We will be traveling to Rome in October, driving away from the city on 10/1 and staying the night AFTER that in Assisi from 10/3-10/5 in order to enjoy the festivities there for St. Francis. Where should we spend the night in between of 10/2? Orvieto? Any suggestions for an agriturismo on the way? Thank you. And everyone suggests not driving in Rome, but we will need a car to leave to city, and after Assisi head through a couple of hill towns before ending up in Florence....any advice is welcome.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3167 posts
If you want to simplify your trip and save money, take the train from Rome Terrmini to Orvieto and from Orvieto to Assisi. Then take the train from Assisi to Foligno to rent the car. Train fares for two would be less expensive than gas and tolls and more relaxing. Parking in Orvieto and Assisi is expensive and you cannot drive into Assisi. TrenItalia is inexpensive and trains are frequent between these locations.
When I was there for the feast day in 2016, there were processions with Gregorian chant and a remarkable performance by the St. Francis Pipe Band from Glasgow. Hope they are there when you are.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
It sounds like you'll be spending the nights of 10/1 and 10/2, right? Orvieto is a great and easy destination. Or to make "best use" of a car by going somewhere that's not served by train, consider Gubbio. It's north of Assisi but only an hour of "backtracking."
Posted by
Washington DC
27156 posts
There are rather a lot of rail connections between Orvieto and Foligno, so heading there to pick up a car doesn't seem difficult. Not all of the routes go through Assisi, though.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks All. Why Foligno to rent a car? I don't know anything about that town.
Posted by
Washington DC
27156 posts
I don't know, myself. But I think there is currently just one car-rental agency in Orvieto (Hertz), and it no longer is an option if one rents through AutoEurope, which many like to do. At least that's the information that has been posted on this forum.