The 'green heart of Italy', Umbria is a central Italian region flanked by Tuscany and Lazio to the west, Le Marche to the east and Emilia-Romagna to the north.
With rolling green expanses of olive grove and vineyard, woods of beech, oak and pine and craggy mountains, it earns its name, but has some lovely towns, and is famous for its hill towns. Completely landlocked, Umbria has beaches on the expansive Lake (Lago) Trasimeno in the north of the region. Towns and villages in Umbria include Perugia, Terni, Spoleto, Assisi, Gubbio, Orvieto, Spello, Todi, Narni, Montefaclo, Foligno and Deruta.
Must-sees in Umbria include the spectacular hill town of Gubbio; Assisi with its Basilica di San Francesco (St Francis); the Monte Sibillini National Park; the mountain-fringed valley of the Valnerina; the Duomo (cathedral) in Orvieto; the Valle di Spoleto, with the beautiful villages of Montefalco, Bevagna, Spello and Trevi.
The cuisine of Umbria is heavy on roast lamb and pork, salamis and sausages, also truffles, tiny Castelluccio lentils, and excellent olive oil. Chocolate and pastries are good. Dry white wines predominate, and the region is most famous for Orvieto.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, just to whet your appetite,
as well as links to individual towns in Umbria (top left);
See also Umbria hotels (full listings) and our Umbria hotel map.
