NB. THESE ACTIVITIES/EVENTS ARE NOT OFFERED BY THE HOTEL, BUT MUST BE BOOKED INDEPENDENTLY.
THERMAL BATHS
Triponzo thermal baths are only 10 minutes away. Go enjoy the powerful and energising effects of water and its natural treatments.
RIVERBOARDING
Valnerina with its mix of watercourses and mountains is the perfect location for outdoor activities such as riverboarding. Riverboarding is a boardsport where you can swim down the watercourse while lying on a board. Helmets, wetsuits, life jackets and fins are all the equipment you need to enjoy this exciting sport.
CLIMBING
Ferentillo and Arrone, both in Valnerina, are two places where climbing has become one of the most practiced and loved sports, even at night! You could free climb with the aid of a safety rope or get a lesson from the Precetto di Ferentillo free climbing school that has gyms both outdoors (i.e. natural rock faces that have been specifically equipped) and indoors. Ferentillo cliff is among climbers’ favourites!
CANYONING
Valnerina is the perfect place to try canyoning, a fun activity where you jump, swim and climb ropes following the course of the stream among its falls and natural pools. The routes are varied: from the short and easy Forra di Roccagelli, perfect for younger people as well, to the more exciting Forra del Casco or the adventurous and long Forra di Pago le Fosse.
HORSE TREKKING
An exciting and intense way of exploring the surroundings is by horse trekking. After a few hours out and about Umbria’s countryside you might just need a bit of refreshment. Leave from the horse trekking centre through paths in the woods and end your tour in a small village in Valnerina where a delicious lunch of local products will be waiting for you.
STROLL AROUND WITH DONKEYS
Strolling around the Valnerina with donkeys might be the perfect experience for children and their families. Donkeys are very docile and easy to mount thus making them the perfect animal to take you around these marvellous views.
KAYAKING
In Valnerina you can experience kayaking at all levels of proficiency. There are certain sections of the Nera river where the water streams down slowly and you can canoe while enjoying the view and others that are only suitable to the most skilled of canoeists with rapids and slaloms.
FLYING IN A HOT-AIR BALLOON
Imagine what it must feel like seeing Umbria’s woods, medieval little towns and olive trees from up above, in a hot-air balloon flying in the sky. We can only tell you it’s incredible!
MOUNTAIN BIKE
There are plenty of different routes to explore here in Umbria on the seat of a mountain bike. Whether is a cycle lane or a path through the woods you will be astonished by breathtaking views.
TREKKING WITH MULES
In Norcia you can experience trekking with mules. Mule trekking is slow-paced and allows you to fully enjoy your surroundings without worrying about carrying weights that the mules will carry for you. The treks are multi-day routes through woods, villages, valleys and mountains thus taking you through the beautiful paths of the old transhumance. Children can join in by riding donkeys instead of mules.
LEARNING ABOUT SAFFRON
Come to Valnerina and discover its lilac gold: saffron! Learn how to identify it, learn to love it, but most importantly… taste it! Enjoy a day outdoor and find out all there is to know about this spice. You’d be surprised by what you might learn. You’ll be told about its history and origins and different usages among different cultures as well as its qualities that our ancestors already knew well. This experience will end with a tasting of both saffron and other local products. The tale of saffron will be recounted to the children during an enjoyable theatrical experience.
Visiting the surroundings
MARMORE FALLS
Marmore Falls can be found in a natural park in Valnerina. It is a man-made waterfall and it is one the highest in Europe where water pours only at certain times during the day. There are two entrances (Belvedere Inferiore and Belvedere Superiore) that are connected through a panoramic pathway as well as six others routes.
In summer Marmore Falls can be visited at night as well thanks to led lights that perfectly complement the beauty of the Falls. The waterfalls are also perfect for all those who enjoy outdoor water activities such as kayaking, rafting, riverboarding and so forth.
ADVENTURE PARKS
There are two different adventure parks that adults can enjoy as much their children: Scheggino’s Activo Park in Valnerina and Nahar Adventure Park in Arrone.
The former one has all kinds of fun from archery to cars and climbing. It also has barbecue and picnic areas where you can relax with your family. The latter has mainly climbing routes and other adventurous paths among trees. You might also enjoy the visit to the nearby teaching farm where you’ll meet alpacas, goats and cows or to nearest local restaurant.
PIEDILUCO LAKE
Piediluco Lake is named after the picturesque Piediluco medieval village. It is very evocative and is surrounded by elevations and woods, the most famous being the cone-shaped Eco mountain. Legend has it that this mountain can reverberate a hendecasyllable perfectly thus earning the name of Eco mountain.
Many different water sports can be practiced in the lake where international rowing competitions are also held.
It is a main attraction especially in summer when the Water Festival takes place and decked-out boats stream through the lake at night surrounded by lights and fireworks.
Music is also a big part of the charm of Piediluco Lake with outdoor jazz concerts and violin and piano recitals being hosted there.
