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Private Full-Day Assisi and Cortona Tour: Explore Birthplaces of St. Francis and St. Clare
4.7
23 Ratings
Florence
Discover the birthplaces of St. Francis and St. Clare on a private full-day tour of Assisi and Cortona. Explore these historic towns and enjoy the personalized attention of a private driver. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Florence included.
Discover the birthplaces of St. Francis and St. Clare on a private full-day tour of Assisi and Cortona. Explore these historic towns and enjoy the personalized attention of a private driver. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Florence included.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Florence - Begin your remarkable adventure with a professional private driver who will collect you from your Florence accommodation in a luxurious Mercedes Benz. Relish the comfort of private travel while taking in the stunning views of the Tuscan countryside as you head south, crossing into Umbria. The journey to the charming hilltop town of…
- Florence - Begin your remarkable adventure with a professional private driver who will collect you from your Florence accommodation in a luxurious Mercedes Benz. Relish the comfort of private travel while taking in the stunning views of the Tuscan countryside as you head south, crossing into Umbria. The journey to the charming hilltop town of Assisi will take approximately two hours.
- Assisi - Upon arrival, your driver will drop you off in the enchanting town of Assisi, known for its white buildings that overlook a lush, scenic valley. Recognized as one of Italy’s most sacred locations, Assisi is the birthplace of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. Enjoy ample free time to explore the city’s natural beauty and medieval streets at your own pace. Step back in time as you wander through ancient architecture and stroll along the cobblestone paths once walked by Saint Francis. The town exudes a unique atmosphere, with much to uncover! The historic churches of Assisi are among Italy’s most revered, rich in history and culture. Essential visits include the Basilica di Santa Chiara, Basilica di San Francesco, and Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli.
- Basilica di Santa Chiara - Dedicated to Saint Clare, the Basilica di Santa Chiara is a significant religious site in Italy. The exterior features striking white and pink striped marble from a nearby mountain. The belltower is the tallest in Assisi. Inside, the church is unexpectedly sparse, with only one aisle. Once adorned with intricate frescoes, these have been lost over time. Beneath the church lies the tomb of Saint Clare. This Basilica serves as a beautiful tribute to a woman who inspired and aided many.
- Basilica Papale e Sacro Convento di San Francesco d’Assisi - The Basilica di San Francesco is one of Italy’s most important religious landmarks. It is the oldest Gothic church in the country and is built above Saint Francis’s tomb. The church comprises two sections - a lower and an upper church. The lower section houses the sacred tomb of San Francesco and notable frescoes by Cimabue, Pietro Lorenzetti, and Simone Martini. The upper section is bathed in heavenly light, illuminating ancient frescoes by Giotto. These vibrant 28 frescoes gloriously depict the life of the Saint, celebrating life vividly. After exploring the Basilica di San Francesco, step out onto a lawn with views of Assisi’s skyline.
- Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri - Utilize your private driver to visit the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, located about two and a half miles (four kilometers) from the city center. Within Santa Maria degli Angeli, you can enter “Porziuncola,” a small stone chapel where Saint Francis and his followers resided. It is here that Saint Francis founded the Franciscan order. The Porziuncola is now adorned with Gothic-style frescoes, honoring the small chapel. This sacred site is a must-see for those interested in religious history or relics during your Assisi visit.
- Cortona - After exploring Assisi, your driver will take you to the delightful hilltop town of Cortona, famed as the filming location for “Under the Tuscan Sun” in the early 2000s. Cortona is steeped in history, originally established by the Etruscans. Enjoy the charming streets adorned with flowers, breathtaking views of rolling hills, and Tuscan architecture. Take some free time to explore the town, capture photos, and savor a coffee or aperitivo! When ready, your private driver will be waiting.
- Florence - Conclude a memorable day filled with history, sacred sites, and natural beauty by relaxing in a private Mercedes vehicle. You will be returned directly to your Florence accommodation in the early evening.
What's Included
- Air conditioning and USB charger on board
- 2 hour Guided Tour in Assisi - if option selected
- Free time in Assisi and Cortona for independent sightseeing
- Expert Professional Driver at your full disposal
- Bottled water
- Door to door Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Direct access to the historic centre of UNESCO Listed Art Cities
- Fully-fitted Mercedes vehicle with Free Wifi on board
- Air conditioning and USB charger on board
- 2 hour Guided Tour in Assisi - if option selected
- Free time in Assisi and Cortona for independent sightseeing
- Expert Professional Driver at your full disposal
- Bottled water
- Door to door Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Direct access to the historic centre of UNESCO Listed Art Cities
- Fully-fitted Mercedes vehicle with Free Wifi on board
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Food and drinks
Additional Information
Unwind on this exclusive, all-day journey to Assisi and Cortona. Benefit from the undivided focus of your private chauffeur and explore the birthplaces of St. Francis and St. Clare, and visit the charming hilltop town of Cortona. A leisurely day excursion across Umbria and Tuscany at your preferred speed! Pickup and return service to your hotel in Florence is provided along with a chauffeur.
