Panoramic View of Amelia surrounded by the green hills of Umbria. This two-day travel package (Saturday and Sunday) in Amelia is designed according to the Cittaslow philosophy and the principles of responsible tourism. The itinerary blends exploration of the medieval historic center with experiences in the surrounding countryside, featuring traditional zero-mile cuisine, encounters with the local community, and a pleasantly slow pace. Below is the detailed organization of the two days, with indicative schedules, activities, and authentic experiences. Everything is done in slow mode, prioritizing quality, sustainability, and the good life typical of "Cities of Good Living."

Saturday

• 9:00 AM – Arrival and Welcome in Amelia:Participants arrive in the morning and check in at Country House Monastero Le Grazie (Foce di Amelia, 5 km from town; Tel. +39 0744 294546) – a 15th-century former monastery converted into a country house surrounded by a large park. This locally managed facility embodies the values of sustainable tourism: a tranquil atmosphere, Umbrian-style furnishings, and an in-house restaurant serving Umbrian dishes made from local, zero-mile ingredients. (Early check-in subject to availability; alternatively, luggage drop-off and welcome drink with local organic juices.)

• 9:30 AM – Farmers’ Market and Town Walk:Begin with a visit to Amelia’s weekly Farmers’ Market (every Saturday morning at Chiostro Boccarini/Piazza Vera), where local producers showcase fresh, zero-mile products. Guided by a local expert, visitors can meet farmers, sample artisanal cheeses, cured meats, honey, and seasonal produce—connecting with the local community in an authentic setting. Next is a guided walking tour of Amelia’s historic center. Wander calmly through medieval lanes enclosed by majestic pre-Roman polygonal walls (over 2 km long, up to 6 meters high, dating to the 4th–3rd century BC) and visit major cultural sites: the underground Roman Cisterns, the imposing Cathedral, and the elegant Social Theatre. A must-see is the Archaeological Museum, home to the famous bronze statue of Germanicus. The guide—an Amelia resident with local history expertise—adds color with stories and insights into Amerina traditions. (Tour duration: approx. 2 hours, including a coffee break in a historic café on Piazza Garibaldi.)

• 12:30 PM – Traditional Lunch at a Local Osteria:Lunch at La Locanda del Conte Nitto (Via Angeletti 7, Amelia; Tel. +39 0744 030523), a characteristic restaurant near Porta Romana. In a rustic, family-style setting, savor Umbrian specialties made with seasonal local ingredients—like manfricoli (thick handmade flour-and-water pasta, often with local black truffle), rustic soups, game meats, and fresh garden vegetables. Accompanied by Amerini wines and local EVOO, the meal is zero-mile and eco-friendly. (Duration: ~1h 30min. Water and local wine included.)

• 3:00 PM – Hands-On Culinary Workshop (Typical Pasta):In the early afternoon, take part in an interactive pasta-making workshop with a local cook, held in a traditional kitchen or agriturismo (based on availability). Guests learn to make manfricoli using local organic flour, rolling out dough and shaping the characteristic cords by hand—just like Umbrian grandmothers used to do. The session ends with a tasting of the freshly made pasta, served with tomato and basil or new olive oil and pecorino cheese. (Duration: ~2 hours. Alternatively, guests can choose a traditional ceramics or weaving workshop with local artisans.)

• 5:30 PM – Free Time and Relaxation:Free time to relax or enjoy a self-guided stroll through Amelia’s artisan shops (don’t miss the pastry shop selling handmade Fichi Girotti, a typical sweet made with dried figs, chocolate, and nuts from a 1930s recipe). Alternatively, return to Monastero Le Grazie to enjoy the garden, pool (in season), or rent a bike for a short countryside ride. This is the perfect moment to slow down and soak in local quality of life—true to the Cittaslow spirit.

• 8:00 PM – Slow Dinner and Agriturismo Evening:Dinner at the Il Monastero restaurant inside Monastero Le Grazie. Enjoy a slow, km0 meal in the former monastic dining hall or on the terrace during warmer months. Dishes include bruschette with DOP olive oil, local cheese and charcuterie, homemade pasta with boar or truffle, roasted lamb, and garden vegetables, all paired with selected Umbrian wines (e.g., Ciliegiolo or Sangiovese from the Colli Amerini). The atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried, inviting guests to savor flavors slowly.After dinner, guests may take a walk under the stars in the monastery courtyard or attend a local event (concerts, street festivals) if available. Overnight stay at Monastero Le Grazie in comfortable rustic rooms. Organic breakfast is served the following morning.

Sunday

• 8:30 AM – Umbrian Breakfast at the Monastery:Start the day slowly with a rich breakfast of local products: fresh milk, organic honey, homemade cakes, artisanal jams, and wood-fired bread—a sweet and genuine beginning. After breakfast, check out and depart for the morning activity.

• 9:30 AM – Nature and Tradition in the Countryside:Head to Agriturismo Surripa (Loc. Surripa, Amelia hills), a family-run farm on 400 hectares of lush terrain. The property includes a wildlife park where visitors can walk among woods, olive groves, and vineyards. A local guide leads a nature walk through the farm’s trails, where guests may spot hares, pheasants, or even roe deer, and learn to identify edible wild herbs and aromatic plants used in traditional cooking.

Slow Farm Activities:Depending on the season, guests can join engaging farm activities. From June to September, try truffle hunting for summer black truffles with a local truffle hunter and trained dogs—an exciting and authentic experience followed by tasting fresh truffle. In other seasons, guests may visit the farm’s olive mill and see cold-pressing in action (autumn), or go donkey trekking with a nearby educational farm—great for kids too. No matter the activity, the focus is on direct connection with nature and local farming traditions, at a respectful and slow pace. (Duration: ~2 hours, including explanations and small tastings.)

• 12:30 PM – Farm-to-Table Lunch at the Agriturismo:Enjoy a relaxing lunch at Agriturismo Surripa’s restaurant, specializing in traditional Umbrian farmhouse cooking. The host family prepares a seasonal meal mostly from their own produce. Menu examples:– Rustic starter with bruschette, liver pâté, and homemade pickled vegetables– Pasta with white boar ragù or wild asparagus (when in season)– Grilled meats (free-range chicken, Cinta Senese pork) or grilled cheese– Garden salad and Umbrian legumes– Homemade desserts like jam tarts with organic preservesThe meal includes house wine and wood-fired bread. Guests often hear stories behind each dish and ingredient, making the lunch a moment of culinary and cultural exchange. (Duration: ~2 hours, slow-paced. Products like oil, jams, or wine may be purchased as sustainable souvenirs.)

• 3:30 PM – Afternoon of Local Culture & Departure:

After lunch, return to Amelia. If a local event is scheduled (e.g., antique fair or craft market), it may be included. On the second Sunday of each month, Amelia hosts the “Antiquariato sotto le Mura” market in the old town’s squares—a great chance to browse handmade goods and feel the town’s vibe.Alternatively, use your free time to explore a final highlight—like climbing the Civic Tower for a panoramic view or visiting a local winery for a farewell wine tasting.

Late afternoon: End of your slow weekend in Amelia. Final goodbyes and departure (recommended by 5:00–6:00 PM).You’ll leave with the feeling of having truly lived like a local, respecting the environment and carrying with you the memory of authentic, shared experiences.