Itinerary+Napoli+Lushaj+(5+days)

=//ASSISI TURIST TRAVEL//=

DAY 1-2-3 **ARRIVAL - ASSISI** On day 1 after settled in hotel we go to visit the Rocca Maggiore: the future emperor Federik II of Swabia spent several years of his childhood here in the care of Conrad of Urslingen, and was baptised in Assisi at the age of three in 1197. The following year, in Conrad's absence, the people of Assisi rebelled and destroyed the castle. On day 2 sightseeing with your local guide starts with a visit the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore and S.Francisco cattidral: important double-decker church built to honour the humble saint, who lies in the crypt. The lower level is the older, and the more atmospheric, with stained glass windows, and frescoes attributed to Giotto, Cimabue and Simone Martini. Then we proced for visit San Pietro, which has an interesting underground museum with varied exhibits and some Roman remains. The town's attractive main street is the Via San Francesco, which runs from the Basilica up to Piazza del Comune. There are many interesting buildings along the way, including the frescoed Oratorio dei Pellegrini (Pilgrims' Oratory), and the town's art gallery, the Pinacoteca Comunale. The latter contains a number of interesting paintings and frescoes, many of which decorated the walls and gateways of the town. And finally visit Rocca Maggiore, the large fortress towering above Assisi. As well as the town itself, there are spectacular views over the surrounding plains, hills and valleys.

DAY 4-5 ASSISI - S.M.Angieli Wallpaintings from these excavations can be seen in the town's little museum, just off Piazza del Comune, which is well worth a visit. As well as archeological finds from the area, the museum gives access to a long tunnel running right under the modern piazza. Here you can walk on the original surface of the town's Roman Forum, and see the base of the Temple of Minerva which still dominates the heart of the town: its columns are now the facade of Santa Maria sopra Minerva church, which has a pretty blue-and-gold gallery. After a scenic wolk along the mattonata reach Santa Maria degli Angeli,is described as a suburb of Assisi, but it's really a distinct settlement. Pleasant, but without the charm of historical Assisi, the town has a couple of sights of interest. The Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli is an important stop on the St. Francis trail. Enclosed within the huge church is a tiny chapel, the Porziuncola, an ancient Benedictine place of worship that St. Francis took over, and the Capello del Transito, marking the spot where the saint died. Following the signs to St. Francis's rose garden (//roseto//), you pass the surprising and sweet sight of doves nesting on a statue of St. Francis. In the late afternoon return to Assisi. Tonight your tour director will recommend an optional festive dinnerat one of Assisi's fine restaurants to bid farewell to a memorable Italian holidays.