Úmbria

Úmbria (Umbria, in Italian) is in central Italy, between Tuscany, the Marche and Lazio. It is the only region on the peninsula without a coast: it has hills covered with olive trees and vineyards, Lake Trasimeno and medieval towns built on hilltops, almost always in stone.

The capital is Perúgia, a city of Etruscan origin, with a university, the Palazzo dei Priori and the Fontana Maggiore. About 25 kilometres away lies Assis, land of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, one of Europe's major pilgrimage destinations. In the southwest, almost on the Lazio border, Orvieto rises on a volcanic tuff rock, with a Gothic cathedral whose façade is in mosaic and an entire town excavated underneath.

The region's history is marked by the Etruscans, the Romans and papal rule; the popes governed Úmbria until 1860. That's why there are wells, fortresses and papal palaces alongside Etruscan tombs and medieval churches. Gubbio, Spoleto, Todi, Spello and Montefalco round out the map for those with more days.

Orvieto is on the train line between the two cities, and Perúgia and Assis are reached by regional trains. The cuisine is rustic: black truffle, olive oil, Castelluccio lentils, cured meats from Norcia and the wines of Orvieto and Montefalco.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Perúgia, Assis, Orvieto.