Nearby towns

A 15 minute drive from Giove brings you to one of the most ancient Umbrian towns, Amelia. Enveloped by impressive polygonal walls dating from the 4th century, the sights are mainly medieval, but underground the network of wells built by the Romans can still be visited today.

The town of Narni (30 mins) also has much to discover below ground. You can take a tour of ‘Narni Sotterranea’, an excavation directly under the Church of San Domenico, to learn some local history with a look into Roman plumbing (!) and even an underground Roman church with surviving frescoes.

Orvieto (30 mins) warrants a full day. Its vast black and white striped Gothic cathedral is the centrepiece, visible from miles around on its rocky outcrop. Signorelli’s majestic treatment of the ‘Last Judgement’ should not be missed in the Brizio Chapel, and the little museum next door has some good Etruscan finds.

Todi and Viterbo are also worth visiting in this region.

Family days out

Only 12km away, Il Parco dei Mostri (literally translated as ‘Park of Monsters’) is fun for children to explore, full of strange stone sculptures and ‘follies’ designed by Prince Vicino Orsini and the great architect Pirro Ligorio in 1552. Contrary to typical Italian gardens of the time, which were very ordered and formal, the prince decided to create an unconventional woodland park with quirky enigmatic figures of monsters and other mythological subjects.

About an hour to the north, Lake Trasimeno, where there are water sports, and lake beaches for swimming and relaxing. Also at nearby Tavernelle, there is a water park with slides and chutes.

At Perugia (1h20) there is plenty to see and do in the city itself, and a large animal and theme park on the outskirts which will keep children of all ages entertained. And chocoholics may like to visit the Perugino factory, famous for making ‘Baci’ chocolates.

Enjoying nature

Lake Alviano (15km) is great for spotting birds and other wildlife. The 900 hectare nature reserve is one of the largest run by the WWF, and comprises the lake, marshy wetlands and hydric wood. There are two nature trails to follow and hides from which to birdwatch.

The San Liberato nature reserve, about half an hour away, is also a lovely place for walks, bike rides, birdwatching, and nature photography.

A little further afield, just under an hour by car, there are plenty of opportunities for long walks or mountain bike rides in the Parco Fluviale del Nera, on the edge of the Sibillini mountains. The Nera river is in its upper course here and fast moving, and white water rafting trips are available for the adventurous. Or you can enjoy the gentler option of canoeing on Lake Piediluco. Don’t miss the spectacular Marmore waterfalls, accessible via a short walk.

Festivals

Since 1346, the five ‘contrade’ or districts in Amelia have paraded through town in their annual ‘Palio dei Colombi’. The last week of July and the first week of August sees quintessential flag-tossing, historic costumes and a feast at the end of it. Not to be missed!

The village of Piediluco, sitting on the north shore of Lake Piediluco and dominated by a medieval fortress, is home to the traditional water festival every June that culminates in a parade of decorated boats.

In Narni, the Festival of San Giovenale (or Corsa all’Anello) takes place over three weekends from the last week in April to the first week in May and contains medieval pageantry with a torchlight procession, neighbourhood feasts, and many cultural events. Later in the year, from mid-July to mid-August the International Folklore Festival runs involving performances of folk groups from all over the world.

Villas in Giove