Destinations · Umbria
Umbria private tours
Sacred Assisi, medieval hill towns, olive groves and organic wine, a quieter, soulful alternative to Tuscany.
Tailor-made in Umbria
Slow, authentic and beautiful
Umbria is Italy’s only region without a coastline, a land of forests, olive groves and stone towns perched on hills, with far fewer visitors than its famous neighbour.
We plan stays in restored farmhouses with private guides, wine and olive oil tastings, truffle hunts and chocolate workshops in Perugia.
Getting around
Every hill town, handled
Umbria’s towns sit on hilltops with limited parking and restricted traffic zones. We arrange private drivers and guides so you simply enjoy them.
Private drivers
From Rome, Florence or Perugia airports, and between Assisi, Spello, Montefalco and Orvieto.
Private guides
The Basilica of St Francis, medieval Perugia and Orvieto’s cathedral.
Wine and olive oil
Organic winery tastings, Sagrantino in Montefalco and visits to olive oil mills.
Hands-on
Truffle hunting and a chocolate-making workshop in Perugia.
Sample itinerary
Six days in Umbria
Based on our real proposals: sacred art, wine, olive oil and chocolate.
- Days 1–2 · AssisiAn organic winery tour, a guided walk through Assisi’s sacred stones and silent streets, and an olive oil mill.
- Days 3–4 · PerugiaThe medieval hilltop city on foot and a chocolate-making workshop in Italy’s chocolate capital.
- Day 5 · OrvietoOrvieto’s cathedral and underground city on the way south.
- Day 6 · RomeA final evening in the Eternal City.
When to go
Umbria through the year
Umbria is beautiful all year, with very few crowds outside Assisi.
Spring
Wildflowers, green hills and Easter celebrations.
Summer
Festivals including Umbria Jazz in Perugia and Spoleto’s arts festival.
Autumn
Harvests, black truffles and the new olive oil.
Winter
Quiet towns and Eurochocolate in Perugia in October.
Beyond Umbria
Combining Umbria
Umbria sits between Florence and Rome, so it combines beautifully with Tuscany and the Eternal City.
Why visit Umbria?
Umbria is known as the green heart of Italy. It offers rolling hills, olive groves and medieval hill towns such as Assisi, Perugia, Orvieto, Spello, Todi and Spoleto, with a slower, more authentic atmosphere than its famous neighbour, Tuscany.
It is a wonderful region for food and wine lovers, with black truffles, extra virgin olive oil and the powerful Sagrantino wines of Montefalco.
What are the best things to do in Umbria?
Umbria’s hill towns, countryside and food traditions reward travellers who love to slow down. These are the experiences we most often include in our clients’ journeys:
Assisi. Visit the Basilica of St Francis with its celebrated frescoes, and wander the pink-stone streets of this spiritual town.
Perugia. Explore the medieval centre, the Fontana Maggiore and the underground Rocca Paolina, and discover the city’s chocolate tradition.
Orvieto. Admire the magnificent cathedral and explore the underground city carved into the volcanic rock.
Spello. Stroll one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, famous for its flower-filled lanes and the floral carpets of the Infiorate festival.
Montefalco. Taste the powerful Sagrantino wine in the “balcony of Umbria”.
Todi and Spoleto. Discover two elegant hill towns, with Spoleto hosting the famous Festival dei Due Mondi every summer.
A truffle hunt. Search for black truffles with an expert hunter and his dogs, followed by a tasting.
A chocolate workshop. Make your own chocolate in Perugia, a favourite with families.
The Marmore Falls. Visit one of the highest man-made waterfalls in Europe, created by the ancient Romans.
Castelluccio. In early summer, see the plain of Castelluccio covered in colourful blooming lentil fields.
Lake Trasimeno. Relax on the shores of central Italy’s largest lake and visit its islands.
Is Assisi worth visiting?
Absolutely. Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, is one of Italy’s most beautiful and spiritual towns. The Basilica of St Francis, decorated with frescoes attributed to Giotto and his workshop, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Beyond the basilica, the pink-stone streets, the Temple of Minerva and the views over the valley make Assisi unforgettable, especially in the early morning or evening.
How many days do you need in Umbria?
Three days are enough to visit Assisi, Perugia and one or two smaller towns such as Spello or Montefalco. With five days, you can add Orvieto, Todi, a truffle hunt or a wine tasting, and simply enjoy the countryside from a beautiful villa or agriturismo.
Do I need a car in Umbria?
The hill towns are well connected by road but less so by public transport, so a car or a private driver is the best way to explore. We usually recommend a private driver, especially for wine tastings, so you can relax and enjoy the views.
What is the best time to visit Umbria?
Spring and autumn are ideal, with mild weather and the olive and grape harvests in autumn. Summer brings Umbria Jazz in Perugia in July, while October is famous for Eurochocolate, also in Perugia.
Winter is the season for black truffles, roaring fires and peaceful towns.
What food and wine is Umbria known for?
Umbria is famous for black truffles, particularly around Norcia and Spoleto, and for some of Italy’s finest olive oil. Other specialities include Castelluccio lentils, cured meats from Norcia and Perugia’s chocolate tradition.
For wine, look for the bold red Sagrantino di Montefalco, the elegant Montefalco Rosso and the crisp whites of Orvieto.
Can Umbria be combined with Tuscany or Rome?
Yes. Orvieto is a little over an hour from Rome by train, and Perugia is around two hours from Florence, so Umbria fits naturally between the two cities. It also pairs beautifully with southern Tuscany, as Montepulciano and Cortona are close to the regional border.
Are your Umbria tours private?
Yes. Every Umbria journey we design is private and tailor-made. We do not sell fixed packages or join you to large groups: your itinerary is built from scratch around your dates, interests and pace.
In Umbria, that means a private driver between the hill towns, private guides for Assisi and Orvieto, and private wine tastings and truffle hunts arranged with producers we know.
Your journey includes hand-picked hotels, private transfers and 24/7 assistance in the Italian time zone throughout your trip. If you would like a shared experience, such as a small-group masterclass, we will always tell you in advance.
To start, tell us about your trip for a free, no-obligation proposal, or book a free 30-minute call with our team.
“Everything was perfectly coordinated and thoughtfully planned.”
S. Z. · Google review
Ready to plan Umbria?
Tell us your dates and what you love, and we will reply personally with a free, no-obligation proposal.