The Oldie invites you to come and stay at La Foce, the former home of Iris Origo, in southern Tuscany

13th-20th October 2023

La Foce was the Tuscan home of Iris Origo, which she immortalised in her wartime memoir

War in the Val d’orcia. In the 1920s, she commissioned Cecil Pinsent to design the world-famous gardens. Four years ago, her granddaughter renovated the 15th-century villa and its outbuildings, and they are now available to rent. So we snapped up an available week. We will have the Origos’ home to ourselves, and will be able to swim in the pool and wander through the gardens, while looking across the valley and its famous zigzag road which features on so many book jackets. Not to be missed.

ITINERARY Friday 13th October – arrival

Morning flight to Rome; late lunch at the villa followed by tour of the garden.

Saturday 14th October – Perugia and Assisi

Guided tours of Perugia, where we will have lunch, and Assisi, to marvel at Giotto’s frescoes of the life of St Francis.

Sunday 15th October – day at the villa

Dinner in the Dopolavoro restaurant, which was built by Iris Origo for the farm labourers.

Monday 16th October – Montepulciano and Montalcino

A day of wine-tastings in these two classic hill towns.

Tuesday 17th October – Arezzo

Guided tour of the city, including the duomo, followed by lunch in the Piazza Grande. Afternoon at La Foce.

Wednesday 18th October – Lake Trasimene and Cortona

Morning guided tour of the walled hilltop town of Cortona. Lunch at Albergo Ristorante da Sauro, on the pretty island of Maggiore on Lake Trasimeno, where Hannibal won his famous victory.

Thursday 19th October – Orvieto

Morning guided tour of the duomo followed by lunch. Afternoon at La Foce.

Friday 20th October – home

Leave after breakfast for Rome Fiumicino.