Does anyone have specific knowledge for cities of Perugia and Assisi about earthquake damage/advisability of visiting these two cities as we're scheduled to do Sept. 9 2016?

Would it be advisable to rearrange itinerary to Italian area further from center of earthquake?

Also, is train or road travel impacted near those two locations (Trenitalia website shows normal scheduled travel).

Thanks to anyone with information.

Neither city has had any damage. Keep your plans.

We will be in Spello in a week or so. I know there is no damage in Spello but my question is: Will we be in the way if we go there? Will we be on routes used by emergency services? After such a terrible tragedy, the last thing anyone wants is to add to the upheaval. So, should tourists stay away from the area in general?

I doubt you'll be in the way in Spello. It's not really on route to the area most affected.

I should have mentioned; we will be driving to Spello from Rome.

It's still not on the route from Rome.

Thank you

Jackie44,, we spent two weeks in Spello last fall. You will love it. Good choice.

Thanks - good to hear. We will be there for 5 nights. Any restaurant recommendations?

We've spent two weeks in Spello. We like Il Pinturicchio, Osteria de Dada, La Cantina, Osteria del Buchetto, and l'Orlando Furuioso (for pizza). Reservations are a must for Osteria de Dada and La Cantina.

I know what you mean blueridge as we were having the same thoughts about our visit to Perugia in a couple of weeks.

Actually the hotel where we are staying posted on Facebook that all is well there and please do come. So I wonder if you could check with your lodging in the area and see if they have recs/concerns?

indyhiker do you know if Il Molino in Spello is still good? Probably looking for lunch, since a day trip from Perugia.

For some reason, we've never made it to Il Molino so I can't say. Sorry!

There is a report from a Northern Ireland woman living in Spello about the earthquake. The house shook and everything on shelves fell down, but there was no structural damage, and life continues as normal. So while you can expect some superficial damage, and perhaps an isolated building with structural damage, on the whole Spello escaped widespread damage and life continues as before.

We're in southern Le Marche right now, nearer to the epicenter than Spello is. There was no damage to any buildings here, and I can't believe there was any damage in Spello. I've just searched in local news sites for Umbra, and none mention any damage in Spello or nearby Assisi.

At my house, a piece of soap fell in the sink, but nothing fell from a shelf or counter.

The other day, an American staying in Montepulciano reported to an American news program that destruction was widespread in the town. It was sheer fantasy, or maybe worse. In fact, the quake was barely felt there.

The American said he had decamped from Montepulciano to Rome, which is funny, because Rome is much closer to the earthquake zone, just a little further than we are.

Some people exaggerate their frightening experiences, for various reasons. Sometimes it's because they were scared out of their wits; sometimes they just want to get the spotlight.

In our house, we heard a terrible roaring noise, but the only thing that fell was a piece of soap that fell in the sink.

The only thing I could find related to Spello about the earthquake is that some agriturismi there are offering hospitality to victims.

indyhiker: thanks for the recommendations!

Thank you, annw, for your updated information. You're right that contacting the hotels is a good idea. Our hotel in Perugia responded quickly that there was no damage in the town, nor to the nearby towns to which we might day trip. Our Assisi hotel has yet to respond, but I've now read some accounts that Assisi is fine, too, to date.

We are keeping our plans in place and looking forward to the trip - wishing everyone else great travel experiences.

bvlenci, was there no damage in Ascoli Piceno proper? I haven't read of any.

bvlenci very glad to hear you are ok.

Safe journeys, everyone!