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Umbria & Spoleto

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Norcia

Day 2
Free day around Norcia
Opportunity to walk across the Piano Grande, (taxi ride to Castelluccio) perhaps the most inspiring highland plain in Europe, or alternatively explore Norcia. (9.9 miles, 5 hrs)

Day 3
Norcia to Roccaporena
Walk through oak woods and follow farm tracks across low hills to the small town of Cascia before taking an ancient pilgrim path along the gorge to Roccaporena, birthplace of St Rita, patron saint of desperate causes.
(13 miles. 6 hrs 30)

Day 4
Roccaporena to Scheggino
The way lies across hills with scrub and oak woods, famous for their truffles, then past the hill villages of Gavelli, where you can see Renaissance frescoes restored by the ATG Trust, and Caso before following an old (dirt) road steeply down to Scheggino. If you are staying at San Pietro in Valle you will need to take a taxi from Scheggino (10 minutes). (12.9 miles, 6 hrs 30)

Day 5
Scheggino to San Pietro in Valle
Optional walk along the Valnerina Valley to the superb monastery of San Pietro in Valle. (5.9 miles, 2 hrs 30 – double for return)

Day 6
Scheggino to Spoleto
From Scheggino follow the route of a disused, but once famous railway-a remarkable example of 19C engineering. Cross a pass before descending through chestnut woods, farmland and olive groves to enter Spoleto across the Ponte delle Torri, the most elegant approach on foot to any city in Italy. (11.8 miles, 6 hrs)

Day 7
Free day in Spoleto
An opportunity to explore the medieval city, enjoy its many fine works of art and architecture, and do some shopping.

Day 8
Return to the airport

You can extend in Spoleto, Norcia or Rome.

Accommodation

Nights 1 & 2
	Norcia *** Grotta Azzurra Characteristic hotel in town centre with renowned restaurant. HB		Norcia **** Salicone Modern hotel outside medieval town walls, pool. Dinner at Grotta Azzura. HB
Night 3
	Roccaporena ** Hotel Roccaporena Basic rooms in pilgrim hotel in medieval village (officially 3*) HB
Nights 4 & 5
	Scheggino *** Del Ponte Hotel with renowned restaurant, beside medieval village and river. HB		Ferentillo – Abbazia di San Pietro in Valle Residenza d’Epoca Beautifully restored rooms in Romanesque abbey. B&B
Nights 6 & 7
	Spoleto *** Aurora Friendly, comfortable hotel in quiet courtyard in medieval quarter. B&B		Spoleto **** Il Gattapone Hotel overlooking gorge and medieval aqueduct. B&B

Planning

Terrain

Woodland, sheep and mule tracks, dirt roads and ways over high open grassland with wide views. In the Monti Sibillini the route includes grassy ridges and well-made tracks on most ascents and descents. Some steep, stony paths; Stick/pole advisable.

When to go

Start any day from 01 Apr to 24 Oct

On Route

** Norcia: medieval town walls (1292). Central piazza with church of St Benedict (480-543AD), 14C façade with remains of a Roman house in the crypt, 13C Palazzo Comunale and castle (1554) by Vignola.

* Cascia: church of San Antonio with outstanding frescoes by Nicola da Siena (1461) and Dormizio da Terni, 15C church of S. Maria with frescoes by Nicola da Siena and others.

* Roccaporena: modern Basilica of St Rita (1370-1447), patron saint of desperate causes.

** Gavelli and Caso:Frescoes by Lo Spagna (1450-1528).Restoration project-ATG Trust

* Scheggino: interesting medieval village with early 13C church with paintings by Lo Spagna.

*** Abbey of San Pietro in Valle: monastery dating from 5C, main church (850AD), 12C bell tower, frescoes from 12-15C, Roman decorative fragments and sarcophagi of 8C Lombard dukes.

** Spoleto: 14C Ponte delle Torri, 12C cathedral with frescoes by Fra Filippo Lippi. Important Romanesque churches San Salvatore and Sant'Eufemia.

Flights & Transport

Recommended Destination Airport: Rome

Trains depart every 30 mins from Rome Fiumicino airport to Rome Tiburtina train station, from where the last bus to Norcia leaves at 15:30 (arr. 18:30). There is also the 'Leonardo Express' train direct to Rome Termini train station. From Rome Ciampino airport there are buses (recomended) or trains to Termini station. Trains from Rome Termini to Spoleto take 1hr 30, with bus connection to Norcia. Last train/bus dep. Termini approx 18:45 (arr. Norcia 20:55). On your return Spoleto is the on main train line to Rome.

Taxis
Rome Airport to First Hotel - approximately 250 Euros.
Last Hotel to Rome Airport - approximately 200 Euros.

Notes
No. of luggage moves included: 3

No. of nights with half board (dinner included):

-- Standard: 5 nights

-- Superior: 3 nights

Shortest / Longest days walk: 2.5 / 6.5 hrs