We will be in Florence and in Rome, each for numerous weeks so that we can take a lot of day trips by train and bus to the smaller towns in the region, only one town per day unless there are several little towns close together. On the maps it appears that Arezzo is a closer/faster trip from Florence and that Assisi is a closer/faster trip from Rome, but I can not tell from the train schedules and routes whether that's the case. If you have any insight, would love to have it. Thanks!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Your understanding of the overview is correct. I'm not sure what issues the train schedules are giving you, but I find them easier to read through the DB link at How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online, versus other sources that sell tickets.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16243 posts
Assisi is not too close from either. Since you are there for several weeks do you have the time to spend a few nights to devote to Umbria?
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1898 posts
You can get to Assisi from Florence, if you are willing to spend about 4 hours on the train.
My daughter and I did Assisi and Perugia in ONE day a couple of year ago.
We'd planned to go to the Chocolate festival in Perugia, but I also wanted to get back to Assisi to visit and shop at one of my favorite ceramics stores....so basically, we just shopped in Assisi, and then went to Perugia (lucky for us, the ceramics shop owner called his dad and had him drive us to the train station.
We left Florence at @7AM, and returned about 7PM...so a long day, but a fun day. it's all in how much time you are willing to take traveling, and how much time you need to "see" Arezzo or Assisi...
There is a lot in Assisi to visit, lots of churches, the castle/fort at the top of the hill. I still haven't made it Arezzo....
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
362 posts
Laura and Roberto - grazie. I have sent each of you a PM.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Assisi is especially beautiful at night, I would recommend at least one night there. Two if you want to visit nearby Spello.