Overview of the Le Ripi
Le Ripi is a small private estate owned by a young couple from Rome who fell in love with the area while staying with friends over the summer.
Serendipity. A chance meeting led them to an abandoned farmhouse. One of them being an architect, the whole project was sketched out that evening and an unexpected adventure began to unfold.
Activities & Places of interest
Acquasparta and surroundings:
– Renaissance Palazzo Cesi
– The historic Jewish quarter
– Medieval San Gemini village with Roman ruins
In and around Todi:
– Piazza del Popolo complex with the Palazzo dei Priori and Cathedral
– Renaissance church of Santa Maria della Consolazione
– Ancient city walls with panoramic countryside views
– Underground Roman cisterns
– Local wine tasting at nearby vineyards
Within 1 hour:
– Foligno: Palazzo Trinci, Cathedral, CIAC contemporary art center
– Spello: Roman walls, Pinturicchio frescoes, Villa of the Mosaics
– Orvieto: Gothic cathedral, underground city
– Spoleto: Rocca Albornoziana fortress, Ponte delle Torri bridge
– Cascata delle Marmore: Europe’s highest man-made waterfall
– Narni: Underground medieval church and inquisition prison
– Montefalco: Sagrantino wine region, medieval town center
– Nocera Umbra: Medieval fortress, Archaeological Museum, mineral springs
– Gubbio: Palazzo dei Consoli, Roman Theater, cable car to Monte Ingino
– Perugia: Regional capital with Etruscan wells, chocolate tradition
– Assisi: Basilica of St. Francis, religious heritage
– Lake Trasimeno: Water activities, island visits
– Civita di Bagnoregio: “Dying city” on eroding cliffs
– Deruta: Traditional ceramics workshops and shops
Special seasonal events:
– Acquasparta’s Renaissance village festival (2 weeks in June)
– Spoleto’s performing arts festival (first half of July)
– Spello’s Infiorate flower festival (June)
– Gubbio’s Corsa dei Ceri (May 15)
– Foligno’s Giostra della Quintana (June and September)
Sports
The Umbrian region offers diverse outdoor activities.
Hiking and Trekking:
– Monte Subasio near Assisi with panoramic paths
– Monte Cucco Park’s extensive trail network, including the famous cave system
– The Franciscan Walking Trail (Via di Francesco) connecting religious sites
– The Nera River Park trails
– The Path of the Olive Trees between Assisi and Spoleto
Cycling:
– Road cycling through rolling hills and medieval towns
– The former railway track between Spoleto and Norcia (now a cycling/walking path)
– Cycling routes around Lake Trasimeno
– E-bike tours available in most major towns
Water Activities:
– Kayaking and canoeing at Lake Trasimeno
– Rafting on the Nera River
– Sport fishing in various rivers and lakes
– Visiting the Cascata delle Marmore waterfall with guided activities
Rock Climbing:
– Ferentillo’s natural rock walls
– Monte Cucco’s climbing routes
– Pale di San Francesco near Foligno
– Various equipped climbing areas in the Valnerina
Cave Exploration:
– Monte Cucco Cave system with guided tours
– Grotta di Frasassi (just outside Umbria but within 2 hours)
– Various smaller caves throughout the region
Horse Riding:
– Several riding centers offering guided tours
– Multi-day horse treks available
– Rides through olive groves and vineyards
