Umbria suggested itineraries

Despite measuring just 8456 square kilometers, the small land-locked region of Umbria has some of Italy's most beautiful landscapes, and wonderfully fertile land on which food and wines of worldwide fame are produced. Umbria has long been the much dreamt of destination of gourmands from every corner of the globe. Connoisseurs of good food and wine are seduced by the spectacular, unadulterated flavours of Umbrian cuisine: the fruit of the region's age old farming traditions. The Umbrian countryside is suffused with the colors of the region's most highly prized ingredients: the glistening green gold of its extra virgin olive oil, the ruby red of its wine, and the purple of its saffron flowers.

You have only to follow the aromas coming from any of the tiny kitchens hidden away in Umbria's medieval towns and cities to discover the gastronomic delights of the place. The region's "norcinerie", or pork butchers, have come to symbolize the wisdom of Umbria's rural community. It is they who invented a delicious spicy sausage which would ensure nourishment during the winter months.
The norcinerie derive their name from Norcia, the capital of Umbria's pork production. Despite being the hometown of the monk, San Benedetto, whose rule Ora et Labora, advocates a life of 'Prayer and work'; Norcia is not lacking in culinary temptations. Here you can taste the wonderful spicy Umbrian porchetta and seasoned pecorino cheese, the latter made all the more delectable by the addition of flakes of Norcia truffle. The men of Norcia are, in fact, masters of the solitary art of truffle hunting.

Whilst Norcia is known for its sausages, mushrooms and truffles; the nearby town of Castelluccio is famous for its lentils. The lentils of Castelluccio are considered to be among the best in the world. Much smaller than your average lentil, these brownish pulses cook quickly, meaning that none of their nutty, earthy flavour is lost during the cooking process. The lentils are cultivated in the Piani di Castelluccio, four high plains which, in spring, when the lentils are in bloom, are covered with a blanket of colorful flowers.

Another breathtaking display of nature occurs nearby, in the countryside immediately outside Cascia, in the fields where Umbria's highly prized saffron is grown. During the flowering season the countryside of Cascia might easily be confused with the lavender carpeted fields of Province, in Southern France. It is hard to imagine that Umbria's bright yellow saffron is cupped within these delicate, purple flowers.

From Cascia, we head along Umbria's picturesque Wine Roads to Montefalco. This panoramic hill top town is often referred to as the terrace of Umbria. Here some of the region's most important wines are produced. Montefalco's Sagrantino is considered to be one of Italy's finest wines. Along the Strada del Sagrantino any number of pretty medieval villages can be found, each with at least one well-stocked cellar, in which the area's wine can be sampled.

Bevagna is a charming little village where, each spring, the Mercato delle Gaite is celebrated. At this historical re-enactment of life in the village during the late 13th and early 14th centuries, visitors can watch another ancient Umbrian tradition; the making of olive oil. In the districts of Macciano and Camporeggiano, there are vast expanses of centuries old olive trees, the fruit of which is used to produce one of Umbria's finest DOP extra virgin olive oils.