Unwind on this exclusive, all-day journey to Assisi and Cortona. Benefit from the undivided focus of your private chauffeur and explore the birthplaces of St. Francis and St. Clare, and visit the charming hilltop town of Cortona. A leisurely day excursion across Umbria and Tuscany at your preferred speed! Pickup and return service to your hotel in Florence is provided along with a chauffeur.
Location
Florence
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(23 Ratings)
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1 star
David_s
Dec 2, 2025
Fantastic day! - Great low stress experience! Our driver Valentin was exceptional and professional. He arrived promptly, was a good driver, and explained sites along the way and was flexible about giving us a short time at St Carlo Arcutis which we had forgotten to request at booking. Our guide of Assisi was knowledgeable of St Francis and St Clare and the two cathedrals. She was patient (permitting short prayer time and lighting of candles) and spoke English exceptionally well. Overall the trip was very fun, educational, and low stress. The only unexpected item was the additional cost for headsets at St Francis cathedral. The cost was small and given how positive the day went, and how flexible they were in other ways, not a big deal. I only mention it here so that others making the same reservation are not caught off guard by the small headset charge at St Francis cathedral.
Review provided by Viator
Ricardo_r
Nov 4, 2025
The places we visited are... - The places we visited are amazing. Our driver Placido was great and very informative making our trip memorable making stops along the way.
Review provided by Viator
Jeffrey_h
Oct 14, 2025
Would do it again - We opted for the two hour guided tour of Assisi and that was the best decision. She was so knowledgeable and helped direct us on what do with our free time. Would have liked more time in Cortona. More to see there than expected. Our driver, Luca, was also very knowledgeable and had great input
Review provided by Viator
Sunrise6861
Sep 18, 2025
Private Tour - Easy to book- Professional driver who was pleasant and flexible. Plenty of time to see each site built into the day. It was a good value for the day and ease of process and trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dawn_g
Sep 18, 2025
Stellar service, easy way... - Stellar service, easy way to see historical sites. Plenty of time to spend in both places and the private driver was professional, timely and a pleasure.
Review provided by Viator
G2064cbphilipm
Jun 19, 2025
Cristian made our Assisi and Cortana experience very memorable. I would highly recommend him as a guide to anyone. - Cristian was an amazing guide. Went over and above to make our day one of the most memorable experiences in Italy. Thank you for everything Cristian.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patriciast2503rv
Dec 26, 2024
Full day Assisi and Cortona on our own. - This was a perfect tour for us. We prefer to wander about on our own rather than with a tour group. Leonardo, our driver, was excellent. We had over 2 hours of free time in each location. Had a great lunch in Cortona at Leonardo's suggestion. Would definitely go with this company again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L2890hachrise
Apr 15, 2024
Great Sights, Great Information - Gabriele lead an amazing tour and was well-informed on each of the locations. Definitely recommend booking this trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sightseer30827378303
Apr 15, 2024
Assisi and Orvieto - Really enjoyed the trip to Orvieto and Assisi. Our guide Gabriele was super friendly. Assisi was beautiful, worth making the trek from Florence. Very spiritual places, the tour was heavily focussed around the churches.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paradise60370829548
Jul 3, 2025
Incredible Guide Made Up for Poor Planning Experience - We recently booked three days of private tours and transfers through Ciao Florence for our family, totaling close to $4,000 USD. As a travel advisor coordinating this experience with Beatrice from Private Experiences and Events department on behalf of my own family, I found the communication process difficult. Responses typically took at least 48 hours, which made it challenging to finalize details and respond to my client’s (and family’s) questions in a timely manner.
On the day of our first scheduled tour, my mother had a fall at the train station and required medical evaluation. Despite this unexpected event, Ciao Florence stated there would be no refund and that additional charges would apply to reschedule, which felt disappointing and insensitive given the situation.
Thankfully, our experience with Cristian, our private tour guide, helped turn things around. Cristian was kind, knowledgeable, professional, and attentive throughout both tour days. He explained the day’s plan clearly, welcomed our input, and made thoughtful additions to the itinerary. As a family interested in Catholic pilgrimage, he took us to the Franciscan Hermitage after our visit to Assisi, which became a deeply meaningful highlight for us.
On our second day, he suggested a wonderful winery for lunch and called ahead to ensure the staff was ready for us with a tasting, tour, and table—all handled with genuine care.
Cristian was consistently on time and clearly respected by the local guides he worked with. While the itinerary from Ciao Florence mentioned that Wi-Fi and bottled water would be provided, these were not included.
Cristian’s hospitality and professionalism were the bright spots in an otherwise bumpy planning process. He deserves five stars. The company’s communication and policies, however, left a lot to be desired.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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