In the shadow of its neighbour Tuscany, the ‘green heart’ of Italy beats quietly out of sight. Protected by the natural ramparts of its steep reliefs, Umbria remains relatively undiscovered, revealing itself only to those who venture into its chestnut forests, wander along its picturesque riverbanks and linger in its hilltop villages long enough to savour the flavours of the land. Umbria is both a foodie paradise and a region brimming with history in the form of medieval towns, palaces and churches. When travellers aren’t busy exploring stunning natural landscapes, Umbria holidays might involve truffle hunting on the outskirts of Perugia or marvelling at Assisi’s fresco-filled basilica. What’s not to love?

Umbria holiday ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

Umbria Guide

Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday

Italy testimonials

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"Emily really understood what mattered to us and created a trip that felt completely personalised and thoughtfully organised. We had time to relax in Naples after each excursion, our transport provider was friendly and always on time, and it was a pleasure to be looked after by a local, who added an authentic touch to the whole trip. Visiting Herculaneum and Pompeii was a particular highlight - our guide was truly exceptional, making the visits truly memorable with an excellent command of English and an impressive knowledge of world history as well as the sites themselves."
L - UK
Published on 23rd February 2026
"Our Concierge was brilliant and super helpful - we'd recommend travelling with Original Travel based on her help alone! The Concierge was a new thing for us as previous travel companies did not have this feature, and we thought this was invaluable. We particularly enjoyed the food tour in Ragusa, seeing Mount Etna, driving in Ortigia and the sunset in Marsala. It is the first time we have used Original Travel and we were very happy with the service."
M - UK
Published on 29th September 2025
"Emily really listened and understood what I was looking for, and developed a fantastic itinerary based on that. The personalised tour of Siena was a real highlight - I had asked if we could see some James Bond filming locations, and our guide took a lot of time to review the films and take us to the exact streets, balconies, doorways and squares seen in the films. We all loved it, especially our boys, who are James Bond enthusiasts."
G - UK
Published on 29th September 2025

What is there to do on an Umbria holiday?

Emilia-Romagna’s Bologna may have been voted Italy’s foodie capital, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a region more full of flavour than Umbria. Accordingly, many of the best activities involve experiencing the connection between land and table, whether visiting a boutique wine estate in Montefalco, truffle hunting in the woods surrounding a local farm, or sampling cured wild boar in one of our recommended restaurants. But truffles and terroir are only part of the story. A private tour of Assisi is a must when visiting Umbria. Birthplace of St. Francis, this hilltop town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Not only is it home to a beautiful basilica, but its winding medieval alleyways lead you to secret corners and sublime viewpoints. Finally, Umbria’s charm lies in its rolling hills, green valleys and sparkling lakes. Explore this stunning natural landscape on foot, by bike or even on horseback to experience the region’s rural enchantment.


Who is Umbria best for?

The romantic alleyways and sophisticated flavours of Umbria may appeal to a more adult palette, but that’s not to say there isn’t plenty for children to enjoy in this beautiful region. There’s no shortage of outdoor activities here, whether kayaking on Lake Trasimeno or visiting Marmore Waterfalls, whose cascades emerging verdant cliffsides will appeal to any age. A visit to Perugia’s chocolate factory is also a guaranteed hit.


What is the best option for an Umbria holiday?

This rural region is best explored by car, putting medieval hilltop villages, vast natural parks and historic accommodation within easy reach. While you could spend weeks in Umbria sipping espresso in tiny piazzas and enjoying its tranquil pace of life, you can also combine an Umbria holiday with a trip to nearby Rome. With a convenient train connection between Perugia and the Eternal City, ride the rails to Italy's capital for a dose of urban beauty on your trip.

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