fernweh1

I agree Jean. I’m basically just “thinking out loud” at this point. A lot can change in the interim and I’m not ready to have things set in stone. I have family who are in the vacation booking field, and they said they are seeing many people not only inquiring about vacation homes (this is at the OBX), but actually putting down deposits for all next summer. This coming summer is completely booked there. People have Cabin fever like never before I think!

In terms of a rough sketch, penciled in plan, what do you think of this? It would be end of May. (I’ve ruled out September for now)

Arrive Friday to FCO. Train or bus to Perugia. Stay the night Hotel Fortuna (seems to be a Fodor’s fave, but could check into other suggestions)
Saturday explore Perugia (hotel Fortuna)
Sunday pick up car from Budget (thanks Jean!) early before 11 drive to Spello or Assisi - looking at Malvarina agritourismo in Assisi or Terra deli Santi Country House in Spello- night 1 at whichever we choose
Monday- explore Umbria
Tuesday- explore Umbria
Wednesday- explore Umbria
Thursday- explore Umbria
Friday- return car in Perugia, train to Rome
Saturday- Rome
Sunday- Rome
Monday- fly home

my question right now is about Thursday. Should we spend another day in Umbria or should we turn the car in that day and head to Rome. We want to do day trips to maybe Siena and Florence in addition to seeing places like Spoleto, maybe Todi, and San Gemini ( where my daughter studied abroad) so I think we’ll need that fourth full day in Umbria. Maybe if we got an early start on Friday we could be ok with that amount of time in Rome. Any advice, thoughts are greatly appreciated!

zebec

Yo 'F',
Dunno, but perhaps with your time frame it might make sense to take some pressure off by leaving Tuscany for next time. We too are facing similar itinerary questions around whether to add Tuscany on our trip (its been over 30 yrs since last visit).
Oh and forgot to mention above that market day in Spoleto is Tuesday.

If looking for historical Perugia foto ops:
The ancient Etruscans built the dark lane via Volte della pace. Another superbly historic place is the arched corner of v. Aquilone/v. Mesti d. Volti. Here, one could do a 2-fer, as the Talmone Chocolate shop is nearby on the latter street. That choco-shop seemed a more friendly place than the storied pastry shop Sandri, across the way. At Talmone, one is also close to the unique Aquadotto (and also the grisly murder site that once led to so much trouble for American uni student Amanda Knox). Pza Rossi Scotti (aka Porta del Sol) is worth a peek. And of course, there's the obvious Palazzo d. Priori area, with its interesting fountain.
A more peripheral site down in the SE corner, but one just as photogenic and atmospheric, is the sumptuous Chiesa S. Pietro. Some claim that its historic wooden choir row is the best in Italy. *best reached by cab or local bus.
Giardini Carducci has some nice views out to the countryside.

Btw, I could be mistaken, but that same Sulga bus to Perugia may pass through Todi. We took it once, but that was long ago.
I am done. the baci

Jean

Preliminary as it may be, I'm with zebec. Leave Tuscany for another trip. Too much travel time involved from Umbria, and there is a LOT to see in Umbria. Besides the Umbrian towns already mentioned, look into visiting Gubbio. If you make it to San Gemini, you might have time to go a bit farther to Amelia or Marmore Falls. Then there's Norcia, a drive through Monti Sibillini Park.... Oh, dear. Too much!

When you get closer, compare car rental costs if you round-trip Perugia v. picking up Perugia and dropping Foligno or Spoleto. You can train to Rome from both Foligno and Spoleto.