Gina Marie
10+ Posts
I've been trying to figure out how to best tap into the wealth of knowledge here. I am not even sure if I know what questions I have to ask. But I do know that I feel there are people here who could possibly save me a headache or two, some anxiety, or some confusion and frustration.
I am traveling with a friend for a one month stay in Rome, second week of April 2018 through second week of May. We have both been to Italy before but this will be our first time traveling together. We are of the same age (both in our 60's) and in the same state of health and fitness. We've been friends for a few years.
Our itinerary is still taking shape. The idea is to fully enjoy Rome and take day trips out of the city a couple of times a week, returning to our home base in the Monteverde Vecchio. That was the original plan, though we are now giving serious consideration (I think we've actually moved past consideration and into planning mode) - to renting a car for 48 hours, driving through Umbria to get a taste of the hill towns off the beaten path, spending the night somewhere, heading back to Rome at the end of the second day.
As we started pouring over the internet resources for the hill towns, our list grew and expanded into Tuscany, so it looks like we may choose to repeat this same pattern the following week for Tuscany to include Siena and possibly Montepulciano.
It didn't take long for us to compile a list that included just about every hill town with a name on the map in Umbria, each one sounding as alluring as the next. We have a list of ten hill towns that I feel we must whittle down to four or five, covering two/three in each day. It seems that two may be doable, devoting a half a day to each, lunch in one town, dinner in another. Wash, rinse, and repeat the next day.
I would appreciate any opinions about any town you are familiar with, and whether or not you think my perception of time is reasonable to spend exploring the streets and vistas. I have no concept of how large or small some of these towns are, other than I suspect Orvieto and Viterbo to be larger and more tourist oriented. It will be the shoulder season, so I hope to not find ourselves shuffling along in a crowded horde. I also wonder if my thinking is reasonable that Bomarzo and Civita di Bagnoregio may be able to be appreciated in a couple of hours each.
Extra points if you can convince me that we can do it all and do it well!
The towns we have already narrowed down to and have to still trim are:
* Bomarzo - The Park of Monsters
Viterbo
* Civita di Bagnoregio
Orvieto
* Todi
Spoleto
* Spello
Narni
Norcia
* Torgiano -- I've read this is a gastronomer's destination, and that would fit me to a t, and that is why it is on this list.
(* highest interest)
As you can see, we already have maxed out the list of five potential towns. I wonder if we are choosing two or three that may be repetitious in nature and missing one or another that have a vastly different vibe. This is hard!
I am also wondering that Bomarzo or Civita di Bagnoregio are best left to doing on a day bus tour out of Rome and not combined with this car rental/overnighter, thereby opening other possibilities like Orvieto.
I appreciate any helpful advice anyone would be so kind to give.
Gina Marie
I am traveling with a friend for a one month stay in Rome, second week of April 2018 through second week of May. We have both been to Italy before but this will be our first time traveling together. We are of the same age (both in our 60's) and in the same state of health and fitness. We've been friends for a few years.
Our itinerary is still taking shape. The idea is to fully enjoy Rome and take day trips out of the city a couple of times a week, returning to our home base in the Monteverde Vecchio. That was the original plan, though we are now giving serious consideration (I think we've actually moved past consideration and into planning mode) - to renting a car for 48 hours, driving through Umbria to get a taste of the hill towns off the beaten path, spending the night somewhere, heading back to Rome at the end of the second day.
As we started pouring over the internet resources for the hill towns, our list grew and expanded into Tuscany, so it looks like we may choose to repeat this same pattern the following week for Tuscany to include Siena and possibly Montepulciano.
It didn't take long for us to compile a list that included just about every hill town with a name on the map in Umbria, each one sounding as alluring as the next. We have a list of ten hill towns that I feel we must whittle down to four or five, covering two/three in each day. It seems that two may be doable, devoting a half a day to each, lunch in one town, dinner in another. Wash, rinse, and repeat the next day.
I would appreciate any opinions about any town you are familiar with, and whether or not you think my perception of time is reasonable to spend exploring the streets and vistas. I have no concept of how large or small some of these towns are, other than I suspect Orvieto and Viterbo to be larger and more tourist oriented. It will be the shoulder season, so I hope to not find ourselves shuffling along in a crowded horde. I also wonder if my thinking is reasonable that Bomarzo and Civita di Bagnoregio may be able to be appreciated in a couple of hours each.
Extra points if you can convince me that we can do it all and do it well!
The towns we have already narrowed down to and have to still trim are:
* Bomarzo - The Park of Monsters
Viterbo
* Civita di Bagnoregio
Orvieto
* Todi
Spoleto
* Spello
Narni
Norcia
* Torgiano -- I've read this is a gastronomer's destination, and that would fit me to a t, and that is why it is on this list.
(* highest interest)
As you can see, we already have maxed out the list of five potential towns. I wonder if we are choosing two or three that may be repetitious in nature and missing one or another that have a vastly different vibe. This is hard!
I am also wondering that Bomarzo or Civita di Bagnoregio are best left to doing on a day bus tour out of Rome and not combined with this car rental/overnighter, thereby opening other possibilities like Orvieto.
I appreciate any helpful advice anyone would be so kind to give.
Gina Marie