SPELLO:
Spello is a small town crested in hills of Umbria’s Mount Subasio. The village
is located in Northern Umbria, 10 minutes South of Assisi. This charming village
has been called “the Jewel of Umbria” because it has miraculously escaped
industry , heavy development and modern urban sprawl.
Its main attractions are its architectural integrity, charm, atmosphere, culture,
great regional food – including truffle and porcini mushrooms- great wine,
historic architecture and friendliness.
Spello’s panoramic views are quintessential. Spello’s rich history pre-dates
Roman times, over 2000 years ago. This charming 8,000 person medieval village
sits at the foot of Mount Subasio. It is surrounded by rolling hills with olive
groves , vineyards and sunflower fields. It is great for walks, hikes, horseback
riding.
The ancient village has a preserved medieval center which prides itself of one
of Italy’s best cuisines and some of the finest wines from neighboring Montefalco.
One of Spello’s biggest tourist attractions are its narrow alleyways and
cobblestone streets which are often blooming with fragrant flowers.
This small village is home to more than 60 churches, large monasteries and convents,
some with masterful frescoes. Many of Pinturicchio paintings are a big tourist
attraction.
Festivals : Spello’s most famous festival is the Infiorata which usually
takes place the first part of June (60 days after Easter). During Infiorata the
streets of Spello are decorated with huge flower carpets created by local families.
This artistic and fragrant display is the pride of the village, drawing thousands
from all over Italy.
Spello has some of the best restaurants in the area. Strolling into town on a
summer evening licking a gelato or going down to the piazza for a cappuccino is
both the locals’ and guests’ passatempo. Our guests are provided with
a list of recommendations for restaurants, gelati bars and bakeries, at the time
of their arrival.
ITINERARIES:
COLLEPINO: 15 minutes drive up the hill from Spello, an enchanting drive
through olive groves to a miniature postcard village with a great restaurant:
La Taverna di San Silverstro where the owner and his wife will cook you fresh
home made pasta with porcini mushrooms and other regional delicacies at reasonable
prices. A true medieval experience dining in a cave with vaulted ceilings.
BEVAGNA: Driving time from Spello approx. 15 minutes.
Bevagna is an old Etruscan town. You can take a stroll through town, visit the
small center and head for Montefalco from here taking the winery road, a very
picturesque road to Montefalco.
MONTEFALCO: driving time from Spello 25 minutes
Montefalco is home to some of the best Italian wines including the Sagrantino
wine.
If you like wine tasting check out places with names like Enoteca, Cantina, Degustazione.
Some of the places offer olive oil tasting as well.
Montefalco is nicknamed “la ringhiera dell’Umbria” – the balcony
of Umbria .
It has one of the best views in Umbria. Take a wine tasting tour, sample some
of the local cuisine such as strangozzi pasta with truffles, explore the surroundings,
it is very worthwhile.
You will find several shops selling hand woven fabrics such as tablecloths, towels.
Have lunch or dinner at Hotel Ristorante Ringhiera Umbra which is located in a
cantina – cellar.
SPOLETO: driving time from Spello 25 minutes
Spoleto is known for its international festival of music, dance and theatre. It
takes place every summer for 10 days from approx. the end of June to the beginning
of July.
Spoleto has great ruins dating back from Roman times. Twice the size of Spello,
it has great views, wonderful restaurants and an old city center worth visiting.
Spoleto is surrounded by green valleys. It has an archeological museum/ Roman
theatre a beautiful cathedral with a Romanesque façade. The cathedral has
some great frescos by Filippo Lippi. The Roman Ponte delle Torri is very worth
while visiting . Walking across the bridge is a must for the views.
TODI: driving time from Spello 40 minutes, half way to Rome.
Visible from afar on a high bluff, Todi is a slow moving village. It is beautifully
restored. You can take a leisurely walks through the town. Be sure to visit the
Piazza del Popolo and the Cathedral amongst other things.
