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1 Week in UMBRIA (or Tuscany?) - itinerary & some Q's

Posted by on

Hi all - I am planning a 1 week trip in mid-August. Originally I had intended on Tuscany, but in doing some research I read that Umbria is just as beautiful, often cheaper and less crowded, and a bit closer to Rome, where I can fly nonstop from NYC (unlike Florence or Pisa). I am still open to Tuscany - or perhaps splitting the week in half and doing both regions?

Would love your thoughts on that, and help creating an itinerary - what areas to stay, logistics of getting around. I assume we need a car, and that we just park outside every city/village in a paid lot so as not to mess with ZTL's? Or would this all be 100% doable by bus and train?

Our goal for this trip is good food & wine, scenic countryside, charming villages, and maybe just a day or two in a larger city (such as Florence or Rome). We are not very interested in major "sight-seeing" of tourist landmarks. More just soaking in the lifestyle. And preferably, not spending the whole week driving!

Any of your advice is appreciated, thank you in advance.

Posted by
4152 posts

I think either region will be fine. Use a guide book or two to research which small towns you want to visit then use googlemaps.com to find an area in the center of those towns to base out of.

A car may or may not be necessary. It really depends on where you plan to stay and where you plan to visit. If you do decide to rent a car be sure to read up on specific laws for driving such as the ZTL's (which you know about), speeding, parking, bus lanes and so on. Also be sure that everyone who plans to drive has an IDP to go along with their license.

Donna

Posted by
3600 posts

Given your preferences and your short time frame, I suggest you look for an agriturismo on either side of the A1, near Chiusi. And, since it will be hot, get one with a swimming pool. We once spent 2 weeks in that area and found it very convenient for accessing many towns in Tuscany and Umbria. Getting a car saves you lots of time that you'd spend if you were tied to bus schedules. If you do decide on a big city visit, there is a train station in Chiusi.

Posted by
3 posts

Thanks for the replies so far, this is helpful.

The agriturismo idea sounds great and very charming! As for where to search for them (read about accommodations, reviews etc), where should I start? is http://agriturismo.it a good resource for booking?

Posted by
8060 posts

We always book in a hill town or within a short walk of one on trips like this so we can day trip by car but have access to restaurants and such on foot in the evening. I hate being isolated at an agriturisimo and wouldn't book unless they had a great restaurant or I was happy being isolated at night. We cook in a lot when we travel, but it is still nice to be in a town with amenities.

I think the Val d'Orcia can't be beat but I see the wisdom of going further afield during a crowded period.

Posted by
11613 posts

I use booking.com a lot, they have many listings for agriturismi; you can see photos and read reviews by recent guests, and filter for amenities, like a pool.

Posted by
15176 posts

Cortona area would give you access to portions of both regions. Chiusi is kind of low in the valley (but I guess in August you can't escape heat no matter where you go.
But yes any agriturismo more or less along the freeway corridor that connects Siena to Perugia, would give you access to lots of famous towns within 1 hr drive.

You need a car for what you intend to do. Don't worry about the ZTL, just watch out for the round white and red sign, it means "no motor vehicles permitted beyond this point" in International Road Sign language. The panel below it generally lists the exceptions, like motorbikes, taxis, delivery trucks etc.
There will be plenty of parking lots available outside the ZTLs.

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