CASCIA
Cascia is the hometown of Santa Rita whose statue will welcome you into town. The Basilica is indeed the main attraction and pilgrims from all over the world come to Cascia to enjoy its beauty. The monastery that can be found next to the Basilica holds old relics of the Santa. If spirituality is not your cup of tea, make sure to visit the town for its delicious food: saffron, truffle, legumes such as the roveja (a small pea-like legume which has been renowned with the slow food presidium) and many more.
Several events are also held in Cascia. To find out more about them, please check our “Events” section.
PILATO LAKE
If you like adventure and nature, go to Pilato Lake in Valnerina. Legends and mysteries surround this lake, believed to be haven for witches and necromancers as well as the home of Sibyl. If mysticism and mystery are right up your alley then this is the place for you!
TIBETAN BRIDGE
Europe’s highest Tibetan bridge just a few kilometres from Convento Santa Croce!
Only 30 minutes from our resort, the village of Sellano, nestled in the green Umbrian hills, reveals a must-see attraction for adventure lovers.
At 175 metres high and with 1023 steps leading to its summit, this engineering work gives unique and unforgettable thrills. Accessible to hikers of all levels, the bridge guarantees safety and allows you to immerse yourself in the uncontaminated nature of the Umbrian Apennines.
RASIGLIA
Rasiglia is a small village that will make you feel part of a fairytale. With its ponds and streams around the whole village, you’ll feel like time has stopped in Rasiglia that counts only forty inhabitants throughout the year. Less than 30 kilometres from Convento. Rasiglia is Umbria’s little Venice. The renowned Capovena spring deserves credit for its fame, as its crystalline waters cascade down from the hilltop, weaving through the village in a series of clear channels and picturesque waterfalls.It also has a long and rich history of quality craftsmanship such as weaving and dyeing which can be witnessed by looking at the old looms still in town.
Events
THE FLOWERING OF CASTELLUCCIO DI NORCIA (MAY-JULY)
In the warmer months the slopes of Castelluccio di Norcia witness the Flowering, where the green meadows change into a breathtakingly beautiful range of colours that go from yellow to purple. This natural event can be witnessed, in its different stages, between the months of May and July.
FERENTILLO – “THE ROCCHE TELL”
“The Rocche tell” is a medieval reenactment that takes place in Ferentillo on the second half of August. Fourteen living paintings are acted out by the villagers to recount the history of the village through the centuries.
BENEDICTINE CELEBRATIONS – Norcia (March 21st, July 11th)
The Benedictine celebrations are celebrated in Norcia on two different occasions: the anniversary of Saint Benedict’s death (March 21st) and on Saint Benedict’s day (July 11th). A pivotal moment of these two events is the carrying of the Benedictine Flame, symbol of peace and brotherhood.
SAFFRON MARKET SHOW – Cascia (October)
In October, Cascia holds a market show entirely dedicated to saffron, a spice that has been present in our territory since the Middle Ages but whose cultivation has only recently been picked up again.
FESTIVAL OF THE TWO WORLDS – SPOLETO FESTIVAL
This music and opera festival is held in Spoleto every year between June and July, usually lasting seventeen days totally. Its first edition dates back to 1958 and the town of Spoleto was chosen as the perfect location for European and American culture to encounter one another thus giving this event the name of “Two Worlds festival”. Although this partnership with the counterpart US festival lasted only fifteen years, the spirit of Spoleto Festival is unchanged to this day.
FROM BONFIRES TO PASQUARELLE – NATIVITIES’ EXHIBITION IN CASCIA (December – January)
In Cascia, at Christmas time, you can visit the exhibition of Nativities. You can find Nativities of all kinds and materials: from ice to pasta, from bread to glass or cloth. This festival ends with a series of events, the main one being the “Pasquarelle festival” where traditional old songs are sung to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the New Year.
INFIORATA – Spello (June)
In June, Spello’s pavements are covered up with floral paintings with religious motifs. The event takes place in June, during the feast of the Corpus Domini and is called “Infiorata”. The most important moment is the Night of the Flowers, between the Saturday and Sunday of the Corpus Domini, when people of all ages work together to create the flower pictures which will be on display along the streets of the town.
BLACK TRUFFLE MARKET EXHIBITION (February – March)
“Nero Norcia” is an exposition where Valnerina’s local products are showcased with a strong emphasis on “Pregiato” black truffle. If you are a foodie then make sure to check it out!
BLACK DIAMOND – Scheggino (April)
In Scheggino there is a festival where once again the protagonist is the famous Umbrian black truffle: the Black Diamond Festival.
BENEDICTINE CELEBRATIONS
The Benedictine celebrations are celebrated in Norcia on two different occasions: the anniversary of Saint Benedict’s death (March 21st) and on Saint Benedict’s day (July 11th). A pivotal moment of these two events is the carrying of the Benedictine Flame, symbol of peace and brotherhood.
FIOR DI CACIO – Vallo di Nera (June)
FIOR DI CACIO – Vallo di Nera (June)