Slow Traveling Italy: Explore from a Medieval Village

From Village to Vista: Your Slow Travel Guide to Exploring Italy from Vallo di Nera 🏞🚆🍷

Nestled in the heart of Umbria, Dolce Vita Coliving is more than a place to stay—it's an entire medieval village turned into a haven for digital nomads and slow travelers alike. From the stone arches of Vallo di Nera, the rest of Italy unfurls before you like a storybook—one train, car, or bus ride at a time.

Whether you’re taking a weekend escape to Florence, catching fashion rhythms in Milan, or following the scent of Neapolitan pizza to Naples, here’s your guide to top Italian cities from our charming borgo in the hills of the Valnerina.

🇮🇹 Florence — The Cradle of the Renaissance

By Car (Approx. 2.5–3.5 hours)

The drive to Florence is nothing short of cinematic: winding through the rolling hills of Tuscany, vineyards dancing in the rearview mirror. Take the SS685 towards Spoleto, then merge onto the A1 northbound through scenic Valdichiana.

By Train (Approx. 3–4.5 hours)

Start from Spoleto or Foligno train station (both reachable by local bus or 30–40 min car ride from the village). From there, connect to Florence Santa Maria Novella via Terontola-Cortona or Rome-Tiburtina. Trains are frequent, and Florence makes a great overnight stay.

Tips:

• Morning departures offer the best scenery.

• Pack a picnic—Foligno is famous for porchetta and rustic Umbrian cheese.

🏛 Rome — Eternal City, Always New

By Car (Approx. 2–2.5 hours)

Take the SS3 to Terni and continue on the A1 to Rome. This route offers dramatic valley views and a chance to stop in Civita di Bagnoregio, “the dying city,” perched atop a volcanic tufa hill.

By Train (Approx. 2–3 hours)

Catch a regional train from Spoleto or Foligno to Roma Termini or Tiburtina. Direct options are available, with beautiful countryside scenes throughout.

By Bus

Flixbus and other services occasionally offer seasonal routes from Spoleto to Rome. Best booked in advance.

What to Bring:

Light scarf (church visits), a refillable water bottle (Rome’s nasoni fountains are legendary), and good walking shoes.

🌊 Naples — Streets of Life and Pizza Dreams

By Train (Approx. 4–5 hours)

From Spoleto, take a train to Rome Termini, then a high-speed Frecciarossa or Italo to Napoli Centrale. The total journey takes around 4.5 hours but feels effortless thanks to modern trains.

By Car (Approx. 3.5–4.5 hours)

Drive south through Lazio into Campania. Stop at Montecassino Abbey for a peaceful detour drenched in history.

Tips:

• Naples can be intense but oh-so-rewarding. Slow down and explore the seaside district of Posillipo or hop onto a ferry to Procida for a local lunch.

Food to Try:

Sfogliatella, espresso Napoletano, and margherita pizza straight from the wood-fired oven.

🛫 Milan — Style, Sophistication, Spritz

By Train (Approx. 5–6 hours)

Take a morning train from Foligno or Spoleto, changing at Florence for a high-speed line to Milano Centrale. A full day’s journey, but perfectly doable with wine, podcasts, and window-side journaling.

By Air

The nearest airport is Perugia San Francesco d’Assisi Airport (PEG), about 1.5 hours by car or taxi from Vallo di Nera. From Perugia, catch a flight to Milan Linate or Malpensa, then use public transit into the city.

By Car (Approx. 6–7 hours)

Drive north through Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna—a true Slow Travel adventure. Stop in Modena or Bologna for an overnight treat.

What to Pack:

Layers (the north can be brisk), an appetite for risotto alla Milanese, and your camera for Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

🎭 Venice — Canals, Masks, and Eternal Allure

By Train (Approx. 5–6.5 hours)

Make your way to Foligno, then connect via high-speed train through Florence or Bologna to Venezia Santa Lucia. Be sure to sit on the left side for panoramic lagoon views as you rumble into the city over causeways.

By Car (Approx. 5.5–6.5 hours)

A long journey, but filled with poetic pauses: Assisi, Lake Trasimeno, or Padua make fine pit stops. Parking in Venice is limited—park in Mestre and take a vaporetto for a grand entrance.

By Plane

Fly from Perugia Airport to Venice Marco Polo (VCE), then transfer by water taxi or shuttle.

What to Bring:

A good book for the train, a scarf for chilly boat rides, and some coins for a gondolier’s serenade.

Practical Planning Tips

• Base Stations: Spoleto and Foligno are your gateways—buses connect regularly from Vallo di Nera.

• Driving? Get a paper map and savor the detours—this is rural Italy, after all.

• Train Comfort: Book in advance on Trenitalia or Italo for discounts on high-speed routes.

• Pack: Day bag, reusable water bottle, phone charger, cash (many small towns prefer it), and always—a notebook for stories waiting to be told.

Nearby Hidden Gems from the Village

• Cascata delle Marmore – Italy’s tallest manmade waterfall. A magical day trip from Vallo.

• Norcia – Known for black truffles, prosciutto, and mountaineering.

• Castelluccio di Norcia – Wildflower heaven in early summer.

• Assisi – A peaceful pilgrimage site, just over an hour away.

Events to Watch For:

• Festa di San Giovanni in Vallo di Nera (June) – Herbs, music, local wine under the stars

• Eurochocolate Festival in Perugia (October) – Need we say more?

Treats to Taste:

• Lentil soup from Castelluccio, Umbrian olive oil, black truffle pasta, and the flaky rocciata, Umbria’s answer to strudel.

From historical wonders to immersive local life, everything is within reach when you start in the right place—a peaceful village where mountains frame your morning commute, and new adventures begin with espresso on cobbled streets.

Ready to wander Italy at your own pace? Book your coliving stay at our medieval oasis and let the journey unfold: dolcevitacoliving.com/book