Allerona: Within the walls of an Umbrian hilltown

Elizabeth Heath is a U.S.-born writer and editor based in Allerona, Italy, where she has lived for more than 17 years. She writes about travel, wellness, soft adventure, culture, and cuisine in Italy, Europe, the Mediterranean, and beyond. Liz is an Italy expert and fluent Italian speaker, with a keen understanding of Italy from both a traveler's and a resident's perspective. She is widely published, with travel, wellness, and lifestyle bylines in some of the world's most respected and recognized print and digital outlets.

Sinnce 2023, she also runs Villaggio Tours (www.villaggiotours.com), which offers small-group, immersive tours of Umbria from the base of Allerona. She is the co-owner and manager of Six Keys Guesthouse, a restored 6-room accommodation in Allerona's historic center. She and her family have welcomed scores of guests to Allerona, and helped them discover the singular charms and delightfully slow pace of this 12th century Umbrian hill town.

To arrive at the starting point, drive up to Allerona Paese (paese means village). If you’re coming from the south, you’ll pass through Allerona Scalo, the newer modern town about 7 km below Allerona. Park your car in Piazza Attila Lupi, which is also referred to as the Piazza del Comune and is the starting point of the tour. If there are no parking spaces in the piazza, you can keep going about 100 meters and park near the carabinieri station on the right, either in designated spots or on the shoulder of the road. The tour begins near the clock tower in the piazza.