Day trips in Umbria
 

We will be spending 1 week in central Umbria and would like to take day trips. Where should we go? Keep in mind we have a car but will not spend the night anywhere. Thanks

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If your just looking for names of towns to check out, try these:Orvieto, Todi, Spoleto, Assisi, Spelo, Bevagna, Montefalco, Trevi.

Thanks Henry, <BR> <BR>Of the places you mentioned, which ones do you favor and what would you see, where would you eat? <BR> <BR>Jonathan

Jonathan, I suggest that you invest in a good guidebook such as Cadogan's guide on Umbria. There is too much to see and do to answer any of your questions specifically. And don't forget Perugia. You really need to decide what interests you and then post a more specific question.

I loved Orvieto. The town is beautiful and the cathedral is incredible. However, it's not in Umbria. I believe it is in Lazio. Nonetheless, worth the trip. <BR> <BR>We loved Spoleto also. But check out when the Umbrian Jazz Festival happens (I think July?) to either ensure reservations or to avoid the crowds. <BR> <BR>Assisi was positively fascinating and gorgeous. I would highly recommend this. We took a personalized tour for the day with Anne Robichaud and recommend her highly (here website is www.annesitaly.com)... <BR> <BR>Spello was a disappointment in that there was much under construction and on a Sunday, we couldn't find much happening. Restaurants were closed and there was no really town center. Also, banging up our rental car on the narrow medieval streets didn't help our experience. <BR> <BR>In fact, in all of these towns, recommend you buy an Eyewitness Guide to Italy and study the road signs so you'll know symbobls for one way streets, do not enter, pedestrian way only. Approach these narrow streets various slowly as we got stuck a number of times and had to back out. By comparison, the Autostrade was a piece if cake!

Jonathan, you don't say where you are starting from, I'm assuming it's Rome? Orvieto is a must see, Assisi is an incredible experience--doesn't matter what your religion--makes St. Francis come to life, I'm not particularly fond of Spoleto or Perugia but many like them, Gubbio is most interesting with its death doors and pottery, Montefalco is a quiet town with an incredible panoramic view of the Umbria countryside, and Bevagna is another wonderful little town.Last time we were there, we just drove in circles, finding one after another charming little towns with great art and great food. Restaurant suggestions: in Gubbio the Taverna del Lupo or Fornace di Mastro Giorgio both in interesting buildings. in Assisi Buca di San Francesco--slightly touristy but good.In Orvieto Le Grotte del Funaro--in a cave in the rock--best at lunch, too touristy at dinner. I'm pretty sure Orvieto is in Umbria--granted very far south, but Umbria still.

Thanks Kam, <BR> <BR>Our base is a little village called Collapepe in Central Unbria, @ 30min south of Perugia. Thanks for your imput. Any other suggestions for day trips are much appreciated.

leslie a point of borders. orvieto is considered to be in southern umbria not in lazio. it was made famous as a retreat for popes when it got to politically hot in roma(in lazio) and the facade of the church is world famous

Any other suggestions on day trips, sites, restaurants in Umbria?

Hi, love Gubbio, this is a jewel.

We stayed in Orvieto as a base for 3 nights and did day trips from there. We completely loved Orvieto. A fabulous modern city full of interesting modern/ancient everything. Clean, just the right size, great food, shopping, great underground caves, duomo, wine, art and shopping! Be sure to drive to nearby Civita di Bagnoreggio - an ancient hilltown accessible only by foot. Truly not to be missed and doable in a couple hours. Be sure to take coins for the parking meters before you start the walk.

Other people on this forum can give you lots of info on the tourist’s spots (what to see and where to eat) but since you’ve picked a spot off the beaten path let me give you a few suggestions. A couple km (an estimate) east of where you’ll be staying on the Valley Puglia road is a restaurant called Valley Puglia (it’s on the way to Gualdo Cattaneo). They have good food at modest prices. The first time we were there we were treated nicely, the second time we were treated like old customers. They treated us to appetizers and brought out the grappa after the bill. Gualdo Cattaneo is worth the half-hour it will take to see the historical section, it’s right on your way to Bevegna (continue through Gualdo Cattaneo on the main, only, road and you’ll see the signs for Bevegna. All the roads are not shown on the official maps. For what it’s worth I liked Spoleto best, lots to see and some very good places to eat. I would avoid it during the festival of two worlds (opera) because of the crowds.

Jonathan, Dh is is in Perugia as we speak. Maybe when he returns, I will recover and will be able to send you some recommendations for the area.We've been there several times, but will get his up to the minute recommendations! It's very hard to be left behind, if only for business, when he goes to Perugia! Grinding my teeth......

Kam and Henry <BR> <BR>Thank you for your follow-up. We will be going in mid-September, so any bits and pieces are appreciated. <BR>You suggestions I'm sure will help us enjoy our honeymoon so much more. Thank you again. <BR> <BR>Jonathan