Umbria...1 out of the way, special place or thing
Sep 1st, 2012, 06:30 AM
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Umbria...1 out of the way, special place or thing
So thanks to all of you for the richness of your experience and insights about Umbria. I've already got lots of infomration and it has been very helpful in planning our trip.
My wife and I are travelling tomorrow for a 3 week trip to Rome and Umbria for our 30th Wedding Anniversary. 6 nights in Rome, 4 at Le Loggie Di Silvigagno in Spoleto and then 11 days of who- knows- where wandering.
I would love to have a list of some of your favorite out of the way, special places, things, restaurants, roads, villages, that I might not otherwise find.
Thanks in advance for the help!
My wife and I are travelling tomorrow for a 3 week trip to Rome and Umbria for our 30th Wedding Anniversary. 6 nights in Rome, 4 at Le Loggie Di Silvigagno in Spoleto and then 11 days of who- knows- where wandering.
I would love to have a list of some of your favorite out of the way, special places, things, restaurants, roads, villages, that I might not otherwise find.
Thanks in advance for the help!
Sep 1st, 2012, 06:58 AM
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Visit the town of Trevi, not far from Spoleto, fairly early in you stay. We were there last year, and it was completing renovations of the centro historica. It is lovely. There is a wonderful little museum about the region, which I found to be quite good, and it would have been nice to know some of the things it shows BEFORE visiting much of the rest of Umbria. (Good info!) You could easily to Trevi and Montefalco on the same day. Check on my name for the travel report. It has some of the kinds of suggestions you are looking for...
Sep 1st, 2012, 07:00 AM
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Where is zeppole [a Fodorite who lives in Italy and spurned tourist-laden places] when we need her?!
Be sure to see the aqua duct in Spoleto.
Not out of the way, but we truly enjoyed Gubbio. We based in Perugia which we also loved. A day trip to Deruta (the upper town) was very enjoyable if you like ceramics.
Have fun.
Be sure to see the aqua duct in Spoleto.
Not out of the way, but we truly enjoyed Gubbio. We based in Perugia which we also loved. A day trip to Deruta (the upper town) was very enjoyable if you like ceramics.
Have fun.
Sep 1st, 2012, 07:51 AM
#4
Cascata delle Marmore (Marmore Falls). Take the road south from Spoleto. The Falls are about 5 miles from Terni. Time your visit to see the water release.
http://www.bellaumbria.net/en/nature...marmore-falls/
Not out of the way, but we enjoyed driving the roads between Spoleto and Todi and Spoleto and the Bastardo/Montefalco area. Another scenic drive is around and through Parco Sibilini.
There wasn't a town we didn't enjoy, but Gubbio, Bevagna and Todi stand out in my memory (besides Spoleto, of course). If you want to take a longer drive, consider Urbino.
http://www.bellaumbria.net/en/nature...marmore-falls/
Not out of the way, but we enjoyed driving the roads between Spoleto and Todi and Spoleto and the Bastardo/Montefalco area. Another scenic drive is around and through Parco Sibilini.
There wasn't a town we didn't enjoy, but Gubbio, Bevagna and Todi stand out in my memory (besides Spoleto, of course). If you want to take a longer drive, consider Urbino.
Sep 1st, 2012, 08:12 AM
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Look for the little man in Todi, trying to hide behind a column:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57622914974923
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57622914974923
Sep 1st, 2012, 09:17 AM
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L'Antico Forziere - Deruta
Locanda del Borgo - Pietralunga
I Capricci di Merlon - on the lake Trasimeno
La Locanda del Capitano - Montone
Il Maniero - on outskirts of Assisi on a hill
Agriturismo Ristorante Calagrana - in the provence of Umbertide
All the above have very good reviews on their cuisine and offer accomodation
Locanda del Borgo - Pietralunga
I Capricci di Merlon - on the lake Trasimeno
La Locanda del Capitano - Montone
Il Maniero - on outskirts of Assisi on a hill
Agriturismo Ristorante Calagrana - in the provence of Umbertide
All the above have very good reviews on their cuisine and offer accomodation
Sep 1st, 2012, 12:11 PM
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Two of our favorite places are the Piano Grande and its small mountain hamlet of Castelluccio. Another town not to miss is Spello......Trevii, Spello, Assisi and others are all right off the highway going north from Spoloto. Another lovely drive is taking the SS 209 after going through the tunnel just outside Spoloto and head north toward the Piano grande. One of our favorite meals of many trips is to be found right as you come out the tunnel.....head north and almost immediately take the first left....you will see signs...it is also a B and B.......windy road but well worth a special evening.....the food was fabulous and the prices were very reasonable.
Sep 1st, 2012, 12:35 PM
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I would second the Locanda del Capitano in Montone. It is a charming hotel and restaurant in a captivating village. We rented a tiny house in the village, and the Locanda was across the (pedestrian only) street, with very good food.
