Umbria holiday apartments, homes and villas

Why choose a holiday home in Umbria?

Umbria is mystical, mysterious, and obscure. Living in this landlocked region whose rollicking hills are adorned with watchtowers, fortresses, and castles is a potpourri of unexpected distractions. The first drops of the majestic Tiber River are formed here. It is in the quiet hill towns that a world reputation has been forged for creating the finest ceramics anywhere.

Use a bike rack on the auto and pack sturdy walking gear to discover Umbria. In Amelia you can explore the "Cave of Bones" where the ancient fossils will make you feel young again. Spirituality is the hallmark of the holy city of Assisi.

A muted majesty surrounds the priceless artwork in the fabulous basilicas in the city. There is a national celebration honoring the Patron Saint of Italy accompanied by much song and folk dancing. Cascia Norcia Valnerina is the place for festivals from spiritual to spectacles and a terrific spot to gorge on black truffles, lamb recipes, and fruits.

In Citta di Castello a tour of the weaving, lace, and embroidery factories is an interesting interlude. The first printed copy of the Divine Comedy was produced in Foligno in 1472. Each year the city conducts the "Celebration of Dante" to mark the occasion.

Antique fans will flock to the established markets of Gubbio year round but the town overflows when they put on the annual Race of the Candles. This truly wacky, madcap, and amazing race is one of most famous festivals in the world.

Travelers reach the old town center of Orvieto via the funicular lift or using a positively devious matrix of escalators and lifts that have been carved from the rock at Campo della Fiera. Umbria will teach you that Perugia is for chocolate lovers, that the highest waterfall in Europe is Marmore near Terni, and why Spoleto is a famed international cultural center.

Legend says that Hercules, son of Jupiter, built Todi which has become a favorite of medieval lore buffs. This monument rich town sits precariously atop a rocky hill and attracts crowds on the weekends.

In Trasimeno, life revolves around Lake Trasimeno, one of the most sought out lakes in all of Italy. Lake Trasimeno is just another magnificent choice for a self catering holiday rental, where the water laps at the shore holding vintage villas, enchanted castles, archaic ruins and dramatic villas.

Contribution post: 01 August 2010