UMBRIA, ITALY

Where is Umbria?

Umbria is located in central Italy and the regional capital is Perugia. This is the largest city in the region and just a short drive from the wedding venue. Umbria is known as the green heart of Italy. With a landscape strewn with mountains and valleys. Roman remains can still be found in cities around the region such as in Assisi there are the Roman city walls, the Piazza del Comune (forum), a theatre, an amphitheater, and the Temple of Minerva. The region is also filled with architecture and artistry from the medieval and renaissance periods.

PERUGIA

Perugia is the capital of Umbria and sits high atop a mountain top with gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside. It is the home of Baci chocolates with a shop on each corner in the main square Piazza IV Novembre. Home of the National Gallery of Umbria. There are a number of medieval churches and towers to see as well as you can wall along 4km of medieval aqueduct.

DERUTA

This hilltop medieval town is just full of colour and ceramics. Deruta, is well known for their ceramic production. So much so that the Museo Regionale della Ceramica is here. Many of their ceramics are a Maiolica style with bright colours on a white background and can be found all around the city in shops and also on the streets. You can even see artisans practicing their craft in the their many shops.

ASSISI

Assisi is the home to many basilicas and cathedrals with the most famous being the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi. It is the birthplace of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan religious order. There are also two medieval castles - Rocca Maggiore, is the largest and open for visits. The Roman Temple of Minerva stands prominently in center of the city and houses a gothic church. You can even tour underground to see the roman ruins that the temple is built upon.

SPELLO

This small medieval town is just a short drive from Assisi. It feels like you’ve been transported back in time, with two 12-sided towers flanking the Porta Venere Roman gate. Every alleyway and doorway is adorned with gardens and flowers as this city organizes annual competitions for best infiorata, which means decorated with flowers.

FOLIGNO

Foligno is another ancient town in Umbria that controlled the main pass between the Umbrian plain (West) and the Adriatic coast (East). When visiting you will notice that it is much more modern than other towns in the area. This is due to Foligno being badly damaged during an earthquake in 1832 and it was largely rebuilt following heavy bombing in World War II. Due to its location it has become a commercial and industrial center but you can also find bustling piazzas and restored cathedrals. It is also well known for its happing night life.

BEVAGNA

The quaint town is a short drive away from the wedding venue in the heart of the Umbrian wine region. Originally an Etrusco-Oscan settlement it later was under the Romans and was called Mevania. Around the main square, Piazza Silvestri, stands three Romanesque churches. This is a ZTL town where you park outside the town walls.

SPOLETO

The town of Spoleto is brimming with art as it hosts the annual Festival dei due Mondi (Festival of two worlds) which is a major arts and culture festival. Its Renaissance history is evidenced through the town with the Rocca Albornoziana housing art and objects from the period. The entire city is connected by a series of underground moving sidewalks allowing escape from the heat and less climbing in this hilly city.

TERNI

Terni, an industrial city that was founded more than 2,000 years ago. It is also known as the City of Lovers, because St. Valentine was born here and became the city’s bishop.

Many parts of Terni city have been rebuilt following the destruction wrought by bombing raids during World War II. However, there are several ancient sites still standing. Visit the Basilica of St. Valentine, in which the saint’s relics are housed. Tour the 17th-century Terni Cathedral, also known as the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta. Other historical sites include the Roman Amphitheater and the 16th-century Palazzo Spada.

CITIVTA DI BAGNOREGIO

This village sits atop a hill made of volcanic tuff and is called the '"dying city" as the soil errods from the foundation beneath it. Here you will find medieval houses and LOTS of tourists. It is beautiful and impressive to see but a few things to note: the walk to the city is 2 km and uphill both ways, you pay a toll then to walk across the bridge into the city, there is a ZTL area that can be easily accidentally driven into when following google maps driving directions..

It is listed by Borghi più belli d'Italia, which is a private association of small italian towns of strong historical and artistic interest.

http://www.borghitalia.it/

ORVIETO

The ancient town of Orvieto sits hilltop and is built over a network of Etruscan caves. It is easy to get lost in the winding streets as you feel transported back in time walking under medieval arches along stone lined streets. Duomo Orvieto sits in the old city and this cathedral is well known for its black and white striped facade. There are tours below the city where you can walk through the cave network. You can also walk down a 50 meter alongside an Etruscan well on two spiral staircases that never meet. In addition to its rich history, Orvieto is also has a foodie culture with a focus on truffles and wild boar.

Orvieto — What an Italian Hill Town Should Be by Rick Steves

Orvieto Carta Unica This is attraction card includes many of the main sights in Orvieto and is valid for 1 year from activation. It includes partner discounts at additional archeological sites in Porano, Montecchio, and Bashi.

