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Your thoughts on weekend, Assisi, Perugia & Spoleto?

Your thoughts on weekend, Assisi, Perugia & Spoleto?

Old Feb 25th, 2012, 10:34 AM
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Your thoughts on weekend, Assisi, Perugia & Spoleto?

I am returning to Rome for an immersion course in September. I have left myself two weekends, one for Rome and another for....well, that's the question. I'm thinking of taking a train from Rome to Assisi (have always wanted to see it, looks beautiful), also spending a day in Perugia and then a morning in Spoleto on the way back to Rome, to see the cathedral with the Lippi frescos. (I'm a huge Lippi fan, either of 'em.) Another option...I might start to explore the area around Lucca, which I have not yet been to. Obviously, that's more train time, instead of time exploring. I'll be by myself, and love art, music, food, wine, walking, landscapes, museums, small towns, etc. Have not seen enough of the smaller towns and areas of Italy and am hoping for vistas and views. Your opinions or other thoughts welcome. Thanks.
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 11:01 AM
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If I were to pick one Umbria town, it would be Orvietto without question.
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 11:05 AM
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I think Assisi is worth the train time. One of the truly magical places even with the earthquake damage.
Perugia, the upper town at least, which is a ways from the train station is quite pleasant with some good food. Alas, I do not know Spoleto.
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 11:06 AM
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The course in Rome sounds really nice. Visiting Spoleto for the Lippi frescoes is definitely a good idea--they are breath taking (by the way, while you are in Rome make sure to make it to Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, near the Pantheon, to see Filippino Lippi's beautiful fresco cycle).

Not sure if you'll have time to see all three places in two days, but you might be able to fit it in--it just depends on how much time you want to spend in each. Assisi and Perugia both warrant a full day, at least, in my opinion. Especially if you love art! Perugia's art museum (Galleria Nazionale Umbria) is worth going to also.

Lucca's also lovely, but I'd opt for the hill towns, especially if you like Lippi's art.

Another possibility that is a bit different but nearer to Rome is Orvieto.
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 11:07 AM
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Susan, i can't help you with whether you should choose Assisi,spoleto and/or perugia, as I've not been there yet. I CAN speak very highly of Orvieto, which has one of the most stunning Cathedrals i've ever seen, especially the facade, which is outstanding.

however, for a weekend i would say that Lucca is too far - as you say you will use up a lot of time on the train going backwards and forwards, and there is so much that is nearer to Rome that is just as worth seeing.

where are you doing your course?
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 12:00 PM
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HI and thanks for your great responses. It's interesting...I have seen Orvieto come up so many times, I should consider that as well. I am leaning away from Lucca, glad to hear confirmation..I'll be back again - and can do Lucca, and surrounding areas then. Perhaps Perugia is not the proper choice for this weekend? Perhaps it's Assisi, with a day trip to Orvieto and then Spoleto on the way back to Rome to fly home. Although looking at a map that seems rather torturous. Annhig, I decided to go with the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci. I find good reviews in numerous places on the web, and they have been extremely responsive. And, it's perfectly situated for me in P. Navona. Jackie, Sopra Minerva is one of my favorite churches in Rome, love it. I go there several times when in Rome. What wonderful choices to ponder!
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 12:10 PM
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Annhig, I decided to go with the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci. I find good reviews in numerous places on the web, and they have been extremely responsive.>>

that's very interesting, susan. i did just a week at a school in southern tuscany last year and although it wasn't long enough, i found my italian improved a lot. how long is your course?

as for your weekend, i think that I would be inclined to pick just one place, or at the max 2 - and if possible to have them both easily accessible. for example, if you picked Assisi, you would have the choice of spending all your time there, or, if you'd had enough of it by the beginning of the last day, yo could get a train to Spoleto, spend the day there, then get the train back to Rome.

perugia/orvieto look more difficult to combine with other places.
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 12:17 PM
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Susan,
If you love art, you must go to Assisi. The frescoes in the Basilica are deeply beautiful. I've been there twice and I'm going back this fall. I was there with my daughter 4 years ago in February and we spent the night. In the afternoon it was cold but sunny and the bird song was really special in a "hey, St Francis really did like birds!" kind of way. We walked above the town, up to the castle and the views were great. As night fell it was bitter cold with howling winds which made it seem mysterious and gave us a reason to drink warm wine.