This is a not so well known part of Umbria, the Upper Tiber Valley, and I would also suggest that you can follow the Piero della Francesca Trail. There are many small towns in the area where you can see Piero's incredibly beautiful art works close up. You will not be disappointed in any but perhaps the most memorable is the Legend of The True Cross in Arezzo, a series of remarkable frescoes in the church of St. Francis.
It is a wonderful way to see this part of Umbria. Lucky you!
This is a not so well known part of Umbria, the Upper Tiber Valley, and I would also suggest that you can follow the Piero della Francesca Trail. There are many small towns in the area where you can see Piero's incredibly beautiful art works close up. You will not be disappointed in any but perhaps the most memorable is the Legend of The True Cross in Arezzo, a series of remarkable frescoes in the church of St. Francis.
It is a wonderful way to see this part of Umbria. Lucky you!
Sep 1st, 2012, 12:37 PM
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Woops! Just noticed you leave tomorrow. Quickly Google Piero della Francesca, look at the Wikipedia site, print out a couple of pages and take them with you. You can find all the rest when you get there.
Sep 3rd, 2012, 01:20 AM
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taconlctraveler - does the house you stayed in have a website?.
Totally agree with you that this part of Umbria is not so well known, but so beautiful, Besides the lovely typical Urban countryside, from some areas you can even see the Apennine mountains in the distance. Italians who we met in this area mention how much they love this part of Umbria as it is not so touristy. We must include a visit the Church of St. Francis - it sounds so beautiful!!.
If in this area, OP might also go for a visit to Citta' Di Castello - the body of Belssed Margaret of Citta' di Castello is intact and its tomb is found on the alter of one of its churches. The story of her life is sad, yet so inspiring - a film was also produced on her life.
In Christamstime there is a very large exhibition of cribs coming from many parts of Italy, like Naples etc, and from Spain and other countries, in the large hall in the centre of Citta' di Castello, not to mention the Babbo di Natale in Canoe, when for Christmas, an event organized by the canoe association, when the canoeists dress as Father Christmases, descend by canoes, all lit up, down the Tiber river, and disembark at the shore of this city and distribute gifts to children.
ksddfam - again enjoy beautiful Umbria!!
Totally agree with you that this part of Umbria is not so well known, but so beautiful, Besides the lovely typical Urban countryside, from some areas you can even see the Apennine mountains in the distance. Italians who we met in this area mention how much they love this part of Umbria as it is not so touristy. We must include a visit the Church of St. Francis - it sounds so beautiful!!.
If in this area, OP might also go for a visit to Citta' Di Castello - the body of Belssed Margaret of Citta' di Castello is intact and its tomb is found on the alter of one of its churches. The story of her life is sad, yet so inspiring - a film was also produced on her life.
In Christamstime there is a very large exhibition of cribs coming from many parts of Italy, like Naples etc, and from Spain and other countries, in the large hall in the centre of Citta' di Castello, not to mention the Babbo di Natale in Canoe, when for Christmas, an event organized by the canoe association, when the canoeists dress as Father Christmases, descend by canoes, all lit up, down the Tiber river, and disembark at the shore of this city and distribute gifts to children.
ksddfam - again enjoy beautiful Umbria!!
Sep 8th, 2012, 10:23 PM
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Thanks to all for the suggestions.
Leaving Rome today on the 1:30 train to Spoleto. We are staying at Le Logge di Silvignano, http://www.leloggedisilvignano.it. Alberto, the owner, is picking us up at the train station and will take us back into town to rent our car in the morning. The Umbrian journey begins after 6 wonderful, but intense days in Rome. More soon...
Leaving Rome today on the 1:30 train to Spoleto. We are staying at Le Logge di Silvignano, http://www.leloggedisilvignano.it. Alberto, the owner, is picking us up at the train station and will take us back into town to rent our car in the morning. The Umbrian journey begins after 6 wonderful, but intense days in Rome. More soon...
Sep 9th, 2012, 02:21 AM
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Probably the most unusual thing to do in Umbria is watch them turn on the waterfall near Terni:
http://www.bellaumbria.net/en/nature...marmore-falls/
http://www.bellaumbria.net/en/nature...marmore-falls/
Sep 9th, 2012, 11:29 AM
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Anna_galea: it is in a website called "summersleases". A UK site. Look for "Montone Due"
There are two other good looking rentals in the old part of the village. One owned by a frequent poster on SloTrav, which is larger, and the other just outside the walls, small, but with great views.
There are two other good looking rentals in the old part of the village. One owned by a frequent poster on SloTrav, which is larger, and the other just outside the walls, small, but with great views.
Sep 9th, 2012, 12:30 PM
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We thought the Piano Grande was a beautiful place. It's a high valley in the heart of Umbria, very scenic. Gubbio is very nice. Also, Citta di Castello is an interesting small city, although not full of sightseeing spectacles. The central piazza has a double clock face on the city hall. One clock tells the hour, the other the time.
