My wife and I will be in Umbria for more than two weeks on April 15, 2010. I'm booked for two weeks in Spoleto as our base but would like to sneek in Cinque Terre at the end. I will be renting a car, probably from Rome on April 20 for the remainder of our stay. We leave from Rome May 2. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi

OK... I am by no means a travel professional but I would re-think driving! Although Tuscany driving was easy... getting in and out of Portofino... much easier by boat! ; ) But an area not to be missed for sure!

Enjoy!

I am not sure I understand- you are arriving in Spoleto for 2 weeks beginning 4/15, but not renting a car (in Rome?) until 4/20. I would think you would want the car for the full 2 weeks in Umbria. What dates are you planning on visiting the Cinque Terre? Will you be leaving Spoleto before your 2 weeks are finished?

From Spoleto to CT:

I suggest you drive to La Spezia or Sarzana, return the car and then take the train to Cinque Terre. Take a train from there to Rome.

Or, drop the car in Spoleto or nearby Foligno and continue by train to CT and then Rome.

Spend 2 nights minimum in a Cinque Terre town.

Thanks for the info. Once in Spoleto I thought we would travel by train or bus for a few days then go to Rome to get a car on 4/20 for the rest of the trip that needs a car. Its 4.5 hours to drive to CT so I'm a little concerned about that as we leave from Spoleto on 4/29 to go to Rome on 5/2. Any ideas would be helpful and again thanks.

I still think you should have the rental car for the entire time you are based in Spoleto. A car is the best way to experience the Umbria countryside. If you prefer to train to Spoleto, you can pick up a rental car in Spoleto- no need to go to Rome to just get a car- and return the car in Rome or anywhere else you prefer. Check autoeurope.com or kemwel.com for pick up and drop off location options.

What type of ideas are you looking for?

DH and I based in Spoleto and were able to train easily to Assisi, Orvieto and Spello.

Unless this is a budgetary consideration, I'd rent the car for the entire stay in Umbria. Public trans is pretty good for towns along the main roads, but there are many towns and lots of beautiful scenery best reached/seen from a car. We've based in Spoleto and rented a car there. The office is a short taxi ride from the train station.

4.5 hours driving from Spoleto to CT. 5 hours driving from CT to Rome. (Do you need to spend the night in Rome before your flights?) That's a lot of driving for a short stay.

Are you aware May 1st is a national holiday? Because it falls on a Saturday in 2010, you should expect heavy traffic, and you should probably book hotel(s) for the days after Spoleto ASAP.

Hey everyone
Thanks for the tips. I am goinig to investigate getting a car in Spoleto as I want to see as much as possible. I think at the end of our stay I will hopefully drop off the car in Spoleto and take the train to meet some friends in Rome for a day or two before leaving on May 2.
I have checked out the tour books and a lot on line but don't want to miss significant things to see that others have discovered. If you have any please send them along.

Be sure to visit Norcia and the surrounding area. And don't miss the Piano Grande. I like the Touring Club of Italy Umbria: The Heritage Guide. It includes wonderful driving and town itineraries.

Guidebook-

http://tinyurl.com/y9xq392

Piano Grande photos-

http://tinyurl.com/ycur9hz

If you're flying into Rome, I suggest you take the train to Orvieto, a one hour trip. You escape Rome traffic and the Hertz office is around the corner from the train station. I also never visit Orvieto without dining at I Sette Consoli, a must. I expect the drive Orvieto-Spoleto is an hour or so.

BTW, a car at the CT is useless.

Sounds good! Thanks.