Holiday in Umbria-Montefalco region

Greetings,
I am in the early stages of planning a holiday to Central Italy for next October and plan to spend a few days in the Montefalco region of Umbria. Any suggestions for lodging would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Don Appleton

Greetings,
I am in the early stages of planning a holiday to Central Italy for next October and plan to spend a few days in the Montefalco region of Umbria. Any suggestions for lodging would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Don Appleton

Don,
We stayed in Spoleto at Hotel Gattapone which has a Roman aqueduct in the gorge toward the back of the hotel - and I am given to understand that it is a pretty famous landmark. From Spoleto we could take day trips to Montefalco and other hill towns in the area - do not miss Civita de Bagerano; it can be accessed only by footbridge.
Also the Trattoria Festival in Spoletto was wonderful; truffles on everything.
I learned about sagrantino on that trip and I still have some in the cellar.
Best, Jim

Don,
I have stayed in three different apartments in Spoleto. I rented the apartments from a very nice English couple, Laurie and Norma, who live in Spoleto. Their website (http://www.umbriaholidayrentals.com) is pretty easy to navigate. I can't say enough good things about Laurie and Norma (and Spoleto is beautiful).

I visited Montefalco in May 2009. During my visit, I had lunch and a tour of the olive mill at a small family-run business, Antico Frantoio Brizi (http://www.frantoiobrizi.it). Emanuela and her husband run the operation with their children. Emanuela speaks excellent English and was a wonderful hostess. The family olive oil is sold in the ristorante and at the mill. The mill is located a few storefronts down the street from the ristorante. Emanuela took my mother and I to the mill after we had lunch and gave us a short tour. The family also runs a B&B. I didn't stay there so I can't comment on any of the specifics. I can say that the olive mill and ristorante have been in the family for generations (and they seem like a wonderful family) and they offer simple, clean B&B type lodging for a reasonable price.

In general, Spoleto is a larger town with more options (restuarants, shops, etc) than Montefalco. I'm a big fan of Umbria and have visited a few times (most recently in 2007 and 2009). I'm glad to answer any questions if I can help out.
-John

In 2010 we stayed at I Cerri Near Spoletto, stunning location 10 mins form Spoletto see http://www.icerri.it/ You need a car, but it is a lovely apartment.

Don't overlook a visit to Todi and Orvieto, and the museum at Torgiano

Cheers

Thanks for your suggestions, I will look into these.

Don Appleton

No help with lodging, but +1 on Civita.

And visit Giampierro Bea (Paolo Bea) in Montefalco.

Don,

I have been going to Umbria since 1983, first to perform as a classical singer for the Festival of Two World's based in Spoleto and now as the founder of a choral and cultural program based in Spoleto. I will actually be in Spoleto in October of 2012, leading my first non- singing cultural tour of Umbria. The owner of the exquisite " I Cerri" is a personal friend of mine and I have been to his property several times, as recent as this past summer. Come on down to Philadelphia and we can do dinner and I can share with you my almost 30 experience with Umbria and hep you design a fabulous trip! I am deeply passionate about that region. http://www.sweetnessofumbria.com/

Gattapone is a small 4 star located at a very dramatic setting and steps away from an amazing 12th century Aqueduct. The view alone is worth staying, but, if you are driving it will be more complicated getting to and from the hotel. When I first started my choral program I had some participants stay there. For my program now, however, I use Hotel dei Duchi, also 4 star. You can read about it and see various pictures here: http://www.paulofaustini.com/sweetnesso ... stars.html I tend to prefer Hotel dei Duchi because the rooms and hallways are wider and closer to a more American standard than the small hotels in a medieval hilltop town. Hotel dei Duchi also has an incredible professional staff. Both have a late 50's not so glamorous architecture, but the views, service, rooms are stunning. It all depends what you would like as a traveler. I agree (even though very biased) that SPOLETO is a fabulous town to make your base; 1/2 hour from Montefalco/Bevagna area where most wineries are located. You will have more variety in trattorias and wine bars. I also recommend going to NORCIA if you enjoy truffles and pork products. Just above Norcia, another dramatic area, is CASTELLUCCIO, when exquisite lentils are grown. There is no other word than MAGICAL to describe this tiny little hilltop town where once was a glacier lake, surrounded by breath taking mountains. I will be taking my folks there in October 2012. My itinerary can be found here: http://www.paulofaustini.com/sweetnesso ... l2012.html

I am not a travel professional but have performed in Spoleto between 1983 through 1998, spending 5 weeks at a time there during the summers. Then kept going as a tourist afterwards. In 2005 I had the dream of starting a choral and cultural program, taking choral singers to experience performing in amazing fresco filled churches and museums, will savoring all that this "off the beaten path" region of Italy has to offer culturally. I love all regions of Italy, but, Umbria is my history with the Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of Two Worlds) where I sang in opera and concerts when I had a full head of hair! My non-singing tour's itinerary is here: http://www.paulofaustini.com/sweetnesso ... l2012.html and my choral program can be found here: http://www.umbrianserenades.com/

Again, I have a life time of going to Umbria. Hit me up if you'd like more info to help you plan your trip, and, maybe run into to each other there in October!

Here is a wonderful video about Spoleto and the surrounding territory. http://youtu.be/oD000q4os2Y