Assisi/Florence/Tuscany?

If you are interested in a religious pilgrimage, you will enjoy Assisi. I was underwhelmed.

“Worth” is a word that comes up often on this site, and I can hardly think of anything more in the eye of the beholder. The poster above raises the issue of religious sentiment as a reason for a stop in Assisi. There is also the artistic interest of the Giotto frescoes. If neither of those moves you, Florence and the area near it simply abound with attractive towns. What floats your boat? Art, history, architecture, food, wine?

It will help to flesh out the Tuscany part first before deciding whether to include Assisi. Are you planning on taking the train or having a car in Tuscany? If you stay in Florence, it will be better to not have a car. So, working out those matters first will be really helpful!
To me, it would be ideal to leave upon arrival for Tuscany, and work your way backward so you can stay in Rome last and not have to do a one-night stay before departure.

Check out Ravenna for the fabulous Byzantine Era Mosaics. Not that far from Florence.

I'm not at all religious, but I really enjoyed a longish day-trip to Assisi. The basilica is gorgeous. Beyond that, I think the secret for me was starting at the top of the town, which is medieval and relatively non-touristy, and wandering downhill to the basilica. As you get close to the latter you do see a lot of ticky-tacky souvenir shops, but that was not at all my experience up at the top.

Orvieto is another worthwhile stop on the way to or from Rome, but it does cost you in travel time. Florence and Rome are connected by rapid Freccia trains. Orvieto is on a regional rail line, and those trains are not nearly as fast. There's enough to see in Orvieto to justify an overnight stay and a full day of sightseeing or more.

I spent 16 years visiting Assisi as a singer at an international music festival there in July. Yes, the basilica is powerful for several reasons. But so are the dozens of other churches, each with their own art and religious treasures. But St. Francis and St. Claire are only one reason to visit Assisi. How about the 2000 year old Roman ruins (above and below ground). And then there is the even more ancient Etruscan ruins down lower. Local art, leather works (I bought plenty of each every year). My favorite olive oil and balsamic vinegar is from Francesco Mollaioli. You'll never find better! Food? Umbrian slow cooking is distinctive and unique throughout Italy. Like to walk? It's actually possible to walk uphill both ways from the Piazza Comune around the city. That was the running joke among the festival participants - and yes, it really is uphill both ways but who cared? The views, the fresh mountain breeze, the peaceful streets (because most all of the tourists who arrived at 10 am left by 5 pm.), sitting at a cafe on the Piazza Comune until late at night - I haven't found a similar experience anywhere else in Italy. Our constant sigh was: we deserve this! Yes, I recommend at least a few days and nights in Assisi.

Hi Robert,
How far of a drive do you think Assissi is from Florence?
Thanks.

Hi Momof3. I've never driven it. The train is easy but it does take a few hours (it's the milk run usually). Also, and probably more important, parking in Assisi is not easy. There is a big parking lot (don't know what the price is) but it's very inconvenient. What makes it even more so is that the escalator up to the main entrance of the city (by the Basilica Santa Chiara) hasn't worked for years (at least never when I'm there). I just saw in the city's news that it still isn't working. Driving in the medieval city is basically a one-way that feels like: "we were just here.". And, you better have a tiny car! Cars weren't allowed in Assisi until after the 1997 earthquake. There are other parking options but, honestly, I haven't seen one that was convenient. Maybe park down in Santa Maria degli Angeli near the train station and taxi to your hotel/apartment.

I spent a week in Florence in 2019 and we stayed in a private, one bedroom apartment which was booked through AirBnB. I've never been to Assisi but we took day trips to Siena and San Gimignano via trains. The day trips were easy and definitely manageable. I think Florence is a great hub for spending time in Tuscany!

We spent 2 nights in Assisi and enjoyed it. I wouldn’t have minded staying another day. We stayed in the Istituto Beata Angelina, a nun operated inn across the street from the Basilica. Our room had a superb view of it. Wonderful

We spent 2 nights Assisi and enjoyed it very much. It's a beautiful town, lovely in the early morning and evening. The Basilica is gorgeous, even if you are not "religious"

We drove from Montepulciano and took a pokey way there but I don't think it took much more than 2-2.5 hours-
Rome2rio says about 2 hours from Florence
There is a big parking garage at the bottom of town- Basilica end. Easy access.
We stayed at Hotel Berti which is just across street from parking tucked into the city wall/gate. Very small place, very basic but it was fine for us. There is a bus right there at that gate that takes you to top of town- walk down- much easier!
We had an excellent dinner at the restaurant owned by family that runs Hotel Berti- just down the street.

We took a drive out on 2nd day and visited Spello. Really lovely little town as well.

If you decide to stay overnight in Assisi, directly across from the Basilica is a convent that welcomes visitors. Every room has a view of the Basilica, incredible. It’s a very special place, the nuns a very welcoming. I’m not religious but I thought it was wonderful.

My husband didn't go with me to Orvieto and his response to my photos of the cathedral there was "Wow". It's definitely on my list of places to return. The Giotto frescoes in Assisi were my primary reason for going there, but I'm thinking I might prefer those in Padua. Ravenna is also on my list for the future, as is the cathedral(not the tower) in Pisa. For me, the time I spent in Assisi and traveling there could have been better spent in Florence.