The green heart of Italy, the Umbria region is the secret boot of this beautiful country. Located next to Tuscany and Lazio, it will surely seduce you with its green nature, its olive trees, its vineyards and its legendary dolce vita that captivates the hearts of many visitors every year.
At 2 hours from Rome, Umbria stands out in the Italian landscape, contrasting with the fine sandy coasts crowded during the summer heat. Its hilly landscapes, fertile hills and beautiful, unspoilt cities are teeming with hidden gems. Right in the centre of the region, Perugia, its architecture and its surrounding walls are an essential stop on your journey to Umbria. A city of art, it conceals sumptuous historical treasures and its city centre is one of the most beautiful in Italy. The Palace of the Priors is a real jewel : its sumptuous portal decorated with statues (a lion and a griffin) and its Gothic architecture stand out at first glance. It houses the National Gallery of Umbria, where you can contemplate a multitude of religious paintings dating from the Renaissance. A typical postcard from Baroque Italy, San Lorenzo Cathedral and its 13th century fountain are also worth a visit. The main religious building of the city, it seduces visitors because of its rich interior decor : its pink marble vases, sculptures, Gothic naves and paintings make it a very popular site for art lovers. With its undeniably medieval atmosphere, Perugia will surprise you with its vaulted passages, its staircases, its covered alleys, its beautiful squares and its views over the surrounding countryside. 25 minutes further north, the world capital of the Franciscan order, Assisi, is full of religious testimonies. It is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its absolutely magnificent basilica perched on Mount Subasio : the Basilica of St. Francis. Considered by some as one of the most beautiful masterpieces of religious architecture, it is composed of two superimposed churches and a crypt housing the tomb of the Saint. Its frescos and painted ceilings attract many visitors every year, pilgrims or simply curious. In addition to its religious side, Assisi is a welcoming city in the heart of the mountains, where you can breathe the Italian joie de vivre and where you will certainly enjoy spending pleasant moments with your family.
The only Italian region without a coastal coastline, Umbria admirably combines the beauty of its natural landscapes, the romanticism of its cities of character and the freshness of its waters. If this region is also green, it is in particular thanks to Lake Trasimeno, the largest lake in peninsular Italy. Hidden between white water lilies and reedbeds, this marvellous lake is the happiness of kingfishers, ducks and cormorants who have made their home there. Bordered by cycle paths, the place lends itself perfectly to excursions by bike, with family or friends. Nestled at the foot of a gentle prolific slope, made up of fields of corn, olive trees, sunflowers and famous vineyards, Lake Trasimeno is surrounded by picturesque agricultural villages. On its limestone promontory, Castiglione del Lago is worth a visit. During your visit, its Etruscan tombs (people from central Italy in the 7th century), its castle and medieval ramparts will make you leap back in time : you will also have, from its heights and beaches, beautiful views over the lake. After the tranquil waters of the lake, head for the turbulent waters of the Marmore waterfalls : flowing into the Nera River after a fall of more than 165 metres, they are very popular with sports enthusiasts who at leisure can canoe, kayak or raft in the middle of a green and preserved setting. Our good advice : to fully enjoy your visit, the ideal is to bring good walking shoes !
Ferrentillo and its mummies, Spoleto, Norcia and its magnificent flower valleys, Gubbio, its cathedral and its Palace of the Consules, Orvieto and its famous cathedral, Spoleto and its medieval remains or Carsulae are also to be added on the list of places to visit during your stay. The latter, crossed by the Via Flaminia (famous Roman road linking Rome to the Adriatic), is particularly famous for its archaeological heritage.
Finally, the Umbria region also shines with its legendary gastronomy : rich in flavours, Umbria will please all gourmets. With its charcuterie, sausages, local hams, cheeses such as Pecorino, blond lentils, black truffles from Norcia, grilled lamb, white truffles from Gubbio, "porcetta", perfumed olive oil and wines... Your meals will undoubtedly be the highlight of this Umbrian stay.
