Barb

Ha, Dayle, yes I am savoring the planning of this trip, unlike last year, but my trip report just might be a tad dull in comparison. I have made a reservation at La Pallotta for a double for 40 euro, can't beat that and their email was very friendly and cordial. Looking at train schedules, from Roma,there appears to be an early train at 8:14 which is nonstop, but it is an interregionale and takes a little longer than the ES. Is this a good idea? Coming home the next day there is a ES at 18:24 arriving in Roma at 20:18, and it is nonstop, so I will probably take that one. So do you think I should take that interregionale, or wait & take the 9:36 ES and have to change trains in Foligno. I would only save approx. 20 min. and have the hassle of changing trains.

CRAZY4TRAVEL

Hi Barb,

I would recommend if you don't take the ES train that you purchase a first class ticket. The first class train on the IC is like second class on the Eurostar. The trains are a little tatty in comparison to ES but not that bad.

It can be quite crowded in second class on the IC trains. I personally would opt to take IC (I did opt to) so you don't have to change trains.

Neopolitan

We stayed a week in Rome in early June and did the day trip to Asisi, going by direct train. We felt it was plenty of time and made a great day trip. We certainly saw all we wanted to see, including the church that's down by the train station -- with the wonderful little "cabin" built inside the church. Sure a night there might be nice, but frankly I wouldn't trade another night in Rome with a really great dinner and strolling the piazzas for a night in Assisi.

Barb

Neopolitan: Did you take the direct Interregionale at 8:14? Did you do 1st class as Crazy4 suggested? Or did you take the later 13:46 ES? I won't have any luggage, just an overnight bag, so I don't mind being in second class, plus it's only 2 hrs.

Neopolitan

I just looked at my notes. We took the Eurostar from Termini at 7:36. Although I don't remember doing so, I guess we did change at Foligno, and we arrived in Assisi at 9:36. We did first class and it cost 40.34 euro for the two of us one way. The train was almost empty, which was good since the two seats we had reserved which were supposed to be two singles facing with a table between them, actually ended up being on opposite sides of the train.

Coming back we took the 6:24 PM train which was direct and was supposed to arrive at Termini at 8:18 PM. When the train got to Foligno, they announced that there was a problem with the track ahead. We actually, reversed directions and went north, circling Perugia, past the big lake and headed down through Orvieto, etc, not the way we were scheduled. It was slow going as we weren't on the regular schedule there. We arrived at Temini at about 10 PM, instead of 8:18.

Barb

thanks for that info. I thought about that earlier train, but hey, I'm on vacation! 8:14 might be a stretch for me...

bjl

I was in Assisi in early January 2006. I spent one night there. I would recommend spending the night so that you can experience the village without so many tourists, as has already been said. One of my favorite photos of my trip is a twilight shot looking down to the countryside from a vantage point I just happened upon in the village. A favorite memory was also from late day when I was descending a staircase/sidewalk and heard dixie jazz. Marching down the street at the bottom of the stairs was a "santa band" - 3 guys dressed in Santa suits marching down the street playing dixie jazz.

Stay overnight for those experiences. I stayed at Hotel Berti which is just inside the village wall. Their website (http://www.hotelberti.it/) shows a single rate of 45 - 55 Euro. However I paid for a double with single use. If you read Trip Advisor reviews about the hotel, there is mention of how small a single room experience was there.

If you go to Assisi, seek out Chiesa di Santo Stefano. After the granduer of multiple churches you'll have seen, this little church is very simple. I felt like this was a church for the humble working man. I was the only one in the church (again late day).

One other thing in taking the train. When you come out of the station, you'll need to take a city bus up the hill to Assisi. It lets you off outside of the village walls, at the lot where all the tourists park!

Barb

Thanks again for all the great info. I am really looking forward to seeing Assisi now. I think I will map out an itinerary to maximize my time there, including lots of time to sit and enjoy just being there.

chiarachiara

Barb, another vote for a night in Assisi! Take direct trains - 2 hours are not that long to spend in a train that might be a little bit more worn than the ES - it is a schlepp to change at Foligno, because you have to go up and down stairs to change binario.

As mentioned by a previous poster, you will get off at Assisi's train station called Santa Maria degli Angeli. When you walk out and do not see the small orange city bus, wait a few minutes - they run very frequently and are dirt cheap compared to the Taxi's. You can buy your ticket at the small Tabacci inside the station building or on the bus!

Enjoy Roma and Assisi!

Barb

That's really good to know about the trains and the bus at the train station, thanks! I am definitely going to take the direct train, 2+ hrs. will be just fine -- hopefully I can just relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery in a part of Umbria that I have not seen before.

Leely

Barb, you <i>are</i> on holiday. I'm pretty okay with just-okay hotels, but I'd pop for a taxi when arriving at the train station. Just an option; I don't think it was too expensive.

Walk up to Rocca Maggiore for magnificent views. And that very simple church someone mentioned above is fantastic--we just stumbled upon it.

Neopolitan

Interesting you say that, Leely. We got off the train and went to the bus stop where a bus came along in about 5 minutes. It was quick, comfortable, and clean. We spoke with a couple there waiting by the bus stop who decided they'd wait for a taxi -- none were in sight. I was told there are very few taxis, you might need to call one, and you might wait a long time for one. I guess I don't get the advantage of paying a lot of money for the privilege of waiting longer to get up to Assisi. Of course if there happens to be one waiting and you don't care about how much it costs, or if you also had a lot of luggage, then. . .

Leely

Yeah, there was one right there when we walked out of the station.

dorkforcemom

We, too, took a day-trip from Rome to Assisi and thoroughly enjoy ourselves. It was extremely easy - changing trains in Foligno and taking the smallish, clean bus from the station up to the hilltown itself. It was a day of welcome relief from the intensity of Rome (which I adore, by the way). This isn't to say that an overnight trip to Assisi wouldn't be as spectacular - I'm just sharing our experience. It was one of my top trip-memory days!

Barb

Thanks all - I'll just have my carryon, so no luggage hassles - what a wonderful thought!! so taking the bus will not be a problem. Any recommendations for good places to eat, small, cozy types. I know I can eat at the hotel, but I'm thinking, cute, local, mom &amp; pop place.

Barb

Not to belabor this issue, but because of a change of plans and the shortening of time I can spend in Rome, I am now trying to decide if I should go to Assisi and if I do, I would have to leave Rome on Sat. 10/14 and come back late on 10/15. I wonder if everything will be closed up tight on Sunday. If it is, then I might just opt not to go. I would have Sat. aft. to visit the churches, but are any of the churches, museums, etc., open on Sun. and what about restaurants?

Saraho

We are staying in Assisi on Oct 18 and 19 in the convent right by the Basilica. It's very inexpensive.

chiarachiara

In Assisi almost everything is open on a Sunday! It will be better to visit the churches on Saturday because some restrict entrance on Sundays while mass is on.

But shops and restaurants are open - except the Alimentaris - I think they are closed.

Barb

Well that's good to know that there will be some things open on Sun. I will plan on seeing all the churches on Sat. Hotel Pallotta kindly changed my reservation!! A single with bath/shower and breakfast for 40 euro - not bad.