Skip to content
LarkTours

Routes · Europe

Los Angeles to Umbria: Perugia, Assisi and Spello

Los Angeles → Perugia → Assisi and Spello

Perugia
"Perugia panoramic.jpg" by Luca Vanzella, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Panorama perugia da viale indipendenza 2023 (Perugia)
Photo: Messer Amanuense Perusino, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hill towns, St Francis & olive groves Best season (general guide): Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

Umbria, in central Italy, is a green region of hill towns, olive groves and saints. This route spends three nights in Perugia and three around Assisi and Spello. From Los Angeles you'll connect through a European hub to Perugia or Rome. Perugia, the regional capital, stands on a hill. Its main street, Corso Vannucci, leads to the Fontana Maggiore, a medieval fountain decorated with carvings.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Perugia: day one, Corso Vannucci; day two, Fontana Maggiore and Rocca Paolina; day three, chocolate and the university town. Then spend days four to six in Assisi and Spello: day four, train to Assisi, then the basilica; day five, Spello; day six, olive groves walk.

The Rocca Paolina was a papal fortress, and escalators now pass through its underground streets. Perugia is known for chocolate, including Baci, and hosts the Umbria Jazz festival each summer. Assisi is the birthplace of St Francis. UNESCO lists the Basilica of San Francesco and other Franciscan sites; the basilica's frescoes are attributed to Giotto and others.

Spello, nearby, is a small town of pink stone, famous for its Infiorata, carpets of flower petals laid in the streets. Spring and autumn are the best seasons.

Good to know: Regional trains link Perugia, Assisi and Spello. Paths between villages pass olive groves.

Perugia's old centre sits high above its station, and buses and escalators carry visitors up the hill, so there is no need to drive into the narrow lanes. Assisi is a short train ride away and makes an easy day trip, though staying overnight lets you see the basilica in the quiet of the evening. Dress modestly for church visits, covering shoulders and knees. Umbrian food is simple and hearty, with lentils, cured meats and local olive oil on most menus. Book restaurants on weekends, when locals fill the dining rooms.

Truffles are also found in the Umbrian hills. If you have a car, the countryside between the two towns has small wineries and olive groves worth a slow afternoon drive.

Suggested outline

  1. Los Angeles

    Start

  2. Perugia

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Umbria's hilltop capital.

  3. Assisi and Spello

    By train · 3 nights suggested

    The town of St Francis and a flower-decked neighbour.

    Assisi and Spello
    "Assisi da Spello.jpg" by Cristina D'Annunzio, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Perugia — Arrive; Corso Vannucci· Los Angeles → Perugia (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Perugia — Fontana Maggiore and Rocca Paolina
  3. Day 3 · Perugia — Chocolate and the university town
  4. Day 4 · Assisi and Spello — Train to Assisi; the basilica· Perugia → Assisi and Spello (by train)
  5. Day 5 · Assisi and Spello — Spello
  6. Day 6 · Assisi and Spello — Olive groves walk
  7. Day 7 · Assisi and Spello — Travel home from Assisi and Spello· Assisi and Spello → Perugia (by train), then Perugia → Los Angeles (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

Each button opens a live, dated search. We don't show stored fares here: check today's price on the booking site.

Showing dates about a month ahead — change them when you search.

Perugia

More about Perugia →

Plan the trip: Perugia

These links go to partner sites. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and terms are set by the partner.

Assisi and Spello

Nearest airport: Perugia Search fares · Perugia ↗

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.