This was our second time in Norcia, we originally heard roomers and read just a bit about Norcia when we were at Euro Chocolate in Perugia. We took a day trip and were hooked, it was ALWAYS on our MUST DO list for our return trip to Italy. Norcia did not disappoint, the tourists are mostly Italians coming in on buses for the day or for a short weekend. Norcia was a very cut off walled city nestled in a truly beautiful valley. Picture Shangrali, but in Italy, and you come close to the idea. You want to come for the pure beauty, but you want to eat the gastronomi products of the area including, fresh black truffles, pork products, the wild boar. And in all cases, definitely eat at The Ristorante Granaro Del Monte, the oldest restaurant in Umbria. It is attached to the Hotel Grotta Azzurra, and owned by the same family, the Bianconi's. In fact the Bianconi's own multiple properties in Norcia, including the Best Western, and a Relais & Chateaux property just opposite this one which we had an opportunity to tour. The adage is you get what you pay for. I have read some older reviews of this property and they do not account for the following. The price of the room is a good value CONSIDERING, you are dead center in the middle of the town, you are in a mediaeval building, the utilities all work, including the elevator. Think of this as a ski lodge right on the mountain, you came for the town, don't pick on the room. Its a good value. If you want perfect, the Relais & Chateaux property might be for you. We are both handicapped and want to be close in to the action to limit our walking. AND we are typically looking to spend about 100 euro a night on accommodations. Which can be done here, by taking the hotels name, removing the spaces and doing an internet search. Booking direct always makes the property owner more interested in giving you an upgrade if it is available. Heres a great thing to do if you are staying overnight. You can go to the church of St Benedict, and just to the left in the rear wait at the roped off area, at 7:30PM a monk will appear and will open the rope allowing you down into the crypt. The monks come into the Cyrpt and chant and sing for about a half hour in candle light. Very moving, check with the hotel desk for more information as the times may change. Now as for when to go. Weekends and holidays are VERY busy and you might not get the attention or service you would like, we were here over the weekend as well as all saints day, and during the week. During the week Norica was all ours with less than 50 tourists. FYI: bus tour groups get smaller rooms and tressle table food service which can be a little off putting. But these are value tours, and again you get what you pay for. We had an EXCELLENT experience in Norcia and look forward to returning, (on the weekday) again staying inside the walled city, as we have been spoiled by the Bianconi family.