Variegated and unpolluted landscapes in the green of winding valleys make Umbria a region that will never stop surprising us. This region is mainly made of hills, mountains, valleys and plains and its territory stretches along the central basin of River Tiber. It is situated in the heart of the boot and it is the only region that has no access to the sea; it includes Lake Trasimeno, the biggest lake of central Italy. The area of the lake still guards the remains of Etruscan settlements, especially around Castiglione del Lago, another place that combines the charm of the natural landscape, romanticism and the stillness of the lake. From the water of the lake, we pass to the water of the Cascate delle Marmore falls, near Terni, one the most beautiful in Europe. The water of the falls flows into River Nera with a spectacular fall of 165 meters, surrounded by lush vegetation, and is sought-after by sport lovers who enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and other water sports. Again in the province of Terni, curious tourists should not miss two little gems: one of them is linked to history and the other to the territory. Carsulae is an old Roman town crossed by the ancient via Flaminia, were some monumental public buildings were built. We can still see the remains of S. Damiano Arch, with particularly beautiful and fascinating surroundings. The other gem, tightly bound to the composition of the territory, is the fossil forest of Dunarobba, a rare example of the forest that existed 3 million years ago, whose trunks are very well preserved in a lunar landscape. The provinces of the region are Perugia (regional capital) and Terni.
The charm of Umbria starts from the fusion between art and nature, distinguished by the peace and calm of this area that evokes the masterpieces of the Renaissance and by medieval small towns embedded in the hills. Gubbio is one of these, the oldest town in Umbria that reached its full splendour in the Middle Ages; the cathedral, the Consul’s Palace, symbol of the town, and the Ducal Palace, are just some of the vestiges that witness the willingness of this town to become the jewel of Umbria. Gubbio does not only attract visitors with its art, but also with the spectacular folk festival of Corsa dei Ceri (Candle Race) and the Palio Balestra (medieval crossbow contest on horseback), the former in honor of the Patron Saint and the latter in memory of an ancient past. Another of the countless charming places in Umbria is Orvieto, with its famous Duomo, one of the masterpieces of Italian Gothic art, and its St. Patrick’s Well, a 62-meter-deep construction characterized by two spiral staircases that turn around the well and never meet, with 248 steps before reaching the water. Then Spoleto, a picturesque town that boasts a thousand years old history and still preserves the vestiges of the past in its medieval and Renaissance architecture. Its stone lanes and its most famous monuments make up the background of International cultural events, like the Festival of Two Worlds, a great occasion to dip into a high-quality artistic atmosphere. Between art and spirituality, we cannot miss a visit to the medieval town of Assisi, inscribed on the World Heritage List by Unesco, “a series of masterpieces of human creativity”. Everything is about its most renowned citizen, St. Francis, the Patron of Italy: from the Basilica, which is dedicated to the Saint and contains his tomb, to the Hermitage (Eremo Carceri), a few kilometers outside the town walls, where St. Francis used to go to pray. Assisi is very welcoming and hearty, and its inhabitants seem to want to share their old traditions with visitors; Calendimaggio, for instance, is a splendid historical commemoration that turns Assisi into an old medieval town inhabited by knights and ladies, bowmen and flag-wavers that belong to a distant past.
Embedded like a stone in the heart of Italy, Umbria is perfect for those who love nature and want to discover woods, castles, sanctuaries and, why not, Assisi and Spello, up to the hillside of Mount Subasion riding a mountain bike. Near Terni, the Cascate delle Marmore falls attract visitors from every part of Europe, not only for the splendor of their waters but also for being a good place for canoeing and kayaking, and for the several itineraries for children that include entertaining tours in the park. Another charming route in timeless places if that of faith and spirituality, that stages the most famous children of this region, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare and St. Benedict of Norcia. Walking along the Via Francigena of St. Francis, you will see boundless landscapes in an intimate dimension, and enjoy the company of other pilgrims at the same time. Along this path you can find several accommodation facilities where to sleep and eat. A different natural route is the one that binds man to his own territory; the famous “wine roads” satisfy the five senses through an itinerary amid nature, flavors and memory of the past. Besides wine tasting, here we can find food and wine traditions as well as old crafts, workshops of ceramics, glass and wood, the typical expression of a traditional and ancient culture. Visiting oil-mills you will have the opportunity to appreciate the “olive oil culture” of this region, the pride of all farms and oil-mills that produce Umbrian quality olive oil.
Umbria, a small region with great flavors, satisfies all palates: the best dish for meat lovers is pork, masterfully treated by Umbrian butchers who turn pork meat into tid-bits like sausages, tasty hams and salami, like those of Norcia, to eat with saltless bread to enhance their flavor. The best among Umbrian strong cheeses are ripe pecorino and fresh or ripe goat’s milk cheese. The lentils of Castelluccio di Norcia, a tasty ingredient for soups, main courses or side dished, were awarded the PGI mark by the European Union (Protected Geographical Indication). This rich array of dishes goes hand in hand with the genuine quality of the products of the earth, including the truffle, the most precious among them. The most common variety is black truffle, very appreciated with pasta or with game, especially in the area of Norcia and Spoleto, but white truffles can be found too, particularly in the Tiberina Valley, Orvieto and Gubbio. Everything is seasoned with the golden and fruity olive-oil produced in this region, which enhances any dish without covering its flavor and whose high quality level was awarded a PDO quality mark (Protected Designation of Origin). For dessert, you cannot give up the pleasure of tasting a typical Umbrian cake, panpepato, and other regional desserts made with old recipes that we can still taste thanks to the skilful hands of local pastry-cooks. Finally, Umbrian territory is particularly suitable for wine-growing and the mild climate gave this land precious white and red quality wines, including, among many well-known wines, Assisi Grechetto and Sagrantino di Montefalco.
