I would put Spello on par with Montepulciano in terms of hilliness.

I've been to Spello twice over the years and I definitely remembered thinking it was hilly. The town is one big hill, with the high point at the end of town closest to Assisi. The main piazza is at roughly the one-third or one-half of the way up. When now-Mrs Tdyls and I were there in 2018, we both came down with the flu while we were in Italy (she got a double dose because she also got a sinus infection). Walking? Hiking? up the hills in Spello and Montepulciano with the flu was NOT fun.

Spello is absolutely gorgeous and would totally go back, so the hill was not a dealbreaker by any stretch of the imagination. Just understand what you're getting into.

tdyls thanks for this input. I really like the look of Spello, but the steepness might be more than I want for six nights.

Hi Susan,
We based in Spello for 5 nights in 2019, after thinking about doing that for years. It is a pretty town but we found it to not be a great base. We ended up traveling across the valley to Bevagna and Montefalco and other places every day. It's steep with all the shops and restaurants on the main street. I do prefer Spoleto (or Bevagna!)

I was going to recommend Arezzo but I see you are saving it for later. We based in Perugia and made day trips to Spello and Assisi. I really like the walkable antique centre in Perugia; views to die for! That part of town is flat and yes there are escalators and also a "mimi-metro" to take to the train station in the lower part of town. Brufani Palace, now called Sina Brufani, was a lovely hotel! I preferred it to Hotel Fortuna nearby.

Padova is certainly worth visiting, though; Scrovengi Chapel, but also the University and the Basilica. I mostly visited on day trips from Venice along with Vicenza and Verona.

Of course Bologna, Parma, Modena, Ferrara makes a nice combo.

Thanks for this input. I think I've decided on somewhere not so steep.

Thanks, annw. Always more to consider!

If you’re going to be without a car, I would eliminate Spello and Spoleto as well. A little off the grid as far as public transportation…..been to both maybe 15 years ago. If you want to do day trips from a central location….what about Bologna! Easy day trips to Parma, Modena, Padova, even Venice. Quite busy and large with tons of students but best food around! We based there for 5 days and barely had enough time to do and see what interested us. Not really set up for tourism like say Florence Siena…( lacking brown signs if you get my drift) but lots to see and do! If you want a flat Tuscan destination then Lucca….see Cinque Terre, Viareggio and Eve, Florence for day trips. My trips lately have been in search of flat towns…..saving my arthritic knees….good luck!