Rome & Umbria
Dec 14th, 2007 | 10:17 AM
#3
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,619
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I have been to Rome several times in October - almost every day was great weatherwise. The one year it was the very end of Oct. and I was too hot in jeans, a short sleeved cotton top and closed toed shoes - would have loved sandals - but of course the natives were all dressed up! On one trip we went to Assisi - just for a daytrip - big mistake - we should have spent more time there - it is a gorgeous little city. Have a great trip!
Dec 14th, 2007 | 04:20 PM
#4
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
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Hi Dave,
How nice! If you go with the 3 week option, you might want to include Tuscany if you really enjoy the countryside.
I visited a few towns in Umbria, Gubbio, Todi, Deruta, Assisi, Spello, Montefalco, Orvieto and really enjoyed them all! Stayed in Orvieto, Assisi, and Spello.
Highly recommend the Palazzo Bocci in Spello and the Plazzo Piccolomini in Orvieto.
Unfortunately, my last trip report that included several of the above has disappeared into the black hole of Fodor's, never to be topped again. I would link it for you if I could!
Buon viaggio!
How nice! If you go with the 3 week option, you might want to include Tuscany if you really enjoy the countryside.
I visited a few towns in Umbria, Gubbio, Todi, Deruta, Assisi, Spello, Montefalco, Orvieto and really enjoyed them all! Stayed in Orvieto, Assisi, and Spello.
Highly recommend the Palazzo Bocci in Spello and the Plazzo Piccolomini in Orvieto.
Unfortunately, my last trip report that included several of the above has disappeared into the black hole of Fodor's, never to be topped again. I would link it for you if I could!
Buon viaggio!
Dec 14th, 2007 | 05:10 PM
#5
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 0
It's the ideal time to be there, generally speaking. Not too hot, not rainy, less crowded.
If you like to drive a standard shift and want to spend 3-5 days in Umbria, I say do it by car. You don't even have to drive out of Rome: take a train to Orvieto, rent your car there.
Others will prefer buses, and certainly that's OK too if you don't want to bother with driving. I like the town-to-town drives - but remember you can't/won't wish to drive "into" town. In Orvieto, for instance, the car must be left in the great parking facilities halfway up. (then ride the escalator into the center of town) In Spoleto, also, no drivbing into the upper town. Todi, ditto. This turns out to be a convenience to the visitor! You have fewer drivers to deal with on the narrow streets, and don't have to spend your time getting "un-lost".
If you have 2-3 weeks, give Rome a full week. As with a romance, if you want to really fall in love with the place, you can't expect to do it on the run. And la dolce vita is meant to be lived at leisure.
If you like to drive a standard shift and want to spend 3-5 days in Umbria, I say do it by car. You don't even have to drive out of Rome: take a train to Orvieto, rent your car there.
Others will prefer buses, and certainly that's OK too if you don't want to bother with driving. I like the town-to-town drives - but remember you can't/won't wish to drive "into" town. In Orvieto, for instance, the car must be left in the great parking facilities halfway up. (then ride the escalator into the center of town) In Spoleto, also, no drivbing into the upper town. Todi, ditto. This turns out to be a convenience to the visitor! You have fewer drivers to deal with on the narrow streets, and don't have to spend your time getting "un-lost".
If you have 2-3 weeks, give Rome a full week. As with a romance, if you want to really fall in love with the place, you can't expect to do it on the run. And la dolce vita is meant to be lived at leisure.
Dec 15th, 2007 | 06:16 PM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
Hi Dave,
Umbria is...sublime....I went there during the "Under the Tuscan Sun" frenzy, and picked it because I DIDN'T want to be in Tuscany, and I wasn't disappointed.
Late September and beginning October are my prime dates for travel to Europe; less crowded, less hot, the kids have gone back to school.
I agree wholeheartedly with Tom's post -- take the train from Rome and then pick up your rental car and do day trips.
Hope this is helpful!
Regards,
Melodie
Umbria is...sublime....I went there during the "Under the Tuscan Sun" frenzy, and picked it because I DIDN'T want to be in Tuscany, and I wasn't disappointed.
Late September and beginning October are my prime dates for travel to Europe; less crowded, less hot, the kids have gone back to school.
I agree wholeheartedly with Tom's post -- take the train from Rome and then pick up your rental car and do day trips.
Hope this is helpful!
Regards,
Melodie
Dec 15th, 2007 | 10:43 PM
#7
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Hi Dayle, I assume you know but just in case...
If you click on your name all of your posts will show up on the left hand side of the screen. Or trying typing your screen name into the search box and perhaps your trip report will show up on the left hand side of the screen. If you posted it some time ago you will probably have to scroll down, and maybe keep clicking on the "next 50" at the bottom of the list.
Dave, October should be beautiful!! I hope you can stretch your time to 3 weeks if possible but even with 2 weeks with your plans you will have a wonderful time. If time permits before or after visiting Assisi think about visiting Perugia also.
If you click on your name all of your posts will show up on the left hand side of the screen. Or trying typing your screen name into the search box and perhaps your trip report will show up on the left hand side of the screen. If you posted it some time ago you will probably have to scroll down, and maybe keep clicking on the "next 50" at the bottom of the list.
Dave, October should be beautiful!! I hope you can stretch your time to 3 weeks if possible but even with 2 weeks with your plans you will have a wonderful time. If time permits before or after visiting Assisi think about visiting Perugia also.
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Dec 16th, 2007 | 06:47 AM
#10
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
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Loveitaly,
Yes, I know. I've tried EVERYTHING I know of and scrolled way back, but it's gone. I even checked the dates and there is a small gap of time where my posts are gone. Very strange. If anyone can find it for me, I'll be grateful. I don't have another copy.
Yes, I know. I've tried EVERYTHING I know of and scrolled way back, but it's gone. I even checked the dates and there is a small gap of time where my posts are gone. Very strange. If anyone can find it for me, I'll be grateful. I don't have another copy.
Dec 16th, 2007 | 10:54 AM
#11
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 0
Dayle, I tried googling < dayle fodors umbria report > but have come up with every umbria report you have ever posted to, which is many! But if you have more specifics, try it. It may lead you to your report if it still exists.
Dec 16th, 2007 | 11:11 AM
#12
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 0
