This site is addictive! I'm traveling to Tuscany/Umbria with 5 friends next year. We plan to rent a villa for a week and tack a couple of days on at the beginning or end of the rental period. We're trying to decide where to base ourselves. We want to see Florence and the wine areas of Chianti and Montepulciano. (We may be able to spend at least one day in Florence before we get to our villa.) We've also heard how wonderful Siena is. On the other hand, we want to see Assisi, Perugia and Todi. We'd been told Umbria is nicer to stay in because it's less touristy. We were thinking of staying on the border, in either Tuscany or Umbria. Is that practical? And is Umbria really a lot nicer to stay in than Tuscany? Thanks in advance for any advice. - Pat
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,
Posts: 6 | Location: NJ | Registered: 15 September 2002
We stayed at a house not far from Arezzo and were able to visit Sienna and Montepulciano on day trips. We also drove to Assisi on our way to Rome. I would think a villa "on the border" would enable you to get a taste of both Tuscany and Umbria. I'd suggest at least two days in Florence. One day simply isn't enough (and we tried).
I agree with you about the addictiveness of Slow Travelers. I can't stop lurking.
Gail
Posts: 107 | Location: Bergenfield, New Jersey | Registered: 14 March 2002
This site certainly is addictive -- particularly since we are off for two weeks in Italy this afternoon. Will be able to give you a better comparison of Umbria (where we stayed, outside of Assisi) three years ago, and southern (southeastern) Toscana, where we will be now. I can only say, though, that now that they have fixed the frescoes at Assisi, it's worth a trip, even a second one (they were still repairing earthquake damage when we were there in 99).
Posts: 13 | Location: Jerusalem, Israel | Registered: 21 September 2002
I have recently spent a week in each of these areas and would wholeheartedly recommend the border.Umbria was way better than Tuscany in my view for many reasons and staying in the north of Umbria will give you the access to Tuscany.
I would also recommend our villa just outside Perugia.If you deal directly with the owner it saves lots of money.
Flip a coin, but my preference is still Tuscany. If you go to Assissi, try to book into the Hotel Pallotta. It is an extremely delightful family run hotel, they also run an excellen restaurant a few doors from the hotel, and while dining there, we remarked how lovely a painting there was of the hotel. Lo and behold, they gave us a beautiful print of the painting which we framed and treasure. On October 14th, we are off for 6 weeks, starting in Rome, up the east coast to cinque terre, then to Gallerata, then down to Alife, then to our base in Maiori.
Posts: 9 | Location: Wilmington, De. USA | Registered: 27 August 2002
Pat- I don't think its an either/or choice- both areas have so much for you to experience. Parts of Umbria can be filled with as many busloads of tourists as San Gimignano; and there are areas of Tuscany where you won't hear anything but Italian. Plan on seeing what interests you, and remember you won't see everything (nor should you expect to!) on your first trip.
You may want to stay in an area where you can easily get to a main road, if you want to do lots of scooting around. Take a look at a map, read some guidebooks, and do some searching on the site and the message board.
For seeing Florence, I'd agree with Gail that it may make sense to do a few days in the city, then go to the countryside for your week. That way you wouldn't be limited by needing proximity to Florence, and can happily visit the city without a commute.
The Tuscan borders of Umbria are by and large not the best part of Umbria, with the possible exception of a very small pocket at Citerna (across the border from Monterchi). You will have to make a bolder and more clear-cut choice!
You sound like you have it in your mind to see Tuscany, and only a negative reason for going to Umbria. Lacking better grounds to visit either, then, you should wind up in Tuscany.
I'd prioritize a couple of 'villas' that you like, then check driving distances from each of them to places you want to go; that will help you decide which of the choices seems to give you the best options. Also consider how early the group will want to get going in the morning...some I've traveled with can't seem to get everyone in a car 'til 10 AM at the earliest, while others are out the door and ready to go at 8 AM. I recommend www.shellgeostar.com as a great source for getting driving distances and estimated driving time...you can set it to give you fast/medium/slow driving time estimates.
Best wishes,
SALLY WATKINS, Certified Travel Counselor sally@century-tvl.com www.sallywatkins.com My business depends on referrals - please tell someone today!
Hi Pat I would like to suggest you a very nice place between Montepulciano area and Perugia & Assisi. Do you know Trasimeno lake? Castglione del lago is the most important village around the lake...and Frattavecchia ia a wonderful "casa colonica" well restored, my sister Daniela and my cousin Malvia will be happy to receive you and your friends in one of the 7 apartments. You can also find swimming pool and tennis court, please visit the site http://www.interlagos.it ciao ciao by Stefano
Posts: 28 | Location: Panicale | Registered: 12 May 2002
We just returned from Italy and spent part of the time just "south of the border," in Umbria, on the northeast side of Lake Trasimeno. We found this to be a great location: 20 minutes from Cortona; 15 minutes from Perugia; 40 minutes or so from Todi; 40 minutes or so from Orvieto; 1/2 hour from Montelpuciano; one hour (or less, depending on traffic and road construction) from Siena.
Re: Florence. If you're a museum/art/duomo person, one day is not enough (if you take the buses, watch for pickpockets); if you are not a museum/art/duomo person, spend a day so you can say you were in Florence, then get out of town. I'm sure this statement will raise cries of dismay, but there are so many great things to do/see/experience in Tuscany/Umbria.
quote:if you are not a museum/art/duomo person, spend a day so you can say you were in Florence, then get out of town. I'm sure this statement will raise cries of dismay
Cry Of Dismay #1, and friendly amendment: If you're not a museum/art/duomo person, skip Florence altogether. Do you need to say anything to anyone? Do what you enjoy....
If you're not a museum art duomo person, you may still love Firenze for the shopping. The markets are wonderful, both the food and the outdoor leather morkets (although you can get ripped off at both. I also think that Firenze has an incredibly high standard of Gelato.
Dean
If you're lost, you're just having an adventure.......
Posts: 4612 | Location: Casa del Fenicottero Rosa, Silver Spring, MD USA | Registered: 06 August 2002
Topic Closed
