I have never been to the Umbria region in Italy, but may have the opportunity to spend just four days there this Fall. I have read of the virtues of the several Umbrian towns here on these boards. I am not fond of changing hotels frequently (unless justified by short distances and worthwhile scenery), and I will not have a car at my disposal. I would like some opinions on whether to base myself if one town for four nights and take nearby day trips, or to spend two nights each in two different locations, or some other combination. If I do choose a base city, I'd like that base city to have a medieval town atmosphere and still (if possible) be usable as a base. I have considered the following:<BR><BR>1. using Perugia as a base town and seeing Assisi and Spoleto as day trips, with a possible afternoon in Spello<BR><BR>2. spending two nights in Perugia, and two in Assisi, with NO (or perhaps ONE) day trips<BR><BR>Does Perugia meet the criteria of being (a) reasonably quaint and a representative medieval town, and (2) convenient "enough" given the fact that I will not be driving? Is there too much to be lost by basing myself in Perugia and sacrificing overnight stays in other quaint Umbrian towns?<BR><BR>M

We are considering visiting Umbria as well. We're looking at Relais Corte di Bettona in Bettona or Relais di Canalicchio, both outside of Perugia. Unfortunately, reviews about either from people who have recently stayed there...Can anyone help?

I feel that Perugia is just too large a city to have the atmosphere you desire.<BR><BR>And yes, w/o a car, spending 4 nights in the same town will limit your reach. Not sure how to see these towns without a car however. Perhaps a local tour? Certainly not trains. What did you have in mind?<BR><BR>Anyway, I'd stay two nights in Assisi and two nights in Orvieto as these two have enough to justify staying "home" to just see them for at least one day each. Spend a whole day in each of these towns and one day (each) doing day trips to Spello, Spoleto, Todi, and/or Perugia. <BR>

I'm not sure how not having a car will effect your ability to get around as we did have a car. But we stayed in Perugia this summer and visited Assisi and Spello in one day. They are only about a half hour away by car. Spolleto just a little further. From Perugia we also visited Gubbio and Cortona, both about one hour away. Unlike the other poster I did feel Perugia had a nice medieval feel. The old center of town at the top of the hill is wonderful, but it is surrounded by modern sprawl. You can just ignore that. There are some nice Etruscan ruins that you go through (for free) on your way from the lower (ugly) part of town to the "quaint" old top of town. Perugia is also large enough to have things to do for a few days. And there is a train station (in the lower part of town). I'm pretty sure all those other towns did not have train stations so I have no idea how you would get to them even though they are very close. Would you consider renting a car for those days. Driving in that area was very easy. Orvieto is a little over an hour from Perugia so it could be a day trip. We stayed in Orvieto after we left Perugia. Actually like Orvieto better. It is a wonderful medieval town on a hill top (actually more like a butte, as it is fairly flat once you get to the top). Also has an ugly modern lower town, also with a train station. Very easy to get from the train station to the top of Orvieto as there is a funicular. Not sure how you would get from the train to the top of Perugia without a car, must be a bus. Orvieto is further from the other Umbrian hill towns but quite close to some nice Tuscan hilltown. Again, we drove so no help there. We did take the train into Rome from Orvieto for a few days and that was very easy to do. Good luck. Consider renting a car if you want to see some very worthwhile small towns.

If, like me, you don't drive, you can always get a car and driver to take you around--or conversely, go on some of the myriad daytours going from Perugia to all the towns in the area.

I have two inputs:<BR>(1) Perugia's old town is nice, but I'd consider a smaller quaint village;<BR>(2) If you don't rent a car, you will definitely be much more limited in what you can see in just a few days---especially if you don't change your home base.<BR><BR>There are lots of suggestions for towns to stay in. I personally like one where I can park my car next to the hotel and get to it quickly to go exploring. A neat little village, with a wonderful hilltop town adjacent (Villa Montagnola), is Torgiano, only a short distance from Perugia. I recommend the Hotel Le Tre Vaselle in Torgiano. <BR><BR>However, if you are definitely not going to drive, your chosen location will be much more limited to places where public transportation is easy to get, and where it runs frequently. That requirement automatically eliminates most of the more quaint villages. Even old Orvieto, which is certainly a nice place, has the disadvantage (somewhat) of your having to hop on the funicular to get down to the train station or back to your hotel. <BR><BR>So in conclusion, I'd say pick a place where you can hop the train, or possibly a bus (not desirable) most conveniently. Even old Perugia has some disadvantage in that regard, but it's reasonable access. My recommendation is the villages of Nocera Umbra, Gualdo Tadino, or Trevi, for your base.

We will be staying at Relais Il Canalicchio in 3 weeks. We would be happy to let you know about the hotel if you want to jot down my address and contact me the end of October

Many thanks for the suggestions. They are all extremely helpful.<BR><BR>M<BR>

Mike, we stayed at Relais di Canalicchio last November and I would highly recommend it. It's situated high on a cliff overlooking the valley which is a beautiful view. The rooms are a very nice size and extremely well-appointed. The restaurant is terrific and there is a spa, if you choose to use any of the services. I'd love to go back. If you decide on it, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

M,<BR><BR>We spend 3 or 4 nights in Assisi each year, we don't drive. Perugia, Cortona, Spello and Spoleto are within easy reach by train. Gubbio is, if I remember correctly, 90 minutes by bus.<BR>Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip.<BR><BR>MK

Where do you recommend staying in orvieto or assisi. We are trying to decide between the two. We need a hotel that is 120 or less...will be there in mid november. I can't decide which would be better to stay in.

If I was going to stay in Umbria without a car a good place to choose is the 2-star Hotel Aurora in the very centre of Spoleto. The restaurant attached to this hotel is excellent - if you want to eat there get hald board, it will work out much cheaper than paying for a meal seperately:<BR>http://www.hotelauroraspoleto.it/<BR><BR>Relais il Canalicchio is a very good hotel - I feel it is a little far out but that is a big advantage to many.<BR>The director (and most of the staff) of Il Corte di Bettona used to work in Il Canalicchio and they have created a wonderful hotel in Bettona which is more central:<BR>http://www.italywithus.biz/main_pages/breaks.htm<BR><BR>A really great place to stay in Assisi is the 2-star hotel Ideale:<BR>http://www.hotelideale.it<BR>Bathrooms small, rooms basic+ (try to get one with a terrace), views unbeatable, parking, short walk to the centre - a good hotel.<BR><BR>I live in Perugia - the centre is very lively in the evening, lots of young people as there are two universities (one for Italians, one for foreigners).<BR>Spoleto would be better for easily-reached public transport etc.<BR>