I have moved into full on planning mode for Umbria...can you share with me what books and/or websites you used in planning your trips? The info on this site is fantastic, but I am looking to read specifics. I'm also interested in how to get driving directions, as I don't have the exact address of our apartment in Rome..I should probably work on that.

Thanks!

Erika

For driving directions for the two trips to Umbria I took in 2006 I used www.mappy.com and the Michelin area map plus the one the rental car in Chiusi handed out.

For books I used the Eyewitness and Michelin and loads and loads of websites that I googled.

Yes, I'd say you do need the actual address of your Rome apartment

For our recent trip, I used everything I could get my hands on. Cadogan has a guide to Tuscany & Umbria, as do Lonely Planet and the Rough Guide. They all had pretty good detail on things to see and do. I probaby got most of my hotel and restaurant info from this and other websites. It's a lovely area!

You might also look at trip reports from people here who have spent time in Umbria. Use the search function to find them. We have one, but there are quite a few others that may be worth checking out. Ours is: http://shurl.org/jsuml

KC

Here are several websites I used. The other invaluable toole was Maitaitom's trip report!

http://www.umbriabest.com



http://en.umbriaonline.com

http://english.stradadelsagrantino.it

http://tourumbria.com

http://www.comune.orvieto.tr.it

>>can you share with me what books and/or websites you used in planning your trips?<<

Here's Bill Thayer's excellent website...

http://tinyurl.com/ymu5ca

Thanks to all...that is definitely what I have been looking for. As for Maitaitom, he will be happy to know he has been my bedtime reading for the holiday weekend!

Erika

bookmarking
Thankyou
Rosie

Fodor's "Florence, Tuscany and Umbria" guide book is good for the basics.

"Umbria" by the Touring Club of Italy has lots of details, driving and town-walking itineraries, and very helpful maps of most of the towns, including parking info!!!

I don't like to use internet driving instructions alone because we like to be able to turn down any road that looks interesting or be flexible in case we run into a traffic/road/weather problem. I used Insight's "FlexiMap of Umbria."

Are you planning to drive into or out of Rome??? Most people (me included) would suggest you pick up or leave your rental car outside Rome and train in/out.

We spent two weeks in Umbria in June/July 2005, following a month in southern Tuscany. We really enjoyed Umbria.

The Cadogan guide for Tuscany and Umbria was the resource I found most useful-- lots of detail. I'm also partial to Michelin green guides.

There are several very good trip reports on Slow Travel (www.slowtrav.com) as well as message board postings and photos.

See my blog on our two weeks in Umbria here: http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/kaydee/...es/000882.html

Kathy

Thanks to all. The rental car question is up in the air.

Currently, we are booked to arrive in Rome on March 10, and we have reservations at Le Case Gialle for the nights of the 10th, 11th and 12th. The problem is, our flight does not get into Rome until 11 pm (we have a 12 hour layover in London).

I am calling everyday to see if award seats have opened up on an earlier flight. If this is the case, we will take the train and pick up a car in town. If not, we may just stay at an airport hotel, and drive in the next morning. Le Case Gialle is allowing us to not stay the evening of the 10th if this is the case.

This will be our first trip driving in Italy, and I don't think it is wise to try to do it in the dark, to Umbria, after 24 hours of travel. If you could send happy thoughts about an earlier flight opening up, I'd be grateful

Thank you for all of the book suggestions. I have Fodors new Italy 2007 on the way, and will order some of the others mentioned here.

Erika

The official website of the region of Umbria is a great place to start for anyone planning a trip to Umbria. It has information on tourism and events throughout the year in Umbria and is updated regularly: >http://www.english.regioneumbria.eu/

Bill Thayer's site has everything you need to know on Umbria and more (possibly too much). It pulls together an eclectic mix of information from various sources: >http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/...mbria/map.html.

Also try Love Umbria for information on guided tours of Umbria: >http://www.love-umbria.com/custom-tours.html.

Here's a book list for Umbria, Tuscany, and The Marches:

http://italyinside.blogspot.com/2008...a-marches.html

Um, looks like the OP has been back from Umbria for a year or two....