I am hopeful that someone may be able to give me more information on two B&amp;Bs near Asissi - Podere la Fornace and Malvarina. We would also be interested in any other suggestions for a charming place to stay in a good spot for touring the Umbria area. I think we would prefer to be in the countryside rather than a city. We would like a place with charm, lovely views and a pool. Thank you for your help.<BR>D

I have suggested Fattoria Titignano in the past--my husband and I stayed there two years ago. It is located above Lago di Corbara and a national park, halfway between Orvieto and Todi. A former medieval borge, it is charming and rustic. There are wonderful views, a swimming pool, great wine and olive oil products--the cuisine is excellent. They have a website: http://www.titignano.it/<BR><BR>Good luck.

Would you have any info. on the approximate prices at Fattoria Titignano? Thank you!

DeAnn, You have 2 good choices already, and Malvarina gets high marks here. Add this to your list, but a 4 star at about $150--great setting and location:<BR>Santa Maria degli Ancilotti--we stayed there in 1999 and loved it.

DeAnn,<BR><BR>We paid about $90.00 Euro for the two of us per day. This includes a good breakfast and a six course dinner including wine (that they produce). I can't speak enough of the wonderful meals. They will answer email inquires (you are best to write in English).

We stayed in Titignano this September. The setting, room and meals were excellent. However, I don't think it's a good base for touring Umbria. It's quite far from major roads so daytrips have a large overhead. Malvarina had a much better location for daytrips but the setting and rooms were not as nice, though the food was great.

I cannot recommend Malvarina highly<BR>enough. My husband and I enjoyed a week<BR>there in October of 2001. While you<BR>might find a location with a bit nicer<BR>furnishings, I think it would be impossible to beat Malvarina's dining<BR>room. Piera Onofri is an American working as a tour guide and she can arrange horseback riding, hiking, and<BR>give wonderful recommendations for touring Umbria. You can e-mail her at<BR>Malvarina.

Titignano looks like a great place based on the website. Does anyone know approximate drive times from there to Assisi and Orvieto?

It's about an hour to Orvieto because the small road winds through the countryside. We couldn't find any place to stop for lunch on the road, since the hamlets are so tiny. I estimate it's less than two hours to Assisi.

As I recall, the drive to Orvieto was in the 40-60 minute range, while it was about 30 minutes to Todi. We drove a circumnavigation of the lower Umbrian valley in one day with stops in Terni, Spoleto, Bevagna and Deruta. We did not stop in Assisi or Perugia because we have spent time there in the past. I have also easily toured to Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino and others in lower Tuscana from this location. It is most definetly a location for one who enjoys countrysides and walks in the wood as well--being from Trentino, I prefer holidays with less congestion of people.<BR><BR>Elena<BR><BR>