Umbria falls in the very center, or heart of Italy. The verdant hillsides characteristic of Umbria are obvious examples of why this region is often referred to as ‘The Green Heart of Italy’. While Umbria shares many characteristics of neighboring Tuscany, this lesser-known region has managed to retain more of the original innocence and charm typical of its medieval origins. Resplendent with walled hilltop towns, towering church steeples, ancient castles, abbeys and monasteries, Umbria is a land deeply saturated with history, culture and artistry and is an exciting and sometimes overlooked place to explore.
This sparkling hilltop town has a notable Renaissance Bramante-styled church on its southern flank, a striking piazza and is the center of the ‘Slow Food’ movement with plenty of fine restaurants. Make time for a side trip to Monte Castello di Vibio if you have a chance to see their charming theatre.
This is the legendary birthplace of ‘St. Francis’. As such, it is very busy town that attracts many visitors and tourist year round. The best time to visit is late afternoon or early evening with a private guide who will take you on a tour of the most important churches and frescoes, and if possible, get tickets to a concert in the basilica. The sunsets are particularly spectacular as the medieval center of the town is bathed in a soft glow — the perfect setting for a romantic dinner.
The best way to learn a new language is to start living it and using it. Begin each day with private instruction in conversational Italian provided by a language specialist in the comfort of your own home. Later in the week, you will be encouraged to use your skills as your instructor accompanies you on a visit to a local town or city.
The hilltop town of Montefalco is more locally known as the ‘Balcony of Umbria’. This title is richly deserved - as you will see when you take in the resplendent, 360 degree view of Assisi, Perugia and the entire valley of Spoleto available from it’s summit. Make certain you bring a camera to permanently etch this image in your mind - a concrete reminder there is truly a ‘heaven on earth. Your private guide will be sure to take you for samples of renowned Sagrantino and Rossi di Montefalco wines.
Orvieto is a perennial favorite of visitors for many well-deserved reasons. Not the least of which is the stellar location of the town itself - perched high up on a plateau of tufa rock, the outline of its world-famous Duomo is visible from miles around. The views are stupendous from almost anywhere in Orvieto. Let our private guide show you the ins and outs of the town itself, as well as the maze of Etruscan hidden caves and passageways buried within its Tufa hill. Particularly intriguing for children.
Spanning the provinces of Umbria and Marche, this protected mountainous area lies right in the heart of the Apennines. The park is divided into four major sections and is a treasure chest waiting to be explored. Within its 70,000 hectares, it is full of architectural ruins, churches, castles, mills, fortresses and towers, among other things. There is also find an abundance of wildlife to discover. Your private guide will help you negotiate through the wonders of this Natural landscape.
The ancient heart of this city is often overlooked by visitors, but is well worth the effort to get there. Perugia lies almost squarely in the center point of Italy and was one of the most important cities to the Etruscans. Its place in art history is undeniable. Perugia is also world known for its varied streetscapes and production of fine chocolates. Combined with Assisi, this is a perfect destination for a full day trip in Umbria.
Among the most beautiful and varied towns in Umbria, Spoleto is incredibly vibrant with excellent shopping and dining, beautiful views and lots of room to walk and explore. It is also home to the famous Spoleto Jazz Festival in June/July and numerous other art festivals throughout the year. Your private guide will introduce you to some of the locals of Spoleto, who are sure to enthrall people of all ages with their cache of legendary stories.
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