For a glimpse of times gone by in rural Italy take a trip from Bellaugello gay guest house near Gubbio to Civita di Bagnoregio.
A lovely drive through Todi past the lake of Cobara towards Bolsena takes you just over the border in Lazio to the ancient hamlet of Civita di Bagnoregio.
Originally founded by the Etruscans, this time warp had, because of its inaccesibility, by the early twentieth centur, fewer than twenty permanent residents.
Sitting on a tufa plateau and connected by a pedestrian only bridge (car parking at the start of the bridge) Civita has crumbled over time, and is now definitely ‘shabby chic’ The central piazza with its church and selection of houses is a delight and together with winding streets represents a wonderful photo-opportunity.
An upsurge in tourist visits means now there are a selection of lunch venues and Civita can be combined with a trip to nearby Orvieto.