PERUGIA

Perugia is the capital of and largest town in the region of Umbria. There is a bit of urban sprawl, but wind up the hill to the centro (the historical center of town) and you’ll find a beautiful medieval town, great views of the surrounding countryside, one of the longest central squares in Italy, several good restaurants, and even a few bars. The square is lined with old palaces, some of which have been turned into museums; the National Gallery (Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria) is definitely worth visiting. At the end of the square is the famous Fontana (fountain) Maggiore and the San Lorenzo Cathedral and it’s beautiful eighteenth century frescoes. Those interested in Renaissance art can walk ten minutes from the center to St. Peter’s Basilica, where you can admire the works of Giorgio Vasari and Pietro Vannucci (Raphael’s teacher). Seasonally, there are guided underground tours of the city. Sit in the square for lunch, wine or coffee during the day; at night, when the weather is accommodating, the square and surrounding streets are packed with university students and residents. The two main events of the year that attract many international guests are the International Festival of Journalism (April) and UmbriaJazz (July).
http://turismo.comune.perugia.it

TODI & ORVIETO

Todi is one of the most picturesque medieval hilltop towns in Umbria. In the morning, drive there from Palazzo Grande (30 minutes) and wind up the hill, then drive inside the walls and park. Wander the narrow streets and have coffee in the square, then check out the ancient cathedrals. For lunch, return to the car and drive about 10 minutes to Relais Todini, a winery and boutique hotel with a great restaurant and incredible views over vineyards to Todi. After lunch, drive about 45 minutes to Orvieto, home to one of the most stunning duomos (main cathedrals) in Italy. Make sure you arrive in time to enter and spend time there, as it tends to close early. After that, walk through the town and then return to Palazzo Grande.

BEVAGNA, MONTEFALCO AND WINERIES

Set in the middle of Umbrian wine country, the ancient town of Bevagna and the neighboring medieval hilltop town of Montefalco are perfect for wandering, exploring ancient churches, and the like before visiting one or two of the high quality, locally owned wineries for tours and tasting. Drive to Bevagna in the morning and walk through the small town, making sure to see the 2,000 year old Roman baths, theater, and other ruins as well as the old churches. Then drive to Montefalco, park just outside the town’s walls, and walk to the square for lunch at one of the cafes such as Enoteca l’Alchimista or Locanda del Teatro. After lunch, drive to one or two local wineries; there is a good chance that the proprietor will join you for a wine tasting. Make appointments beforehand: in the main square of the village there is the office of the association of the local wine producers, where you can request information about more than 60 wineries and organize your wine tour. Return to Palazzo Grande in the early evening (please don’t drink and drive). If you prefer, we can organize a guided tour of one or two wineries, so you don’t need to organize it yourself, and we can drive so you don’t have to.
https://www.montefalcowine.it/en/

SPOLETO & NORCIA

The large town of Spoleto, home to the famous Festival dei Due Mondi between June and July each year, is an interesting and ancient town about a 50 minute drive from Palazzo Grande. Drive there in the morning, walk through the hilly streets of town, and check out the well-preserved Roman theater, the Roman house, the duomo, the Rocca Albornoziana (a huge fortress above the town, home to Lucrezia Borgia, illegitimate daughter of Pope Alexander VI), and the famous bridge Ponte delle Torri, that was built 800 years ago on the ruins of a Roman aqueduct. The town is equipped with a modern system of escalators and elevators that will allow you to ascend the steep streets easily if you wish. Have lunch at one of the many good restaurants that you can find between Piazza del Mercato and Piazza della Libertà, then return to the car to drive to Norcia, a small town in eastern Umbria that unfortunately sustained earthquake damage in 2016. Explore the town and have dinner at Michelin-starred Ristorante Vespasia or one of the other well-regarded restaurants serving typical Umbrian cuisine (Norcia is famous for high quality black truffle and cold cuts) before returning to Palazzo Grande (a 1 ½ hour drive).

