Have you visited Italy before and have already experienced the main cities of Florence, Rome and Venice and are now looking for a more authentic, slower paced and less touristy Italian destination to visit?
We would love for you to consider the spectacular region of Umbria! Often referred to as the green heart of Italy, Umbria is known for lush rolling hills, its stunning preserved hilltop medieval towns, century old customs and traditions and the most delicious local food and wine.
One of the best reasons to visit this underrated region is that you can experience its beauty without having to compete with hectic crowds or large group tours, leaving you to truly savour the authentic experience of Umbria at your own pace. After the busyness of Florence and Rome, Umbria will feel like a peaceful respite where you can enjoy ample outdoor activities like biking, hiking and truffle hunting or sit in a quiet piazza and embrace the ‘dolce far niete’.
A personal favourite reason for visiting Umbria, is that it has the highest concentration of medieval towns in all of Italy! Orvieto, Perugia, Spello, Assisi, Gubbio and Todi are all spectacular towns, each with their own unique charm and appeal. Orvieto is a striking and picturesque hilltop town, perched above the valley floor on top of volcanic stone. Interestingly, over 1200 man-made medieval tunnels, wells and caves are hidden below the city and visitors are welcome to explore these ancient underground mazes.
Perugia, the region’s capital, is a vibrant university city, that exudes charm and culture at every turn.
The city hosts multiple festivals and events event year, including the Eurochocolate Festival, a celebration of chocolate held over 9 days in October with endless stalls of chocolate to taste and explore.
Another beautiful hilltop Umbrian town that is a must-visit is Spello.
Enter through one of the cities medieval gates and meander the quaint streets, enjoy the beautiful views of the valley below and if you happen to be there in the Spring or Summer, revel in the beautiful flower displays all through the town. Spello is known as the most colourful town in Umbria, with residents decorating their windows and balconies with as many flowers as possible. Every June, the city hosts the Infiorata; a spectacular flower festival where local residents work in groups to make incredible carpets and tapestries fully out of flowers.
If the hilltop medieval towns, a once in a lifetime chocolate festival or a spectacular flower festival hasn’t convinced you, Umbrian food and wine will seal the deal! With its rich soil and lush, fertile agriculture, there is ample opportunity to enjoy numerous local culinary delights. From some of Italy’s best olive oil producers with the region being coined the ‘the gold coast of olive oil’, to being one of the largest producers of black and white truffles, along with its famous roast pork, Porchetta and other locally cured meats, Umbria has a spectacular culinary experience waiting to be enjoyed.
Along with its local delicacies, Umbrian wine is incredibly delicious and surprisingly undervalued. We recommend trying Umbria’s most celebrated red; Montefalco Sagrantino, a powerfully structured wine made exclusively from Sagrantino along with Torgian Rosso Riserva which is predominately Sangiovese and made with the same aging requirements as Chianti’s highest quality tier. If you prefer white wines, the area of Orvieto produces some delicious wines that are usually made with the varietal Trebbiano and Grechetto and are a great alternative to pinot grigio.
If you are looking to explore an undiscovered, authentic and uniquely special area of Italy, we can’t recommend Umbria enough!
For more information on planning a customized tour of Umbria or any other amazing region of Italy, please email info@savouritalytours.com.