Umbria Main | Description | Hotels | Map WHY UMBRIA? Visit picturesque hill towns like Spello, Gubbio, Montefalco Enjoy the world renowned summer music festival in Spoleto See Giottos frescoes in the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi Savor Italy's famous Rosso di Montefalco red wine Shop for cashmere at the new Brunello Cucinelli outlet Buy pottery in Deruta Learn to prepare Umbrian cuisine in Montefalco or Spello (pictured right: Spello) In the spring wildflowers transform the rolling Umbrian countryside into a rainbow of color, but still one’s eye is drawn upward, to the tops of the surrounding hills, to the walled towns perched above. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the region, these fortified medieval hill towns are rich in art, history and architecture, and many are relatively untouched by tourism. Gubbio, Spello, Todi, Spoleto, Deruta, Orvieto — all are unique and worthy of a visit. Perugia, the capital, is one of Italy’s best preserved towns, with a strong artistic and cultural tradition. The fresco painters Perugino and Pinturicchio lived here, and their works are part of a comprehensive collection of Umbrian art displayed in the 13th century Palazzo dei Priori, or town hall, considered one of the finest secular buildings in Italy. The frescoes of Pietro Vannucci, Perugia’s most important Renaissance painter, can be seen on the walls of the Collegio del Cambio, built in 1450. Perugia was founded by the Etruscans, who built the city walls and the imposing arched main gate of the city. It is also the site of the annual Umbria Jazz Festival, and home to the famous Perugina chocolates and Buitoni pasta. The Umbrian landscape is often cloaked in a silver blue haze, giving it a soft, soothing, and almost mystical quality. Western monasticism began in the Umbrian hills, and abbeys, monasteries and convents are found throughout the region. Several Christian saints were born here, the most famous being St Francis, who preached in the cobblestone streets of Assisi and prayed in the surrounding hills and fields, which today remain much as they were seven hundred years ago. Dominating the town and a magnet for thousands of tourists is the impressive Basilica of St Francis, with treasured frescoes by Giotto, Cimabue, Lorenzetti and Martini. But even at its most crowded, Assisi’s narrow, winding lanes and medieval houses of pink stone and flowering window boxes retain a feeling of peace. Umbria is primarily mountains and hills, streams and valleys, with terraced vineyards, orchards and miles of olive groves. Umbrian olive oil is considered by many to be Italy’s best, and the wines of Orvieto are legendary. Outside of Piemonte, Umbria is the only region where truffles are found in abundance: five varieties grow wild in the woods. Lake Trasimeno, the largest in central Italy, provides a moderating influence on much of the climate. Olive oil flavors most of the dishes of this hilly region, and ventresca and guanciale, cured meats, also lend their distinctive taste. Black truffles from Norcia and Spoleto feature in specialties like spaghetti alla nursina and trota al tartufo, trout with truffles. Meat is usually grilled, roasted, or baked; try the roasted lamb, agnello arrosto, traditional at Easter. Porchetta, a roast suckling pig flavored with garlic, rosemary and other herbs, is a signature dish, and game is prepared many ways: squab with olives, pheasant with grapes, and pigeons with tomatoes, olives, vinegar, juniper berries, and prosciutto. Norcia is renowned for its cured meats (norcino means pork butcher in Italian, the master of salami and cured meats), and the entire region offers stupendous cheeses, including caciotta, fresh and salted ricotta, and Pecorino. Desserts include cicerchiata, a wreath-shaped cake made of deep fried dough, candied fruit, nuts and honey, and served at Carnevale and Christmas; pinocatta, a pine nut-studded cookie; and tisichelle, anise-flavored macaroons. Among the outstanding wines of Umbria are Orvieto, Torgiano, Monetefalco Sagrantino, Montefalco Rosso, Colli Altotibertini, Colli Perugini, and Colli del Trasimeno.