On the same day I hop on the train from Perugia to Assisi, a place I was told I couldn't miss out, I decided that I wanted a little more out of my day, so instead of going back right away, I went to explore a little more of Umbria, this time in the small town of Spello. And if you think it's impossible to get any better, it does!
Now, if you're thinking about asking for some help or some directions at Assisi's train station, I'll tell you how that'll play out: you'll enter the coffe bar inside the station, because there won't be anybody at the ticket office, and you'll ask the man "train to Spello?" and he will answer "I don't know" and walk away.
Then, you'll try to figure it out by yourself at the automatic ticket machine but that won't get you anywhere. And then, the man from the ticket office will finally decide to show up and you'll ask him the same thing "train to Spello?" and he will answer "I don't know". Can you see how frustrating this is? Italians and their stupid favorite sentence "I don't know" that makes me want to kick them in the face! Beware that I absolutely LOVE Italians, but they can drive me crazy at some point.
Then, you'll try to figure it out by yourself at the automatic ticket machine but that won't get you anywhere. And then, the man from the ticket office will finally decide to show up and you'll ask him the same thing "train to Spello?" and he will answer "I don't know". Can you see how frustrating this is? Italians and their stupid favorite sentence "I don't know" that makes me want to kick them in the face! Beware that I absolutely LOVE Italians, but they can drive me crazy at some point.
I'll save you all this trouble and frustration, because going to Spello from Assisi is actually the easiest thing in the world! Just hop on the train that goes in direction to Foligno, and get off the train the next station.
This massive information (joking obviously) will prevent you from wandering around the train station with a Korean girl, who is very chatty and happy, who'll end up taking photos with just because you helped each other in the difficult mission of finding out the train to get.
This massive information (joking obviously) will prevent you from wandering around the train station with a Korean girl, who is very chatty and happy, who'll end up taking photos with just because you helped each other in the difficult mission of finding out the train to get.
As I arrived and walked the streets of Spello I came to a description of this small town, as to me it looked like a beautiful abandoned perfect little town where ghosts like gardening. Seriously, I have no idea where the people were, but I couldn't find them! I spent like two hours here and I may have seen a maximum of 5 people the entire time!
The train won't leave you right at the centre, but you can walk and you'll get there in less than five minutes. And now? Explore! There are no touristic sights in Spello since it really is a place to appreciate the beauty of the streets you're walking in. I have never seen a town so full of color. The people who live here actually care about making their town pretty, and every single house has the entrance covered with flowers that I'm sure they must take care of everyday. It will make you feel like you're in some enchanted Kingdom!
Remember, Spello is not a touristic place! It's a place to enjoy the peace and quiet of the Umbria region, it's about watching the locals take care of their flowers (good luck finding a single person in the streets!) and about wandering narrow colorful streets. Just go with the flow of the place and enjoy.
Tip: Buy your ticket from Assisi to Spello (it will cost you 3€) and get off in Assisi first. The regional trains in Italy are valid for 6h after you validate it in the machine, so if you're planning on seeing both towns, this way will save you some money.