Perugia
 

Looking at spending 3 days in Perugia instead of Orte. Was it damaged by the recent earthquakes? Anybody been there? Thoughts? I won't have a car and know that I have to take a bus or taxi to Orvieto. I am looking for towns where I do not have to transfer trains. There is one to Perugia and then one from there to Spoleto. If not Perugia, any suggestions? Don't want to go too far north.

I've stayed several days in Perugia and loved it - a larger hill town than the proverbial Tuscan or Umbrian hill town but lively -large student contingent from Italy and abroad makes it so. And a lovely old town with neat main square with huge church, etc.

And great train links - including a regional train, not part of Trenitalia, to places like Todi.

But the train stations are of course at the bottom of the huge hill Perugia crowns - buses also go everywhere and leave from right near the center.

I loved Perugia but you do not hear much about it here.

<I won't have a car and know that I have to take a bus or taxi to Orvieto>

Well Perugia is about exactly the same - Orvieto has a cable way of some kind from station to the town itself but still a bit from the main area. You may have to take a bus from Perugia's station as well.

Been to Orvieto too and loved it too - a bit smaller I think or seemed than Perugia.

Perugia has buses to Assisi- Gubbio - Todi - and many more - cheap and frequent.

Perugia has escalators going up to the city from parking garage, bus station. None going down, just stairs.

There was only minor damage in Perugia. You might see some scaffolding where repair work is going on.

I spent 3 days in Perugia in March of last year. I didn't even leave the town during this time, it was mostly very cold and windy, with some rain and fog. I found enough to do and had a wonderful time. I will be back.

On two occasions we've spent four or five nights there and really enjoyed our experience. One time we had a car and drove to Assisi and Gubbio. The other time we used buses to get around.

They have nice restaurants and a nice serene setting, which we enjoyed. We stayed at the Hotel Fortuna both times and recommend it for anyone. It's located about 50 meters from one of the two connected main piazzas.

Buon viaggio,

Perugia has escalators going up to the city from parking garage, bus station. None going down, just stairs.>

How about the train station - same escalators -I recall down long flights of stairs - better to take buses to city center I guess.

To get to Orvieto, I'd take the train, with a change at Orte. It's a pretty long trip, about 2 1/2 hours each way, not counting the trips between the station and center of town.

In Orvieto, there is a funicular railway that takes you up to the town from the station. In Perugia, apart from buses, there is a "minimetro" which connects the center of town to the train station. I think it's a kind of monorail, completely automatic. We've never gone there by train, always by car.

The minimetro also connects to a large parking lot outside the city, which is a convenient place to park if you're driving.

http://www.minimetrospa.it/immagini/map_web.pdf

Thanks so much for your input.

Here is the place I stayed in, excellent value and wonderful location:
https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/primavera-mini.html

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