About Umbria Italy

Umbria is one of 20 regions in Italy and the only region without a sea coast. Umbria’s landscape is an endless vista of rolling hills with sunflower fields, vineyards, olive trees, wheat fields and forest which gives Umbria its nickname the “Green Heart of Italy” because it has some of the most beautiful landscape to be found in Italy. The Tiber River traverses through the region along with some of the most interesting medieval hill towns such as Todi, Spoleto, Orvieto, Assisi, Gubbio and Spello. Some smaller, less well known towns of interest include Trevi, Norcia, Bevagna, Amelia, and Narni. Other small towns in Umbria known for their ceramics are Deruta and Torgiano.

Todi. Italy is part of the medieval hill towns and one of the most beautiful in a delightful position on an isolated triangular hill which overlooks the central Tiber River Valley. It is a unique city with its medieval buildings and steep narrow winding streets. Todi was founded by the Umbria and later absorbed Etruscan influence. It became a Roman Colony by 42 BC making it one of the first free communes in the middle Ages. Todi is famous for its Etruscan and Roman ruins which now belong to the Museo Archeologico in Florence and the Villa Giulia in Rome. The famous bronze statue of Mars, dating back to 4C BC, was found in Todi in 1835 and is now in the Vatican.

Todi was the birthplace of Jacopo de’ Benedetti (c 1230-1306), called Jacopone da Todi, poet and mystic. He authored Stabat Mater.

The Palazzo del Popolo was built in early 13C as were the medieval walls which are still largely intact around the city that date back to 1244. Todi has towers and three gateways…Porta Romana, Porta Amerina or Fratta and Porta Perguina. Todi is also known for its cathedrals… the Duomo, San Fortunato and Santa Maria della Consolzaionelar.

Italian Flavors of Umbria, Flavorful Olive Oils, Truffles, Cheeses, and Wines.

The region of Umbria, Italy is famous for sausages, cheese, vegetables and truffles. Truffle production is a huge part of the cuisine in this region.

Wines - The climate of this region is also favorable for the cultivation of grapes which allows for the production of Umbria’s well known red wines that are mostly made in the hills that surround Perugia. The Sagrantino di Montefalco is one of the best known varietals in Umbria from the town of Montefalco. Orvieto is famous for its Orvieto White Classico, Torigano for its rose, red wine and spumante. Another white wine known in the region is the Grechetto.

The Umbrian hills, especially in the area of Assisi, Trevi and Spoleto are perfect land for cultivation of olive oil and some of the most flavorful olive oils are produced here.

Vacation Idea: Indulge in the local flavors of Umbria while staying at Casa Betti, set the table with olive oil, local cheese and a loaf of fresh bread and compliment it all with a glass of Umbria's regional wine.

Umbria RECREATION

There are numerous recreational activities within an hour of Casa Betti di Frontignano such as horseback riding, bicycling, rafting and canoeing. There is also a fitness center, walking trails and a sports center where soccer, tennis, skating and bocce ball are available to play.

A restaurant/pizza parlor is located on the premises of the sports center and during the summer months and on weekends there is a dance hall with bands from the area.

There are also numerous other options available near by including Thermal Bath spas in Assisi, skiing in the winter and more.

Fun Events

Festivals or Fiestas are held throughout the year in Todi as well as the small towns in the surrounding vicinity

The Umbria Jazz Festival is held every year in July Perugia. Hosting some of Jazz top performers as well as other notibal artists.
Learn more about this music filled event

Eurochocolate Festival. For nine days t town transforms itself for the occasion in a huge open-air pastry-shop for the delight of all the cacao lovers to indulge their love of chocolate. Dozens of big events concentrated on the "food of the gods" with exhibitions, laboratories, internships, cooking classes, tasting, expositions, banquets, celebrations
Discover more about this fun chocolate filled event in Perugia, Italy

Todi Arte Festival - For nine days in mid-July, the town comes alive with concerts, plays, and dance performances. Art festival site (in Italian)

Castiglione del Lago's Festival -Kite festival held every year on the shores of Lake Trasimeno, on the grounds of Castiglione del Lago's former airport open to experts as well as beginners Go to kite festival information

Sites to SEE in Umbria

The Petrified Forest of Dunarobba
Marmore Waterfalls.

Other Travel to Italy Information

Travel in Italy - Providing web resources for travel, tourism and vacations including regional information for italian vacation destinations.

Paying for things -

• Travelers Checks, make sure they are already in Euro currency and in small amounts. Note you will find that most small hilltop towns only accept Euros or Credit Cards as payment forms.
• ATM & Banks - there are ATM machines through out Italy they are called Bancomat and are labled Cirrus or BankMate. (note when using machines the pin pad is numberical so if you know your pin by letter learn the numberical equivalent.) Your bank will charge you the current conversion rate. Banks in Italy are open typically from 8:35 to 1:35 >lunch> 3:00 to 4:00 and closed on Sat. & Sundays.

Communicating & Telecommuting

• Public phones require a phone card called a Carta Telefonica. These can be purchased at any newsstand, tobacco shop or bar(coffee shop)
• Internet cafe's are located throughout Italy. For Email set up your account for online based access. Example set up a gmail, hotmail or yahoo account, have a copy of your emails forwarded to your online account to use while in Italy. For wireless connection or using your own laptop, you will need either a service that allows dial up connection (expensive because it utilizes phone line time) or purchase a wireless card that you can use for connection.
  Find a Internet Cafe
  
• For cheaper phone calls if you have a laptop with internet phone capabilities try Skype ( ex: Italy/us .021 per min) or for land line card calling try Acculinq which offers great international calling rates (and other services)for many countries. With both of the above you pre purchase minutes & use a CC on file to refill your min. if needed. note: for land line public phones you will still need the Carta Telephonica to get the dial tone to call out but your card should not be charged the minutes for international calls.

Health & Medical Assistance in Italy

Health Services and Insurance Policy
Before traveling to Italy, it is advisable to procure a document certifying coverage by the national health-care service as well as any documentation of any medicine or treatments you may be under going just in case medical assistance is needed.

Italy has no medical program covering U.S. and Canada citizens. Therefore, U.S. and Canadian tourists are advised to take out an insurance policy before traveling. First Aid Service (Pronto Soccorso) with a doctor on hand is found at airports, ports, railway stations and in all hospitals. Medicines can be obtained only from the pharmacy, whether they are on prescription or over the counter. When getting medicine or visiting a pharmacies (Farmacia), in the large cities they are typically open non stop but note that quite a few operate on the 8:30 to 12:30 >lunch>3:00 - 7:00 schedule.

Miscellaneous Italy Vacation Information

Shopping - Warning be careful of counterfeit goods sold example designer handbags, sunglasses clothing etc. when exiting Italy if counterfeit goods are discovered they will be confiscated a fine could be imposed. When in doubt don't buy it!

Electrical Appliances
The electrical current in Italy is AC - the cycle is 50Hz 220 V. A tourist carrying electrical appliances to Italy should have a transformer, either obtained before leaving your country or bought at an electrical appliance shop in Italy. Plugs have round prongs, not flat, therefore an adapter plug is needed.