On the Road in Italy

The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare, five nights' accommodations, and rental car from $1,399 per person

When: Dec. 1-14, 2006; add $90 for Nov. 1-30 and Jan. 7-31, 2007; $100 for Feb. 1- Mar. 31; $340 for Dec. 15-31, 2006 and Jan. 1-6, 2007; $1,160 for July 20-Aug. 31, 2007; $1,200 for Apr. 1-May 31 and Sept. 1-Oct. 31, 2007

Gateways: New York City; add $50 for Boston, Washington, D.C.; $95 for Atlanta, Chicago; $200 for Los Angeles, San Francisco

Details: Hotel taxes, daily breakfast, and fuel surcharges (which can top $150) are included. Additional airport taxes are $125 per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement $699

Book By: No deadline; based on availability

Contact: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com

Just south of Tuscany, the region of Umbria has much of the same appeal as its famous neighbor--rolling green hills, timeless art-heavy towns--without the overwhelming swarms of tourists. FIT places you in Perugia, the region's medieval capital, famous for hazelnut Baci chocolates, the artist Perugino, and an annual summer jazz fest.

The package includes round-trip airfare to Florence (or Rome) on Alitalia and a five-night stay at the hilltop Brufani Palace overlooking the postcard-perfect Umbrian countryside. Its 94 rooms are decorated in sumptuous shades of gold and red. You can take advantage of complimentary use of the fitness facilities at Sina Fitness club (sauna,steam bath, gym) and Wi-Fi at the hotel. Local attractions are a short walk away.

An economy-class manual rental car is included (pick up/drop off at airport), with unlimited mileage and basic insurance. Upgrade to an automatic for about $100 per person. Extend your stay and car rental for $199 per person per night. If you choose to arrive in, say, Rome, and depart from Florence, you'll pay an extra $50 car drop fee.

Not far from Perugia lies Assisi, whose stunning basilica draw devotees of St. Francis; Orvieto wins raves for its wines; and the enchanting springs of Clitunno were immortalized by Lord Byron. For more highlights, visit the region's official site, italiantourism.com/umbria

Savings: In comparison, the lowest round-trip fare we've found between New York City and Florence in early December is $665 (multiple carriers). For about $800 more, FIT covers the five-night stay at an upscale hotel, the five-day car rental, hotel taxes, and fuel surcharges.

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