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Umbria, Italy

Nestling between Tuscany, Marche and Lazio, Umbria regards itself as Il cuore verde dell’Italia – the green heart of Italy. Home to the beautiful medieval towns of Perugia and Assisi, the rolling mountains of the Appennini, flower-filled meadows, and distinctive cuisine, it is an ideal spot for a get-away-from-it-all relaxing holiday.

Perugia is one of Italy’s best-preserved medieval hill towns. Founded by the Etruscans, it has a strong artistic and cultural tradition. The fresco painters Bernardino Pinturicchio and Pietro Vannucci worked here. Stroll to the Piazza IV Novembre, the old city’s main square, and admire its magnificent facades. The town’s huge Duomo boasts a superb 16th century door by Galeazzo Alessi. Take a trip to Lago di Trasimeno, west of Perugia. The fourth largest lake in Italy, it is ideal for water sports of all kinds. The pink and white marble town of Assisi, birthplace of St Francis, enjoys a stunning setting on Monte Subasio. The stunning Basilica di San Francesco should not be missed. Comprising two churches, it dates from 1298 and boasts one of the world’s most impressive collections of art outside a gallery. Glittering frescoes take up every available space and St Francis himself lies buried under the crypt. Climb up to the 14th century hill fortress of Rocca Maggiore for breathtaking views of the town and of Perugia across the valley. Step back in time in the hill town of Gubbio. Clinging to the steep slopes of Monte Ingino, its medieval buildings glow in the evening sun. Keen hikers and rock climbers should head for the Parco Regionale del Monte Cucco, east of Gubbio. The park is also an ideal spot for horse riding.

If you’re in Umbria in June or July, make sure you take in the Festival dei Due Mondi in the charming town of Spoleto. Consisting of music, drama, opera and dance, it enjoys a worldwide reputation. Sample some tartufo nero while here. Spoleto is one of Umbria’s main centres for black truffles and the delicacy is used in a variety of dishes. The area around the Nera river east of Spoleto is known as the Valnerina. An area of great beauty, it boasts a number of excellent hand-gliding schools. What better way to see the area than to handglide over it? Bring your visit to Umbria to a spectacular end by visiting the cliff top town of Orvieto. The town’s spectacular Duomo is one of Italy’s finest Gothic buildings. Dating from 1290, it has a startlingly beautiful facade.

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