Often called the green heart of Italy, Umbria is a forested treasure trove of medieval villages, wonderful art and excellent restaurants. It has lakes, hills, rural landscapes, wonderful villages - and just a sprinkling of once-powerful cities that still command respect from their high volcanic cliffs.
Not far from haughty Perugia and ancient Orvieto, both strongholds and refuge to 16th C. Pope Clement, lies the lovely hill town of Todi. Despite the town’s stark stone external structures whose sole purpose was defence, the surrounding green valleys and pastures of today persuade visitors that this is not really an urbanites mecca, this is a place to reconnect with nature, slow down and sip a good red wine.
Umbria has been an overlooked area for a while when many visitors tended to prefer the more glamorous Tuscany, but it has recently become a popular tourist destination. Culture seekers won’t be disappointed, with its offering of ancient villages rich in monuments and history: Orvieto, Assisi, Todi, Spoleto and Perugia, just to name a few.
