Next April (after Easter) I will be in Rome and Florence. I plan to leave Rome on a Sunday, spend Sunday through Wednesday in a town or small city roughly on the way from Rome to Florence and take day trips in the area. On Thursday we will go to Florence for 3 days. There will be 2 of us and we will not have a car. I am looking at towns in southern and eastern Tuscany and also in Umbria. Perugia caught my interest but it seems it is a very hilly town and it may be difficult to see much of it in a few days. I would appreciate any suggestions of towns/small cities to base ourselves and take day trips from there.
Posted by
North Carolina
2504 posts
Orvieto could be a good choice - probably fewer day trip options than Perugia, but if you only have three full days, you want enough time to enjoy Orvieto anyway.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
How much I like Orvieto, it's very small and it would be difficult to keep yourself busy for three days. The attractions of Perugia are all in the »upper town«, which has a good bus connection to the railway station below. I found it a good base for day trips, with Assisi of course on the top of the list, but Spoleto is also not to be missed.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
I have friends who've been to Perugia and say it merits at most a half day. I haven't been, so can't say personally. I'm a big fan of both Orvieto and Assisi, both in Umbria.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Spello is also nearby Assisi. Italians say that Spello grows more beautiful the longer you look at it. (So said my taxi driver from Assisi.)
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2456 posts
Kate, Orvieto is one of my favorite spots in Italy. Just 70 minutes by train from Rome, maybe a couple hours or less from Florence. Lots of diverse things to see and do in Orvieto, including a cathedral with a magnificent facade, especially in the late afternoon light, and inside, the beautiful Signorelli Chapel, inspiration for the Sistine Chapel, if I remember correctly. Also an underground tour in Orvieto, walls to walk, tower to climb, and on and on. Unique shops and excellent food and wine. Nice countryside nearby, short day trip to Civita di Bagnoregio. And, trains to further beyond.
Posted by
seattle
2148 posts
FYI, there is a funnicular that takes you to the to of Perugia which cuts down on the hill climbing. There are also many smaller towns near Perugia worth seeing like Assi and Spoleto.
Posted by
11704 posts
The historic section of Perugia is flat, on top of the large hill. There are escalators up to the top. It is a beautiful city to explore. If you stay there, a hotel on top would be best.
Spello is magical, flower filled alleys, great restaurants and it has a train station which is rare in small hill towns. We spent two weeks there but had a car so don't know details about train service. It is near Asissi which you see across the valley.
Posted by
Chicago
8702 posts
With a car I'd go to a small hilltown but without you want a bigger place. I'd choose Siena which itself is magnificent and you could do tours from there as well.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Assisi, you can daytrip o Spello.
Posted by
OP
Randolph, MA, USA
52 posts
Thanks for such useful info. I looked up Spello and it looks like a go. But I also have been told great things about Todi. Has any one been there? In Orvieto we would like an apartment. Does anyone have any leads? Thanks again.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Todi is beautiful, I have been there twice. But, not the easiest to get to by public transportation (bus from Orvieto runs twice a day but times are not convenient for a daytrip).