Help Please!
We're booked into a hotel near Cortona for 2 days and can't cancel. We definately want to visit Cortona outside of that can anyone suggest small chaming towns around Cortona. We've done all the area south of Siena, ie Pienza, Montalcino,etc east of the A1. We thought Umbria would be great to check out but are not sure what the" do not miss" places would be. Hear its not so pretty toward Perugia, is Assisi worth a visit?? Any other suggestions greatly anticipated.
Thanks Tons

My first suggestion for "don't miss" would be Gubbio. Most people consider Assisi a "don't miss" also. Spoleto is a charming town.

Patrick is correct. We just returned from Assisi (and many other places) and I feel Assisi is a definite "don't miss". But you need to go all the way up not just stay near the basilica. Gubbio and Spoleto are also excellent. You also have Lago Tresameno (I don't think I spelled that correctly) and the castle. But if you're going to have a car, just wander in and out of villages. Everything is worth a stop for whatever experiences you have there.

I haven't been to Spoleto, but I second (or third) Assisi and Gubbio.

Perugia itself is worth a visit. Assisi is a must see, especially in the evening when the tour bus crowds have gone and you can enjoy wandering through the town in relative peace and quiet. The walk up to the fort rewards you with a marvelous view of the Umbrian countryside. Although I haven't been myself (I hope to this year), Orvieto has been described as a must see town in Umbria.

Another vote for Assisi. Gubbio is nice, but it's not, in my opinion, as interesting as Assisi, and it would be a much longer drive from Cortona.

We returned a couple of weeks ago from a stay at Villa Monte Solare which is south of Cortona, near lake Trasimeno. From that base, we easily visited Perugia, Assisi, Gubbio and Montefalco. Even closer is the charming hilltown of Panicale with some spectacular Perugino frescos to see, equally charming Paciano and Citta delle Pieve for more Perugino masterpieces.

To Everyone who has replied, I thank you. You have eased my mind. Your suggestions are noted and greatly appreciated. I feel comfortable that we will have pleanty of beautiful and interesting places to see in the area. Orieveto is our last stop before Rome. Any suggestions reguarding lovely charming places to stay are very welcome.