Any recommendations for a good guidebook for Umbria--I have the Fodors Florence, Tuscany and Umbria and I'm looking for another hopefully just Umbria.

The Cadogan Guides are good, and there is a recent one for only Umbria.

Thanks, I will look into it.

Here's another vote for the Cadogan Guide.

Hi ; Eyewittness guides or
green guides. Both could be ordered on www.amazon.com and if you spent over $25 US, shipping may be free. Richard

I like the Touring Club of Italy Umbria guidebook. It includes itineraries throughout the region and lots of great information and maps. I find it best to break down the region into manageble daily itineraries and this guidebook does a good job of doing just that. It also includes many of the smaller, less touristed but very interesting areas/towns/villages. Also, great overviews of the cities plus detailed neighborhood plans.

Enjoy your trip!

I like Cadogan.

Thanks for the additional recommendations.

zoecat, I was also going to recommend the TCI "Heritage" guide to Umbria. We found it invaluable over two trips in Umbria. As you mentioned, excellent driving and walking itineraries, very helpful maps and lots of info on less-known places.

But when I went to Amazon to copy a link I found that it was last published in 2003 and won't be updated. It's apparently been replaced by the TCI "Authentic Umbria" guide (pub. 2007) which received a less than glowing review by one person. I'll continue to use my old Heritage guide (it's still available on Amazon for $8.95), but some people want only the most recently published guides.

Anyway, here are links to both guides:

http://www.amazon.com/Umbria-Heritag...0472644&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Umbr...0472644&sr=1-3

Jean,
It is the "Heritage" guide that I have used many times, including recently. I love the walking tours through the towns. I would never have discovered the best parts of Trevi without the guide. I have not noticed anything outdated when using it. Even though it hasn't been updated since 2003, I still feel it is a good investment. Thanks for clarifying!

If you are really into the art and architecture, I am partial to the Blue Guides, and there is one for Umbria, by Alta Macadam who is incomparable (in my eyes).

You can find it on Amazon http://bit.ly/5T3cj9 and no doubt all the other online book sellers.

This is not a picture book - the Blue Guides are deep on detail. And it isn't a tour guide about dining and such - it is about what you will see.

zoecat, I think it's a wonderful guide, but I might check newer guides for hotels and restaurants. If only to confirm TCI's ratings... I'd definitely take the Heritage guide on another trip to Umbria.

Great suggestions to note as we begin to plan our next trip to Italy! Thanks!

2010

Thank you everyone and if anyone would like to add their recommendations for Umbria, such as hidden gems or great restaurants they will be much appreciated. We are renting a villa just overlooking Todi for 3 weeks in September, so we should have time to explore.

Ristorante Umbria in Todi is one of my favorites in Italy.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/17/22...45d64c53bf.jpg

If you make it to Spoleto, we have enjoyed Osteria Trivio on several occasions.

SR418 between Spoleto and Acquasparta is a beautiful drive. Ditto SR451 between Collepepe, through Bastardo, to Spoleto. If you go to Gubbio (highly recommended!), take E45 from Perugia through Umbertide in one direction and take SS298 in the other direction. Umbertide is a nice, flattish town with several interesting churches of different centuries and styles. There's a well-preserved medieval fortress a few kilometers north of the town. But I wouldn't stop in Umbertide on the way to Gubbio lest you run out of time to see all that Gubbio offers.

I envy your three weeks in Umbria!!

Ristorante Medioevo in Assisi was fantastic! The hands-down best gnocchi with gorganzola sauce that I have ever had!!! (and I tried it all over Italy during my 3 week visit)

Beautiful restaurant, great food, great music! The owner is a jazz fan and has a wide selection of cds. Everyone, including the other diners, were tremendously friendly.

Only wished I was in Assisi longer to enjoy that tremendous town (twas my favorite) and that restaurant!

Thanks for recommendations, especially restaurant in Todi--that will be very useful.