Umbria, deep in the centre of Italy and comprising the provinces of Perugia and Terni, is known as the country’s green heart. With an undulating geography dominated by the Tiber Valley and Appenine Hills, Umbria is the only region of Italy to have neither coastline nor foreign border. Regardless of its landlocked position, self catering holidays in Umbria are beginning to rival neighbouring Tuscany in drawing visitors searching for Italy vacation rentals.
Set against the lush green vista of the Apennines, Umbria is a region defined by the rivers and valleys that shape it and its production of olives, wheat and grapes. While it may not be Italy’s most prolific producer, the quality of its Orvieto wine is revered well beyond its borders and it produces several other noted varieties including the Marsala-like Sagrantino di Montefalco.
Despite having no coastline, visitors taking a holiday cottage in the Umbrian hills will never be far from water. Lake Trasimeno accommodation offers great bed and breakfasts or a choice of apartment or villa rental accommodation in luscious green surroundings. There are plenty of opportunities for swimming and water sports, against a backdrop of olive grove terraces and hillside villages.
Apartment rentals in the Umbrian capital Perugia are popular with tourists, wanting to make the regional capital their base for a wider exploration. Perugia is one of Italy’s great hill towns and the old centre is completely walled, meaning the best way to enjoy its rich heritage is on foot. Try walking up to the 5th century Roman ruins at Tempio di Sant’Angelo, as popular with locals as it is with tourists. The town is only a short drive away from many of Umbria’s famous architectural and cultural highlights including Todi, Spoleto, Spelli and Assisi each with its own rich artistic heritage preserved through the ages.
Umbria has other attractions including the Cascata delle Marmore, Europe’s highest waterfall and a tribute to Roman land management. For many, opting to stay in holiday cottages along the Tiber Valley, the chance to unwind at one of its luxury health spas and natural thermal baths is too good to miss. The valley is lined with ancient forests and is great for excursions to the nearby towns of Citta di Castello and Umbertide with their ancient historic centres and Montone, often referred to as Italy’s finest hamlet. Some of the villages in this part of Umbria trace their history back to 300BC, including Gubbio, with its unique collection of ancient bronze tablets.
The guidebooks will tell you to avoid anywhere but the Italian coast during the summer months, and you do well to follow that advice when considering a visit to cities like Rome, Florence and Venice. But the same cannot be said of Umbria. With its alpine peaks and deep gorges, July and August are ideal times to visit the region’s hilltop towns and forested heartlands, discovering ancient masterpieces preserved in their original settings.
Browse our range of Umbria holiday rentals today, including rustic farmhouses, rental apartments and family villas.