For gourmands, Umbria is heaven. Vineyards and olive groves abound and the fresh local produce is truly world class.
Altogether quieter and with much smaller towns than its neighbouring Tuscany, Umbria is in many ways the richer for it. It’s certainly shaken off its image as the poor man’s Tuscany.
If peace, countryside, and food and drink are what you’ve come for, Umbria may be a better choice. You’re in the very ‘real’ heart of the country when on a luxury villa holiday here.
Umbria’s main hill towns, such as Perugia, Orvieto and Norcia, are all in reasonably close proximity so it’s easy to visit a few places in a day if you want to escape the quiet of your luxury villa. There’s lots to see in terms of history and culture – the UNESCO World Heritage site of Assisi, the beautifully gothic duomo in Orvieto and Perugia, Umbria’s main town, with its historic centre.
There are lots of itineraries following the wine, olive oil and religious trails which will take you all over the region and allow you to see the best of the countryside at the same time.
When to Visit
July and August are the warmest months and the most popular with visitors. However, a great time to visit is springtime when the weather is clement and the countryside is at its lush best. Autumn is equally pleasant as the peak summer temperatures have subsided and the wine harvest begins.
What We Love About Umbria
The pretty walled hilltop town of Todi is lovely to explore on a quiet day and has fabulous views of the surrounding countryside.
Getting to Umbria
Umbria has it’s own regional airport, the Aeroporto Internazionale dell’Umbria – Perugia “San Francesco d’Assisi”. For more regular international flights, Florence is 2 hours drive north and Rome is 3 hours south.
The Best Places To Eat and Drink in Umbria
The region is rich in gourmet specialities to try on a luxury villa holiday in Umbria. Norcia and Spoleto are the top spots for truffle hunting. Norcia is also known for its pork charcuterie, so you’ll find a fine lunch here.
The best olive oil in Umbria is said to be found in Trevi, where the wine bars offer olive oil tastings. The local Sagrantino grapes make a fine red wine to wash it all down.
When you’re in Gubbio, Umbria’s oldest town, lunch at Taverna di Lupo would be a good choice. It’s been operating in its 14th-century premises for more than 30 years.
For a gourmet evening meal out of your luxury villa, serious foodies will enjoy the one Michelin-starred Vissani, about 10 miles out of Orvieto, to which gourmands travel from all over Italy.
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