Italy: Where to base in Umbria, Todi or Spello?
#1
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Italy: Where to base in Umbria, Todi or Spello?
I'm in the process of planning a 2+ week trip to Tuscany and Umbria that we'll be taking in early summer. Since we'll have a car we'll definitely stay one week in Montepulciano and use it as a base to explore Chianti, the area around Montepulciano/Montalcino, San Galgano, Cortona and other areas in the north. The question now is where do we base ourselves for the more southern/eastern part of the trip? I'm leaning towards either Todi or Spello. Has anyone out there been to both and have an opinion one way or another or have other suggestions. Other areas/towns on the itinerary are Pitigliano, Assisi, Orvieto, Trevi, Montefalco, Civita di Bagnoregio, Spoletto and Narni, Norcia and the Piano Grande. If it makes any difference we're more into beautiful towns and landscapes to drive and photograph than museums. I'd love to find a town of the same size and/or flavor of Montepulciano. Any advice you can provide is much appreciated!
#2
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Having spent 2 weeks in Umbria last September, I would stay in either one! It is so easy to drive around Umbria from either. We had a terrific Sunday afternoon meal in Todi here: http://www.panevinotodi.com/ and there were a couple of other places that looked like wonderful choices. I think Norcia is a bit removed to use as a base, but it is a wonderful daytrip. Spello is popular here, and we liked it very much as a town, but not so sure about dining options. We stayed outside Spoleto in a quiet little hamlet. Had a great garden with wonderful views, and we cooked home all but about 3 evenings. I'd go back in a minute. (My TR is here: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-umbria.cfm )
Decide if you want views and outdoor space, or in-town charm and convenience. Make sure you get parking. You are wise to stick to two towns, just start there and check out your options, if you aren't happy, add Spoleto and Montefalco to the mix. Between those four, you should be able to find a terrific spot.
Decide if you want views and outdoor space, or in-town charm and convenience. Make sure you get parking. You are wise to stick to two towns, just start there and check out your options, if you aren't happy, add Spoleto and Montefalco to the mix. Between those four, you should be able to find a terrific spot.
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I stayed in Todi twice now and it's a great base to tour from...also the town has a reasonable size to offer more than a smaller hill town. Driving around Umbria is pretty easy and even Sienna is reachable from Todi as a day trip. Orvietto, Assissi and Gubbio are all easy day trips...enjoy, it's a beautiful area.
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We rented a house outside Todi in 2004. It was a very attractive town with a lovely main piazza and an upmarket feel. For daytrips you can either take the highway, I think it's the E45, or the scenic little roads. Montecastello di Vibio with its tiny theater is nearby. We daytripped to Orvieto, Perugia, and Assisi/Spello/Montefalco. I'd also consider staying around Spello/Montefalco/Bevagna area as there are many towns in a small area and more art than in Todi and its immediate surroundings.