One of our favorite walking vacations in Italy takes us to Umbria. Umbria is a central region in Italy bordering Tuscany, Lazio, and Le Marche. Umbria is the only region in Italy that does not border a sea or another country. That seclusion protects it somewhat from outside influence and modernization. In Umbria, you’ll feel you’re taking a step back into medieval time. Accordingly, you’ll find many Italian traditions still with a strong foothold in everyday life.
The beautiful region of Umbria is unique and richly steeped in art, history, and culture. Here you can discover ancient hilltop towns, stroll through rolling countryside, and experience incredible regional gastronomy. On our walking vacation in Umbria you can relax and enjoy the peace of an unhurried rural lifestyle.
Taking its name from Roman times, Umbria boasts a tasty local cuisine. The lovely agricultural region is noted for its truffles and its white wines. Of particular note is a delicate, semi-sweet variety, aged in tufa cliffs. We visit with passionate winemakers and tour family estates. As a result, guests on our Umbria walking vacations learn what makes the wine of this region so admired.
Umbria is home to the provinces of Perugia and Terni and the lovely medieval town of Orvieto. The Etruscan people thrived between the 7th and 2nd centuries B.C., in what is now Umbria.
Situated atop a rocky cliff at an elevation of 640 feet, Orvieto overlooks the area where the Paglia and Chiana rivers meet. Orvieto’s local artisans produce wrought iron, ceramics, and lace.
The Cathedral of Orvieto
The Gothic cathedral of Orvieto is the most celebrated cathedral in Italy. Its west façade is richly sculptured marble and is divided into three gables with intervening apices. The interior of the building is lavishly decorated with the work of a number of medieval sculptors and painters. The cathedral houses frescoes by Luca Signorelli and Fra Angelico in the Cappella Nuova. Many 16th-century sculptures adorn the cathedral.
The duomo is just one of the many beautiful and interesting sites in Orvieto that guests can visit during this walking vacation. Be sure also to visit the churches of San Andrea and San Domenico. Other highlights include the old fortress , which has been converted into public gardens, and the Pozzo di San Patrizio (1527–40).
Orvieto is truly a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life and it is only waiting for you.
Click here to see our full tour schedule of walking vacations in Italy and other European countries.