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 in Umbria. 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