MONTEFALCO

Situated in the central west of Umbria, Montefalco stands on a hill carpeted with olive trees and grape vines, in the middle of the valley of the Clitunno, Topino and Tiber rivers. This breath-taking position has led to Montefalco being known as The Balcony-rail of Umbria. Similar to other umbrian cities it is surrounded by a medieval walls. From here, on clear days, it is possible to admire a 360 ° panorama that stretches from Perugia to Spoleto, from the Subappennino to the Martani Mountains.

In August Montefalco hosts Montefalchese which has music, dance, entertainment, and historical reenactments. 2024 Dates TBD

NAPLES

Napoli is known for its grand castles, palaces, and churches. It is also known for some of the most chaotic driving conditions and like any big tourist area you may hear "Attenzione pickpocket!" being called out (or worse being pickpocketed). There are lots of local food options so don't be afraid to try a food walking tour as they are known for inventing pizza. Many stop in Naples as they head down to the Amalfi Coast or to Pompeii archeological park.

POMPEII

The ghostly ruins of ancient Pompeii make for one of the world's most engrossing archaeological experiences. Much of the site's value lies in the fact that the town wasn't simply blown away by Vesuvius in AD 79 but buried under a layer of lapilli (burning fragments of pumice stone). Here visitors can walk down Roman streets and snoop around millennia-old houses, temples, shops, cafes, amphitheatres and even a brothel. For parking check out Parking Zeus - Area 2 (Bus & Camper). This lesser known area is just a short walk via paths. Make sure when driving to keep your eye out for the brown Archeo Natura Pompeii sign with the blue Parking sign.

ISCHIA

The volcanic outcrop of Ischia is the most developed and largest of the islands in the Bay of Naples. An early colony of Magna Graecia, first settled in the 8th century BC, Ischia today is famed for its thermal spas, manicured gardens, striking Aragonese castle and unshowy, straightforward Italian airs – a feature also reflected in its food. Ischia is a refreshing antidote to glitzy Capri. Ferry service runs from Naples or from Sorrento daily. Castello Aragonese is worth the visit but be sure to take the elevator up. It is NOT worth the hike up and you will do this same walk on the way down.

SORRENTO

A small resort town with a big reputation, Sorrento is a town of lemons, high-pedigree hotels and plunging cliffs that cut through the heart of the historical core. Be sure to try the lemoncello here.

CAPRI

Capri is beautiful and very picturesque. There’s barely a grubby building or untended garden to blemish the splendour. Steep cliffs rise majestically from an impossibly blue sea; elegant villas drip with wisteria and bougainvillea; even the trees seem to be carefully manicured. Walk around the island or hop on a tour of one of the many blue grottos. It is however PACKED with tourists regardless of the time of year.

POSITANO

Dramatic, deluxe and more than a little dashing, Positano is the Amalfi Coast's front-cover splash, with vertiginous houses tumbling down to the sea in a cascade of sun-bleached peach, pink and terracotta. No less photo-worthy are its steep streets and steps, flanked by wisteria-draped hotels, smart restaurants and fashionable retailers.

PISA

Once a maritime power to rival Genoa and Venice, modern Pisa is best known for an architectural project gone terribly wrong. But the world-famous Leaning Tower is just one of many noteworthy sights in this compelling city. Education has fuelled the local economy since the 1400s, and students from across Italy compete for places in its elite university. The centre of town has a vibrant cafe and bar scene, balancing an enviable portfolio of well-maintained Romanesque buildings, Gothic churches and Renaissance piazzas with a lively street life dominated by locals rather than tourists – a charm you will definitely not discover if you restrict your visit to Piazza dei Miracoli.

(📷: Tanya Laughlin)

FLORENCE

Cradle of the Renaissance, romantic, enchanting and utterly irresistible, Florence (Firenze) is a place to feast on world-class art and gourmet Tuscan cuisine. Capital city of Tuscany, it is a city that bustles with industry and craft, commerce and culture, art and science.

(📷: Tanya Laughlin)

SIENA

Siena is a city where the architecture soars, as do the souls of many of its visitors. Effectively a giant, open-air museum celebrating the Gothic, Siena has spiritual and secular monuments that have retained both their medieval forms and their extraordinary art collections, providing the visitor with plenty to marvel at. The city's historic contrade (districts) are marvellous too, being as close-knit and colourful today as they were in the 17th century, when their world-famous horse race, the Palio, was inaugurated. And within each contrada lies vibrant streets populated with artisanal boutiques, sweet-smelling pasticcerie (pastry shops) and tempting restaurants. It's a feast for the senses and an essential stop on every Tuscan itinerary.