Hi,
spending 3 days in Umbria early February and would like suggestions for our base town. We will take a train from Rome to Orvieto and rent a car from there. We plan on wandering around checking out the area and are trying to determine if Assisi or Orvieto is the best location to stay. Slightly worried about finding places to eat at night since it's winter. Any suggestions including hotels or rental property are welcome.
Thanks!
You won't have any trouble finding places to eat unless you're out in the middle of nowhere. Both Orvieto and Assisi are charming and fully functioning towns with residents and tourists who go to restaurants year-round. I've never rented a car in Italy in February, so can't help on that front except to say that you should factor in the weather. Frankly, three days in either Orvieto or Assisi can/should be spent exploring those towns, imho, rather than hopping in the car. But there's no one-size-fits-all approach to travel.
Good luck.
I would suggest you look seriously at Assisi. I am there as part of an international music festival for about 3 weeks every year. INHO Assisi has more to offer than Orvieto (which I like as a day trip and we send our performers there every year for a break). Assisi will be primarily religious art focused. The 3 levels of the Basilica San Francesco are breathtaking. You also have a half dozen or more churches that are older including Santa Maria Maggiore, which was the cathedral until the 12th century. Beneath it are Roman ruins, beneath those are Etruscan ruins. 2700 years of history! The RS book has a lot of detail for you. Also, check out YouTube videos and the webcams. These will give you more an idea of the medieval beauty the people have maintained or restored after the 1997 earthquake. Food? Not sure you could go wrong there. Umbrian recipes are especially delicious. La Lanterna ,on the road up to the current cathedral (since the 12th century) San Rufino, is a personal favorite. Hotels? Try Hotel Sole (a wonderful bnb run by my good friend Michaela). It's on Via Santa Chiara (also known as Via Mazzini) in between the church Santa Chiara and the Piazza del Comune. Across the road and closer to the Piazza is Hotel dei Priori. On a lower level (Assisi is built on the side of a mountain) is the Hotel Giotto. We put visiting groups of performers there and they have always had good thing to say. Magnificent view! Right across the road is a small shop where you can get the most amazing olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Francesco Mollaioli is a delight! Assisi is a wonderful place both day and night. The views of the valley and the views up the side of the mountain are powerful. There are local artists who have captured the beauty and spirit of Assisi. Cruciani and Martini are my favorites. Leather goods also make for good shopping. Make sure you try the wild boar - great sandwich!
edit: oh yes, skip the car! you won't need it in Assisi and you'd have to park it quite a distance away.
As everyone else has said. Don't worry about finding places open for dinner. None of the towns in Umbria become ghost towns in the off season. Many of us live here all year round.
If you have a car I love to take friends and family to La Stalla, a restaurant just outside of Assisi. Just not Wednesday, they're closed.
I really like Orvieto and it's definitely worth a day trip. But if I was wanting to explore other parts of Umbria I'd choose Assisi as a base. It's closer to Montefalco and Bevagna, and Spello is just down the road. And one of my favourite towns is Spoleto.
hope this helps,
have a great trip!
Thank you! Great information.
My wife and I spent three weeks based on Orvieto this last September. It was a wonderful time spent in a town that has a lot to offer. Orvieto can easily be reach by train (funicular across the street from the train station) brings you right into town. Our three weeks were spent without a car. Strictly local trains. A car would have made it easier, but being a local and simple means was our goal.
We stayed in a great apartment close to the funicular and steps away from the main street Corso Cavour. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/31486973
