Lynne,
Congrats on your decision to rent in the Sabina. My wife and I recently restored an appartamento in Casperia, a bit to the north of Montopoli. Casperia is lovely and worth a visit. No cars in the centro storico so it has retained much of its medieval flavor.
Although we are still learning the Sabina area, we are in love with it. Some random thoughts and suggestions:
We had a fabulous meal in March of ’05 in Montopoli, at a place called il Rodeo (so named because it used to be a riding clulb). Roast lamb that was to die for and bruschetrta grilled over the fire in the fireplace. I heard it may have closed since, but if it hasn’t, it’s well worth a stop. Our favorite restaurant in the area is il Campanile, in Roccantica. Great food and a good value. Let the owner select the antipasti for you. In Selci in Sabina there is a restaurant we have heard good things about, but have not yet tried (although we’ll be going when we are there later this month)—La Vecchia Quercia.
I assume you will be going into Rome, as it is so close. The commuter train from Poggio Mirteto Scalo takes only 45 minutes to Tiburtina Station in Rome. Buy the BIRG ticket and you can use it on Rome’s busses and the Subway as well at the train.Take the train Sunday morning early and stay on until it gets to the Trastevere Station and you can walk the three blocks or so to the Porta Portese Flea Market. Because it is on the main line to Rieti from Rome, there are more frequent trains from the Passo Corese Station (Fara Sabina), and they return there from Rome later in the evening if you want to stay in the City later into the evening. Go visit the Abby in Farfa, buy textiles at the shop nearby and enjoy lunch in the trattoria across the street.
If you go to our web site (below my name below) and check the “Useful Links” section you will be connected to other sites that may help. The Sabina is truly “Undiscovered Italy” at its finest. Enjoy!
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