Italy - regional highlights

Umbria • Todi

Umbria is rightly known as the Green Heart of Italy. Famed for the natural wonders of its landscape it is also home to a seemingly inexhaustible array of artistic and architectural treasures. This balance between the natural and artistic is what makes it so special.

We base ourselves in the tiny fortified hilltop town of Montecastello di Vibio, near Todi. The area is famed for its well preserved medieval towns, whose narrow, winding streets reveal secrets around every corner such as tiny churches sheltering their frescoes.

Set against the delights of the towns is a little-explored landscape of rolling hills, ancient beech woods, olive groves, vineyards, orchards of almonds and apricots and cool, wooded river valleys, with the Tiber gently winding its way south towards Rome.

Any reference to Umbria would be incomplete without mention of its food. This is the land of the truffle, fine olive oils,game, succulent pork, the freshest local produce and of course, excellent wine.

Our hotel is right in the centre of medieval Monte Castello de Vibio, with panoramic views over the Tiber river. It is run by a dynamic young couple tireless in their concern for guests and always creating a very friendly atmosphere. The restaurant is well known locally for its cooking, based on dishes of the region - home made pasta, cheeses, salamis and truffles when in season. 2 hours from Rome.