Escape to Umbria: Your Dream Belvilla Awaits in Spello, Assisi!
Escape to Umbria: Belvilla's Spellbinding Retreat in Spello & Assisi? Buckle Up, Buttercups! (A RAW Review)
Okay, folks, let's be real. Planning a trip to Umbria? Dreamy. Finding the perfect Belvilla villa? Challenging. I recently dove headfirst (and maybe a little ungracefully) into the "Escape to Umbria: Your Dream Belvilla Awaits in Spello, Assisi!" experience. And lemme tell ya, the journey was… well, it was a journey.
SEO & Metadata Snippet (Because, you know, Google):
- Title: Umbria Belvilla Review: Spello & Assisi Getaway - Accessibility, Spa, Dining & More!
- Keywords: Belvilla, Umbria, Spello, Assisi, Villa, Review, Accessibility, Spa, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, WiFi, Family Friendly, Pets (check!), Italy, Travel, Vacation
- Description: My unfiltered review of a Belvilla villa in Spello & Assisi, Umbria. From stunning views to… less stunning internet. Exploring accessibility, spa amenities, food experiences, and the overall vibe. Is it your dream escape? Read on!
Arrival & First Impressions (or, "Where the Heck is the Wifi?")
First off, the idea of this trip? Majestic. Rolling hills, ancient towns, endless vineyards… I was picturing myself as a sophisticated Italian movie star (minus the acting skills). The drive to the villa? Gorgeous. The villa itself? Initially, a bit… underwhelming. Okay, it wasn't the gleaming Tuscan masterpiece I'd built up in my head, but it was clean (thank the heavens!) and the view? Killer. The first thing I did, naturally, was try to connect to the free wifi in all rooms! (Shouting this like a giddy teenager, because, priorities!) And guess what? It took longer than my attempts at fluent Italian to get it working. Seriously, I spent a solid hour wrestling with routers, muttering incantations at the internet gods, and basically sacrificing my firstborn (metaphorically, of course). Eventually, a feeble signal emerged, which promptly crashed whenever I tried to actually use the internet. "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" – liar, liar, pants on fire! (Okay, maybe not all rooms, but you get the gist). This initial wifi situation, and the subsequent struggle to get anything done online, set a bit of a tone.
Accessibility - (The "Hoping for the Best" Section)
Accessibility is vital, and I'm a bit ashamed to say I didn't dive as deeply into this as I should have. I did note the Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests (Though I didn't see these facilities in action), and Car Park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site], which are definitely good starting points. However, I can't give a comprehensive assessment without knowing the specific needs of any disabled guests. I am not disabled myself. I will say that getting around Umbria via car is definitely preferable, so the parking situation is a bonus.
Cleanliness & Safety – (Because Post-Pandemic Anxiety is Real)
The Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays gave me some peace of mind. They also provide Hand sanitizer stations. Seeing the Staff trained in safety protocol was reassuring, and of course, this is the era of Safe dining setups and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. I didn't see them, but I'm told there are Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, and a First aid kit. Overall, the cleanliness was pretty good. I really appreciated the effort.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – (My Stomachs's Verdict)
Alright, food! This is where Umbria shines. The villa had a Kitchen (which I barely used, because VACATION), with basic Essential condiments. Fortunately, I was surrounded by amazing restaurants. The A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, and Coffee shop were a real treat. Breakfast [buffet] was available, but the quality seemed a bit hit-or-miss (some days, the pastries were divine; other days, they resembled hockey pucks). I had Coffee/tea in restaurant, which was lovely. I never did sample the Asian cuisine in restaurant, never asked for Alternative meal arrangement but certainly ate some Salad in restaurant. I believe, the restaurants had the obligatory Desserts in restaurant, Snack bar, and Soup in restaurant. Given the number of restaurants, I was surprised there was no Vegetarian restaurant. The food choices were wonderful, but the Bottle of water was a rip-off.
Spa Sensations & Ways to Relax – (Because You Deserve It, Sweetheart)
"Spa" is a strong word. The villa itself didn’t have a spa per se, but I did find the Swimming pool [outdoor] to be a total lifesaver. The Pool with view was the centerpiece of leisure. The water was crystal clear, the view was breathtaking, and I basically lived in it. Heaven! There was no Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, or Steamroom. I wasn't in a rush.
Services and Conveniences – (The Fine Print)
The Air conditioning in public area did come in handy, but the Air conditioning inside my room was the real MVP – especially during the scorching afternoons. Daily housekeeping was a godsend (thank you, overworked ladies!), and the Laundry service saved me from the shame of re-wearing the same sweaty t-shirt for a week. The Concierge tried its best, but they were a little swamped. Cash withdrawal was important to have, and thankfully this was available. The Elevator was nice to have, but I generally avoid it.
