Visit Bevagna!
If you stay at Villa Bastiola, a day trip to visit Bevagna is highly recommended. Hopefully the photos below will speak for the beauty of Bevagna, a village in the heart of the Vale of Umbra dating back to Roman and medieval times (and before, to the ancient Umbri).
The central piazza is a jewel of medieval architecture and the walls encircling the village date back to the medieval period. The Roman washing area is still used by the locals where they wash their clothes in the waters of the Teverone, sharing the latest gossip.
Bevagna is 40 mins by car from Villa Bastiola and well worth a day trip. Take in a couple of local cantinas (vineyards) as well, as this is the heart of the Umbrian wine growing region (Arnaldo Caprai, Antonelli, Schiacciadiavoli to name a few) and pop up to Montefalco for stunning views over the valley.
For more information on Bevagna, please click on this link to Italy Magazine.
Monte Santa Maria Tiberina has an incredibly long name for one of the tiniest hilltop towns in the Upper Tiber Valley! The photo to the left is taken from 
restaurant and bar in the centre of the village.
Visit Montone in Umbria! Montone is a gorgeous, medieval hilltop town, just 15 minutes drive from Villa Bastiola. Named one of the 100 most beautiful villages in Italy, you will discover why as you take a walk through this enchanting village.
Follow the winding road up the hillside to the village at the top. There are several car parks and parking along the walls of the town. Definitely best to explore Montone by foot as that way you can get to see the gorgeous cobbled streets and beautiful architecture and really get a feel of life in Montone, plus the views are spectacular.
In Autumn, the streets of Montone come alive with the Festa del Bosco (woodland festival) with stalls and shops selling the best of Umbrian fare including hot roasted chestnuts and vino novello (the new wine!).
In August, the village comes alive with the “Donazione della Santa Spina” (the Donation of the Holy Thorn), a symbol of the Passion of Christ. The three districts in Montone (Borgo, Monte and Verziere) reproduce scenes of medieval life and hold archery competitions, in order to win the palio (historical athletic contest) and the Lady of the Castle, Margherita Malatesta di Rimini, wife of Count Charles, who governed Montone in the absence of her husband.
Gubbio is 30 minutes drive to the east of Villa Bastiola and is well worth a day trip. Steeped in history, this Umbrian town is incredibly old and you can see signs of its Umbri, Roman and medieval history as you walk through the town.
Conquered by the Romans, the town became known as Iguvium (where today’s name of Gubbio originates) and was an incredibly important stop over point for Roman troops travelling across Italy from North to South and East to West. There is a fabulous Roman amphitheater still standing (the second largest in the world) at the foot of Monte Ingino which is worth a visit.
Take a trip to the top of Monte Ingino in the “cable car”! Hop into one of the giant dustbins and get whisked up to the top of the mountain – the views are breathtaking!!
Citta’ di Castello is a thriving market town in the north of Umbria, in an area known as the Upper Tiber Valley. Founded by Umbri tribes, the Romans called it Tifernum Tiberinum or Civitas Tiberina (City on the Tiber) which is the river that flows across Italy and down to Rome. During the medieval times, the city was fought over, conquered, lost and conquered several times finally falling under Papal control and becoming known as Civitas Castelli (City of the Castles) or Citta’ di Castello.
It’s interesting history is reflected in the mix of buildings and architecture throughout the town. Famous for its medieval Town Hall, round bell tower and Palazzo Vitelli (dating back to the 1400s), the town is really worth a visit.
There is a market every Thursday and Saturday with a covered fruit & vegetable and fish market as well.