DAY TRIPS

SPOLETO

Ancient capital of the Lombard dukes, Spoleto will leave you breathless. In a postcard addressed to his wife, Herman Hesse wrote: “Spoleto is the most beautiful discovery I made in Italy [...], there is such a wealth of beauty almost unknown, mountains, valleys, forests of oaks, monasteries, waterfalls!” 

Montefalco

Montefalco offers a notable selection of local wines (including the famed Sagrantino) as well as several churches, some in the Romanesque, some in the Gothic, and some in the Renaissance style. Historically, the most important is the church of San Francesco, which is now the town’s museum, and, given its collection of art and artifacts, one of the most important museums in Umbria. The church is notable for its fresco cycle on the life of Saint Francis.

Orvieto

Orvieto is one of the most striking, memorable, and enjoyable hill towns in central Italy. Perched majestically high above the valley floor, atop a big chunk of tufo volcanic stone, Orvieto overlooks cypress-dotted Umbrian plains. A visit here will reward you with a delightful, perfectly preserved, and virtually traffic-free world highlighted by a colorful-inside-and-out cathedral and some of Italy’s most prized white wine.

Assisi

Best known as the birthplace of Saint Francis, Italy’s patron saint, Assisi lies amid Umbria’s rolling hills. Religious pilgrims have come here for centuries to visit the Basilica of San Francesco (where Saint Francis is buried) and the Basilica of Santa Chiara (to see the tomb of Saint Clare). 

Gubbio

One of the oldest towns in Umbria (as shown in the Tavole Eugubine: seven bronze boards written in Umbrian’s antique language and stored in the Museo Civico in the Palazzo dei Consoli), Gubbio has preserved its past glory splendidly. Take a peek inside one of the the town’s wonderful ceramic workshops, or marvel at its suggestive Roman-era theatre (pictured here).