Umbria Holidays

Holidays in Umbria take you to a region of intimate hill-towns, some inhabited since the Etruscans called this part of Italy home. Its rolling hills and inviting valleys offer a riot of colourful wildflowers in the spring, and are crisscrossed by bike and walking trails, some of which follow the route taken by St Francis. In some parts of this impressive landscape there’s a silence that’s difficult to find in other parts of the country.

Umbria, often called Italy’s green heart, has a powerful sense of tradition. Its towns and cities are smaller and more authentic in many ways, allowing you to see the ‘untouched Italy’.

With magnificent palaces, thought-provoking museums, Romanesque cathedrals and picturesque churches, each with their own place in history, it’s easy to binge on art and culture. Umbria is a wonderful place to get away from it all. It’s rustic, historic and like many things Italian, it’s romantic – just right for couples looking for some together time.

Explore Umbria like no other

If you’re looking for somewhere a little out of the ordinary to explore on your holiday to Umbria, the Orvieto Underground, built beneath the town’s more recent foundations, is a fascinating subterranean maze of attractions. There are grottos, galleries, cellars and caves, some of which date to the Etruscan era.

If you’re feeling energetic there are a number of Franciscan walking trails to explore. They include the Sentiero Fransiscano, which runs between Nocera and Assisi, and the Sentiero della Pace between Assisi and Gubbio.

If you’re a music aficionado, head to Perugia’s Jazz Festival, which is held in July, and offers a wonderful range of events. Alternatively, indulge at the Chocolate Festival of Perugia, which takes place in October.

With the convenience of local train travel why not make the most of your holiday in Umbria and discover more of the region’s attractions?

Perugia is the largest city in the region – old at heart, but with a youthful energy thanks to the students from one of Italy’s oldest universities. It’s a city filled with galleries, bars, restaurants and a fascinating historic centre with reminders of times long gone. It’s a great place to start your journey.

Assisi is, for many, the jewel in the Umbrian crown. As the legendary birthplace and final resting place of St Francis of Assisi, the town has become a centre of pilgrimage.  The elaborate tomb of the founder of the Franciscan order lies in the Basilica di San Francesco, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This impressive basilica is home to a series of frescoes by Giotto illustrating the life of the saint.