Umbria
Looking for something a little different for your next trip to Italy? Umbria is Italy’s best-kept secrets, a charismatic Italian region , still off the mainstream touristic track. Nestled among the luscious land, often referred to as the green heart of Italy, Umbria is known for its fertile landscape, rolling hills and rich history. Umbria displays fascinating medieval hill towns and villages, tons of culture, Roman ruins, gorgeous lakes, beautiful sceneries, lip-smacking local cuisine and cultural events. You will enjoy an atmosphere of bygone times, among the medieval paths, the palaces, the castles and the fortresses of charming villages. It’s the epitome of holiday heaven, off the beaten path.
Umbria Jazz is one of the main Italian music events, and takes place in Perugia in the middle of July. It is an incredible event for over forty years long, made of a lot of passion, great musicians, and amazing concerts - even outside Perugia.
The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Umbria are
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Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites
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Longobards in Italy and their Places of Power Serial Sites comprises seven groups of historic buildings including fortresses, churches, and monasteries throughout the Italian Peninsula. The seven components are located in Campania, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Puglia, and Umbria. There are 2 Sites in Umbria.
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Basilica San Salvatore, Spoleto (Longobard Site)
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Temple of Clitumnus (Tempietto del Clitunno), Campello sul Clitunno (Longobard Site)
Assisi
A UNESCO heritage site , known for the magnificent medieval architecture and for being the birth and resting place of Saint Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order in 1208. An important pilgrimage site in Italy, but you don’t have to be a Catholic to enjoy the beauty of this postcard-perfect town.
The Basilico, constructed during the 13th century, was built over the tomb of St. Francis of Assis. It is well known for its glorious frescoes by Sienese and Florentine masters, like Giotto and Cimabue. A must visit for any tourist with a passion for religion or art.
Gubbio
Gubbio was built on calcareous stones, that’s why it is called “grey city”. Despite being so close to Assisi, it’s surprisingly set off the main tourist track. Surrounded by avocado countryside and connected to Mount Ingino via a scenic cableway, this hillside Italian town is undeniably magical. When it comes to authenticity, architecture, and atmosphere, Gubbio has it all.
You can visit to the Gothic Consoli Palace, now one of the town’s most prominent icons, home to the “big bell” and the seven Eugubine Tables, dating back to the 3rd-century BC. Other must-do activities include a visit to Gubbio Cathedral with its paintings and baroque chapel, the Dukes Palace, the 1st-century AD Roman ruins just outside the city walls.
Orvieto
Pearched majestically high above the volcanic tufo, a traditional medieval city with amazing medieval Gothic cathedral and square, surrounded by narrow cobblestone streets, historic palace and: a maze of underground tunnels and caves. The town’s crowning glory is the magnificent Orvieto Cathedral, the 14th-century Gothic jewel known for its vibrant glittering, mosaic-adorned façade. and impressive frescoes.
Besides Cathedral, Orvieto’s another main draw is a deep well, named St Patrick’s Well, which extends to a depth of over 50 metres and a large network of underground caves underneath the town. This astonishing St Patrick’s well will leave you appalled. Below Orvieto lies a magical myriad of Etruscan-era tunnels and grottos variously used as wine storage, World War II bomb shelters and a means of escaping sieges during their 3000 year history.