3 nights in Umbria with D/A
Umbria, Italy
28 June–01 July 2025
From 28 June – 1 July, Design Anthology UK editors in partnership with Design Hotels will take a small set of our community on a curated escape to Umbria, offering guests the chance to experience Italy’s often overlooked heartland through the lens of design and culinary craft
Anyone who has tasted the olive oil from Rastrello, a boutique hotel perched in the picturesque, medieval village of Panicale, will know that it’s the best-of-the-best. The family-owned business harvests its groves every October using hand-held rakes called rastrello, and produces extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) that visitors to its Umbrian hotel will return for again and again. We at Design Anthology UK have firsthand experience of the beauty of this place and its philosophy, and of course, its olive oil. Which is why we’ve put together a trip that sits very close to our hearts – a tour through Umbria, where our editor-in-chief Elizabeth Choppin has spent many happy seasons in the hills above Lake Trasimeno.
Our itinerary for this three-night trip is designed in partnership with Design Hotels for both stimulation and sanctuary. Starting in Panicale for two nights, we’ll explore Rastrello’s EVOO process and the significant historic offering of this hilltop town. On day two, it’s truffle hunting led by local experts and an architectural walking tour of Panicale’s sights including the central piazza dating back to the 10th century, a lace museum within a deconsecrated church and an 18th century proscenium theatre. We’ll also visit a vineyard, one of the local region’s best, and have wonderful meals made with the flavourful ingredients grown on farms across the region.
For the final day and night of this adventure, we’ll drive across Umbria to Eremito – a stone hermitage that sits amid a remote, protected forest and invites guests to switch off completely, starting with a silent candlelit dinner in the stone refectory. Hotelier Marcello Murzilli’s vision of well-designed rooms with nothing but the essentials, fresh food from the kitchen garden and natural splendour every which way comes to life at Eremito, which means ‘hermit’ in Italian but is also translated to ‘little hotel of the soul’. As we drive up the mountain in 4x4s, it’s clear the effort it takes to get there is part of the experience.
Highlights
• Discover the olive oil-making process at Rastrello, a boutique hotel and working olive farm in the medieval village of Panicale.
• Join local experts for a truffle hunt in the Umbrian countryside.
• Explore Panicale’s historic architecture on a guided walking tour, including a 10th-century piazza and an 18th-century theatre.
• Visit a renowned Umbrian vineyard and enjoy farm-to-table meals throughout the journey.
• Spend a night at Eremito, a remote stone hermitage surrounded by protected forest, designed for digital detox and spiritual retreat.
• Experience a silent, candlelit dinner and minimalist luxury at one of Italy’s most unique wellness hotels.
Inclusions
• Three nights’ accommodation at Rastrello and Eremito
• All meals, featuring seasonal, locally sourced ingredients
• Guided experiences: olive oil tasting, truffle hunt, architectural tour, and vineyard visit
• Private 4x4 transfer to Eremito through the Umbrian hills
• Curated hosting by Design Anthology’s editor-in-chief, Elizabeth Choppin
Itinerary
Expand all daysDay One
28 June 2025
Arrival & Olive Oil Tasting
Day Two
29 June 2025
Architecture & Wine
Day Three
30 June 2025
Transfer to Eremito
Day Four
01 July 2025
Morning at Eremito
Reviews
“I saw so many places and hotels that I began to think that I wanted to create a hotel that doesn’t exist.”
Application
Offer includes hotels, F&B, local activities and experiences and local transfers; costs exclude flights and airport transfers. To reserve your place, a 30% non-refundable deposit is required, with the remaining balance to be charged 90 days before the start of the trip. If you book within 90 days of the start of the trip, the full amount is due.
£2295
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Our trips are curated by editors and creatives with a deep understanding of design, architecture, and culture. Each itinerary is built around exclusive studio visits, private collection tours, and encounters with designers and tastemakers you won’t find in a typical guidebook.
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Our experiences are ideal for design professionals, collectors, and culturally curious travellers who value thoughtful curation, access, and intimacy over mass tourism.
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We keep our groups intentionally small—usually no more than 12 participants—to allow for deeper conversations, access to private spaces, and a more personal experience throughout.
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Pricing typically includes accommodation, all scheduled activities, most meals, and on-the-ground transportation. Airfare and personal expenses are not included. A detailed list of inclusions and exclusions will be provided before you book.
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Yes. While the days are thoughtfully planned, we always include downtime so you can explore at your own pace or simply unwind.
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Absolutely. Many of our travellers come alone and leave with new friends. We welcome solo travellers and offer single room options (subject to availability).
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We understand plans can change. Our cancellation terms vary depending on the destination and trip. Full details are outlined during the booking process, and we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
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Not at all. While many of our guests are from the design or creative industries, we welcome anyone with an interest in culture, aesthetics, and thoughtful travel.
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You can subscribe to our mailing list or follow us on Instagram for early access and announcements.
Four Reasons to
Join This Experience
Our experience programme isn’t just about seeing a destination—it’s about experiencing it through the lens of creativity, crafsmanship and storytelling.