For the Kids – (Bless Their Little Hearts)
My kids had a blast. Seriously, they'd have been happy with a puddle and a stick, but thankfully the Kids meal was available. The Babysitting service, was a nice bonus. I didn’t use any Kids facilities. No Family/child friendly facilities either. I will say that the location was pretty peaceful.
Available in All Rooms – (The Nitty Gritty)
Ah, the room itself! The Air conditioning was a lifesaver. The Free bottled water was a nice touch. The Coffee/tea maker was appreciated. The Hair dryer, and the Toiletries were all there. The Alarm clock and the Desk were fine. I was grateful for the Bathrobes, and I was also grateful for the Slippers. And yes: There were Towels. The In-room safe box was safe. I was happy to have a Refrigerator. I loved the Seating area and the Sofa. The Blackout curtains did their job. I missed nothing.
Getting Around – (The Wheels on the Bus…)
Airport transfer would have been useful. Bicycle parking was available but I don't think I even saw a bicycle. The villa had Car park [free of charge]. Car park [on-site] was also a bonus. Taxi service was available.
The Downright Weird & Wonderful – (The "WTF" Moments)
Okay, one slightly odd thing: There was a Shrine. I'm not religious, but hey, it made the place feel… authentic. The Couple's room… why? I'm not sure what that's about.
The Verdict: Umbria, Belvilla, and My Sanity
Would I recommend this Belvilla experience in Spello and Assisi? Generally, yes. Umbria is a magical place, and this was a decent base camp. But… be prepared for some quirks. The internet struggles, the slightly uneven service, and the occasional feeling of "almost but not quite there" were a little frustrating. If you're looking for a perfectly polished, flawless vacation, this might not be it. But if you're willing to embrace the imperfections, to laugh at the wifi, and to soak up the sheer beauty of Umbria, then absolutely, go for it! Just pack extra patience (and maybe a good book, just in case). It's a solid – if slightly wonky – adventure. Prepare for beauty, prepare for delicious food, and prepare for the occasional "what the heck?!" moment. It's Italy, after all. And that’s what makes it so damn lovable.
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Kärnten Apartment Awaits in Hermagor!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sterile, perfectly-planned travel itinerary. This is… my itinerary. The one that’s probably going to involve me weeping with joy, shouting at a GPS, and accidentally eating something that’ll have me questioning my life choices. We're headed to Belvilla by OYO in Spello, Italy, and trust me, it's going to be a wild ride.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Olive Oil Quest (aka, My Stomach's New BFF)
- Morning (or, as I like to call it, the "Pre-Caffeine Existential Crisis"): Flight into Rome. The airport, as usual, is a swirling vortex of stressed-out tourists and aggressively efficient baggage handlers. Trying to find the luggage carousel is always the first test of my sanity. (Spoiler alert: I usually fail). Luckily, I managed to avoid the usual chaos and the lovely, well-managed airport staff put me on the right track, but, I was a bit shaken. On the bright side, the first sip of Italian coffee is always a revelation. Instant clarity. Pure, unadulterated joy.
- Afternoon: Train to Foligno. Then, the rental car… ah, the car. Pray for me. I’ve heard Italian drivers are… let’s say, enthusiastic. Finding the Belvilla property in Spello requires me to navigate roads so narrow, I'm convinced I'm going to scratch the paint off a centuries-old building. Cue the GPS yelling commands I swear sound like an angry seagull. I arrived in the town after much stress and after finally following the right directions.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Unpack. Take a deep breath. Marvel at the view from the balcony of the villa! This is what I came for, the heart, the soul of the trip. (The beautiful sights). The house is charming, rustic, I'm already in love.
- Evening: The real adventure begins. The olive oil quest! Spello is known for its… you guessed it, olive oil. I've been dreaming of this. I’m heading to a local frantoio (olive mill) to sample, learn, and possibly buy enough olive oil to bathe in. I plan to immerse myself in the whole process. I'm so excited, I might actually embarrass myself with my gushing enthusiasm. We will see what happens! Dinner: Simple pasta with… you're right, olive oil. And maybe some crusty bread, because carbs are my love language. Perfection. This is going to be the food of the gods. Let's hope I don't have an allergic reaction or something.
