Hello,

I am trying to obtain advice from anyone who has spent time in both Umbria and Tuscany.

After a Tuscan wedding I have to attend, I am looking to rent a villa during the first week of October and I am TORN which area to rent this in. I was initially seeking a location near the Umbria border for daytrips in Montepulciano, but am not sure if I should just go for something in Umbria? I don’t know where to start with finding the right town for a good base but am seeking a great view for dining al fresco.

My husband and I want to explore food, wines and of course culture and new towns. We have already been to Florence, Chianti, Siena, Volterra, San Gimigiano and want a new experience.

Can anyone recommend advice on where to stay and what not to miss??

Thanks!

I almost said "Just flip a coin" until I read where you have already been. Given your previous experiences I would then suggest the heart of Umbria. I am partial to staying right in towns to experience more of the local life and to avoid having to use the car every time you want a caffe or gelato, but that's up to you. Do some reading on Spoleto, Spello, Bevagna, and Montefalco. There are many other great little towns that are not quite so convenient such as Norcia and Gubbio as far as transport goes. There are busier towns like Assisi, Orvieto and Perugia as well. It is only about an hour's drive into southern Tuscany (Montepulciano, Pienza, etc) from the Spello/Spoleto area. You can also get to the Marche (Ascoli) pretty easily by car. Can't go too wrong in Umbria and southern Tuscany in my book.

Hi Lupo,
this is always a subject of heated discussions here, as the "Umbria lovers" fight against the "Tuscany lovers" and the "Tuscany-Umbria-border lovers".

You will find endless discussions because everywhere is so beautiful and worth to see aournd here and I mean both regions) that there is no real answer. Indeed flip the coin may be.

You could start from the FAQ where you find useful links about "where to base" in Umbria and/or Tuscany.

Flip the coin-heads, southern Tuscany; tails, Umbria (any of the places Matt mentioned). If it stands on edge, join those of us who love to visit Tuscany and Umbria but then return to the serene beauty of northern Lazio.

Go for Umbria! We are just back from a three week holiday, one in Umbria and one in Tuscany. We found Umbria to be much more our style and much less filled with tourists. We stayed at Case Gialle which was a perfect base - we managed to see Montefalco (our favourite), Bevagna, Spello, Spoleto, and into the mountains, through the Piano Grande to Norcia. We stayed away from the larger towns but could have easily gone to Perugia, Assisi, etc.

So much of the decision is based on personal taste. It's like asking which flavor of gelato you should order.

Both have lots to offer.

One way of deciding is to check out possible rentals and see if any one in particular suits you perfectly. You could let that guide your choice.

jan

Well, everyone on this board knows my bias towards Perugia. Have a read of the travel notes in my signature to see if it's for you.

Buon viaggio, Claire.

I would certainly advise a week in the heart of Umbria. I find October to be absolutely magical.
www.slowtrav.com/blog/maryt

As others have said, you really can't go wrong with either place. I suggest that you look here on Slow Trav for a list of trip reports sorted by destination. You can skim through some of the reports that cover Tuscany and Umbria to look for places that sound appealing to you.

Also, be sure to check our vacation rental reviews when looking for places to stay.

- Roz

I totally agree, both are wonderful places to visit and offer a completely different experience. Umbria doesn't offer the slick, beautiful countryside that Tuscany has to offer but it's much wilder and for me, a more interesting place to visit.

Come to Cortona,
it is on the border.
And could be a good base to visit a little bit of both.

If you have chosen Umbria, and here is another vote for it, I have found http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/...taly/Umbria/map.html
by far the most helpful - I htink the auther is a member here but it's a great helpful site anyway.

I'd opt for the Niccone Valley, east of Cortona, which puts you in the extreme northwest of Umbria, right on the Tuscan border. It basically runs from Umbertide in Umbria to Mercatale in Tuscany. Easy access (one hour drive or less)to all the towns (Assisi, Perugia, Gubbio, Cortona, even Siena, Arezzo, etc.) mentioned here, as well as gorgeous scenery - there are many villas/agristourismos in the area from which to choose, a lot of them are up in the hills looking down on the valley - one visitor looking out over the valley said he was having an "eye-gasm!" It is beautiful, although that may be a little over the top. Plenty of country restaurants scattered throughout the area. You will need a car, if that's a consideration.

Now, my bias: I've stayed in this area 3 times over the last 10 years...having been to and stayed in Lucca, Siena, Rome (every trip) and Pontremoli the Niccone Valley is my fav.

Thanks for the tip! Where do you stay in Pontremoli?

Without all the gory details, we stayed in the Golf Hotel just east of town (Via della Pineta, 32). Very helpful and friendly staff, but not extraordinary otherwise. We were "stuck" and took the rooms for three days.

It's a quick shot to La Spezia and the Cinque Terre ferry - not far from Lucca, Pisa.