About Umbria
Underrated Umbria is packed with culture, fine dining and beautiful landscapes. It’s also one of Italy’s’ last remaining havens where visitors can completely escape the crowds. Our luxury villas in Umbria are set deep in the heart of the countryside, offering some utterly indulgent retreats.
Umbria’s capital, the hill town of Perugia, is one of Italy’s main cultural hubs. At its heart lies the Collegio del Cambio, a historic guild whose frescoed walls were created by Pietro Vannucci, one of the most important painters of the Renaissance. The paint on these startling images almost seems as if it were still drying, so vibrant is the colour.
Nearby, the town of Assisi may be small but it’s voluminous when it comes to art and culture. As the name suggests, it was the birthplace of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy. The aptly named Basilica of St Francis is a monumental two-level church, palatial in dimensions and design. The 13th-century frescoes inside have been attributed to the famous Italian artist, Giotto.
In southern Umbria, the ancient city of Spoleto is generally sleepy throughout the year. Come June, however, and it bursts into life. During the Festival dei Due Mondi, three intense weeks of world-class theatre, unrivalled music, opera, sculpture and painting flood the town. Be sure to stop by for a dose of Italian culture and you’ll soon see why Umbria is one our favourite undiscovered escapes.
Time Zone
GMT +1 hour
Language
Italian
Currency
Euro
Tipping
You are not expected to tip on top of restaurant service charges, though leaving a small amount is common practice. If there is no service charge, you might consider leaving 10%/15%, but it is not obligatory. In bars any small change is left as a tip. Tipping taxi drivers is also not mandatory but suggested.
