Montana

Perugia, Italy

Nearest Airport: Peretola Florence Airport 2 h 4 min
Nearest serviced town: 9 min
Nearest major city: Perugia 54 min; Arezzo 1 h
Driving time estimated by Google Maps

Due to its proximity to Tuscany, any traveler who goes from Florence to Rome by land should pass through Umbria. This region is worth a visit of its own for the beautiful landscapes and enchanting lakes. Several filmmakers found it to be the perfect location for movies such as The English Patient, Life is Beautiful and Under the Tuscan Sun (despite its namesake). Perugia is the capital city and is renowned for hosting the annual Umbria Jazz Festival, held in July, and the Eurochocolate Festival at the Perugina Chocolate Factory, in October.
There are several notable tourist attractions throughout the region. Lake Trasimeno, the fourth largest lake in Italy, offers a plethora of activities for the sporty vacationers. The medieval town of Deruta has been producing hand-made majolica ceramics for centuries and it is the ideal place to buy some home decor to bring home. Check the Ceramics Museum on the hilltop main piazza. Spoleto is arguably one of Umbria's most beautiful hill towns, and renowned host of the Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds), annual summer music and opera festival held each June to early July. You may also want to sample the Umbrian wine along the Sagrantino Wine Road near Spoleto and Moltefalco, which is lined with wineries, many of them open for tastings.
Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis, where you can enjoy a visit to the Basilica di San Francesco which is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Last, but not least, is Orvieto known for its wine (Orvieto Classico, a dry fine white wine) and because is one of the main centers of Italy's Slow Food. Do not miss to visit its magnificent Duomo, considered the most glorious example of Italian Gothic style.