My DD is in school in Perugia & we are going to visit her. Would like to do a couple of day trips from the town. Thinking about Gubbio, Torgiano/Deruta, Assisi/Spello, Corciano, perhaps Todi or Spoleto would not be too far. We have 2 teen age boys who would be more interested in castles than churches. Any thought? Thanks

I based in Perugia and did day trips by bus to Gubbio (i did not have a car), Todi, Assisi and Cortona (the latter two i did by train but bus may be quicker) - Gubbio was my favorite but all are gems. The bus went thru Deruta en route to Todi - did not seem all that great except for the ceramics i guess but really did not see it all. Todi is an easy day trip from Perugia.

Gubbio has roman ruins as well as a castle. Deruta is one of our favorite and most repeated towns--fabulous selections of ceramics from mass produced to truly artisanal quality. Assisi is a must and has all sorts of "levels" to explore. Lots of etruscan roots to explore right in Perugia. Re: Torgiano-Check out Bettona and its old walls as well.

I would guess that Spoleto and Todi would be too far to be comfortable. Consider Bevagna and Montefalco. And Cortona would be a possibility as well. You'll have plenty of targets to keep you busy and interested.

You are probably going to need to do some google searches and look beyond this message board to find activities to excite your teenage boys. Most people posting here are retired or interested in hilltowns that teenagers aren't. They don't visit castles and those types of attractions by and large.

I do think Gubbio is a good choice, with a ride on its unique funicular. Your boys may surprise you by being fascinated by labyrinthian Perugia itself, and it wonderful escalators, views, staircases, layers of historic infrastructure, and great chocolate and other wonderful treats (good pizza there, too, near the fountain).

I've never been to Narni, but you might want to check out its medieval castle, which has the added cachet of supposedly being right at the heart of geopgraphical Italy.

http://www.bellaumbria.net/Narni/rocca-narni.jpg

http://www.italianvisits.com/umbria/narni/

Castiglione del Lago on Lake Trasimeno might be worthwhile to check out. I've never been, but the lake has the added attractions of an island to explore, plus the knowledge that this is the area where Hannibal and his elephants broke the back of the Roman army.

http://www.borghitalia.it/html/borgo...dice_borgo=719

Another sightseeing opportunity that might be within reach are the Frassasi stalachtite caves near the Gola di Furlo. But it would be a fairly long drive past Gubbio, albeit through marvelous countryside.

http://www.le-marche.com/Marche/html/frasassi.htm

Here is a wonderful picture of the Rocca del Leone on Lake Trasimeno, It really may be just what you are looking for.

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/14232764

I understand it is one of the finest examples of medieval military architecture in Umbria.

You guys are awesome! Zeppole, the boys & dad would love Rocca del Leone. We only have 2 days for side trips so perhaps Gubbio would be one & the other??? Perhaps Lake Trasimeno & Castiglione del Lago. Deruta was for me, perhaps I can find ceramics other places. Will look into the towns towns you all mentioned. Thanks again.

I was in Perugia last June.
You might be interested to read my trip report :
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...for-6-days.cfm

Thanks Pvoyageuse. Sounds like Gubbio should be a choice for sure. Todi looks interesting too.

Betsy, since I haven't been to the Rocca del Leone, I can't vouch for it, but that would be my pick plus Gubbio. You will be able to find Deruta ceramics in Peruguia, I would think. Ask at your hotel or check this out:

http://shopping.perugiaonline.com/ca...&prov=pag=1&p=

You can make an entire daytrip out of Lago Trasimeno. There's a nice beach in Castiglione del Lago (and a good Saturday - I think - market), and you can take the ferry out to Isola Maggiore (where there is a castle, as well as lacemakers). In Passignano, your boys would enjoy clambering up and around the narrow alleys to the top of town, where there are fabulous views (and really good gelato at the main café in the tiny center of town. The tower at Varnazzano is leaning even more than the one in Pisa.Magione has a gorgeous castle at the top of the hill (where they hold concerts on summer evenings). If you can, spend a day circumnavigating the lake.

bus schedules out of Perugia to neighboring towns:

www.apmperugia.it

And be sure to buy your bus ticket IME before getting on the bus - from a caffe or in larger towns from the bus depot kiosk - and i guess you have to cancel them yourself once aboard - can't quite remember

And Perugia has its own funicular too, though not as primitive as the one in Gubbio IMO

Betsy, will you have a car or are you relying on trains and buses? That can make a difference -- the train to Todi stops a couple of kilometres outside of town and it's a long steep walk up!

I wouldn't rule out Spoleto, it's only a little more than an hour by train from Perugia and your teens might enjoy walking the amazing Ponte delle Torre (a huge 14th century bridge that spans a deep gorge); climbing around the Roman ampitheatre; exploring the medieval fortress/prison, the Rocca del Albornoz; and the town's various little winding streets and twists.

Similarly with Gubbio and Assisi, these towns' geography alone make them fun to explore. Assisi also has a huge Albornoz fortress hanging over the town, and Gubbio's funicular (dubbed the bucket of bolts by Maitai Tom) is fun to ride -- you basically have to jump on while it's moving and stand in a little cage riding up. And down.

And Perugia could keep your family occupied for several days. The minimetro is really helpful for getting up and down from the train station; underground Perugia is kind of eery to explore; and don't miss the Museo delle Mura e delle Porte di Perugia. A museum of medieval walls and gates sounds weird, but it's built inside the medieval Porta Sant' Angelo and you climb high up through the watchtower to access different parts of the museum and at the top, you walk out onto a terrace with spectacular 360 degree views.

Betsy,

I too really liked Gubbio. Very fascinating town and wonderful views from their main piazza. The "bucket of bolts" (as MaitaiTom calls it) ride up the mountain is the strangest and OLDEST, lift of any type this skier has every tried!

Gubbio is also famous for its own ceramics and there are several amazing shops (and artists)to see there. However, I didn't personally care for their traditional Gubbio patterns, but there are others to choose from.

Your boys might enjoy visiting the sops that feature Gubbio's other specialty - weaponry. Some very scary stuff.

the train to Todi stops a couple of kilometres outside of town and it's a long steep walk up!>

Though a non Trenitalia train goes at a snail's pace to Todi, where like said the derelict graffiti-covered shelter that serves as a station is remote and at the bottom of the hill from the town itself buses are a much better bet to go there from Perugia - i took the bus each way - it goes right thru Dereuta too. I did see the train trundling along and incredibly many of the windows were even graffiti painted over. Looked really dumpy, that train. Plus buses go right up to near the top of Todi and leave from on top of Perugia as well.

Thanks for all the info. Wish we had more time!! Dayle, I think my boys would love the shops with the weaponry.