If you want to discover authentic Umbria and become acquainted with the traditional way of life in this beautiful region of Italy, then head to the medieval town of Gubbio in the far north-eastern corner of the province on the slopes of Mount Ingino.
The province of Terni is the smaller of Umbria’s two provinces and lies at the southern tip of the region. Its capital is the bustling city, and namesake of the region, Terni. With an intriguing combination of old and new, combining contemporary features and facilities with a charming Old Town, Terni is hailed as the ‘Italian City of Manchester’.
Castiglione del Lago is a beautiful village that lies on the western shores of Lake Trasimeno to the north-east of Umbria in Italy. Such is the beauty of this mesmerising town, that it is officially listed as ‘one of the most beautiful villages in Italy’.
With Roman architecture and steep cobbled streets, the medieval town of Gubbio should be on the “to go” list of any discerning tourist. This captivating town is situated near the foot of Mount Ingino, in the Perugia province of Umbria, central Italy.
The ancient city of Spoleto in the province of Perugia in Umbria, can only be described as a ‘must visit’ location in Italy. Within this ancient and charismatic city lies many enthralling sites, providing insight into how Spoleto was inhabited and how the settlement has evolved over the centuries.
One of Italy’s most eminent towns of the wonderful Assisi in the Umbria region. Much of this UNESCO World Heritage Site’s fame stems from the fact Assisi was the birthplace of St. Francis, one of Italy’s patron saints.
Straddling the Le Marche-Umbria border, the Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini is a stunning area of rugged beauty. In winter, the peaks are decorated with snow, and in summer, its meadows are covered in wild flowers displays of poppies and cornflowers.
Excellent food, brilliant wines, breathtaking scenery, ancient villages and classic towns, it’s safe to say Umbria in Italy is a fantastic place to visit. Augmenting Umbria’s appeal is the fact the region has managed to stayed free from excessive pandering to tourism. It actually does not have a coastline, so beach lounging is out. This has allowed it to stay authentic and resistant to too much change in recent years. The locals tend to be sympathetic, friendly and generally very helpful to the puzzled explorer clutching a map!
Trasimeno is a wonderful lake in the middle of Tuscany’s historic and beautiful countryside, the perfect setting for an exploring the many traditional towns that are nestled in the area. Surrounded by hills, olive groves, vineyards and forested areas of oak and cypress trees, the lake is a popular magnet for travellers who want to experience the Italian regions of not only Tuscany, but its neighbouring Umbria.
Umbria is full of traditional towns and villages, many of them unspoilt with little having changed since their humble beginnings. When touring around it is easy to follow the guide books and only go to the popular places, thereby missing out on some real gems. It is the only Italian region with no access either to the sea or international borders. For this reason, Umbria has remained truly authentic in its way of receiving visitors, with natural kindness and generosity.
