(This was also posted in "Frano's favoite.....Umbria" in hopes of getting good response -- we leave on our trip in 3 days!)
Renting a renovated tower between Spoleto and Montelucco for the last week of October...after reading this i am now somewhat tuned into Montefalco russo, truffles, and Villa Roncalli. My companions have designated Orvieto and its wine, Asissi, and pottery (Deruta?) as other things on the list.

Anybody else have any suggestions for not-to-be-missed food or activities? And while purportedly we can walk through the woods and accross the famous bridge to Spoleto's historic area in about 20 minutes, we do not really know much about this town. And of course, where to eat!

Jano3,
My trip report may help you http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35046872

Henry

Hotel Clitunno in Spoleto has excellent restaurant.

DH and I used Spoleto as our train base for Umbria.

Duomo is lovely, market area nice and the bridge is awesome. It's hilly. If you go to Clitunno, please say that the Rhodys sent you!

ps--we easily "trained" to Orvieto and Assisi.

Thanks for the good info! We'll have car, so I have other things to figure out, like parking, the funnicula at Orveito, etc.-- wouldn't mind advice there, either!

And oh, hey -- any clues as to the weather there this time of year? Anything goes?

Henry -- just finished your trip report. I took my 3 teenagers to Italy in 2006, now I am taking my 3 fellow artist friends. I can't wait to take my grandchildren some day! Your report is indeed an inspiration. Thanks.

Be sure to visit Norcia and the Piano Grande (a 30-40 minute drive from Norcia). Norcia is one of my favorite towns in Umbria and an easy drive from your base location. The Piano Grande is spectacular!

If you have the time, pick up and read Michael Tucker's book about his life and home in Spoleto entitled "Living In A Foreign Language". I liked the book

If you are interested, we have some video of the restaurants we have visited over the years in Umbria here:

http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...mp;ref_genre=5