As you travel the countryside toward Orvieto, Umbria, you notice the landscape dotted with little hilltop towns.  This past May, my mother and I took some time to explore some of these gems.  We used Spoleto as our base, about one hour 20 minutes from Orvieto by car.  We stayed at the Hotel San Luca.  Our room had a balcony with a lovely view of the courtyard.

Spoleto is layered, different from many of the other towns that are concentrated on one level. We started at the top and worked our way back down. There are enormous people movers to get you from level to level of the town so you don’t have to climb.

At the top of the escalator is Rocca Albornoziana, the fortress. This mid-14th-century fortress served as a seat for the local governors.

From here you get sweeping views of the city below and the sprawling Umbrian countryside.

Access the Ponte delle Torri, the Bridge of the Towers from outside the fortress.  The 14th-century bridge rises 262 feet above the gorge that separates Spoleto from Monteluco.

The highlight of the next level down from La Rocca is the Duomo.  The day we were there we were limited in where and when we could walk near the Duomo due to a film shoot!  But once inside we saw the beautiful frescoes of Fra Filippo Lippi.

Even the floors are worth noting.

The last stop on our tour of Spoleto was the Teatro Romano. This outdoor theatre was restored in the 1950’s and is still used today for concerts.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into Spoleto.  We sure enjoyed our time there!

Michelle Logue leads cultural and creative adventures in Orvieto, Italy. With a mandate to provide "travel that transforms", Adventures in Italy gives guests an immersive experience. After more than 15 years of return trips, Orvieto has become a welcoming home base surpassing the typical Italian vacation. Adventures in Italy operates trips in May and September, with two options: Artistic Enrichment nurtures creative expression, while Discover Orvieto invites visitors to focus on the history and culture of Orvieto and live as locals. Find out more about tours and special offers by following Adventures in Italy on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and visit www.adventuresinitaly.ca Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.