Cycling in the Umbrian Valley: from Assisi to Spoleto

Day 1: Assisi
Assisi is a medieval town built on the slopes of Mount Subasio, overlooking the Valle Umbra. It is a place in which history, traditions and art are harmoniously combined. If you arrive early, you can discover this beautiful city wandering through its alleys, streets and stop at one of the cozy squares, where cafés are inviting you to sit down and enjoy an ice cream, cappuccino or a good glass of local wine. There is much to see: the Basilicas of St. Francis and of St. Clare, the fortress, museums and the Roman Forum. The hotel*** is set in a rural location, is situated 7 km from Assisi. From the pool, you have a stunning view of Assisi. There are many activities for free: a swimming pool, soccer field, tennis and fishing pond. With a supplement, you can play golf, enjoy the spa or have a wine-tasting. At the end of the afternoon: drop off bicycles, route briefing and instruction. The country house** is situated at 800m from the old town centre. There is a nice pool with a view of the Valle Umbra.

Day 2: Assisi – Spello – Assisi (38 km)
After breakfast in the saddle for the first bike ride and discover the green Umbrian Valley. You cycle along quiet country roads to reach Spello, fiercely situated on the slopes of Mount Subasio. The city has preserved its medieval charm very well: you will go through alleys and cheerful squares with flowering balconies. Leave your bikes at the foot of the historic centre and walk uphill to visit the main sights of the city: the church of Santa Maria Maggiore with inside the well-known Baglioni chapel painted by Pinturicchio, the church of S. Andrea, the Pinacoteca, the Roman mosaics and Porta Consolare (Roman Gate). Then cycle back through the valley among cultivated fields planted with cereals, sunflowers, grape and fruit trees.

Day 3: Assisi – Torgiano (34 km)
This morning you cycle first to Santa Maria degli Angeli, where you can visit the basilica. The impressive dome covers the Porziuncola, where Francis and his friends lived. If you did not visit Assisi yet you can leave here your bikes and take the bus up to Assisi, which is built on a hilltop. After your visit, you take the bus back down into the valley to pick up your bikes. Cycling along quiet country roads, you will get to Torgiano, once a fortified village. There are some remains of its glorious past: the Baglioni Tower and remains of the ancient city walls. Torgiano is situated in a fertile wine area at the confluence of the river Tiber with Chiascio. The museums of Wine and Olive Oil are worth a visit. The wine-museum tells you all about the history of cultivation of grapes. There are many archaeological finds and ceramics to see. The olive oil museum is dedicated to the olive oil cultivation in Umbria. You will stay in a hotel*** with a swimming pool in the historic centre of Torgiano.

Day 4: Torgiano – Bevagna (28 km)
Also today, the typical Umbrian countryside will be your “travel companion”. You will reach Bevagna, one rare example of historic centre built on the plain and not on a hilltop. Bevagna boasts both a Roman past and a medieval aspect. Piazza Silvestri is a very interesting square, a cheerful meeting place for the inhabitants, with its gothic Palazzo dei Consoli and two Romanesque churches. Other sites to visit are the Roman mosaics and a medieval house. The hotel*** is situated in the historic centre or just outside with a swimming pool.

Day 5: Bevagna – Foligno – Casco dell’Acqua (25 km)
This day is dedicated to Foligno, a welcoming city on the plain just like Bevagna, situated along river Topino. It is worth visiting the Duomo and its late Gothic Palazzo Trinci which hosts the Pinacoteca and the archaeological museum; you can do shopping in Corso Cavour or stop at Piazza della Repubblica for a cappuccino or a delicious ice cream. From Foligno, you continue cycling among cultivated fields and canals. The country house, a beautiful eco-guesthouse, is situated along the Clitunno River.

Day 6: Casco dell’Acqua – Spoleto (28 km)
On your last day, you will reach Spoleto: you will recognize it from a distance, because of its fortress dominating the city from above. You will get into the city on the bike path and at Porta Garibaldi, you can leave your bikes and discover Spoleto on foot. The historic centre and its Duomo, the Ponte delle Torri (Tower Bridge), the fortress, the Roman house and the amphitheater are situated in the upper part of the city. After your visit to this lovely old town centre, you will cycle to your hotel. There is not much to pedal anymore. The hotel with a pool is in a quiet position just outside town. On request, it is possible to book for a cooking class “Making Pizza”.

Day 7: Spoleto
End of services after breakfast.