After the Strasimeno Marathon: Assisi

The Route: Sant'Arcangelo → Perugia → Assisi (2 nights) → onward Logistics: From the lake, travel first to Perugia by taxi or bus, then take a regional train to Assisi in about 15 to 25 minutes. The Assisi station is in the lower town, and a local bus climbs to the old town. Check the timetable for each leg. Marathon Month: March Duration: 2 nights

Sant'Arcangelo ──(taxi or bus)──> Perugia ──(train, about 15-25 mins)──> Assisi
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                                           night 1: old town and the basilica
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                                           night 2: lower town and Porziuncola

Assisi is built of pale pink limestone from Monte Subasio, and the whole town glows at dusk. The Basilica of San Francesco stands at one end on a stone platform, with its arches visible across the plain. The streets climb in terraces, and the stairs between them are many.

Two nights allow a split: one in the hill town and one on the flat lower plain at Santa Maria degli Angeli. That halves the climbing.

March in Assisi: the days are cool and bright, often with a sharp wind. The pilgrim season has not begun, so the town is quiet. Hotels and restaurants are open, though some take a break after the winter. Spring flowers appear on the slopes.

Getting there

Take a taxi or bus from the lake to Perugia, then a regional train to Assisi, which takes in the order of 15 to 25 minutes. Buy a ticket in advance. From the station, a bus or taxi goes up to the hill town.

Night one: the hill town

Stay in the old town. Check that your hotel has a lift and is open in March. Spend the first evening walking the main street slowly down from the central square, which has a Roman temple, to the basilica. The upper and lower churches of San Francesco hold fresco cycles, and the upper cycle is traditionally attributed to Giotto, a point that has been debated. Check the opening hours and the dress code.

Night two: the lower town

Move to a hotel near Santa Maria degli Angeli, the lower town, where the basilica encloses the Porziuncola chapel. The district is flat. Spend the day walking to the basilica and the rose garden. See the Porziuncola itinerary for detail.

What to eat

Umbrian food suits March: strangozzi, lentils, roast meats and soups. The local olive oil is excellent. Book dinner on weekends.

Getting back