Archaeological Walks & Wine Tasting in Umbria, Italy
- Explore abandoned, ancient cities without the crowds (and often alone!)
- Taste excellent wine while enjoying the picturesque Umbrian countryside
- Enjoy a typical meal made with local products
- Day Trips from Rome and overnight stays in the Amerino
Rome is my favorite city in Italy, but my countryside of choice is Umbrian. Umbria, the region known as the green heart of Italy, can be reached in just an hour from the capital. And if olive groves, ancient hill-top villages and romantic ruins surrounded by stunning landscape interest you, look no further!
Originally populated by the ancient Umbri, defined by Pliny the Elder as
"gens antiquissima italiae," the territory was colonized from the late 4th century B.C. by the Romans. Some of the most exceptional, ancient monuments north of Rome are found in Umbria, nestled into pristine valleys.
Often overlooked by tourists in favor of the more famous region of Tuscany, Umbria remains authentic, rural and chock full of historic and natural beauty, not to mention some equally fantastic wine country. Combine a visit to a winery, a lunch made with local products, a drive through the countryside and a stroll through ancient ruins and you've got yourself a fantastic day trip.
Yes, day trips from Rome are possible - if you know how! The only downside is that once you've had a taste of the place you'll want to stay longer. Below I've outlined a couple of possibilities for visits to Umbria as well as some practical information regarding getting here and lodgings.
KP
DAY TRIP (from Rome)
Itinerary: Amelia & Carsulae or Otricoli
A day trip to southern Umbria focuses on a territory known as the Amerino which has Amelia (Ameria in ancient times) as its main center. Pre-Roman cyclopic walls enclose this picturesque hill-top town which is rich with Roman ruins. The neighboring hills are breathtaking, either covered with evergreen oak forests or neatly planted with olive trees or vineyards.
After a little introductory exploration, we head to lunch. This can either be at a local restaurant, where only the most typical dishes are served, or at a winery. Afterward we head to one of two incredible, abandoned Roman towns. Carsulae is vast while Otricoli (Ocriculum) is
A relaxing drive through some pristine countryside and we're back to the station.
How do I get to Umbria?
The best and cheapest way to get to Umbria is by train. A train from Termini station or Tiburtina station in Rome takes between 40 minutes to 1.30 hours, depending on the train. We advise you on which one to take and assist you in buying tickets. The destination station is either Orte or Narni-Amelia. Trains depart from Rome frequently during the day. We collect you from the station and take it from there, getting you everywhere you need to be, including back to the station and on a train at the end of the day.
Of course if you decide to rent a car to drive to Umbria, that's great. We can take over once you get here.
When is the best time to visit?
Umbria is always beautiful but keep in mind that it does tend to rain in the winter. Rain in the winter and intense heat in the summer is normal in Italy but these rhythms are intensifying. The spring and autumn are the best times to visit. Summer is very hot so if you decide to come from June through mid-September we advise you to be prepared. Touring can be limited to the morning and evening hours. You should try to spend your afternoons as the Italians do: napping or lounging by the pool! Which brings us to...
Where should we stay?
If you come in the summer the best place to stay is in an "agriturismo" which can be translated as a farmhouse. Located in the surrounding hills outside of Amelia, these are lovely, rural homes which cater to visitors and can include lunch or dinner made with the products they produce. They often have a pool and are wonderful places to spend a few days in Umbria, particularly in the summer. If you stay for a limited number of days and visit the territory with us, we will be happy to do pick-ups or drop-offs at your agriturismo. If you plan to stay longer we suggest you rent a car. You will need to have a European or International Driver's license.
There are also a number of lovely B&Bs in Amelia which allow you to get out on your own and explore the village. This could even be preferable outside of the summer months. For specific information on places to stay please contact us directly.