Umbria Info!
 

Planning on spending about 4 days in Umbria (not until next April!) and basing myself in Perugia. Will definitely want to go to Assisi but any other suggestions on unique Umbrian towns will be appreciated taking into consideration that I will not have a car and will have to rely on the local bus/trains. Your input will be appreciated!!!!

We especially liked the hill town of Todi. For a closer look, go to www.todi.net.

I suggest these cities:
Todi, Gubbio, Spoleto, Orvieto

I'd pick Gubbio, Todi, Spello, Bevegna, Montefalco and Norcia.

If you're not totally committed to Perugia, we stayed at this B&B near Assisi and loved it: www.malvarina.it

If you do a search you'll find other positive comments in the archives. To do a search, type Malvarina in the Text Search box at the top of the page. Press find and look on the left at the past messages that come up.

Oops, I'm sorry--you'd need a car to stay at Malvarina.

Not in Umbria but ... don't miss nearby Cortona!

Steve

Grinisa, You're the only person so far to mention Norcia. I've read about it as the pork butchers capitol of the world and being a big pig connoisseur have planned it into our upcoming trip to Italy in Sept./Oct. It's the farthest driving destination for the day trips I've planned, and my fellow travelers could stomp on it if I'm not prepared with good additional reasons to go there, so I'd be very grateful to hear from you about what makes this place special besides butchers and pork. Thanks.

Jm: You won't regret a visit to Norcia. I've been there a couple of times for the terrific sausage. BTW, if your companions are foodies too, the tiny hill town of Castaluccia (sp?) is nearby. The home of the most coveted of Italian lentils.

Second for Todi and Orvieto. Orvieto's duomo is a must...there's a train station and a funicular (sp?) takes you to and from the old town. We drove into Todi so I have no idea about the train situation.

We were actually in Norcia for the Festivale di Porchetta a couple of years ago (August). Not everyone's idea of heaven but we loved it-very interesting as well as good food and wine.

I would add Narni to the list, at least the part up high on the hillside...quite fascinating and relatively untouristed.

Also adding votes for Gubbio, Bevegna and, when in Assisi, go to the church that is in the town down the hill from the shrines: I have forgotten the name, but the train actually stops there. The cathedral there contains the remnants of the original St. Francis chapel which he "renovated" from an even older church in the 12th century.

When in Perugia, do visit Cafe Perugia and ask to go to one of the 3 upstairs dining areas: a grill and pizza place, an excellent entoeca and a grand and very expensive restaurant, well worth it.Also good to pick up picnic stuffs from their take-out downstairs.The pastries are to die for...

Perugia also contains a very good stained glass factory that is reputed to have some of the best artisans in this field in the world.

To JmVikmanis: The owner at Malvarina told us that Norcia also has "the finest chocolate in the world". True.

OK, that does it...if I can have "the finest chocolate in the world" then I MUST include Norcia!!!! Thanks johnchas55! So it's pastries in Perugia and chocolate in Norcia...what more could I ask for???

Well the food in Norcia is a big draw but I like it for the drive there! It's simply gorgeous--passing through deep ravines with clear rivers and streams at the bottom, green forests and snow capped mountains in the distance. The main piazza in Norcia is charming and all the buildings are at maximum two stories high due to the high incidence of earthquakes in the area. And the chocolate shop is out of this world.

Umbria may be my favorite region in Italy...well I say that about nearly all of them. But the people are wonderful and it is comprised of a series of wonderful towns!
I loved Orvieto.. It is fairly mundane to many day-trippers, but stay the night when the buses have pulled away and it's divine!
Todi is lovely. Spoleto--I fell in love big time with Spoleto. The ancient acquduct, the strolls and small museums and piazze...an amazing time.
Gubbio was a surprise! The ride up to the top is really wild, unless you have a fear of heights-walk if you must. Good restaurants and the ancient castle (now museum) are also highlights. Ancient theater too.
Assisi--a must. Such a wonderful walk through a truly beautiful town. Once you get past the St. Francis souvenier frenzy, it is quite something.
Spello, and the nearby Cortona and San Sepolcro are also wonderful stopping places! I won't even mention Perugia, because you're already staying there!
Great choice!

It apppears that every poster is ignoring the the author said: " ......I will NOT HAVE A CAR and will have to rely on bus/trains".

Telling them about wonderful Umbrian towns that are NOT accessible by public transportation doesn't make sense.

Umbria is beautiful. My favorite areas were, Todi, Spello,Bevanga (spent 5 days) and Orviedo. Yes, you will need a car, however, the driving is not stressful. Enjoy your trip!

Norcia, here we come. Between pork and chocolate, sounds like hog heaven. Thanks for all the specifics on this place.

We spent a day in Orvieto; took train from Rome (1 hr). Fantastic Duomo and Etruscan Museum. The view from the top of the volcanic mtn into the valleys is breathtaking. Orvieto has very nice wine, restaurants and lots of shopping.

There is a little funicular train that goes up to Orvieto from the Train station (right across the street).