by Terri Cook Thursday, September 22, 2016
Most flights to Italy from the U.S. land in Rome or Milan. If you are heading directly to Umbria, it is possible to fly from Rome to Perugia’s San Francesco d’Assisi airport, 42 kilometers from Gubbio. Direct international flights to Gubbio are possible only from London and a few other European cities.
There is no direct train to Gubbio, but you can take one as far as Perugia (www.trenitalia.com), then take a public bus. A better option is to rent a car, which is by far the most convenient way to explore the beautiful Umbrian countryside.
Most visitors arrive with accommodations already booked, especially during the bustling summer months. Websites such as www.booking.com offer a wide range of romantic villas and other properties throughout Umbria. I do not recommend camping in this part of Italy, as the campgrounds are inconveniently located and rather pricey. Private farmhouses such as Agriturismo Dea (www.agriturismodeaumbria.com) offer cozy farmstays, which often include delicious meals featuring freshly picked ingredients.
To explore Gubbio’s narrow, cobblestoned streets, leave your car in one of the pay-to-park spots just outside the imposing walls and roam the town on foot.
To see the famous end-Cretaceous outcrop, riddled with drill holes, drive east on the Via del Fosso. About 1.5 kilometers past the city’s north gate, just before the aqueduct crosses the road, there is a pullout on the right-hand side that is lined by concrete barriers. Just above the road, the outcrop is marked with a small yellow sign. If you don’t have a vehicle, or don’t want to drive winding mountain roads, you can enjoy a trip up the funicular to Mount Ignacio to visit the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo.
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