Hello and Thanks in advance for any advice!
I am meeting my husband in Senigallia in November.
We have 3 days to get to Rome by car and we are trying to think of where to stop. We don't think we are interested in Assisi or Perugia, but could be convinced. . .
We have been to Tuscany a few times (stayed in Florence and Greve; visited San Gimignano, Siena, Panzano) so we were thinking of going somewhere we haven't been before.

So far I have been contemplating Orvieto and, from reading in this forum, a visit to Spello.
But also thinking about Montepulciano or villages near there.

We would be interested in scenery, food, and visiting a winery if that was an option. We are not "wine-experts", just like a good red

If other towns come to mind, we are open to all suggestions!
Thanks!

If it weren't November I would choose to go through the Gran Sasso stopping in Santo Stefano di Sessanio or nearby maybe with a detour to Sulmona or even Ascoli Piceno first, but given the possibility of inclement weather, how about Urbino (very close to Senigallia) and Spoleto?

Senigallia has excellent restaurants, so I hope you get to spend some time there.

Caves of Frassassi, Perugia (what have you against Perugia?), Gubbio, Spello, Terni........

I live near Senigallia. Many people prefer going south on the A14 (E55) autostrada south to Giulianova and then continuing on the A24 to Rome. It's a little shorter time-wise, but a lot longer distance-wise. We've always preferred the direct route on the SS23. It's only partly on the autostrada, with the rest mostly on other limited access highways. You have more turns to make, but (in my opinion) it gives you many more interesting places to stop. Fabriano, the Frasassi Caverns (menetioned by Necker), Gubbio, Spello, Spoleto, and Tivoli (I've never been to Ternii.)

All of the above are interesting. If you choose Spello you're just a 20 minute car trip from Assisi, Foligno not much further to Perugia. What has put you off Perugia?
or Orvieto is great too. Here's our day trip there:
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspo...vieto.html?m=1

Thanks to everyone who has replied! I'll look into all of these options.
I have nothing against Perugia or Assisi - we have family members who have been to both cities and am working from their reports (which were actually very positive) and my own travel style. For example, I love Venice (been there 3 times) but really prefer the quieter places like Mazzorbo to Murano and Dorsoduro to anything near St. Marc's. I appreciated seeing all the things recommended in tour books, but once I had seen them I was ready to explore the lesser known spots. Listening to our relatives talk about Perugia and Assisi felt a little like that. As I said though, I am willing to change my thoughts based on recommendations of others Maybe day trip to either Perugia or Assisi rather than make is a base.
Thanks again for all the insight so far!