Thinking about visiting the area very beginning of December.
We will have just been in Rome for five days and maybe a hint of Naples or Sorrento if that helps for variety reasons.
I know it will be cold... but that is just when the wife has time off.
I want to see some pastoral Italy while we are there, so there isnt too much of a city overload (i think we will go to Florence after)....
Any suggestions for towns to stay in??
Assisi, Perugia... ??
Thanks!
We were in Unbria Feb. 2008 and stayed in Orvieto at the Hotel Duomo. Loved it and would stay there again.
We spent a whole day just wondering around the town. We were the only ones in the Duomo one morning except for the small congregation observing matins in a side chapel. We were also the only ones in the frescoed chapel and were able to spend plenty of time studying them without anyone being in our way. We did a daytrip to Assisi and also visited Todi on our way back to Rome. La Palomba was our favorite restaurant in Orvieto (possibly the whole trip). We had dinner there two nites in a row. In Todi we had a wonderful lunch at Umbria. We thought being in Tuscany and Umbria in the winter time was great - virtually no tourists, lower hotel rates and you never have trouble getting a table.
Our rule of thumb when visiting Italy is towns/cities in the winter and coast/countryside in the warmer months. Umbria and Northern Lazio are our favourite countryside destinations. A base in Perugia would be an ideal mixture of town and countryside for that time of year.
We really enjoy visiting Perugia (nothing to do with the chocolate!), the old city on top of it's rock is fascinating. More ancient Etruscan, Roman and medieval buildings etc than you can shake a stick at, they seem to be round every corner. We find it a very laid back city and because of it's altitude not at all claustrophobic. Though it will be cold as is the rest of the area, you might even see some snow.
The views over the surrounding countryside are wonderful, on a clear day you can see right up the Vale of Umbria which is lined by hilltop Umbrian towns, including Assisi, all waiting to be visited.
If you have the time, a car and weather permitting a drive in the Valnerina area, just south of Spoleto, is very rewarding in terms of scenery and ancient fortified villages.
If you decide to use Perugia for a base- take an hours drive down the main highway to Deruta. It has shop after shop of Ceramic dishes and artisans. In the winter I am not too sure if all are open. And do not miss Cortona, very steep climbing.
Thanks for the replies.... good stuff here to think about.
I was also thinking maybe Southern Tuscany... Multacino, Montepulciano....?
What do you think?
Go. Your visit in the winter will be a unique chance to see the real Italy & Italians, minus nearly all of the tourists!
