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Comment by Ron Anderson on June 25, 2008 at 11:07pm

We found the Monti Sibillini to be a beautiful and wonderful place. We had no idea, I confess, that we would encounter snow-capped 8000+ foot peaks in the heart of Italy. Great scenery and lots of wildlife (a group of wild boar with many little ones in tow crossed the road right in front of us!). It is a bit of a hike from Todi (2-3 hours drive) but worth it. I would especially recommend the drive up the Nera river valley (Valerina, or Vallo di Nero) on the SS209 which has an amazing collection of hill towns, worth detouring into if you have time. The Marmora falls (Cascata delle Marmore) near Terni is an interesting geological and engineering wonder (they are litterally turned off and on according to schedule by large hydraulic valves). Fairly nearby, just to the north, is a nice family-style hotel restaurant, very popular with the locals, the Hotel-Ristorante Rossi in Casteldialgo (near Arrone), where we had a wonderful and inexpensive lunch. We very much liked the towns of Norcia and even moreso the little town of Castelluccio which is at the base of the biggest of the Sibillini, Monte Vettore. Another high point was the Abbey of St. Eutizio in Piedevalle, which we discovered is headed up by a priest from Detroit! Right next to the abbey is a wonderful little restaurant, the Ristorante Bianco Fiore, a great place for lunch and if you are inclined a great starting (or finishing) point for a nice hike up on the hills on part of a long hiking trail that goes all the way to Norcia (a very long trek).

We did not make it to Narni, it was on our list but we didn't have time (next time!) but fairly close to Todi I would recommend the little hill town of Cesi, San Gemini, and the Roman ruins at Carsulae. Orvieto is a must, of course. Closer to Castiglion Fosco is the interesting hill town of Panicale. I would certainly also recommend Bagnoregio Civita, just south of Orvieto, probably one of the most unique hill towns accessible only by a long bridge over a gorge. I could go on. We loved Umbria.

Comment by Laurel Brown on June 23, 2008 at 9:49am

My husband and I will be visitng Umbria this fall, for two weeks, staying a week in Castliglion Fosco and another in Todi. Can anyone tell me about their experiences visitng Narni, as well as Monti Sibbillini?

Comment by Tim on June 22, 2008 at 6:05pm

Hoping to some day be able to say we've been to Umbria and Tuscany, experiencing life as it is lived there.

Comment by Philip Allin on May 18, 2008 at 5:50pm

We spent two weeks in Umbria with a granddaughter in 2003. It was delightful! While visiting Todi I met a young craftman who did classic wood inlays (intarzia). We later collaborated on a piece combining his inlay talents with my woodcarving: Escher's "Reptiles." He did the flat part while I carved the lizards that rise out of the design on the desktop.
We have many fond memories of that time in Umbria.