TRAVELUmbria GUIDE

www.oliverstravels.com is at its very best. Rolling hills carpeted in green are broken only by rows of immaculate vineyards and serene olive groves. Picture-perfect towns and quiet cobbled- street villages sit atop the peaks, offering staggering views across the valleys below. There are museums, castles, cathedrals and art galleries galore. And don’t even get us started on the food and wine! This is the land of truffles, rich cheese and to-die-for porky products such as salami, sausages and porchetta. Lively festivals abound, and the region’s colourful history is evident at every turn. It is a place where you can do as much or as little as you like; go wine tasting, hiking or museum-hopping, or simply sit back and soak up the views.

UMBRIA REGION !!!! 101

CURRENCY EURO TIME ZONE GMT ELECTRICAL TWO PIN HIGHEST TEMP. 24° C LANGUAGE ITALIAN LOWEST TEMP. 10° C EMERGENCY 112 PEAK SEASON JUNE - AUGUST

www.oliverstravels.com TRANSPORT TALK

BY WHEELS BY BIKE BY TAXI

The most flexible way of There are plenty of bike You can find taxis in exploring Umbria is by car, routes across Umbria for airports and at taxi ranks as you can travel door to you to explore. You will dotted all over the major door at your own pace. find many places to hire a towns and cities! Make sure The most popular car bike, check out our ‘Best to wait at the ranks as they rental firms are Hertz, Activities’ on page 7 to will not stop if they are and Europcar operate out find out more. hailed! of Airports and in large towns, such as, Perugia.

BY WATER BY AIR BY BUS OR TRAIN

There are many boat Umbria has a regional If you plan on travelling by routes to various airport, the Aeroporto train, the Trenitalia website destination around Internazionale dell’Umbria will be your go-to resource. Umbria, such as, the – Perugia “San Francesco Buses, although slower, are Isands of Perugia. d’” between Perugia often a good option for (12km) and Assisi. hard-to-reach destinations.

www.oliverstravels.com HIDDEN GEMS AND ACTIVITIES

Lake Trasimeno is Umbria’s largest lake Monte Subasio and offers a true slice of unspoilt Italy. Towering 1,290 metres above sea Three islands dot the shimmering waters level, Monte Subasio can be seen from all and small ferries drop adventurous visitors around Umbria. On its slopes are the off on the tranquil shores where they can ancient, pink-hued towns of Assisi and swim from the beaches, relax in rustic , where buildings were constructed cafes, explore ancient castles and walk using rocks hewn from the mountain itself. amid abounding nature. Whether you want to hike or go truffle hunting, the Monte Subasio Natural Park offers a wealth of opportunities to explore the outdoors. Citta di Castello Bevagna Gubbio Unlike its lofty hilltop neighbours, the laid-back town of Bevagna stands on lower plains. Its strong Roman heritage is evident in its mosaics and amphitheatre, and there are Perugia two beautiful Romanesque churches as well as a Assisi number of excellent, family- Foligno run restaurants and cafés to be discovered in its leafy little piazzas.

Orvieto

Spoleto Terni Montefalco La Scarzuola The hilltop town La Scarzuola was once a of Montefalco sits at the heart of Franciscan convent built by Umbria’s wine country and is the Saint , but home of the region’s flagship red, today, thanks to the efforts Sagrantino di Montefalco. A of architect Tomaso Buzzi, number of wine-related events this compound is a take place here throughout the fantastical display of Marmore Falls spring, summer and autumn architecture and art. With months including harvest festivals The Marmore Falls are one of Italy’s elements of surrealist, and winery open days. highest waterfalls, and the largest man- classical, medieval and made waterfalls in all of Europe. Created Renaissance architecture, it by the Romans, they measure a dizzying is a fascinating jumble of 165 metres and the flow is controlled by a pools and stairs, bridges and Hidden Gems nearby hydroelectric power plant. Time theatres. your visit to coincide with the opening of Picks for Kids the gates and watch as the water gushes Best Activities out with force and tumbles through the densely wooded slopes. Foodie Delights TOP PICKS FOR KIDS

Enjoy wet, watery fun Get lost in a fairy tale Picnic with donkeys

Nothing screams fun in Fuel the imaginations of At La Mulattiera, children the sun more than your little ones with a trip can have the opportunity swooshing down thrilling to the Osteria di to meet and spend the rides and landing with a Pinocchio, a restaurant day with some of these splash in big turquoise designed especially for laid-back and altogether pools. The Aquapark di children. While parents lovely creatures, either by Tavernelle offers tuck into a meal in the riding or simply walking something for all ages, main restaurant. alongside them. from tiny tots up to daredevil adolescents.

