Umbria

Umbria is a gentle , undulating land of hills , river valleys , a patchwork of fields , vines and olives similar in many ways to her better�known neighbour , Tuscany , yet in other ways so very different . Umbria evokes a deeper rusticity , a less ‘ polished ’ feel than Tuscany , the secrecy and mysticism of the Middle Ages and yet because of this holds a charm and fascination for the visitor . The hill towns are superb in their own right ; steep , narrow cobbled streets with overhanging arches , the grey stone enlivened here and there by pots of geraniums . Ancient crafts remain very much alive , with ceramics and woodwork in particular . The region abounds in Roman architecture with Gubbio and Spoleto being noteworthy and there are Etruscan remains too . The food is hearty and earthy too with truffles , porcini , sausages and salami being regional specialities . Yet Umbria also has some of the most important religious sites in Europe , such as the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi and outstanding works of art by Perugino , Giotto , Pinturicchio and Gozzoli can be discovered throughout the region . Umbria is an intriguing region that awaits further discovery .