Day 2: Assisi & The Search for Inner Peace (and the Perfect Gelato)
- Morning: Drive to Assisi! This is the pilgrimage of my trip. I want to immerse myself in the serenity of the religious town. We'll check out the Basilica di San Francesco. I'm not religious, per se, but I love beauty, and the art here is supposed to be mind-blowing. I expect to be moved, maybe even overwhelmed. I hope I don't break down spontaneously. I want to buy one of those cheesy "st. francis" statues for my aunt.
- Afternoon: Okay, enough with the holy stuff (kidding!), time for gelato. The streets are a maze, filled with tourists and gelato shops. I am on the hunt for the best pistacchio gelato in the world. This is a serious mission. I will eat every flavor available until I find my soulmate in a cone. This will be delicious.
- Late Afternoon: Get slightly lost wandering the back streets of Assisi. This is inevitable. Embrace it. Discover a tiny, family-run cheese shop. Buy ALL the cheese.
- Evening: Back in Spello. Dinner at a local trattoria (hopefully, the olive oil hasn't already ruined my palate). Maybe I'll order pasta (again, because, Italy). Possibly a glass, or two, of local wine. I will probably laugh out loud at something that isn't remotely funny and embarrass myself. The cheese will be eaten as a dessert. I can't wait.
Day 3: Spello & The Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing (Except Possibly Overthinking Everything)
- Morning: Sleep in! Finally. Embrace the slow pace of Italian life. Drink coffee on the balcony. Do some yoga (okay, maybe just a few stretches). Stare at the view and try to process all of this… this beauty, this feeling, this everything. I did it!
- Afternoon: Wander around Spello. Explore the flower-filled streets. Take a million photos of the same thing (because, beautiful). Maybe stumble upon a hidden garden.
- Late Afternoon: It's time for a cooking class! I will attempt to make pasta from scratch. I have zero cooking skills, so this should be hilarious. I’ll probably struggle, make a mess, and end up covered in flour. But I'll learn! I'll laugh! And hopefully, I won't poison anyone. That said, the local chef knows better than I do.
- Evening: Feast on my culinary creations (or, at least, what's left of them). We will drink more wine, bask in the afterglow of the cooking class. Maybe I'll try to sketch a picture of the town. I'll probably fail miserably.
Day 4: The Umbrian Countryside & The Unexpected (and Potentially Terrifying) Find
- Morning: Drive. Drive. Drive. Explore the Umbrian countryside. Visit a small, picturesque hilltop town (maybe Montefalco for the wine?), get lost. I will get lost. It's part of the deal.
- Afternoon: Look up the most unique experience possible. Then, experience it. Whether it's hiking through a forest, visiting a medieval castle, or taking a pottery class, I'm going off the beaten path and saying yes to something unexpected.
- Late Afternoon: Okay, this is where things get interesting. We stumble upon this abandoned old, what appears to be a church. We decided to get closer. We open the doors. The place stinks inside. We hear some noises. Now, I am no expert, but I think they are mice. We leave immediately. This part of the trip was not a success.
- Evening: Find a nearby restaurant. Eat away all the worries of the day, that have now become a part of my soul.
Day 5: Departure & The Aftermath (and the inevitable post-trip blues)
- Morning: Pack. Cry a little bit. Seriously, every trip ends too soon. Take one last look at that view.
- Afternoon: Drive back to Rome. Return the rental car (hopefully, without any major incidents). Head to the airport.
- Late Afternoon: Flight back home. I will spend the entire flight dreaming of olive oil, gelato, and the sound of the church mice.
- Evening: Arrive home! I will be exhausted, slightly sunburned, and utterly heartbroken to be back. I'll start planning my return trip immediately. I'll have a post-trip meal made of pasta and olive oil (because, comfort food). I'll have a million photos to process. The only thing that's certain is that I'll be changed by this experience. And I can't wait.
So there you have it. My messy, magnificent, probably slightly chaotic itinerary. Wish me luck. And if you see me weeping uncontrollably in a gelato shop, please, just hand me a tissue and a cone. I'll be fine. Probably.
Escape to Tuscany: Luxurious Belvilla Getaway in Val di Pesa!
Escape to Umbria: Your Dream Belvilla Awaits (…or Does It?) - FAQ That's Actually Helpful, Unlike the Brochure!
So, Belvilla in Umbria… *Really* a Dream? Or Just an Instagram Filter?
Okay, let's be real. The brochures? They lie. (They're pretty, though, I'll give 'em that). My Belvilla experience in Spello? A rollercoaster. One minute I'm swooning at the view, the next I'm wrestling with the ancient plumbing and muttering sweet nothings to the wifi router. It's… complicated. But honestly? That's part of the charm. It's NOT a perfectly curated holiday robot. It's *real*.
