I am in the early planning stages of a trip for next fall (2027). Part of the trip will be taking the train from Bologna to Arezzo or Cortona, staying a few nights and renting a car. The idea then is to sort of follow the loop through Perugia, Assisi, Spello, foligno, Spoleto, Orvieto, where we would drop off the car. Any advice or experience on how many days, what to leave in, what to take out, and where to base (or bases). I imagine several places could be visited in the same day. Could we do this in a week?
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
2273 posts
As many days as you can! Whether a week is enough depends on your interests and how quickly or slowly you like to move.
We spent 4.5 weeks in Umbria in November-December 2021. Bases for us were: 4 nights Orvieto (our 2nd time there), 9 nights Perugia, 6 nights Gubbio, 6 nights Spoleto, 3 nights Norcia, and 4 nights Narni. Assisi, Spello, and Foligno were day trips, as were Deruta, Castelluccio, Amelia, San Gemini, Montefalco, and several others.
With my pretty intense interest in art and architecture, I could have stayed longer in Umbria and I had to skip many places, but my husband was relieved to go back to Rome for 4 nights ---- he'd probably say 3 weeks in Umbria would be enough time. His main interests in Umbria were local food & cooking classes, wine, ceramics, and taking Italian lessons. I felt like we short-changed the towns of Assisi and Spello by treating them as day trips just to see art. We spent so many nights in Perugia partly because we hadn't rented a car yet at that point, so we were taking buses and trains for day trips.
Posted by
OP
Buffalo
117 posts
Thanks. The question is probably poorly phrased. This will be part of an 8-9 week trip and is more of a trip within a bigger trip. What would be a reasonable itinerary for a week (or so)?
Posted by
Massachusetts
1789 posts
I spent 12 nights in Umbria earlier this year, using public transportation. I suggest the following # of days:
Orvieto: 3-4 days
Perugia: 3-4 days
Assisi: 2-3 days
Spello: 1-2 days
Foligno: can be done as a day trip from Spello
Spoleto: 1-3 days (you can also do a day trip to Spello from Spoleto)
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
2273 posts
Ah. How about this for about a 10-day visit?
Orvieto: 3 nights
Perugia: 2 nights
Assisi: 2 nights
Spello: 1 night
Spoleto: 2 nights although you could see the duomo, the aquaduct, and the facade of San Pietro as a day trip
Squeeze in a night or 2 for Gubbio or do as a day trip
Posted by
CA, USA
1465 posts
In Umbria we've found that we could visit 1 or 2 places a day. Out in the morning to the first. If we're liking it stay for lunch and then the rest of the afternoon if we want or on to the 2nd town. If we're less than thrilled leave and have lunch in the 2nd town. We've found Perugia to be a reasonably central place to stay, and they have car rental at the train station.
Posted by
OP
Buffalo
117 posts
Thanks to all. Sounds like there are treasures to be gathered in Umbria!