NORTHERN UMBRIA 317 Montefalco Assisi Gubbio Deruta Lake Trasimeno ( P333 ) in Deruta P333 Nulli ( Maioliche
© Lonely Planet Publications 316 www.lonelyplanet.com 317 Northern Umbria Small towns with atmosphere seeping out of medieval, Roman and Etruscan walls. Genera- tions of families who have been living in the same stone farmhouse for 200 years. Fields of vineyards, wildflowers, sunflowers and olive trees. NORTHERN UMBRIA There are endless reasons to visit Umbria. It hosts more festivals, medieval tournaments, outdoor movies, concerts, parades, antique fairs and organic markets than any other place in Italy. Plus, the outdoor activities and walking trails can’t be beaten. Tuscany’s turn on the overcrowded tourist radar has little to fear from Umbria, which is most content to stay wholly off the beaten path. Umbria is Italy’s most rural region, and the only province that borders neither the sea nor another country. Yes, it has the rolling hills, ancient stone villas and expanses of vineyards you’d find in Tuscany, but Umbria is a less manicured place, its untamed geography scat- tered with jagged rock formations and snow-capped peaks. In paintings of Umbria, you’ll notice that not much has changed in the past, oh, 400 years or so. Northern Umbria’s most popular draw – Assisi – still offers ample paths that wind through ancient pink-stone buildings, looking much the same as it did in the days of St Francis of Assisi in the 13th century. Perugia’s range of restaurants, cultural events, museums and churches gives it a historic yet cosmopolitan air. The hill town of Gubbio – famous for its Corsa dei Ceri on 15 May – feels otherworldly any time of year.
[Show full text]