JaredCooker

I have a business conference in Rome Oct 17-18. I'm planning on taking my wife and then spending a few days after the conference to get outside of Rome. We are trying to decide whether to drive north to Umbria or south to Puglia. We love a good mix of adventure and relaxation--especially finding things off the beaten path. Past trips we've gone hiking, biking, river rafting, but we also love just hanging out on the beach in the sun. Unfortunately we only have 4 days (Fri-Mon)--fly home Tuesday).

I'm concerned that by the middle of October the weather will be too cold to really enjoy the beaches in Puglia. Agree or disagree?

Which would you do--Umbria or Puglia? Why?

Thanks in advance!

Sal9000

I don't think you could have picked two areas more unlike one another without throwing in the far north..

If you really enjoy driving long distances, Puglia would be appropriate it's about 6 hours by train; I'm sure driving will not be any faster. It's a beautiful area with some interesting cities; but, in my opinion, it is best suited for a time that you just want to lay around and do little. We were there in March so I can't help you regarding water temperature.

If you really want the seashore, Umbria is definitely out since it is entirely landlocked. Personally, it would be my choice. Perugia and Orvieto are well worth the time to visit. While at Orvieto it is only a short drive into Latio to visit Civita di bagnoreggio. Umbria is also going to save you lots of hours driving.

vespacurves

Puglia beaches will be shut down in October. Apart from the beaches, I don't find Puglia a "beautiful" part of Italy. It is relentlessly flat, with a lot of crap construction and several million agri-industrial olive oil producing farms. The towns are marginally interesting artistically (with the exception of Lecce). However, the flatness makes it a great bicycling destination if that's what you want most out

Umbria, by contrast, has both white-water rafting, lovely hiking (above Assisi), no end of indoor activities if the weather turns bad. Funnily enough, Perugia has now become "off-the-beaten-track" -- with delicious food and chocolate, and incredible historic and artistic interest. You can get further off the tourist trail by going to Narni, Terni and a lot of places other than Spello.

Here's a good website for thinking about the possibilities:

http://www.bellaumbria.net/en/itinerary/

Anna_Galea

I would vote for Umbria - the scenary is spectacular, and there are plenty of beautiful villages, towns and cities to visit. It is also a relatively short trip to get there from Rome, and the locals are so friendly yet polite. Italians from southern Italy are just as friendly (if not more) and helpful, but seem to be bit more short-tempered and loud. You are more likely to come across some people arguing in the streets, or laughing or talking loudly in southern Italy, than you would in Umbria. However, some people might argue that they like these type of personalities more.

It might be a bit warmer in October in Puglia than in Umbria, due to it being more to the south, but I doubt whether it will be warm enough to swim.

Of course, choice between the two regions all has to do with one's particular tastes and interests.

jamikins

My vote would be Umbria...we loved Puglia this year but with so little time I would stick closer to Rome. Umbria has some lovely places and the food will be fantastic in the fall!

gailscout

How about Cinque Terra? No car needed, best by train and less crowds in October. 4 days would be perfect to visit all 5 towns, get in some hiking, eat good seafood and enjoy the views. I'm there now, but earlier in September, spent 4 days in Umbria. Spent too much time driving around to various hill towns. We liked Spello and Assisi but Orvieto and Civito Di Bagnoreggio were awesome!

olivieretcerise

Umbria, given that you only have 4 days. Otherwise, when you manage to get 2 weeks, visit Puglia: it is the most beautiful region in Italy, with so many places to see and things to do

charnees

BTW, Civita di Bagnoregio is only about 30 minutes' drive from Orvieto, so don't let the notin that you are going into another province make you think it is far away. There are also some forested parks not far west and north of Orvieto where you can hike or bike. (I can't remember the names and am not home to look them up -- about to go the airport to return home, so I can't take the time to search in the Internet.) And south of Pitigliano is a forested hill on which many ancient Etruscan tombs have been discovered. It would be be about 1 1/2 hours to Pitigliano, which is a stunning town clinging to a cliff above a river, and another 15 to 20 minutes farther to the Etruscan park.

vespacurves

I realize beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but a statement like "Puglia is the most beautiful region of Italy" seems almost mean it is such misleading information for most travelers. Nor does it have a "lot to do" compared with other regions in Italy like Umbria, the Veneto, Tuscany, Sicily and Emila-Romagna.

I mean, it's nice you liked your trip to Puglia and it has some attractions, but if you can't see why the other areas of Italy have attracted and thrilled travelers far beyond what anybody has yet to discover in Puglia, the mind boggles.

JaredCooker

You people are awesome! Thanks for taking time to respond. After more research--and your helpful comments--I think I'm leaning to Umbria. Next step is to book flights and the Rome part of our trip. Then I'll have to figure out what we want to see in Umbria and where we'll stay.

If any of you have suggestions along those lines, that would be great!

uhoh_busted

We had two weeks in Umbria last year, here's the TR: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-umbria.cfm

We stayed just outside of Spoleto, and loved it, although as the days will be a bit shorter, you might want to stay in town. Try to find a place in the upper part of town, and the views are fantastic. But location wise, you can easily get to many places in Umbria from there.

The food and wine in the region is amazing. We also loved Todi.

Sal9000

We stayed at the Brufani Palace in Perugia. A beautiful old building, very well maintained. Outstanding breakfast; enclosed parking (pay). I'm not certain we would pick it again but was a really nice experience.

StCirq

Umbria, hands down!