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Umbria--Mid February 2025

We've been to Florence and Siena and Rome (and other places in Italy). We will have up to a week at the end of a month + trip to mostly Puglia. We fly out of Rome. I already plan to go to Orvieto. We may add Todi, Torgiano and Perugia if we find out the area won't be too quiet.

I'd like some input on visiting Umbria mid February. Will we find many restaurants/shops/inns closed? Any wineries we could visit this time of year? Will towns be drab and devoid of people? We are not shoppers.

Assissi, Spello, Montone and Citerna are also appealing, but would save for another trip if they would be "drab".

Small hotel and restaurant sugggestions for Orvieto most welcome.

Posted by
703 posts

By drab do you mean weather? It could certainly be raining. I've been to Assisi, Spello, Orvieto and Perugia several times in the winter months. I always find them appealing. I've had rain a few times but you can't control the weather. Devoid of people is a positive in my book. Orvieto at night is great after all the day trippers leave. We spent 3 nights in Assisi with day trips around in March a few years ago... loved it. Orvieto is by far my favorite of those towns. I've been there MANY times and just was there again last week. Perugia has the university crowd also. I don't think you will find many shops closed.

Posted by
6361 posts

Thank you Linda for the helpful information. By drab I meant dark, empty, closed up. I do look forward to enjoying the area without crowds, but I'd like to see some energy.

Posted by
2075 posts

It's all the luck of the draw unless you plan around the weather...

In late February 2017, that's what we did and on a spectacular day in Rome--sunny, hi 50s--we decided as soon as we saw the weather forecast the previous day, to take the train out of Termini station to Orvieto. Left our apartment at 9:00, the bus took us to Termini station by 10:00, and we bought tickets at a kiosk to leave for Orvieto at 10:45. Arrived there about 12:15, funicular up to the town by 12:30. Walked around a bit, then had a smashing lunch of tagliatelle with cinghiale (wild boar) about 1:30.

Wandered around the shops for a while after lunch, visited the beautiful cathedral in the afternoon sun about 4:00, took the funicular back down to the station, got on the 6:00 train back to Roma Termini, arriving at 7:30. Plenty of time for a light dinner & then a gelato. Back to the apartment by 10:00, exhausted but happy.

I listed all the times because it was maybe the most perfect and efficient daytrip I've ever taken. BTW, Orvieto was completely open on this day.

Enjoy your planning!

Posted by
6361 posts

Thanks, Jay. That sounds optimistic. I can do 50s and sun. Heck, I can do 40s and sun!

Posted by
159 posts

Interesting that you list Torgiano as a destination. This little town rarely makes anyone's list of destinations. We stayed at Le Tre Vaselle in Torgiano a few years ago. It was an amazing experience. We visited in mid-summer and the spa portion was a real treat. The restaurant was also an excellent experience. I understand that they have gone through a renovation recently. It's also conveniently located for all of your other destinations.

Posted by
1562 posts

Don't get Minnesotans boasting about what's the lowest temperatures they can do. And I am fine with NO SUN.

Posted by
6361 posts

Well, anything lower than -10F just all feels the same, sun or no sun. . .;)