Tyler and Mieka

Please check back here for more information about flights, car sharing, and money-saving alternatives.

Palazzo Massarucci is located in the Umbrian town of Macerino Italy. The closest international airport is Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO). The property is approximately 1 1/2 hours drive from there.  Should your travel plans be taking you elsewhere in Italy, you may choose to come from Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR) which is approximately 2 1/2 hours by car.

Currently, flights from the US are quite expensive. You may wish to sign up for a fare alert service such as Airfare Watchdog or TravelZoo:

http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/

http://www.travelzoo.com/

Here’s an interesting article about the probable demise of the “summer sale”:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/kiss-summer-airfare-deals-goodbye/19427416/

Another option would be to fly to London and take a low-cost carrier to Rome or Perugia, which is the capital city of Umbria and only an hours drive to the house. Some carriers that service Europe are:

http://www.ryanair.com/en (with service from Stansted to Perugia and Gatwick to Rome)

http://www.easyjet.com/asp/en/book/index.asp?lang=en (Gatwick to Rome)

http://www.airberlin.com/site/start.php?LANG=eng (Stansted to Rome, not direct)

Once you get to Rome (or Perugia) and depending on your travel plans, you will most likely want to rent a car. Driving in Italy is not nearly as scary as you might think (I’ve done it, and lived to tell!). Italians drive on the same side of the road as we do and the steering wheel is located on the “correct” (read; left) side of the car. However, your rental car will likely have a manual transmission. If you are uncomfortable driving a stick, you can usually pay extra for an automatic but you will want to make sure to ask for this specifically when you reserve your vehicle. You do not need an international drivers license to drive in Italy although I have read some sources that suggest it. I personally don’t see the point. You can rent a car in Italy through any of the usual online resources like Travelocity, Orbitz and the like.  Be aware that you will need insurance, even if you don’t normally take it.

Hint: If you are visiting one of the larger cities as part of your trip, rent your car as you are leaving town. Driving in Rome or Florence is insane. There’s no need and your ticker will thank you for it.

Driving Directions:

THE PALAZZO MASSARUCCI is located in the village of Macerino. It’s easy to get to by car from the A1 highway that runs between Rome and Florence.

FROM ROME: EXIT the A-1 at Orte and head toward Terni; EXIT at Perugia/Cesena go north toward Perugia; EXIT at Monte Castrilli, it takes you under the highway to the other side; TURN RIGHT and go up another mile paralleling highway towards Perugia then TURN RIGHT at Cesi, this will take you back under the freeway; continue for about a mile, then TURN LEFT for Portaria; follow the winding road up the mountain past Portaria and continue uphill; at the top, continue straight and wind down several miles until you see Macerino on a hill to the left; continue down; TURN LEFT, then TURN LEFT again and come up to the village; TURN RIGHT at the driveway to the restaurant and park. You have arrived.

FROM FLORENCE: Take the A-1 south to the “ORTE” exit and then follow the instructions as above.

It’s only a 1½ hour drive from Rome; 2½ from Florence.

If you will not be renting a car, it is still possible to reach the Palazzo by train and then taxi.  Spoleto is the closest station and you can get there from Rome via the Ancona line. Make sure you don’t get on an express train and wind up in the ocean though!It is also possible to reach Spoleto by train or bus from Florence.Below is some information about the Spoleta train station.

http://www.ccmoperalucca.org/content.jsp?articleId=88

And some information on the train schedule and availability:

http://www.raileurope.com/europe-travel-guide/italy/how-to-book-train.html