — unhurried, Umbrian, and rooted in simplicity — with wine and time to linger before returning to the Borgo for rest and personal reflection.
The week concludes with a farewell dinner at the Borgo — a multi-course, wine-led celebration that brings everything full circle. Seasonal cuisine, exceptional bottles, and shared stories mark the closing of the experience — not as an ending, but as a moment of connection carried forward.
This is why we chose Assisi.
This is why we are here.
And this is why Ultimate Umbria feels less like a trip — and more like something that stays with you.
For those who wish, the day begins with an optional sunrise hot-air balloon flight,
floating silently above vineyards, olive groves, and medieval towns. Back at Borgo Le
Silve, a final gathering offers lingering goodbyes, warm embraces, and the sense that
Umbria will stay with you long after you leave.
Our hope is simple — that you leave with more than memories.
That you carry Umbria with you:
its flavors, its pace, its humanity.
You arrive as our guests.
You leave as family.
A presto, con amore.
Sandy & Phil
Total Tuscany: Luxury Retreats & Private Journeys
SANDY TEL/WHATSAPP: +39 391 163 9887 24/7