I also like Spoleto and it's a nice stop on the way back to Rome. We stayed there for a few days in May 11 years ago and stumbled on wonderful music and good food. It's a town with a lot of life.
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 12:21 PM
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I debated on the place for school, I truly did. I thought long and hard about going in Tuscany, asked about schools at a couple of places, but I feel completely at home in Rome. I am only going to school for one week on this trip, because I was worried about committing for two weeks to a school I didn't know. I hope to do this every year from now on. I am so hoping that your school experience, Annhig, will be my experience, I really need to move forward with my italian. I have stalled, studying it here. How long was your course?
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 12:24 PM
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Rosetravels, Assisi is the focal point for sure for this weekend I am planning. It is one of those places that has always attracted me - I can't wait to see it! I have read on this forum that it is very crowded and can be very "touristy," but I just can't wait!
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 01:09 PM
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I am so hoping that your school experience, Annhig, will be my experience, I really need to move forward with my italian. I have stalled, studying it here. How long was your course?>>

my course was only a week as well. I was lucky because there were only 3 other pupils in my class and we were all at the same level, more or less. we had the standard 4 hours a morning group lessons, then in the afternoon/evening various excursions. the rule was that we spoke italian at all times, even when we were just sitting having a cup of coffee. the other students had opted to live with families but for various reasons I didn't - but if you want the whole "total immersion" then that is probably a good idea. please come back here and tell us how you got on!

buona fortuna!
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 01:44 PM
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Assisi! Loved it! Spent only one night and wish it had been longer. Great gnocchi in gorgonzola sauce at Restaurante Medioevo.
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 04:47 PM
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The place to dine in Perugio is La Taverna. Chef Claudio will welcome you, providing he is not off that evening. He is quite a character, a very charming fellow. Tell him you are from San francisco, where he once worked. I bring a cane, and seeing that he offered to drive us back to our hotel in his car.
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 05:03 PM
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Susan,

I would suggest visiting Spello on your way back to Rome. I love Orvieto too and you should definitely go there! But Spello is very tiny and special with beautiful views.

I liked Assisi, but and the churches are wonderful, but it is VERY religiously commercial. Hoards of tourists and pilgrims. Spello is nearly untouristed, charming, lots of flowers and tiny walkways. A coupl of outstanding restaurants. You could do an over night there. It's very close to Assisi and the view of Assisi at night from the top of town is beautiful. I'm sure there would be a handy bus between the two.

Train from Foligo to Rome was about 1 hr 20 min if I remember correctly.

Have fun!
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 05:37 PM
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I just watched a youtube video of Spello. What can't you see on the internet? Now I have 5 places I'd like to fit in, and great restaurant recommendations. I love these kinds of dilemmas. Thanks everyone for ideas and suggestions. I'll report back.
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 07:36 PM
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The main street of Assisi is full of tourists and tourist shops during the day... it leads to the Basilica so St. Francis mugs,glasses, etc. are everywhere. That is why you would want to spend a night or two... to be there without the daytrippers. I woke up at sunrise to the sun coming up from my balcony overlooking St. Claire's Church. It was stunning.

Get off the main street and go to the back lanes, see the church where both Francis and Claire were baptized, see the beautiful stone homes ladened with flowers. I enjoyed coming upon a very small church where the local choir was practising.

Had a great dinner at Restaurate MedioEvo. Great gnocchi w/gorgonzola sauce!
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 09:12 PM
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I agree about Spello! beautiful, it's one of my favourite Umbrian towns, and its just a hop away from Assisi. I think those three places--Spoleto, Assisi, and Spello--would work well together. There is a church in Spello with frescoes by Pinturicchio that are well worth seeing.

Orvieto is obviously another beautiful city in Umbria, worth seeing of course (in fact, we are taking a day trip there today but it doesn't really fit with the Assisi/Perugia trip because I'm not sure if they are all reachable together in one weekend? unless you have a car? I could be wrong about that. Anyway, if it were me, I'd either go to Orvieto OR go to Assisi/Spoleto etc. You will want to spend time in Assisi!

We fell in love with Santa Maria Sopra Minerva and now we go back every time we're in Rome too . Have a wonderful time in Italy and good luck studying Italian.
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Old Feb 26th, 2012, 03:30 AM
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Assisi can be viewed both ways; religiously or not. Both ways it is a truly medieval, walled hill town. Spending the night takes the day time tourist surge away. Spoletto, in route back to Rome is well worth the stop....also remember, you will be returning to Italy, so see more of less and you will enjoy it more.

One of the TRULY memorable dining experiences in the world;
Fontemaggio s.r.l.*****
Ristorante “La Stalla”
Via Eremo delle Carceri, 8
lunch or dinner in a centuries old horse stable, prepared over an open wood fire.
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Old Feb 26th, 2012, 05:22 AM
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Another vote for Spello, I absolutely loved it and could have spent an entire day there wandering through the churches and little streets. It is very conveniently close to Assisi. I would overnight in Spello and day trip to Assisi. Also, the mountain road between the towns is absolutely gorgeous.
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Old Feb 26th, 2012, 06:04 AM
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Hub and I based in Spoleto and made a train daytrip to Assisi from there. In addition to the amazing Duomo, Spoleto boasts an aquaduct, coliseum, wonderful market square and a good bus/train system. We stayed at Hotel Clitunno (http://www.hotelclitunno.com/). It had a first rate restaurant.

I vote for a long weekend in Spoleto with side to Assisi on a non-weekend day.

Perugia was a base for us on another trip and we spent several days there. I'm not sure if you could compress Perugia in one day.
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