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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27Aug 2018 by admin

La Torraccia

Monte Castello di Vibio, Restaurant Recommendations
A casual cocktail bar and pizza place with lovely views is walkable and located at the entrance gate of Monte Castello.  There is a little staircase to the left as you face the arch.  It is located along the exterior wall of the town.  It is only open in the summer and it operates a bit like an italian beach club with various aperitivi (cocktails) and casual food.  The pizzas are pretty good.  Sometimes, we just stop by for a drink in the evening after we have picked up something to grill from the butcher in town.  They advertise bands and dancing but I've never stayed long enough to check it out.
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27Aug 2018 by admin

Winery Visits

Day Trips, Winery
There are many wineries throughout Umbria.  Here are a few we've visited and enjoyed. In every case except for perhaps the large cantinas near Montefalco, you'll need to make an appointment to visit. Just over the one lane bridge outside Monte Castello, turn right toward a winery called Terramante.    It's a very small operation (by an American man and his Italian wife.)  They make three reds and a Rose' and I enjoyed them all for different reasons.  They speak English.  You'll need to make an appointment as they are a very small operation and will set aside time from their day to meet with you. Iacopo Paolucci - He charges about $20 per tasting and you'll need to make a reservation.  The winery is near Doglio - a short…
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27Aug 2018 by admin

Spello

Day Trips, Spello
Spello is a place to go for the quintessential hill town photo.  The townspeople have a lot of pride in the aesthetics of the town and it shows.  Flower boxes are everywhere and a stroll down side streets typically produces one expansive vista after another. I haven't been here for a meal but I can definitely recommend a great experience at a wine shop called Enoteca Properzio.  They have a lovely courtyard in the back where they will let you sample a variety of wines and olive oils.  You always walk away with something unique and new knowledge.  Their hospitality is fantastic. Spello is also known for its famous Infiorate festival at the beginning of June. They make intricate flower carpets throughout the town in celebration of Corpus Domini.
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27Aug 2018 by admin

Montefalco

Day Trips, Montefalco
This is a small but lovely town and the drive, although long and winding, is beautiful.  Montefalco is known for its wineries.  You can make a fairly quick stroll around the town and enjoy lunch but I recommend you pad your morning and/or afternoon with visits to the wineries in the area which grow mostly Sagrantino and are famous for Montefalco Rosso wine. Unlike California, these places do not necessarily staff tasting rooms so you need to call ahead to make a reservation. There are a couple of ways that google maps will show you to cut across the countryside from our house to Montefalco.  I recommend you take one route one way and another on the return so that you see the most.  It takes about 45 minutes either way.…
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