marcia svartman

Dear friends <BR> <BR>I made my bookings for Tuscany for my two weeks trip to Italy and now would like a nice place to stay in Umbria .I imagine it should be central so I could travell all around.I plan to stay in Umbria for 7 days. Would it be better to stay a couple days close to Perugia and then travell south?

Ali

Check out hese web sites, they offer great rentals in the Umbria area. I've used them before and they are very reliable and pleasent to work with. <BR>www.rentvilas.com <BR>the second is called Italia Reservations, I belive they are based out of Carmillo California. It would be wise to rent for a week and drive to many towns in Umbria that are not accesable to you by way of a train. <BR>Good Luck! <BR>

marcia

Thank you Ali <BR>I was trying to find a farm ,(bed and breakfast) where I could really feel the way of life in Italy. <BR>Would anyone know such a place?

Barbara

Hi Marcia, <BR> <BR>In 1993, we had a delightful stay on a farm outside Todi. The older part of the property was a restored villa. For the equivilent of about $60/night (October), we had the second floor suite, two rooms with frescoed ceilings, a very well-appointed bath and huge windows that looked out on the olive groves. Found it in Karen Brown -- the name is La Palazzeta. The host, Ennio, was cordial, meals were good (breakfast minimal), and we had a dog for companionship. Easy drives to Todi, Orvieto, Assisi, Perugia, etc. Fax at 011 39 075 8853358. There are other rooms in the newer building, but they are more rustic. All meals are served, but are optional. There is a pool, if you're there in the summertime. Buon Viaggio!

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Check out the wonderful Umbrian places <BR>at my favorite web site www.initaly.com <BR>Especially the ones in Spoleto and <BR>Bevigna---great locations. Tell them I <BR>sent you if you book these. You will <BR>like Umbria---you can do it all from <BR>one good location.

russ

I just checked out the initaly.com site recommmended by Bob the N. I have stayed at some of these places and they were quite good. I can telll you that Montefalco was a nice central loaction for exploring Umbria. I tried booking at the Camiano Piccolo a couple years ago (which is on the initaly site) but they were sold out, so they put us in a newly restored farmhouse about a 100 yards away. We had a bedroom, livingroom, kitchen and bath all to our selves for 100,000 lire per night total, as well as use of the pool at the Camiano Piccolo. We were the only non-Italians there. <BR> <BR>If you are lucky enough to be there in August for Ferragosto, spend it in Montefalco. We had a great time watching the towns woodwind and brass orchestra playing in the main piazza (Beatles tunes!), followed by a candlelit procession. For dinner, each of the towns 4 quarters sets up an outdoor "taverna". The food is cooked on giant open-flame wood-grills and is served by the town's children. For $10 we had various bruschette, pasta e fagioli, grill meat and vegetables and wine. We conversed in bad Italian with the locals who seemed to enjoy us as much as we did them. This was truly a local experience, and one of my favoite Italy memories.

russ

Marcia, <BR> <BR>I had posted this in the "off the beaten path" thread, but since it also pertains to your question. <BR> <BR>My vote for best room in Umbria was at the Pomurlo Vecchio, a 12th century stone farmhouse near the town of Baschi, halfway between Orvieto and Todi. This was not as centrally located as Montefalce, but the farmhous was great. Arched stone ceilings, giant wrought iron light fixtures, double doors opening onto the hills of rolling grain, all for 80,000 lire each, including dinner and breakfast. Make sure they book you in this building, not the newer structures which they also own down the road (although dinner is served at the newer complex). <BR> <BR>

sally

We, too, are going to Umbria. Check out the Website, Salveumbria.com. The villas, houses, apts. all look great and are very reasonable (I've not stayed in them, but want to). Also, the Umbria guide by Touring Club of Italy lists may "farm" holidays in back. <BR>Let me know what you come across!

ralphie

Back in 1997, just after the earthquake, I used Assisi as a 'home base' to explore Umbrian and Tuscan towns. It worked out well, although the town was semi-deserted due to the cathedral being closed for repairs. If you end up near Assisi or Perugia, I'd like to recommend an early-morning drive to the top of Mt.Subasio, where there are spectacular views.

marcia svartman

Dear friends <BR>Thanks for the help. <BR>I contacted Pomurlo Vecchio and I liked the place very much.It is close to Orvieto near Bashi and good to vitit Todi,Spoleto and of course Orvieto. <BR>Do you think I should stay there half the time and then 3 days north closer to Perugio and Gubbio? <BR>Marcia

russ

Marcia, <BR> <BR>I was very happy using the Pomurlo Vecchio as a base for Orvieto (20 minutes away), Todi (30 mins.) and Spello (an hour); however, in order to spend less time driving, I would split my time between there and a base further north. Although I was very happy staying in Montefalco, there are plenty of agriturismi in the Peruguia/Assisi area, which would make your drive to Gubbio more reasonable as well. Keep in mind that the outskirts of Perugia are relatively developed, so being too close to it might dilute the rural experience. <BR> <BR>While you are in the area, make sure to stop at the charming town of Spello, just south/east of Assisi. You can see it all in an hour or two. Make sure to walk to the top for the oldest and most picturesque part of town. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR>

Andrew

For general proximity to Umbria's key sites in the south try Daniele Fano's brilliant and modern farm conversion/ hotel: Tenuta di Canonica. Near Todi, Orvieto, Perugia, Montefalco and Asisi, it's passing reference in the Fodor's guide does not do it justice. With huge views of the Tiber valley, creatively modern interior and sympathetic hosts, my wife and I spent a memorable week there last year as part of our own Umbrian tour. Check it out: www.tenutadicanonica.com.