SPELLO, TREVI AND FOLIGNO

Spello and Trevi are two of the most picturesque hilltop villages in Umbria, while nearby Foligno has the distinction of being one of the few ancient Umbrian towns situated on flat ground—and of having perhaps the most active nightlife in Umbria. From Palazzo Grande, drive 35 minutes to the walled hillside village of Spello, where you can wander the streets, duck into old churches, and have lunch. Then, drive another 15 minutes south to Trevi, one of the most famous villages of Umbria, built in Roman times near the old Via Flaminia. This ancient town, considered one of the most beautiful in Italy, is known as the city of olive oil. Umbrians are justly proud of their olive oil, considering it, maybe accurately, the finest in the world, and Trevi, surrounded by olive groves, produces the most famous extra virgin olive oil in the region. Take a walk in the central Piazza Mazzini and stop for a coffee or a gelato. Going down the road that leads to the main Via Flaminia you can stop for some panoramic photos. Driving south towards Spoleto, it is worth stopping at the Frantoio Gaudenzi to buy a bottle of high quality olive oil. Then, continuing on the same road for just 5 minutes, stop at the Tempietto del Clitunno. This small 4th century temple, now the church of Saint Salvatore, was built by the Longobards (the ancient German people that ruled these territories after the fall of the Roman Empire) on the ruins of an ancient Roman temple. In the early evening, proceed to Foligno and park as close as possible to the centro historico, then walk through the old streets toward the striking main square. In addition to several thirteenth century churches and medieval palazzos, you will encounter numerous small cocktail bars, craft beer bars, and family-owned restaurants. This is one of the most lively and youthful areas of Umbria and a good place to have a great dinner and a drink in an enjoyable atmosphere before returning to Palazzo Grande (please don’t drink and drive).

ADRIATIC SEA

The beaches of the Adriatic Sea are about a two hour drive east through Umbria to the Marche Region. In the quiet seaside town of Senigallia, you can rent an umbrella and a sunbed for a few Euros, or just spread a blanket or towel on the sand. Many of the beaches feature restaurants where you can order beverages or freshly caught fish. Every year, during the first two weeks of August, Senigallia hosts the Summer Jamboree, the most important European festival of rockabilly music. During the days of the festival there are various concerts by international artists and the beaches are packed with fans in vintage clothes.

SIENA

The small city of Siena, about a one hour drive east of Palazzo Grande in Tuscany, is justly renowned for its incredible Piazza del Campo, its central square – generally regarded as one of the finest in Europe – as well as the twice-annual Palio, in which horses are raced around the square amid tremendous pageantry, neighborhood rivalries, and wagering. If you are in the area on July 2 or August 16, go. If not, visit Siena anyway, as it is fascinating, filled with Gothic architecture, features a majestic duomo, and has many good restaurants and bars. Just sitting at a café in the central square alone is a memorable experience. Near Siena there are many beautiful villages known for their wines, such as Montalcino and Montepulciano. http://www.terresiena.it/en

GUBBIO

During the Middle Ages, Gubbio, a 45 minute drive from Palazzo Grande, was one of the most important Italian cities. The town is full of imposing Gothic buildings, such as the Palazzo dei Consoli, which overlooks a beautiful panoramic square. The city is so well preserved that walking through its alleys feels like going back in time. Every year on May 15, without interruption since 1160, there is one of the most famous folklore events in Italy: the Corsa dei Ceri. This race of Catholic inspiration, whose aim is to glorify Sant’Ubaldo, consists of transporting three enormous wooden structures from the church of Santa Maria Nuova into the town centre to the basilica dedicated to the Saint. This event is lived with great passion by the local residents, who pour into the street in traditional colorful clothes. If you can attend the event, go; if not, Gubbio still makes for a memorable day trip. https://www.umbriatourism.it/en_US/-/festa-dei-ceri

CORTONA & LAKE TRASIMENO

The beautiful hillside town of Cortona, just across the Tuscan border, is where much of the movie Under the Tuscan Sun was filmed. Drive from Palazzo Grande to Cortona in the morning (40 minutes) and wander the hilly streets, ascending to the top and the Basilica Santa Margherita and, above that, Fortezza Medicea. Have an early lunch in one of the many restaurants in town, then drive back down the hill to explore Lago (Lake) Trasimeno, one of the largest lakes in Italy. If the weather is good, take a boat around the lake and stop at Isola Maggiore, the large island in the center of the lake, which hosts a small ancient town worth exploring. After an afternoon on the lake, return to Palazzo Grande.
https://www.discovertuscany.com/http://www.lagotrasimeno.co.uk/index.php?lang=en

LA SCARZUOLA & MONTECASTELLO DI VIBIO

A one hour’s drive from Palazzo Grande is the “theatre city” of La Scarzuola. This tiny uninhabited village, located in Montegabbione, was built by the visionary architect Tomaso Buzzi in the 1950s. The village, which can only be visited by appointment, is a cluster of many small theaters designed in the typical style of Surrealism: you will feel like you’re walking in drawings or paintings by Escher or De Chirico. Driving back toward Todi for 50 minutes you will reach Montecastello di Vibio. This delightful medieval village, quiet and isolated from the most common tourist routes, houses the smallest Italian theater in the world: the Teatro della Concordia. Inaugurated in 1808, it has only 99 seats, but hosts theatrical performances every weekend. The return drive to Palazzo Grande will take about 45 minutes from there. http://www.lascarzuola.com/
https://www.teatropiccolo.it/