We are planning our trip and are looking for a good base to explore Umbria by public transportation. I need some good suggestions. We have been to Orvieto before (absolutely loved it) but we're looking for somewhere else. We prefer medieval or renaissance towns, laid back with less touristy areas. Possibly something else besides Cortona & Assisi. I've looked on Google Earth at Gubbio, Todi, Spoleto, & Narni. They look good. Arezzo & Perugia look to be quite large, but they have nice historic areas. Any others? How about San Marino? Know of a good restaurant? Rick's book is pretty light on Umbria info.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I love Umbria! Perugia probably has the best public transportation connections, but it's a pretty large town. Arezzo would be the next best option, I think, of the places you mention, and has a nice historic center. Buses will get you to towns that the trains don't serve as well.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
We stayed in Spello a couple of years ago for 5 nights. While our very cute medieval apartment was a 20 minute walk from the train station, we LOVED it. It's a charming town, few Americans -- or English speakers for that matter -- and very close to Assisi. We took a bus to Assisi for a day, train to Perugia, train to Spoleto, but Gubbio was logistically out of reach by train and bus as it was just too many hours in transit. We also took an all day escorted wine tour with Gusto Wine Tours. Simply fabulous!
If you choose Spello, check our Osteria Dada.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
If relying on public transport then choose Perugia, Umbria regional capital
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
My vote is for Perugia. We were there 10 years ago and we will be returning this coming May. The area offers everything Tuscany offers minus hordes of tourists. The two main, connected piazzas are alive with activity at night and walking the side streets provides for a nice passeggiata (evening stroll).
Buon viaggio,
Posted by
Portland
3648 posts
I'll add a vote for Perugia. Gubbio and Spoleto are both worth visiting, but less central for using as bases. Since you want to use public transport, I suggest you first check out which towns have good bus connections (I don't think trains will do much for you.)and plan from there.
Posted by
Atlanta
1005 posts
Consider Todi. I've spent a week there one trip and 11 days there on another. So many wonderful towns are an easy day trip away. It's also close enough to dip up into Tuscany.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Well, Arezzo is in Tuscany, fwiw.
As for Umbria, I've also been trying to decide on a place to stay and Spoleto is at the top of our list. Spoleto seemed like a good balance of big enough to have things of interest but still not on the major tourist radar. (Places we have really enjoyed include Orvieto and Assisi, and Spoleto seems to be similar in many ways to them.)
Going by bus opens up the possibility for daytrips from the smaller towns, although I'm a big believer in really exploring the place we're staying rather than adding more places to our itinerary. Obviously having a rental car opens up more possibilities, but it's expensive and more of a hassle than some people want to take on.