How to Find Cheap Hotels in Umbria, Italy

Known as the "green heart of Italy," the region of Umbria attracts fewer tourists than its famous neighbor, Tucscany. Those who travel to Umbria, however, find its hillsides full of fascinating castles and its villages charming. This is a good destination to combine with a larger trip, and a great place to visit if you're looking for a quieter escape in Italy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Passport
• A computer with Internet access

Know Your Destination

1. Consult a detailed map. Umbria is located halfway up the slopes of Monte Fumaiolo, where the Tiber river in Rome originates. You'll cross Umbria when passing between Florence and Rome on land.
2. Get a taste of village life. Although Umbrian towns like Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto and Orvieto are lesser known than Tuscan cities, they offer plenty of places to explore with the benefit of fewer crowds.
3. Bask in Umbria's beauty. For centuries, the spot at the head of the Clitunno river has been famous for its spectacular scenery.

Organize Your Transportation

4. Find and book a cheap ticket into the Fiumicini Airport in Rome. Another option is the Aeroporto A. Vespucci Airport in Florence.
5. Take a bus from the airport to the train station, then take a train to your accommodations in Umbria.
6. Consider renting a car for your trip in Umbria. Rental car services out of the Florence Airport are especially fast and efficient: Simply drive south and follow the signs to Umbria.

Choose Your Lodging

7. To book accommodations, contact Umbria Online at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). Consider cheap accommodations in the region's capital, Perugia. This medieval town is full of interesting historical sites like the Rocca Paolina, the largest fortress in Italy.
8. Find cheap accommodations in the quaint town of Spello if you abhor traffic. Cars are not allowed on the streets of the town, making walks to the churches full of legendary art more tranquil and refreshing.
9. Search for cheap accommodations in Norcia if you are a sausage connoisseur. Check out the tower called the Tempietto between meals and transport yourself back to the 14th century.

Tips & Warnings

• Beware the mountainous streets of the Umbria region if you plan to travel by rental car. The drivers are used to passing on difficult mountain roads, so keep your eyes open!
• All phone numbers include the international prefix "011." When calling internationally but not from the United States or Canada, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• If you're a student, a teacher, or are between the ages of 12 and 25, you may be eligible for discounts on international airfares, accommodations, transportation, phone calls, museum admissions and car rentals. Contact the STA Travel National Service Center to obtain your identification card.