One of the things we like to do is base ourselves in a place for a period of time and take trips out from it. This enables us to get to know the host town and to learn about its surrounds.

One year we did this in Bevagna located in an ideal place in Umbria. It is close to the big draws of Assisi and Spoleto – both within 20 miles. But it also put us within less than 10 miles of three truly charming towns: Montefalco, Spello and Trevi. To give you an idea as to how accessible this area is, during the trip we became acquainted with two American bicyclists who were also basing themselves in Bevagna. We ran into them on our daily car excursions to two of the towns that we visited as they did the same by bike. That’s how wonderfully close these towns are.

Bevagna
Bevagna is a charming medieval town just big enough to have a couple of places to stay and several very good restaurants. It was a wonderful base.

Bevagna’s charming main piazza

The countryside easily accessible

Montefalco
Montefalco is known for its robust red wine. It is one of the few DOC red wines in Umbria. It is also home to beautiful textiles. We had a very memorable lunch here.

It has a bigger, more lively main piazza

And several handsome gates into town

Trevi
Trevi, unlike Bevagna, is a hilltop town. There is a beautiful approach to it up past bucolic fields.

It is also very old as this medieval building shows

Beautiful church

Spello
Spello is know for its flowers. We were there as they were preparing for their annual flower festival. We missed the “painting” of the streets with flower petals which must have been spectacular. But everyone was decked out for the flower competition.

An entry into town – it is a hilltop town

West central Umbria. Well worth spending some time!

Kristi and Bill Steiner began leading “learning vacations” to Orvieto, Italy in 2003 and were founding members of Slow Travel Tours. Through Adventures in Italy they provided a cultural immersion experience. Many trips included the pursuit of some kind of creative work that complemented and reinforced exploration of Italy’s culture. Relationships built over the years enabled Kristi and Bill to provide experiences that a typical visitor to Orvieto never gets. The Steiners retired in 2017 and sold Adventures in Italy to Michelle Logue, who has continued as a member of the Slow Travel Tours group. Michelle continues to offer trips in the same format and with the same spirit that Kristi and Bill hosted for 14 years. Learn more about Adventures in Italy small group trips in Orvieto. Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.