What's the Deal with the Villas Themselves? (Because the Pictures… Well…)
Alright, deep breath. The pictures on the Belvilla website? GORGEOUS. Almost offensively so. They're like the dating profiles of holiday homes. Expect some… *variance*. My villa? Lovely, but a little… *historical*. Expect uneven floors (hello, character!), quirks (we had a door that only opened if you sang opera to it), and maybe a slightly wonky showerhead that delivers more drips than actual water. But hey, you’re in Umbria! Embrace the imperfections. It’s more authentic that way! Plus, the walls are probably thicker than your apartment back home, which is a MAJOR win in terms of peace and quiet. Unless, of course, you get neighbors who think opera is the only valid form of communication… (don't ask).
Spello vs. Assisi: Which City Steals Your Heart (and Your Euros)?
Okay, this is tough. Assisi is… undeniably *iconic*. The Basilica of St. Francis? Stunning. Makes you feel all… *spiritual*. And the gelato? Oh, the gelato. Worth a week's worth of penance. BUT… Spello? Spello felt… cozier. Less crowded. More… *real*. I spent hours wandering the flower-lined streets, getting lost (on purpose!), and discovering tiny trattorias where the Nonnas made pasta that could bring a grown man to tears. (And, by the way, my bank account *loved* Spello’s slightly lower prices. Every little bit helps when you're trying to fund a gelato addiction.) So, both. You NEED to experience both. Seriously. Don't choose. Just… do both. Maybe stay in Spello and take day trips to Assisi. That's my highly opinionated, completely unqualified travel tip of the day.
Food, Glorious Food! What Can I *Actually* Expect to Eat? (And Will I Gain 10 Pounds?)
Let’s be brutally honest. Yes. You will gain weight. Accept it. Embrace it. The food in Umbria? It's… a religious experience. Pasta, truffles, cured meats, cheeses… (I'm drooling just thinking about it). Forget your diet. This is not the place to worry about kale smoothies. Find the local trattorias. Order the wild boar ragu. Say yes to the wine. And don't even THINK about skipping dessert. I'm still haunted by the memory of a chocolate hazelnut cake I devoured in Spello. Good, delicious haunting. Also, learn some basic Italian phrases. Like, "Un altro piatto di pasta, per favore!" (Another plate of pasta, please!). You'll need it.
The Wifi. The Eternal Struggle. Will I Be Cut off from the World?
Okay, THIS is important. The wifi situation in many Umbrian villas? Let's just say it's… *rustic*. Think dial-up, but with less dial-up. I spent half my trip desperately trying to connect, pacing the villa like a crazed hamster. Eventually, I gave up. Completely. And you know what? It was… amazing. (Eventually) I actually TALKED to my travel companions. I READ a book. I watched the sunset without feeling the need to immediately Instagram it. So, mentally prepare yourself for digital detox. Bring a book. Embrace the slow life. If the wifi miraculously works? Great! If not? Even better. It forced me to actually *live* the experience, not just document it. And honestly? That was worth more than any perfectly-filtered photo.
Dealing With the Locals: Are They Friendly? (Or Do They Secretly Hate Tourists?)
The locals in Umbria? A mixed bag, just like everywhere else. Some are incredibly warm, welcoming, and will happily chat with you (even if your Italian is… let's say, "enthusiastic"). Others… might seem a bit more reserved. But I found, generally, they appreciate effort. Try to speak a little Italian (even if it's just "Buongiorno" and "Grazie"). Be polite. And don't be *that* tourist who barges in without saying hello and demands everything be done *immediately*. They're busy living their lives! I had one truly lovely experience: I got hopelessly lost – classic move – and wandered into a tiny, ramshackle workshop. The owner, a wizened old man with hands stained with ink, didn't speak a word of English. But he *gestured* me in, gave me coffee (the best coffee I’ve ever had), and patiently pointed me in the right direction. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated human connection. That's what Umbria is all about, really. Finding those moments.
Is This Trip Actually Worth It? The Big Question. The Wallet Whisperer.
Okay, let's cut to the chase. Is a Belvilla in Umbria worth the money? Yes. Absolutely. But, with a caveat: manage your expectations. It won’t be flawless. It might be a little… *rustic*. The wifi might drive you insane. You *will* gain weight. But… the views. The food. The sense of history. The slower pace of life. The feeling of actually *experiencing* a place, not just ticking it off a list. WORTH. EVERY. PENNY. (Even if you have to wrestle with a wonky showerhead in the process). Just go. Seriously. Go. And bring me back some gelato.
Getting Around: Driving? Public Transport? A Donkey?
