Divided into the provinces of Perugia and Terni, Umbria is a land of spirituality, art, and culture that dates back to ancient times. Although it has no coastline, this region is rich in water, thanks to the Tiber and Velino rivers, swollen by numerous tributaries.
Where the Tiber meets the Nera, the Marmore Falls arise, an imposing three-tiered waterfall. Also related to water, Umbria hosts the largest lake on peninsular Italy, the Lake Trasimeno, which contains three islands: Polvese Island, Maggiore Island, and Minore Island.
The regional capital, Perugia, is a city with great cultural and social vibrancy, the center of highly anticipated events – for example, the annual Eurochocolate – and its historic center is perfect for urban trekking walks. It is a city built for people yet cosmopolitan, delightful to admire thanks to the monuments encountered there: the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Fontana Maggiore, the Perugia Walls (Etruscan and medieval) and the majestic city palaces (Palazzo dei Priori, Palazzo Gallenga Stuart, the Collegio del Cambio, and others).
A few kilometers away, you step into one of the most important spiritual sites in Italy: in Assisi stands the Basilica of San Francesco. Every year, thousands of pilgrims come to these places of prayer but also of art, near Mount Subasio.
Terni also enjoys a fair amount of tourist flow, due to archaeological remains but also to the devotion to Saint Valentine, patron saint of the city and protector of lovers.
Other towns worth visiting include Norcia, Foligno, Spoleto, Todi, Orvieto and, especially during the Christmas period, one must absolutely see the huge Gubbio Christmas Tree formed by lights placed on Mount Igino.
There are numerous and quality farm stays in Umbria, a must of hospitality in this green region. Another distinctive feature is the connection with music, which shines grandly during Umbria Jazz, an event held annually in Perugia since the 1970s. For a full immersion in nature, one cannot miss the six regional natural parks in Umbria: Monte Cucco Park, Monte Subasio Park, Lake Trasimeno Park, Colfiorito Park, Tiber River Park, and Nera River Park.
If we also consider the Sibillini Mountains National Park, which partly belongs to the Marche region as well, it’s clear how rich Umbria is in territories to explore 360°, whether it’s nature or architecture.
