29Aug 2018 by admin

Monte Castello di Vibio

Day Trips, Monte Castello di Vibio
Although the little town above our house is small, it is certainly worth a visit.  A stroll around town will reveal a small hotel (currently under renovation), a bakery selling yummy pastries, bread and focaccia, an ATM, the smallest theater in the world, a pharmacy with an English speaking pharmacist, a post office, a butcher selling a large variety including homemade sausage for the grill, a bar selling various coffees and cocktails and offering a beautiful view of neighboring Todi, and a couple of restaurants. To visit you can either walk or drive parking along the walled base of the town and entering through the archway by the hotel.  If you choose to walk, follow the gravel road back to the cemetery and then straight up the hill.  It's about…
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28Aug 2018 by admin

Cascate delle Marmore

Day Trips, Waterfall and Hike
If you're up for a bit of a drive (50 minutes) and quite a few stairs, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful waterfall. Nearby, there is a simple but authentically Umbrian restaurant we really enjoyed. La Primula It doesn't have a view but the meat and cheese platters as well as the pastas are great. There are plenty of other good restaurants in the area.
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28Aug 2018 by admin

Sirolo

Day Trips, Sirolo
Interested in the beach? You can be there in less than 2.5 hours. It's an easy drive on new roads and tunnels.  This town is so cute that I recommend you spend the night.  
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28Aug 2018 by admin

Gualdo Tadino

Day Trips, Gualdo Tadino
Rocca Flea (also birra) Museums Restaurants: Ristorante Gigiotto in a hotel on an alley to the left of the main piazza. Very good. La Terrazza di San Guido - a short drive outside of town. It's a ski lodge but open in the summer.
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28Aug 2018 by admin

Perugina Chocolate Factory

Day Trips, Perugia, Perugina Chocolate Factory
We enjoyed an hour and a half tour filled with chocolate samples at the Perugina factory outside Perugia.  It's an interesting story of the founders and includes a catwalk over the entire factory floor.  You must make a reservation online ahead of time.  You can choose whether you want an English tour or an Italian tour. The way into the factory is a little tricky.  The entrance to the parking lot is gated so you must stop and tell them you have a reservation to raise the gate.  After that, it's clearly marked.
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28Aug 2018 by admin

Assisi

Assisi, Day Trips
Although Assisi is the most touristed town in Umbria, it still makes for a lovely day.  The town is beautiful, clean, and set on a hillside made of white stone.  You'll also drive through Santa Maria degli Angeli where you can visit the duomo commemorating where St. Francis died.  The center of Assisi features Roman origins including the Temple of Minerva which is now a church. There are two main parking lots.  One is near the Basilica of St. Francis and the other that we prefer is on the opposite side of town but provides you the chance to stroll and see the whole place with the Basilica at the other end.  In both cases, they work the same where you take your ticket and pay at a kiosk on the way…
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28Aug 2018 by admin

Perugia

Day Trips, Perugia
I've avoided Perugia in past years because it just seems like a big city hassle.  We finally conquered my fears this year and I realized I couldn't have been more wrong.  It's only about 40 minutes from the house and with a navigator and GPS it can be done! Perugia has a fascinating past as it was first an Etruscan trading route and then an important city of merchants who were controlling the flow of trade down the Tiber River to Rome.  In the medieval ages it was full of wealthy and influential families who were then conquered by the pope.  As you arrive into the old city via a series of escalators from the parking lot below, you see around you what was once the original city. It's also…
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27Aug 2018 by admin

Todi

Day Trips, Todi
The town of Todi has existed since 8th century bc but you'll find most of its look to be quintessentially medieval.  It has two lovely churches. The one on the main piazza was built in the 13th century and the other, San Fortunato was built in the 7th century.  Todi isn't particularly a tourist town so most of the activity you see here is just everyday life. To visit, follow GPS to Parking Port Orvietana Todi.  You take a ticket (bring it with you) and use the elevator (ascensore) to get to the town above.  No need to pay until you exit using the automated machine at the exit of the elevator.  It's also possible to drive around the other side of the town and park for free along the walls…
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27Aug 2018 by admin

Gelateria Pianegiani

Restaurant Recommendations, Todi
I love the gelato here. They have a nice little square with tables and chairs to sit.  It's just down the street from Pizzeria Cavour or up the street from Trattoria da Piero e Silvana.  If you want to take some home, they have various sizes of styrofoam containers that they will fill with a variety of flavors for you. ...although you better be heading straight to the car and home from there.
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