All my husband wants for his 50th b-day is to be in Tuscany. We are staying at La Saracina which is my favorite hotel and he hasn't been there. Last summer we stayed at dell Amorosa and visited many of the hill towns. We will be in the middle of an area we have already explored so I was thinking we could take day trips to Orvieto and Assisi but as I do some research it seems like we should also stay in Umbria for a few days also. Many of the towns look very nice. We were originally thinking of going to SM because we both like being near the water. I have already booked 3 nights in at La Saracina. We have 9 days flying out of Florence (been there 3 times so we don't need to spend time there.)The trip is planned for Sept 4-13. Hotel recommendations ($300-$450) would also be helpful.

Take a look at Hotel Fonte Cesia in Todi, Umbria. Great little town that is easy to drive in and out of. The hotel is very nice with a nice restaurant.
http://www.fontecesia.it/eng/hotel.htm

Tuscany and Umbria are idea combinations, I have based at Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto in different trips, all quite enjoyable. For sea, you might like to turn east towards L March area, Urbino is one of the most beautiful hilltowns I have ever visited.

The Hotel Fonte Cesia looks very nice, the rates are good and the location is great. I do not know anything about Urbino so I will look it up now. Thanks!

I completely agree with Judy about Urbino; it is a small hidden treasure of Italy and, IMO, it is the smart key to understand the origin of Renaissance.

Have a lovely trip, ciao.


Vincenzo

If you want to spend some time near the water, may I suggest Porto Venere?

It is a small town just below the Cinque Terre. We spent one night there at the Grand Hotel Portovenere during our trip to Tuscany in July, 2007. (see http://briggl.com/italy2 for photos, etc.) It is just a couple of hours to the west of Florence. We enjoyed it very much.

We loved our stay at an agriturismo, La Ghirlanda, www.laghirlanda.it It was the most memorable of wine and meals of the entire trip. Also, a nice drive to Todi and Montefalco.

Look at Genius Loci near Bevagna. Perfect location to explore Umbria.

Seconding the recommendation for Genius Loci near Bevagna & Montefalco. Along with Locanda dell'Amorosa, its the kind of place for special weekend getaways for those of us who live here.
For the Assisi area (and for cooking lessons: perfect 50th birthday gift) check Madonna del Piatto. Near Orvieto I'd recommend Borgo Acquaiura.
Umbria is just as nice as Tuscany and if you havnt discovered Northern Lazio yet please take a day trip here too. Landscapes, lakes, gardens and special
accomodations too. Lots of ideas on www.elegantetruria.com

Hi Panucci
You may be interested in the report of my recent trip to North West Umbria- borders with Tuscany, near Lake Trasimeno.
go to http://www.xanga.com/urbino