VISIT TO UMBRIA

Umbria, a region in Central Italy with Perugia as it’s capital, is an area of 8,456 km² with a population of approximately 900,000 inhabitants. Inhabited from the neolithic period, it is known as the "green heart of Italy" because of it’s verdant hills, forests, mountains, rivers and an abundance of cultivated land. Grapes, olives, wheat and tobacco, are some of the basic crops. Vineyards cover 22.000 hectares, and Umbria is known for it’s red and white wines, most famous is the white wine of Orvieto… "The Prince of Umbrian Wine" The main towns in the area are: Orvieto.. A town with a dramatic setting on vertical tuff cliffs is home to the 14th Century Duomo, it’s white travertine and black basalt Gothic façade, as stunning as the location of the town itself! Evident are Etruscan ruins and remains of the wall that surrounded the city more than 2000 years ago, along with the labyrinth of tunnels beneath the surface. Assisi.. Visit The Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi - is one of Italy's most important Renaissance churches, with frescoes by Simone Martini and Giotto, and a splendid view of the valley that no artist can capture on canvas. Spello.. Not frequented by the average tourist, this tiny medieval town with it’s ancient Roman stone arches and towers, seems to pour down the hillside. The 12th century church of Saint Maria Maggiore is famous for the wonderful frescoes by Pinturicchio. Gubbio.. A colourful town of pink houses with orange terracotta roofs, and an awesome view of the Appennines, this medieval town is yet to be discovered by tourists. Famous for Umbria Jazz in the summer, the university , good restaurants and bars .Not far is Lake Trasimeno - good for a spot of swimming, sailing or windsurfing. Perugia.. capital of the Umbria region, and art centre on Italy… it is famous for the Choclate Festival in October and the famous "Perugina kiss" Fairly large in comparison to the surrounding towns, it is home to the language university, several famous churches, Etruscan remains, fountains and the Palazzo dei Priori. Spoleto.. Famed for the Festival dei Due Mondi. Five weeks of Literary and visual arts, performing arts, Opera, Orchestral performances, ballet and concerts, this festival is similar to the one held in Charleston, South Carolina. Here are the most interesting food festivals in Umbria for the early summer period. Dates are approximate. All June - Wine Market in the province of Terni. 5 June - Sweet (Dolci) Festival at Rione Madonna Del Giglio near Umbertide 7-10 June - 22nd Wine Week at Montefalco. Perugia province 8-17 June - Cherry Festival at Capodacqua near Assisi 21 June to 1 July - Snail Festival at Casteltodino 28 June to 6 July - Water Festival at Piediluco in Terni province 22 June - Grain (Grano) Festival at Sant'Angelo di Celle near Deruta 22 June - Pasta and Kebab Festival at San Brizio near Spoleto 21 July - Sun Festival at Castel Viscardo in Terni province 14-29 July - Hare Festival at Avigliano Umbro, Terni province 23-24 June - Beer Festival at Città di Castello, Perugia province 30 July to 5 August - International Folk Festival at Giove, Terni Province In June - Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi In July - Umbria Jazz Festival: a world-famous jazz festival in Perugia and Cortona In October - Euro Chocolate Festival in Perugia In October - Medieval Festival, Black Celery Market, and Sausage Festival in Trevi In October - Sagre del Tartufo - Celebration of the Truffle in Valtopina and Gubbio