Umbria is Italy at its very best: staggering natural landscapes, quaint little towns, castles, cathedrals and locally-run restaurants galore! No matter your interest, you’ll find something of note in this region. Plus, contrary to its serene reputation, there’s also a lively festival or two held throughout the year.
What’s more, Umbria is ideal for visiting even outside of the peak summer months. In fact, while July and August serve as the busiest and hottest periods, spring and autumn are delightful times to take a trip here, with cooler weather that allows you to hike, sight-see, and also simply unwind to your heart’s content.
With our luxury Umbria villas, you'll be at the heart of it all. But if you're hoping to explore more of this beautiful country, you can check out our full collection of holiday homes in Italy.
Wilderness adventurer or foodie fanatic? Whatever type of traveller you are, you’ll have plenty to discover in Umbria. As Italy’s green heart, we’d suggest taking advantage of the unending sunshine and prioritizing outdoor activities. Some top picks include truffle hunting in the countryside, white-water rafting along the Nera River, and appreciating the majesty of the Marmore Waterfalls, a seriously impressive man-made system of waterfalls built by the Romans in 271 BC.
Enjoying a self-catering stay in one of our luxury villas in Umbria? You may wish to take a traditional Umbrian cooking class, using locally grown ingredients to create traditional dishes. Our concierge team can even help to arrange this service, while restaurants in the nearest village or town may also offer the experience prior to dining.
But if you’re looking to work up an appetite ahead of time, you can’t go wrong with a cycle ride across the various valleys or even the Monte Cucco Regional Park. Everything truly comes back to the captivating natural surroundings here, so get those cameras at the ready to snap away at the sights.
Cascate delle Marmore - the world's largest man-made waterfall system
The astoundingly beautiful countryside of Umbria, with its sprawling vineyards and farming lands, is responsible for producing some of the finest fresh Italian produce. As well as having abundant olives, herbs, vegetables and grains, Umbria is also truffle country, and you can even go scouting around for the sought-after delicacy yourself. On top of that, you’ll find melt-in-your-mouth cured meats and ooey cheeses on most menus.
Wondering what specific dishes to target? We’d suggest local prosciutto crudo – this dry cured ham is packed with flavour and best served with wedges of melon for a refreshing appetiser or snack. When it comes to the main course, try porchetta al finocchio – also known as roast pork and fennel.
Vegetarians aren’t left out though. Umbria produces some fabulous lentils, which rapidly soften to produce a creamy texture – perfect in a harvest soup or saucy pasta. And to round it all off, while you could go for a scoop or two of classic gelato, save room for crescionda – a traditional Italian chocolate cake enriched with amaretti biscuits and aniseed liqueur.