For a panoramic view drive up to Parco della Rocca.
Festivals: Todi hosts an antique fair at the end of March. It also hosts a festival
of theatre, ballet, jazz and classical music mid July.
ORVIETO: driving time from Spello one hour, also on the way to Rome.
The main attraction in this town is the magnificent Cathedral. It is considered
one of the jewels of Gothic architecture. The town of Orvieto sits atop a volcanic
rock.
You would need a whole day to cover Orvieto and surrounding areas. The town is
littered with small enotecas –wine and cheese shops, bakeries, caffes and
restaurants and ceramic shops.
If you like to take the tour of underground Etruscan tombs, you can do it from
Piazza del Duomo near the tourism office.
ASSISI: driving time from Spello 15 minutes
Assisi is the town of St. Francis. Is the no.2 religious center in Italy, after
the Vatican. The basilica di San Francesco D’Assisi is the main attraction
here. Its frescos, damaged by the recent earthquake have been restored. Its stained
glass windows are masterfully executed. Assisi deserves a minimum of one day.
Festivals: During Easter Week processions take place.
The first week of may Assisi hosts Calendimaggio, a medieval festival. Locals
get dressed in elaborate medieval clothes and have a big spring celebration. From
late august to mid Sep. there is a music festival.
Our favorite restaurant in Assisi is a few minutes away from the Basilica ,
Ristorante La Locanda Del Podesta’ , Via San Giacomo no.6 Assisi.
PERUGIA: driving time from Spello 25 minutes.
Perugia is the home of the best chocolate in Italy. Remember Baci Perugina?
It is also home of one of the best Jazz festival in the Europe. Perugia is also
known for its university which attracts a large no. of foreign students flocking
there to learn Italian.
This lovely town has a great historic center and many sites including beautiful
churches, famous buildings such as the Sala dei Notari and beautiful Piazzas where
you can sit and have a meal al fresco. Perugia’s famous Rocca Paolina is
a ruin often used for art exhibits and antique markets. If you like to walk on
the Corso Vannucci check out some of the Italian Designer stores, “hang out”
at the Piazza eating gelato and listening to young people play music in the street
until late at night…..you should plan an afternoon and evening in Perugia.
GUBBIO: driving time from Spello one hour.
If you want to experience yet another walk through the middle ages, you should
visit historic Gubbio. It is located high into the Monte Ingino hills. Gubbio
has its own ceramics which are different than Deruta designs. It attracts many
tourists year round. Perched in the hills, it boasts magnificent panoramic views
and romantic sunsets.
Festivals: On May 15 Gubbio celebrates a fun festival called “Corsa dei Ceri”
where teams carry 400 Kg. pillars in a race through the city.
On the last Sunday in May there is a festival called “Palio della Balestra”
which is an archery competition. If you like hiking and outdoor activities, East
of Gubbio is the Parco Regionale del Monte Cuccco. Rock climbing, walking, hiking,
horse back riding is possible here. This park has caves which can be explored.
DERUTA: driving time from Spello 25 minutes.
Just So. of Perugia, Deruta is famous for its hand painted ceramics. If you like
to purchase these ceramics, Deruta has all the factories with showrooms. The town
itself is very small and doesn’t have much to offer.
LAGO TRASIMENO: driving time from Spello one hour.
This is a very large lake. It has some outdoor activities, boating, fishing, hiking,
swimming. Castiglione del Lago and Passignano are the two main villages to visit.
SIENA: driving time from Spello one and half hour.
FLORENCE: driving time from Spello one and 3/4 hour. The Spello local train
stations has trains which go to Florence directly. Time about one hour ¾.
ROME: driving time from Spello one and half hour. Foligno which is about
10 minutes from Spello has a larger train station. Trains to Rome and other localities
depart from Foligno regularly. Train ride to Rome on the Eurostar (faster train)
approx. 1:20 minutes - on the Regionale (slower train) approx. 1.45 minutes.
