Accommodation in Umbria

Relax and Rejuvenate in the Rural Region of Umbria

If you are in the process of deciding where to spend your next holiday, the Umbria region of Italy is an often-overlooked, yet extremely tranquil locale to consider. Located in central Italy and having the auspicious characteristic of being the only region in Italy that is both landlocked and has no common borders with any other country, a self catering Umbria holiday offers a uniquely Italian experience.

Umbria borders the region of Tuscany to the west, Marche to the east and Lazio to the south, and is surrounded by mountains in every direction, with the highest peak standing 2,476 meters (8,123.36 ft) above sea level and the lowest point being the Tiber Valley basin at Attigliano at just 96 meters (314.96 feet). A visit to the capital city of Perugia is a must-do for travellers to this region, but anywhere you travel you will enjoy a relaxing trip and encounter welcoming locals. Opting for self catering Umbria holidays is particularly ideal for those who do not want to spend their holiday in the midst of throngs of tourists, as Umbria receives less than 1/10 of the visitors that flock to more popular tourist regions, such as Tuscany.

No matter what kind of Umbria accommodation you prefer, there will certainly be something that perfectly fits your needs. Whether you prefer a bed and breakfast, an Umbria apartment or a rural villa that is self catering, Umbria offers it all. And, during your stay you will also have the opportunity to enjoy simple, delicious regional cuisine that is largely influenced by the Etruscans and Romans and has changed little since the Middle Ages when area residents often lived on modest means. A simple breakfast of cereal made for spelt and a dinner of fresh fish cooked with local herbs and vegetables picked that day is the norm and adds to the appeal of Umbria as a simple, rustic region allowing you to step away from everyday life and truly relax and refresh. Wine is generally served with evening meals and adds to the laidback, relaxed lifestyle of the region.

When deciding what to do in Umbria, there is no shortage of sites to discover. From your Umbria accommodation, you will find that it is easy and convenient to visit any part of the region, particularly if you hire a car for convenient transport. History lovers will not want to miss the Albornoz Fortress, overlooking the river Nera, which is one in a series of fortresses used to allow the Pope safe passage back from Avignon, France, during a time when the Romans sought to conquer the area in the 15th century. There is also the town hall of Narni, known as Palazzo del Podestà, which was built in 1273 and is not only aesthetically and architecturally stunning, but also houses many famous paintings and historical pieces, including an ancient Egyptian mummy dating back to the 4th century BC and numerous paintings of the Virgin Mary, such as The Coronation of the Virgin Mary by Domenico Bigordi, San Francisco Stimatizzato by Giovanni di Pietro and The Annunciation by Benozzo Gozzoli.

When deciding where to rent your Umbria apartment or other self catering Umbria accommodation, there are many options from which to choose, each with its own allure. For example, there is Paciano with its rich history dating back to the 7th century BC, Castiglione del Lago with its annual The Colour of Skies festival, or Todi with its legend of being built by Hercules himself. There is also the scenic Monte S. Maria Tiberina or Umbertide with their 13th century abbeys and cathedrals, as well as Assisi, which is the birthplace of St. Francis de Assisi, who was canonized in 1228.