For my trip to Italy in September, the itinerary has changed a couple of times and now has to change again (long story). I now have 6 nights between Florence and Rome (3rd week of September), prefer somewhere I haven't visited, and have been all over the map! I hope to find something that is a direct train or bus from Florence and then to Rome so I can avoid transfers. I might consider a transfer if it's at least 20 minutes. Some I have seen are only 4 or 5 minutes, and I just won't make that. I won't have a car. I'm happy to stay the whole time in one place and do a couple day trips if I feel like it.

I'm very interested in Padova, even though of course it's not on the way between Florence and Rome, because I'd like to see the Scrovengni Chapel and it looks as though there are numerous other things I'd like to check out as well. On the other hand, I really like the look of Spello (and would like a day trip to Fabriano). I've read every post here I could find and am half-way through Il Bell Canto, and several people have talked about staying there and it being good as a base, but nobody says anything about just how steep it is. I know it's on a hill, but if anyone has been to both Spello and Spoleto, how is Spello compared to Spoleto? About the same? More steep? Less steep? I'm not handicapped but am not young and spry, so it's a consideration! Have also looked at Passignano sul Trasimeno (being by water is a nice possibility).

Any other ideas? I like history and art (more churches than museums) and interesting sites, but I'm also happy to sit in a cafe and watch the people and just enjoy the ambiance. I've been to Siena, Sam Gimignano, Volpaia, Pienza, Orvieto, Spoleto. I'm saving Arezzo for maybe next year, as I was originally going there the weekend of the jousting tournament, which seems like fun, and when my dates changed, I would no longer be there the right weekend. Appreciate any input!

Have you been to Ferrara or Modena or Parma (I haven't been to Parma), that area? Good art/church/hangout small cities (welp, I haven't been to Parma...) and flat. Super easy to connect through Bologna which as you know is a short ride to Florence.

Spello is cute but was for us too tiny/small and we had a car, so... I would say it's about as steep as Spoleto but much smaller.

Just FYI, I really liked Arezzo and think you will as well when you do get there. It is also fairly steep in parts.

Thanks Leely, I have been to Bologna and Ravenna but not the others. I had looked at Parma, and at least the train transfers are17-20 minutes. Interestingly, some connections are through Bologna Centrale and some are through Reggio Emilia Av, which I assume is a smaller station? Maybe easier to change there? Or maybe it's one where you have to go down a long flight of stairs, cross over, and go up another long flight of stairs to get the the correct platform.

I know I've looked at Ferrara and Modena in the past, but not recently. I'll take a look. Ferrara even has direct trains for both trips and Modena has a direct one from Florence.

We just returned from our trip that took us from Milan to Parma, Bologna, Ravenna, Padua, Trieste, and Vincenza. We thoroughly enjoyed Parma, Padua, and Vicenza. All were easy towns to get around in with lots to see. From Parma you could take a day trip to Modena. The Scrovegni Chapel is certainly worth seeing, and you can go into Venice for lunch if you want from Padua.! My trip report is half done if you care to take a look, but as of this writing it's only done up to Ravenna. Having being to both Spello and Spoleto, I would take Spoleto any day.

Thanks, PJTravels. I have been following your report, which I've been enjoying, but I admit I got impatient waiting for you to get to Spello. My problem, don't mean any criticism to you! 😀
Appreciate the helpful input.

SusanP, it's some years since we stayed in Spello and we only did a day trip to Spoleto but my memory tells me that Spello is quite a bit steeper than Spoleto (time does funny things to memory though!). We did several day trips: most involved bus as well as or instead of a train as many of the places we visited were on top of hills (Foligno is the local transport hub).

Although in the 'wrong' direction, I second the suggestion to visit Vicenza as there is quite a bit to do there and there are many possible day trips. I haven't been to Perugia in decades but I would like to go back. Others may have an opinion on this.

What about Florence - Arezzo - Perugia - Assisi - Spello - Foligno - Spoleto - Terni - Orte - Roma, with possible RT trips from Foligno to Fabriano and Frasassi caves as well as from Orte to Orvieto? All by train.

How about Pisa? - easy by train from Florence. Pisa isn't just the leaning tower. Lots to see plus easy day trips places like Lucca or Pietrasanta, Livorno, and others. From Pisa you can get direct trains down to Rome even Freccia Bianca for example FB 8613.
Here's our day (not enough) in Pisa
https:/slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2020/02/pisa-in-january.html?m=1

Dreamon, wow, good to know that Spello is even more steep than Spoleto! Thanks.

Neckervd & just_tina, thanks for the additional suggestions. I have more reading to do!

Spoleto has escalators.

Jean, yes, I know, that's a place I have stayed. They also have a "Travelator" (I think that's what it's called), which wasn't working when I was there. Fortunately, the escalators were working! Thanks.

SusanP, I second the recommendation for Parma! We returned from Italy a few days ago (I will do a TR in July), and we spent one night in Parma, and I fell in love with Parma. I wish we had more time. It's a very pretty city, elegant, flat, and easy to get around. In May it was not crowded at all.

Our accommodations were at the Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati. They have suites and apartments. I reserved a suite but when we arrived, they upgraded us (at no extra charge) to a huge 2-bedroom apartment! How I wished we were staying longer!

And we also enjoyed Lucca! Spent 3 nights there. It's flat and easy to walk around. Lots of beautiful churches, piazzas, and there is a promenade on top of the wall that is lined with trees. People are always walking there or riding bikes. You can visit Palazzo Pflanner. We saw a Puccini concert at San Giovanni Church. It was an easy daytrip from Lucca to visit Pietrasantra. Barga is another nice town to visit that is not over run with tourists.

We stayed at Hotel Palazzo Alexander, which we loved. Very conveniently located and lovely.

Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana at Tivoli are incredible and both could be done as a day trip from Rome.

Also consider Viterbo not too far from Rome.

Thank you, Karen. Great info! Parma is definitely on my radar. Will decide soon where I'm going. I look forward to your report.

You probably already know, but just in case: If you plot walking routes using google.maps, you can see the change in elevation. It might give you a sense of the steepness you would encounter in various locations given what YOU want to see and do.

kja, actually, I have never done that and didn't think about it showing elevation changes. Thanks!

Oh, do take a look! You can even find alternate routes that get you to the same place with less steep lanes. 👏

Thank you.

We spent two weeks in Spello at the top of the town. We could drive up and park near our lodging which made it so easy.

Thanks, Happy Trvlr, but I won't have a car.