From Home to Rome’s ongoing effort to show travelers just how many incredible locations are within reach from Rome has already pointed towards Umbria, to Orvieto – a gateway to this beautiful area in central Italy, just a stone’s throw from the Urbs Aeterna.

This time we suggest you a handful of locations that are deeper into the heart of this region, and all easily reachable by train, too, connected as they are to the main train at Roma Termini, with trains also calling at Roma Tiburtina.

Spello, city of flowers

If you’re after the quintessential medieval town perched among rolling hills, look no further than this former ancient Roman hamlet. This small town is in the list of Italy’s most beautiful villages, is known for the quality of its olive oil and when you visit you could be indulging in some spectacular termal baths. In the month of June, Spello also becomes a tourist destination for its flower festival, the Infiorata, which attracts Italians and foreigners in the tens of thousands. On the other hand, while nearby Foligno, Spoleto or (see below) Assisi are constantly impacted by the masses, Spello hardly feels crowded.

Assisi and the legacy of St. Francis

Of course Assisi is known worldwide as the place of birth of St. Francis, as well as the place where he died. St. Clare and St. Gabriel were also from Assisi. The Franciscan buildings are a UNESCO World Heritage site, too, so tourists should already know that the whole experience here is about the faith.

Sure, that’s the main reason to visit Assisi, while obviously it’s true that it’s here that art lovers can admire some absolute masterpieces by the likes of Giotto (even though some art historians deny he ever painted the frescoes inside the Basilica of San Francesco) or Pietro Lorenzetti.

While Assisi is not for everyone (it can be overwhelming!), we especially recommend heading there in May, when the well-known re-enactment Renaissance festival called Calendimaggio takes place.

Bastia Umbra, between history and modernity

A quick train ride north from Assisi, Bastia Umbra is often overlooked by travelers, while offering cheaper accommodation and food (and more authentic, too!) compared to Assisi. A small city that now is the home to Umbriafiere, the region’s expo, it has a long and dramatic history of its own. St. Clare famously fled here when she announced her parents that she wanted to commit to a life of prayer: you can visit the very place where she hid, the church of San Paolo delle Abbadesse. Lovers of the outdoors can walk along the ancient Flaminia way, do some rafting on such areas as the Forra di Pago or explore the High Tiber Valley.

Extra tips: Deruta, Collepino and more

• Less than one hour east of Assisi, don’t miss out on Deruta, if you have the chance: famous for its earthenware and ceramics, it’s an alternative to the tired souvenir shopping that is usually done while on holiday.
• While most visitors hike up Monte Subasio to visit the Eremo delle Carceri hermitage complex, we recommend trying to head to Collepino, on the other side of the same mountain, to have a completely different experience at the now inactive hermitage for the Little sisters of Mary.
• Looking for wine tastings? Check Collemancio, east of Assisi, were a Wine Festival is held every july (to be fair, many towns in this area of the Umbria Region do, and food and wine festivals are the main tourist attraction during the summer).

How to get to Assisi, Spello or Bastia Umbra?

As previously mentioned, the main towns discussed in this short guide are connected to Rome by train. As an alternative, places like Assisi can be reached by a coach service, with several private companies offering the same route. The smaller destinations we mentioned, such as Deruta, are not near a train station, so once in Assisi or Bastia Umbra, the best way to get there would be looking for a taxi service.

As an alternative, our trusted partners at Gianni Conti Car Service can offer a comfortable way to visit all of the above with a private van or car. You can contact us mentioning in which of our managed apartments you’ll be staying at, the intended date for your daytrip and we’ll make sure you get their best quote!

Want to give your daytrip an extra boost?

If you like the idea of a daytrip to Umbria, you might want to consider having a guided tour while in one of the major cities in the region, such as Assisi. We especially like this olive oil tour, as it doesn’t take too much time and is a little bit different than others currently being offered, what with being centered around one of the more important products in the area.