Indulge in chocolate Be your own captain Discover your artistic side

Few children can resist Motor boats can be hired The innovative Arte al the temptation of an from the lakeside Acqua Sole aims to change the afternoon surrounded by Dolce Sailing School and way kids learn about the chocolate, so why not you don’t need any Italian arts through fun, take them on tour of the previous yachting educational and parent- Casa del Cioccolate experience or a special free art courses. Private (house of chocolate), licence to drive one, so sessions include visits to they will discover the the whole family can take local museums and trips history of Italian turns playing captain. to historical sites chocolate making.

www.oliverstravels.com MAP IT OUT: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FOR KIDS

Citta di Castello

Gubbio

Meet the animals Be your own captain Get lost in a fairy tale Perugia Indulge in chocolate Assisi Picnic with Foligno the donkeys Enjoy wet, watery fun

Discover Orvieto your artistic side Spoleto Terni CROWD-PLEASERS: BEST ACTIVITIES

Go green Discover Head underground

Set on a hill overlooking Breathe in the rich aromas Narni ‘s utterly fascinating the rolling hills just of the wood barrels in the site is an amazing outside of Perugia is the cool cellars of Arnaldo experience. Discovered centuries old Monte Caprai Viticoltore, sample deep underground in 1979, Vibiano Castle. The some of their finest reds was a 12th-century chapel family-owned castle is and whites and be guided adorned with a network of today a working farm and through traditional secret tunnels leading vineyard, where fine viticulture techniques with beneath the large wines and rich olive oils the very latest modern monastery of San are produced. technology. Domenico.

Go truffle hunting Feel the buzz Play a round

Just north of Perugia, the Spend a day ferreting out There is something Antognolla golf course has charmingly retro and the truffles with Umbria been designed to take in undeniably Italian Con Me accompanied by the best of the region’s an expert truffle hunter about the Vespa natural features. Umbria and his dogs. Wander the motorbike. It’s hard not couldn’t be more perfect valleys gathering truffles to feel stylish while for a sweeping green golf to take back to the sitting atop and tootling course, with its rolling hills, farmhouse ready for along the winding road gentle valleys and tufts of tasting alongside some that hugs the shore of forest making an ideal local wines. Lake Trasimeno. setting for 18 holes.

www.oliverstravels.com MAP IT OUT: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FOR GROUPS

Citta di Castello

Gubbio Play a round

Feel the buzz Perugia

Spend a day cycling Assisi Foligno Go green Go truffle hunting Discover

Orvieto

Spoleto Terni Head underground BEST FOODIE DELIGHTS

Life… Italian Style

SAIO Assisi Fiorfiore Restaurant

Few wineries can boast of You will be greeted with Enjoy a leisurely dining such a fine location as SAIO Jennifer who is from experience on the Assisi. Rows of vines to the Life… Italian Style and is spacious balcony of the ancient town of Assisi. Soak a private chef who will Fiorfiore Restaurant (part up the vino with some conjure up the most of the Roccafiore Country locally produced savoury mouth-watering of Chic Resort). With views treats, such as salty meals and introduce of vineyards and green Umbrian flatbread, extra pastures and the virgin olive oil, salamis and you to the culinary delights of the region. romantic hilltop town of cheeses. Todi in the distance.

Cantine Giorgio Lungarotti Trattoria del Moro Aronne

Dishes to try

First, and foremost – Spend a delightful day In the heart of historic truffles. On everything. Orvieto, and hidden down wine tasting at Cantine Make sure to taste local an unassuming side street, Giorgio Lungarotti just prosciutto crudo – this dry is a restaurant steeped in outside of the lovely cured ham is packed with tradition. For over a town of Montefalco. The flavour. One of the local century, this little trattoria tours are catered to delicacies in Umbria is has been welcoming everyone, whether you’re porchetta al finocchio, diners with open arms and a wine novice or true also known as roast pork an atmosphere of jovial expert. and fennel. Unlike chicken, familiarity. pork can be quite tough – but not in this neck of the woods. www.oliverstravels.com MAP IT OUT: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FOR FOODIES

Citta di Castello

Gubbio

Osteria a Priori Perugia SAIO Assisi Nun Assisi Relais & Spa Museum Cantine Giorgio Lungarotti Assisi Foligno Life… Italian Style Ristorante Enoteca l’Alchimista Coccorone

Orvieto Fiorfiore Restaurant Trattoria del Moro Aronne Casa Vissani Spoleto Terni We’d like to think we know travel pretty well. Since we first hatched Oliver’s Travels in 2003 it’s been essentially all we’ve talked about. You could call us obsessed.

Our extensive blog, Oliver’s Journal has got tons of information and inspiration on locations across Europe and the Caribbean. It’s a one-stop shop for family-friendly holiday fun, the best group activities, foodie finds and a good dose of adventure. If you found this travel guide useful, (we hope you did!), you can find a whole host more on the blog, too!

At Oliver's Travels we don't do ordinary. From family chateaux in France and luxury cottages in the UK, to Mediterranean villas with pools and Caribbean beach villas, we have something for everyone, everywhere.

.

Get in touch Follow Us 0800 133 7999 www.oliverstravels.com