Umbria | Italofile

Umbria Travel Guide

red flower field near green trees and white concrete building during daytime

Umbria calls itself the “Green Heart of Italy.” It’s a perfect name for this central, landlocked region of picturesque, medieval hill towns, rolling green farmland and forests. Perugia is the capital of Umbria. Umbria Map Umbria borders Tuscany and Lazio, making it ideal for day trips and weekend escapes from Florence and Rome. It also … Read more

Blessing the Animals in Assisi on the Feast Day of Sant’Antonio Abate

The Piatto di Sant’Antonio Abate is a winter festival near Assisi that features a parade of horses and a blessing of animals.

The Man, the Myth, the Legend: Saint Valentine of Terni

Not many tourists make it to Terni. But many of those who do come to Umbria’s second largest town come specifically to see the church of Saint Valentine.

In 1499, Tuscan artist Luca Signorelli signed a contract to paint two remaining sections of the Cappella Nuova (new chapel) of the Duomo in the Umbrian town of Orvieto. By 1502 (or 1504, depending on which documentation you read), he had completed his “End of the World” fresco cycle in what is now known as the San Brizio Chapel.

Griffin and lion statues, the mythical symbols of Perugia

Perugia, the picturesque capital of the region of Umbria, is a destination I like to recommend to travelers looking for a new place to explore in Central Italy. Perugia is an austere, university town – indeed, it’s one of Umbria’s hill towns – with several unique characteristics that make it ideal for discovery. Here’s my … Read more

World’s Biggest Christmas Tree in Gubbio, Umbria

Albero di Gubbio - World's Largest Christmas Tree

Rockefeller Center has nothing on this tree. The biggest Christmas tree in the world is, in fact, in Gubbio, Umbria. But this is not any tree. No, this is not a tree at all. Gubbio’s Albero di Natale is a dazzling neon feat–and Guinness Book of World Records holder–that has been lighting up the hills … Read more

The Hill Towns of Umbria

Eight beautiful hill towns to put on your Umbria itinerary.

Keeping Up With the Antinori

Antinori Staircase Photo by Ivan Franco Bottoni

Italian wine enthusiasts (that includes most of us, right?) may find this past weekend’s 60 Minutes story on Italy’s Antinori family intriguing. Considered one of Italy’s premier winemaking clans, the Antinori have been in the wine business for more than 500 years. Today, even the Antinori daughters are in on the act. To learn more … Read more

Coloring the Skies: Kite Festival in Umbria

This weekend, the incredibly picturesque town of Castiglione del Lago, located on the banks of Lake Trasimeno in Umbria, will become even more beautiful as the skies fill with kites of all shapes, sizes, and colors. The event is called Coloriamo i Cieli, and it features some of the world’s most interesting kites commandeered by … Read more

Jazz in January: Umbria Jazz Inverno and Other Winter Festivals in Italy

Winter means the music season for most of Italy. Opera productions and church-sponsored chamber music events are typical fare from Lecco to Lecce at this time of year. But you’ll also find jazz and blues in the mix. Umbria, which is home to Umbria Jazz, hosts a summer and winter version of its well-regarded festival. Umbria Jazz … Read more