We have been to Italy five times and been all over the country. We have stayed a number of times in southern Tuscany near Pienza. We are looking to do a relaxing (as in long stops and short drives) trip this time. We are staying a few days in Rome and then have a another week in Tuscany and or Umbria. Want to stay somewhere we haven't been before. Thinking about Spoleto (Palazzo Leti hotel) and Cortona (Villa Marsili) and visting Assisi while driving from Spoleto to Assisi. Any comments as to this itinerary? Is a week to long for these two towns? Experience with these hotels? Other towns better?
Umbria/Tuscany for a week - Cortona/Spoleto?
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http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187905-d319979-Reviews-Alla_Madonna_del_Piatto-Assisi_Province_of_Perugia_Umbria.html
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g262048-d672314-r8615304-Relais_Genius_Loci_Country_Inn-Bevagna_Province_of_Perugia_Umbria.html
Here are 2 gems in centro Umbria.
i'm liking the looks of the Relais Genius Loci. Thanks.
We sepnt a wonderful week just below Cortona in the vineyards at Realais Il Falconniere. Lodging, food, all outstanding.
We've spent 10 days in Spoleto at the Hotel San Luca. I'm not familiar with the Palazzo Leti, but one of the things we most appreciated about the San Luca was how easy and quick it was to reach roads that would take us in every direction. There was a small supermarket a block away where we bought wine, cheese, snacks, etc. We thought Spoleto was a great base for Umbria, close enough for easy drives to towns and mountains but with its own sights, a good selection of restaurants and a bit of shopping. However, I'm an admitted 'city girl' and not partial to staying in agriturismi or itty-bitty hamlets.
I've only visited Cortona and not stayed there. It would be too far for me if my priority was Umbria.
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What month are you going? Spoleto hosts an very large music festival in June I think -- I'm not sure.
You also need to be aware that at Easter and the 'nice weather' months from mid-April to November 1st, both Cortona and Assisi are almost overwhelmed with tourists, and people generally feel the restaurants suffer because of it too. There are strategies for seeing Assisi and avoiding the peak times for the crowds, so you might want to look into it.
It would certainly be too long for me to stay in Spoleto or Cortona for a week and do one excursion to Assisi. I'd rather be in Perugia for a week and take a train to Assisi and otherwise enjoy the multi-fascinations of the larger place. Or I'd rather be a farm with someone cooking me dinner, so I could start my memoirs or spend all my time in monastic quiet learning to use an i-phone to its fullest capacities. If your dream is to find a sufficently interesting quiet town surrounded by interesting towns just a very short drive away, notice that Spoleto is at one corner of Umbria, as you can see on a map. You might want to look up the towns right near Spoleto (or Cortona) in all directions (including in Lazio and Le Marche) and see if they interest you. Maybe you'd rather be in Bevagna or Spello or Montefalco and visit Spoleto.
They're all quite nice, and like I said, it's pretty easy to drive around that part of Italy if you get bored.
We had a "gourmet tasting" at Genius Loci in 2011 while staying in Spello. It is a lovely spot with fine views over the rolling vineyards. The hospitality is warm and genuine. Had we decided to have stayed in the country, it would've been there.
Decided to stay 4 nights at Genius Loci and then 3 nights in Cortona at Villa Marsilli. Give us a mix of country and town living. We like staying in town normally but 7 nights in crowded towns might be too much. I like the idea of doing day trips from Bevagna. Thanks everyone for the help.
Be sure to visit Montefalco and Spello!
Good chocies---the Bevagna location is perfect.
If you visit Bevagna, go to the Tourist Info office and ask about tours/access to the excavated Roman baths. When we went, the tour also included the interior of the otherwise closed tiny opera house.
Bevagna has a ZTL, so watch for the signs. We parked on the north side of town, just outside the old city walls.